Despite its name referencing the region of Tuscany, the division was formed by men from Lombardy, especially from Brescia, Bergamo and the surrounding valleys.

[2] The division's lineage begins with the Brigade "Granatieri di Toscana" established on 1 July 1862 with the 7th and 8th grenadier regiments.

[4][5][6] The Lupi di Toscana took part in the Italian invasion of Albania landing in Durrës on 19 April 1939.

After returning to Italy the Lupi di Toscana was part of the Army reserve during the Italian invasion of France in June 1940.

[4] During the Greco-Italian War the Lupi di Toscana was sent as reinforcement to Albania arriving in early January 1941.

On 13 April 1941, the Lupi di Toscana was back on the offensive, capturing Mezigoran and Peshtan villages.

Afterwards the division remained on garrison duty in occupied France; initially between Menton and Nice and then in Grasse and Cagnes-sur-Mer, and finally in Fuveau-Rousset, Bouches-du-Rhône-Châteauneuf-le-Rouge.