The 1st CC.NN. Division "23 Marzo" () was an Italian CC.NN. (Blackshirts militia) division raised on 23 April 1935 for the Second Italo-Ethiopian War against Ethiopia. The name "23 Marzo" ("March 23rd") was chosen to commemorate the founding date of the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento on 23 March 1919. The division took part in the Italian invasion of Egypt and was destroyed during the Battle of Bardia in January 1941. History The division was one of six CC.NN. divisions raised in summer 1935 in preparation for the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. Its members were volunteers from the various armed militias of the National Fascist Party's paramilitary wing and came from two regions: the 135th and 192nd CC.NN. legions, and the I CC.NN. Machine Gun Battalion from Tuscany and the 202nd CC.NN. Legion from Umbria. Second Italo-Ethiopian War The division arrived in Massawa in Italian Eritrea between 28 August and September 1935. On 3 October the division crossed the Balasa river into Ethiopia. The division participated in the Battle of Amba Aradam and then in the Second Battle of Tembien. After the war the division was repatriated and then disbanded. World War II The division was reformed in Chieti in 1939 and sent with three other CC.NN. divisions to Italian Libya. The division took part in the invasion of Egypt in September 1940, reaching Sidi Barrani in Egypt by October. On 1 December 1940 the division was at Bardia, where it was surrounded with other Italian units by British forces during Operation Compass. After a short siege the division was destroyed during the Battle of Bardia on 3-5 January 1941. Organization 1935 Below follows the division's organization during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the cities, in which its CC.NN. battalions and companies/batteries were raised. 1st CC.NN. Division "23 Marzo" 135th CC.NN. Legion "Indomita", in La Spezia Command Company CXXXV CC.NN. Battalion, in La Spezia CLXXXVIII CC.NN. Battalion, in Livorno 135th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company, in Volterra 135th CC.NN. Artillery Battery, in Rome (65/17 infantry support guns) 192nd CC.NN. Legion "Francesco Ferrucci", in Florence Command Company CXC CC.NN. Battalion, in Pisa CXCV CC.NN. Battalion, in Florence 192nd CC.NN. Machine Gun Company, in Empoli 192nd CC.NN. Artillery Battery, in Florence (65/17 infantry support guns) 202nd CC.NN. Legion "Cacciatori del Tevere", in Perugia Command Company CCII CC.NN. Battalion, in Perugia CCIV CC.NN. Battalion, in Terni 202nd CC.NN. Machine Gun Company, in Arezzo 202nd CC.NN. Artillery