| Unit Name: | 214th Coastal Division |
| Dates: | 1943 – 1944 |
| Size: | Division |
| Identification Symbol: | 214th Coastal Division gorget patches |
| Battles: | World War II |
The 214th Coastal Division (Italian: 214ª Divisione Costiera) was an infantry division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II.[1] Royal Italian Army coastal divisions were second line divisions formed with reservists and equipped with second rate materiel. They were often commanded by officers called out of retirement.[2]
The division was activated on 1 July 1943 in Bari and received units from the 212th Coastal Division and XXXI Coastal Brigade. The division was assigned to XXXI Army Corps and had its headquarter in Santa Severina.[1] The division was responsible for the coastal defense of the coast of the Ionian Sea coast of Calabria between Botricello and Lido Sant'Angelo.[3]
In early September the division prepared to fight the British XIII Corps, which had landed on 3 September 1943 in southern Calabria in Operation Baytown and was advancing towards the 214th Coastal Division's positions. After the Armistice of Cassibile was announced on 8 September 1943 the division remained at its positions and surrendered to the British XIII Corps. Afterwards the division joined the Italian Co-belligerent Army, but did not participate in the Italian campaign. The division was dissolved in summer 1944.[3]
Attached to the division:[3]
The division's commanding officers were:[1]