| Battle of Nikitovka | |||||||
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| Part of Eastern Front of World War II | |||||||
 Mussolini in conversation with General Messe during the Duce's visit to the CSIR units in Russia on 29 August 1941 | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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Supported by:  Germany |
Supported by:  United Kingdom | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Giovanni Messe |
 Georgy Zhukov | ||||||
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Battle of Nikitovka was fought between the Italian forces and Soviet Union during the Eastern Front of World War II.
The fighting around Nikitovka in early November 1941 formed one of the most difficult episodes for the Italian CSIR on the Eastern Front, as the 80th Infantry Regiment, having advanced beyond Gorlovka toward Trudovaja, was suddenly attacked by strong elements of the Soviet 74th Division that were trying to exploit a forty-kilometer gap between Italian and German forces; despite being isolated, short of food, ammunition, and even water, the regiment counterattacked immediately, pushed the Soviets back, and occupied Nikitovka on November 6, but soon found itself dangerously exposed and under growing pressure on both flanks. Repeated attempts by the 79th Infantry, the “Lancieri di Novara,” and later the 3rd Bersaglieri to break the encirclement failed, while episodes of extreme hardship including the death of a Russian woman, Juliana Andr, who tried to fetch water for the exhausted soldiers showed the severity of the situation. By November 12, with resupply impossible and the wounded trapped, the XVIII and XX Bersaglieri Battalions reached the edge of Nikitovka but were pinned down by heavy fire, forcing Colonel Caretto to withdraw; only a sudden snowstorm that night allowed the 80th Infantry to slip back to Italian lines with its wounded and frostbitten, leaving behind 130 dead, 553 wounded, and 16 missing. In recognition of its sacrifice, the regiment’s flag received a Gold Medal, and commanders like General Messe and those of the “Pasubio” Division praised the extraordinary courage and cooperation shown by Bersaglieri, cavalry, and infantry units. After the battle, the CSIR reorganized and joined German forces in advancing toward the planned “Z” line, fighting further engagements around Gorlovka, Rikovo, and Chazepetovka; although the Italians tactically won the Nikitovka battle and restored contact with their main lines, the overall strategic balance of the Eastern Front still remained in Soviet favor.
"In the tough, victorious battle waged yesterday by the troops under your command, I was particularly close to you, with all the passion of a commander. You have accomplished superb things that honor the CSIR. My highest praise to all the commanders and soldiers. A most vibrant and moving greeting goes to the 3rd Bersaglieri and Colonel Caretto, their worthy commander"