The original unit from which the Superga division descended was the Basilicata Infantry Brigade. However, following the reorganization of the Italian Army in March, 1926, the "named units" were abolished and the Basilicata Infantry Brigade became known as the I st Infantry Brigade brigata di fanteria). The brigade deployed three infantry regiments: 90th Salemo and the 91 st and 92nd Basilicata. In October 1934, the First Military Territorial Division, located in Torino, assumed the name Superga as did the 1st Infantry Brigade. At this time, the 5th Divisional Artillery Regiment was joined to the brigade to provide support. During the reorganizations following the Italo-Ethiopian War, Italian infantry divisional structure changed to the binary system and the 90th regiment was transferred to the 5th Infantry Division Cosseria.

As a precautionary measure, selected Italian divisions began to mobilize in Fall 1939. Among them was Superga, mobilized in Torino on October 24, 1939.

At this time Superga deployed the following units: the 91st and 92nd Infantry Regiments, comprised of three battalions each; the 5th Artillery Regiment, consisting of one battalion each of 100 mm howitzers, 75 mm guns, and 75 mm pack howitzers; the 69th AA Battery (20mm); the 101 st Engineer Battalion; one battalion of 81 mm mortars; and one company each of HMG and AT guns.

In March 1940, the XVIII CCNN (Camacie Ner - Black Shirts) battalion was added during the integration of the Blackshirts into the regular army.

Superga was demobilized early in 1940, but was hastily reactivated in June 1940 for the French campaign. The division was sent into combat at peacetime strength levels, as there was not enough time to mobilize the reservists and the support units. Superga fought in the Bardonecchia sector as a part of I Corps, 4th Army. The offensive began on June 21st, but 4th Army gained little ground, pushing only a few miles into France. Upon signing of the armistice agreement, Superga returned to its Torino depots. The division remained in North Italy as part of the general reserve until 1941.

In late 1941, Superga began specialized training in the Livorno area in preparation for Operation C3, the Malta invasion. In Spring 1942, Superga as well as 4th Infantry Division Livomo and 20th Division Fruili were scheduled to be converted to assault and landing divisions (divisione da sbarco e di assalto). These were structured as infantry divisions with decentralized support units for greater flexibility during opposed landings. Axis successes in 1942 convinced the High Command that the invasion of Malta was unnecessary and Superga transferred to Napoli in May 1942. The division spent from May to October as a part of the special naval defense force in the area.

Upon the Allied invasion of French North Africa, the Axis command began a desperate scramble to find troops for the Tunisian bridgehead. The First Infantry Division Superga left Napoli on the 12th of November, 1942, and arrived in Bizerte by the 20th. By early December, Superga occupied the Sousse-Kairouan area and was moving west towards the advancing Allies. At this time the unit was under XXX Italian Corps which was operating as a part of Fifth Panzer Army.

Due to the confused situation in Tunisia and the German practice of corsetting Italian forces with German units, Superga was broken into battlegroups. As of December 15th, Superga defended central Tunisia from Pont du Fahs to Djebel Boudabousse. Allied attacks (the French were in this sector) began to push the line back by the end of December. Heavily reinforced by German units, the First Infantry Division repulsed attacks by the French 19th Corps at the eastern dorsal passes in early January, 1943.

An Axis counterattack (Eilbote 1) to drive the Allies from the passes soon followed. The attack was carried out predominantly by German forces although four infantry battalions of Superga participated as part of Gruppe Stolz. Initial success was soon followed by retreats due to massive Allied superiority. Superga did not participate in the battles around Kasserine and as of the end of February 1943, still held part of its original position around Pont du Fahs. At this time Superga infantry units were corseted by the 756th German Mountain Regiment. Attacks by the British 1 st Para. Brigade were held in late February and early March.

The general Axis retreat to the Tunis-Bizerte bridgehead began in April. During this time the division was part of the DAK along with 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions and the Italian 50th Brigade, although the tank units were soon withdrawn to another part of the front. The final Allied assault began in early May. The Axis forces were split into two pockets; Superga was part of the southern group under Italian First Army. On May 12th, 1943, Superga surrendered in the Zaghouan area and ceased to exist as part of the Italian Army.