The Granatieri (Grenadiers) are the Guard unit of the Italian Army.
Granatieri di Sardegna Mechanized Brigade, *1831-1934, 1976- 1st Granatieri di Sardegna Regiment, *1659 (Rome) 1st Mechanized Granatieri Battalion Assietta, *1976-1992Inactivated units of the Granatieri specialty:
2nd Granatieri di Sardegna Regiment, *1659-2001 2nd Mechanized Granatieri Battalion Cengio, *1976-1992 3rd Granatieri di Sardegna Regiment, *1659-2002 3rd Granatieri (Training) Battalion Guardie, *1976-1992Italian Infantry units are named for regions and cities. However the 5th, 13th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 60th, 66th, 67th, 87th, 114th, 120th, and 151st infantry battalions are named for battles, while the 52nd is named for the Alps and the 1st carries the name of Saint Justus of Trieste.
Friuli Division, *1884 (Florence) Acqui Division, *1831 (San Giorgio a Cremano) Aosta Mechanized Brigade, *1831 (Messina) Pinerolo Mechanized Brigade, *1831 (Bari) Friuli Air Assault Brigade, *1884-1926, 1960- (Gorizia) Sassari Mechanized Brigade, *1915 (Sassari) Infantry School, *1849 (Cesano) 5th Infantry Regiment Aosta, *1690 (Messina) 5th Infantry Battalion Col della Berretta,, *1975-1992 9th Infantry Regiment Bari, *1734 (Bari) 17th Infantry Regiment Acqui, *1703 (Capua) 17th Infantry Battalion San Martino,, *1975-1992 28th Infantry Regiment Pavia, *1860 (Pesaro) 62nd Infantry Regiment Sicilia, *1861 (Catania) 66th Infantry Regiment Trieste, *1862 (Forlì) 66th Infantry Battalion Valtellina,, *1975-1993 80th Infantry Regiment Roma, *1889 (Cassino) 82nd Infantry Regiment Torino, *1884 (Barletta) 85th Infantry Regiment Verona, *1884 (Verona) 151st Infantry Regiment Sassari, *1915 (Cagliari) 151st Infantry Battalion Sette Comuni., *1976-1992 152nd Infantry Regiment Sassari, *1915 (Sassari) 235th Infantry Regiment Piceno, *1917 (Ascoli Piceno)Inactivated units of the Infantry of the Line:
Mantova Division, *1942-2013 Acqui Motorized Brigade, *1859-1926, 1975-1996 Brescia Mechanized Brigade, *1859–1939, 1975-1991 Cremona Motorized Brigade, *1859-1926, 1975-1996 Gorizia Mechanized Brigade, *1975-1996 Legnano Mechanized Brigade, *1975-1997 Mantova Mechanized Brigade, *1915-1919, 1986-1997 Trieste Mechanized Brigade, *1960-1991 1st Infantry Regiment San Giusto, *1624-2008 4th Infantry Regiment Piemonte, *1636-1991 4th Infantry Battalion Guastalla, *1975-1991 7th Infantry Regiment Cuneo, *1701-2001 11th Infantry Regiment Casale, *1619-1999 13th Infantry Regiment Pinerolo, *1672-1990 13th Infantry Battalion Valbella, *1975-1990 16th Infantry Regiment Savona, *1815-1991 20th Infantry Regiment Brescia, *1848-1991 20th Infantry Battalion Monte San Michele, *1975-1991 21st Infantry Regiment Cremona, *1848-2003 21st Infantry Battalion Alfonsine, *1975-1993 22nd Infantry Regiment Cremona, *1848-1990 22nd Infantry Battalion Primaro, *1975-1990 23rd Infantry Regiment Como, *1848-1996 26th Infantry Regiment Bergamo, *1859-1999 30th Infantry Regiment Pisa, *1859-1991 33rd Infantry Regiment Livorno, *1859-1991 33rd Infantry Battalion Ardenza, *1975-1991 37th Infantry Regiment Ravenna, *1859-1991 40th Infantry Regiment Bologna, *1859-1991 41st Infantry Regiment Modena, *1859-1995 45th Infantry Regiment Reggio, *1859-2003 45th Infantry Battalion Arborea, *1977-1993 47th Infantry Regiment Ferrara, *1859-2015 47th Infantry Battalion Salento, *1977-1997 48th Infantry Regiment Ferrara, *1859-1991 52nd Infantry Regiment Alpi, *1859-1996 53rd Infantry Regiment Umbria, *1861-1993 57th Infantry Battalion Abruzzi, *1975-2013, carries the traditions of the 57th Infantry Regiment "Abruzzi", *1861-1943 59th Infantry Regiment Calabria, *1861-1991 60th Infantry Regiment Calabria, *1861-2005 60th Infantry Battalion Col di Lana, *1975-2005 63rd Infantry Regiment Cagliari, *1862-1991 67th Infantry Regiment Legnano, *1862-1995 67th Infantry Battalion Montelungo, *1975-1993 68th Infantry Regiment Legnano, *1862-1989 68th Infantry Battalion Palermo, *1975-1989 72nd Infantry Battalion Puglie, *1862-1999 73rd Infantry Regiment Lombardia, *1859-1986 75th Infantry Regiment Napoli, *1861-1958 76th Infantry Regiment Napoli, *1861-1997 78th Infantry Regiment Lupi di Toscana, *1862-2008 84th Infantry Regiment Venezia, *1884-2000 87th Infantry Regiment Friuli, *1884-1991 87th Infantry Battalion Senio, *1975-1991 89th Infantry Regiment Salerno, *1884-1991 91st Infantry Battalion Lucania, *1977-2009 92nd Infantry Regiment Basilicata, *1884-1996 114th Infantry Regiment Mantova, *1915-1995 114th Infantry Battalion Moriago, *1975-?? 120th Infantry Regiment Emilia, *1915-1991 120th Infantry Battalion Fornovo, *1975-1991 121st Infantry Regiment Macerata, *1915-2000 123rd Infantry Battalion Chieti, *1985-2012 130th Infantry Regiment Perugia, *1915-1996 141st Infantry Regiment Catanzaro, *1915-1995 157th Infantry Regiment Liguria, *1915-2004 225th Infantry Regiment Arezzo, *1916-1999 231st Infantry Regiment Avellino, *1916-2004 244th Infantry Regiment Cosenza, *1917-1992The Bersaglieri are an elite mechanized corps of the Italian Army.
Bersaglieri battalions, with the exception of the 1st and 11th battalion are named for battles in which the Bersaglieri participated. The 1st battalion is named for the founder of the Bersaglieri General Alessandro Ferrero La Marmora and the 11th is named for the island of Caprera, where Italy's national hero Giuseppe Garibaldi resided.
Garibaldi Bersaglieri Brigade, *1975 (Caserta) 1st Bersaglieri Regiment, *1861 (Cosenza) 1st Bersaglieri Battalion La Marmora, *1975-1995 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment, *1861 (Teulada) 18th Bersaglieri Battalion Poggio Scanno, *1975-1991 6th Bersaglieri Regiment, *1861 (Trapani) 6th Bersaglieri Battalion Palestro, *1975-1991 7th Bersaglieri Regiment, *1871 (Bari) 10th Bersaglieri Battalion Bezzecca 8th Bersaglieri Regiment, *1871 (Caserta) 3rd Bersaglieri Battalion Cernaia, *1975-1993 11th Bersaglieri Regiment, *1883 (Orcenigo Superiore) 11th Bersaglieri Battalion Caprera, *1975Inactivated units of the Alpini Bersaglieri specialty:
Goito Mechanized Brigade, *1975-1991 2nd Bersaglieri Regiment, *1861-2001 2nd Bersaglieri Battalion Governolo, *1975-2001 12th Bersaglieri Regiment, *1861-2005, became 6th Bersaglieri Regiment on 15 April 2005 23rd Bersaglieri Battalion Castel di Borgo, *1975-1992, became 6th Bersaglieri Battalion Palestro on 15 April 2005 18th Bersaglieri Regiment, *1861-2005, became 1st Bersaglieri Regiment on 1 January 2005 67th Bersaglieri Battalion Fagare, *1975-1993, became 1st Bersaglieri Battalion La Marmora on 1 January 2005 14th Bersaglieri (Training) Battalion Sernaglia, *1975-1989 26th Bersaglieri Battalion Castelfidardo, *1975-1998 27th Bersaglieri Battalion Jamiano, *1975-1992, entered the 11th Bersaglieri Regiment in 1992, was replaced by the 11th Bersaglieri Battalion in 1997 and then inactivated 28th Bersaglieri Battalion Oslavia, *1975-1996Alpini are the Italian Army's mountain infantry units.
Alpini battalions are, with the exception of the Monte Cervino battalion named after a mountain, and the Val Brenta, Val Chiese and Val Tagliamento battalions named for alpine valleys, named for cities and villages in the mountainous regions of Italy.
Tridentina Division, *1935 (Bolzano) Taurinense Alpine Brigade, *1952 (Turin) Julia Alpine Brigade, *1949 (Udine) Alpini Training Center, *1934 (Aosta)Aosta Alpini Battalion, *1887 2nd Alpini Regiment, *1882 (Cuneo)Saluzzo Alpini Battalion, *1904 3rd Alpini Regiment, *1882 (Pinerolo)Susa Alpini Battalion, *1887 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment, *1882 (Verona)Monte Cervino Alpini Battalion, *1915 5th Alpini Regiment, *1882 (Vipiteno)Morbegno Alpini Battalion, *1887 6th Alpini Regiment, *1882 (San Candido)Bassano Alpini Battalion, *1887 7th Alpini Regiment, *1887 (Belluno)Feltre Alpini Battalion, *1886 8th Alpini Regiment, *1909 (Cividale)Tolmezzo Alpini Battalion, *1908 9th Alpini Regiment, *1919 (L'Aquila)L'Aquila Alpini Battalion, *1935Inactivated units of the Alpini Infantry specialty:
Cadore Alpine Brigade, *1953-1997 Orobica Alpine Brigade, *1953-1991 1st Alpini Regiment, *1882-1946Mondovì Alpini Battalion, *1886-1997 11th Alpini Regiment, *1935-1943, 1992-2002Trento Alpini Battalion, *1920-2002 12th Alpini Regiment, *1935-1936, 1992-1997Pieve di Cadore Alpini Battalion, *1886-1997 14th Alpini Regiment, *1993-2005 commanded the Tolmezzo Battalion until it was transferred to the 8th Alpini Regiment in 2005, then the 14th was inactivated 15th Alpini Regiment, *1992-1995Cividale Alpini Battalion, 1915-1995 16th Alpini Regiment, *1991-2004Belluno Alpini Battalion 1910-2004 18th Alpini Regiment, *1997-2004Edolo Alpini Battalion, *1886-2004 Tirano Alpini Battalion, *1887-1991 Val Tagliamento Alpini Battalion, *1882-1992 Vicenza Alpini Battalion, *1887-1996 Gemona Alpini Battalion, *1887-2005, entered the 8th Alpini Regiment in 1992, was replaced by the Tolmezzo Battalion in 2005 and then inactivatedVal Brenta Alpini Battalion, *1882-1986Val Chiese Alpini Battalion, *1915-1979Paracadutisti are the Italian Army's airborne forces.
Paratrooper battalions are named for battles, with the exception of the 2nd Battalion named after the location of the first Italian Paratrooper school. Paratrooper regiments carry the name of World War II airborne divisions.
Folgore Parachute Brigade, *1963 (Livorno) Paratrooper Training Center, *1939 (Pisa) 9th Paratrooper Assault Regiment Col Moschin, *1918 (Livorno) 9th Paratrooper Assault Battalion Col Moschin, *1975-1995 183rd Paratrooper Regiment Nembo, *1943 (Pistoia) 183rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion Nembo, *1975-1991, became the 183rd Paratrooper Battalion Nembo in 1991, entered the 183rd Paratrooper Regiment in 1993 as 1st Paratrooper Battalion Grizzano 185th Paratrooper Reconnaissance Regiment (LRRP) Folgore, *1941 (Livorno) 3rd Paratrooper Battalion "Poggio Rusco", *1975-1998, flag and traditions of the disbanded battalion were given to the 185th Paratrooper Reconnaissance Regiment in 2013 186th Paratrooper Regiment Folgore, *1941 (Siena) 5th Paratrooper Battalion "El Alamein", *1975-1992 187th Paratrooper Regiment Folgore, *1941 (Livorno) 2nd Paratrooper Battalion "Tarquinia", *1975-1992Lagunari are the Italian Army's amphibious forces.
Lagunari Regiment Serenissima, *1951 (Venice)Cavalry of the Line regiments are named for cities in Italy. The only exception to this rule are the 1st and 3rd regiments named for regions in France, 2nd regiment named for a region in Italy, 8th regiment named for the Battle of Montebello and 19th regiment, which was given no honorific name.
Pozzuolo del Friuli Brigade, *1835-1938, 1959-today (Bologna) Cavalry School, *1849 (Lecce) 1st Cavalry Regiment Nizza Cavalleria (Dragoons), *1690 (Pinerolo) 2nd Cavalry Regiment Piemonte Cavalleria (Dragoons), *1692 (Trieste) 3rd Cavalry Regiment Savoia Cavalleria (Dragoons), *1692 (Grosseto) 4th Cavalry Regiment Genova Cavalleria (Dragoons), *1682 (Palmanova) 5th Cavalry Regiment Lancieri di Novara (Lancers), *1828 (Codroipo) 6th Cavalry Regiment Lancieri di Aosta (Lancers), *1774 (Palermo) 8th Cavalry Regiment Lancieri di Montebello (Lancers), *1859 (Rome) 19th Cavalry Regiment Cavalleggeri Guide (Chevau-légers), *1859 (Salerno)Inactivated units of the Line Cavalry specialty:
Vittorio Veneto Armored Brigade, *1975-1991 7th Cavalry Regiment Lancieri di Milano, *1859-1989 9th Cavalry Regiment Lancieri di Firenze, *1753-1995 12th Cavalry Regiment Cavalleggeri di Saluzzo, *1848-1991 14th Cavalry Regiment Cavalleggeri di Alessandria, *1850-1979 15th Cavalry Regiment Cavalleggeri di Lodi, *1859-1995 28th Cavalry Regiment Cavalleggeri di Treviso, *1909-1991Tank battalions are named for members of the speciality, who were awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour for outstanding service in combat.
Ariete Armored Brigade, *1986 (Pordenone) 1st Armored (Training) Regiment, *1936 (Teulada) 4th Tank Regiment, *1941 (Persano) 20th Tank Battalion M.O. Pentimalli, *1935 31st Tank Regiment, *1937 (Altamura) 1st Tank Battalion M.O. Cracco, *1937 32nd Tank Regiment, *1938 (Spilimbergo) 3rd Tank Battalion M.O. Galas, *1936 132nd Tank Regiment, *1941 (Cordenons) 8th Tank Battalion M.O. Secchiaroli, *1936 Centauro Armored Brigade, *1986-2002 Mameli Armored Brigade, *1975-1991 Manin Armored Brigade, *1975-1986 changed name to Ariete Armored Brigade in 1986 Curtatone Armored Brigade, *1975-1986 changed name to Centauro Armored Brigade in 1986 2nd Tank Regiment, *1936-1996 22nd Tank Battalion M.O. Piccinini, *1935-1996 3rd Armored Regiment, *1936-1975 9th Armored Battalion M.O. Butera, *1941-1995, became the Logistic Support Unit Monte Romano in 1995 33rd Tank Regiment, *1939-2001 11th Tank Battalion M.O. Calzecchi, *1941-2001 62nd Armored Regiment, *1992-2001, was the 62nd Infantry Regiment, became the 62nd Tank Regiment in 1996, became the 62nd Infantry Regiment Sicilia in 2001 62nd Armored Battalion M.O. Jero, *1939-2001, merged with the 62nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and entered the 62nd Armored Regiment in 1992 63rd Tank Regiment, *1992-1995 63rd Tank Battalion M.O. Fioritto, *1939-1995 67th Armored Regiment, *1993-1995, was the 67th Infantry Regiment Legnano 4th Tank Battalion M.O. Passalacqua, *1940-1995 131st Tank Regiment, *1941-201331st Tank Battalion M.O. Andreani, *1947-2013 133rd Tank Regiment, *1941-1995 60th Tank Battalion M.O. Locatelli, *1941-1995 5th Tank Battalion M.O. Chiamenti, *1936-1992 6th Tank Battalion M.O. Scapuzzi, *1939-1996 7th Tank Battalion M.O. Di Dio, *1940-1991 10th Tank Battalion M.O. Bruno, *1941-1991 13th Tank Battalion M.O. Pascucci, *1942-1989 19th Armored Battalion M.O. Tumiati 1942-1991 101st Tank Battalion M.O. Zappalà , *1941-1991Each Field Artillery regiment consists of a HQ platoon, a target acquisition battery, a logistic support battery and an artillery group with either a command platoon and four firing batteries with 8x self-propelled howitzers each, or a command platoon and four firing batteries with 6x FH70 towed howitzers each.
Horse Artillery Regiment Voloire, *1831 (Milano) 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment, *1887 (Fossano) Mountain Artillery Group Aosta, *1910-1992 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment, *1902 (Tolmezzo) Mountain Artillery Group Conegliano, *1909-1992 5th Heavy Artillery Regiment Superga, *1850 (Portogruaro) 5th Heavy Field Artillery Group Superga, *1976-1991 8th Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Pasubio, *1696 (Persano) 8th Self-propelled Artillery Group Pasubio, *1975-1992 21st Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Trieste, *1888 (Foggia) 21st Artillery Group Romagna, *1975-1993 24th Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Peloritani, *1888 (Messina) 24th Field Artillery Group Peloritani, *1975-1992 52nd Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Torino, *1916 (Vercelli) 52nd Field Artillery Group Venaria, *1975-1992 132nd Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Ariete, *1939 (Maniago) 132nd Heavy Field Artillery Group Rovereto, in Casarsa della Delizia, *1975-1993 185th Parachute Artillery Regiment Folgore, *1941 (Bracciano) 185th Paratroopers Field Artillery Group Viterbo, *1975-1992 3rd Missile Brigade Aquileia, *1959-1991 1st Field Artillery (Training) Group Cacciatore delle Alpi, *1976-1999 1st Heavy Artillery (Reserve) Group Adige, *1975-31 July 1983 2nd Field Artillery Group Potenza, *1920-1995 3rd Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Pastrengo, *1975-1991 3rd Heavy Artillery Regiment Volturno *1992-2001 3rd Missile Group Volturno *1955-1992 4th Heavy Field Artillery Group Pusteria, *1920-1992 9th Heavy Field Artillery Regiment Rovigo, *1992-1995 9th Heavy Artillery Group Rovigo, *1926-1992 9th Field Artillery Group Foggia, *1920-1996 10th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Avisio, *1939-1986 11th Field Artillery Regiment Legnano, *1884-1991 11th Field Artillery Group Monferrato, *1975-1991 11th Field Artillery Regiment Teramo, *1920-2001 12th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Capua, *1884-1991 13th Artillery Regiment Granatieri di Sardegna, *1888-1995 13th Field Artillery Group Magliana, *1975-1992 14th Field Artillery Group Murge, *1888-30 June 1991 19th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Rialto, *1975-1993 20th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Piave, *???-March 1991 27th Heavy Self-propelled Artillery Regiment Marche, *1912-1995 27th Heavy Self-propelled Artillery Group Marche, *1985-1992 28th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Livorno, *1912-1995 33rd Field Artillery Regiment Acqui, *1915-2013 33rd Heavy Field Artillery Group Terni, *1975-1993 35th Field Artillery Group Riolo, 1915-1991 46th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Trento, *1975-1993 47th Field Artillery Group Gargano, *1915-1981 48th Field Artillery Regiment Taro, *1915-1995 108th Heavy Field Artillery Group Cosseria, *1941-31 October 1986 120th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Po, *1942-1991 131st Field Artillery Regiment Centauro, *1939-2001 131st Heavy Field Artillery Group Vercelli, *1975-1992 9th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Brennero, *1863-1992, merged with 131st Heavy Field Artillery Group to form the 131st Field Artillery Regiment 155th Heavy Field Artillery Group Emilia, *1941-1992 184th Field Artillery Regiment Nembo, *1942-1996 184th Heavy Field Artillery Group Filottrano, *1976-1993 205th Heavy Field Artillery Group Lomellina, *1940-1991Mountain Artillery:
2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment, *1909-2015 Mountain Artillery Group Vicenza, *1909-1992 5th Mountain Artillery Regiment, *1935-2001 Mountain Artillery Group Bergamo, *1910-1992 6th Mountain Artillery Regiment, *1941-1995 Mountain Artillery Group Lanzo, *1935-1992 Mountain Artillery Group Agordo, *1953-1991Mountain Artillery Group Asiago, *1952-1991 Mountain Artillery Group Belluno, *1909-1989Mountain Artillery Group Pinerolo, *1926-1991 Mountain Artillery Group Sondrio, *1953-1989 Mountain Artillery Group Udine, *1915-1995Target Acquisition units:
4th Artillery Specialist Group Bondone, *1956-1992, renamed 3rd Artillery Specialist Group Bondone in 1986, Flag and traditions of the 3rd Heavy Field Artillery Regiment.5th Artillery Specialist Group Medea, *1956-21 March 1991, named Artillery Specialist Group Mantova 1976-19866th Artillery Specialist Group Montello, *1976-30 June 1991, named Artillery Specialist Group Folgore 1976-19867th Artillery Specialist Group Casarsa, *1976-31 January 1991, named Artillery Specialist Group Ariete 1976-198612th Artillery Specialist Group Biella, *1975-29 September 1992, named Artillery Specialist Group Centauro 1975-198630th Artillery Specialist Group Brianza, *1975-28 February 1991, for III Army Corps, but only the 3rd battery was active as part of the Horse Artillery Regiment in MilanEach Air-defense Artillery regiment consists of a HQ battery, a logistic support battery and an air-defense group.
Air-defense Artillery Command, *1941 (Sabaudia) Air-defense Artillery Training Regiment (Sabaudia) 4th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment Peschiera, *1930 (Mantova) 17th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment Sforzesca, *1888 (Sabaudia) 121st Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment Ravenna, *1941 (Bologna) 1st Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, *1992-1996 3rd Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment Firenze, *1992-2001 5th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment Pescara, *1964-2014 8th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, *1992-1995 8th Field Artillery Group Marmore, *1986-1992 18th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, *1992-1997 18th Self-propelled Field Artillery Group Gran Sasso, *1976-1981 7th NBC-defense Regiment Cremona, *1860 (Civitavecchia) 7th Field Artillery Group Adria, *1975-1992, elevated in 1992 to 7th Field Artillery Regiment Cremona, in 1995 the regiment moved to Civitavecchia, where it changed configuration to NBC-defense regiment in 1998. 41st ISTAR Electronic Warfare Regiment Cordenons, *1915 (Sora) 13th HUMINT Battalion Aquileia, *1960-1993, re-raised in 2005 (Anzio)The Engineer Corps was founded on 11 June 1775 as the "Royal Corps of Engineers" ("Corpo Reale degli Ingegneri") of the army of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. With the integration of the engineer units of the Italian states conquered during the Second Italian War of Independence the Corps was elevated on 11 January 1861 to a service branch of the Army and became the "Arma del Genio". In 1915 when Italy entered World War I the Royal Italian Army fielded six regiments and two battalions:
1st Sapper Regiment in Pavia2nd Sapper Regiment in Casale Monferrato3rd Telegraph Engineer Regiment in Florence4th Bridging Engineer Regiment in Piacenza5th Mining Engineer Regiment in Turin6th Railroad Engineer Regiment in TurinSpecialist Engineer BattalionAviation Engineer Battalion (transferred to the Corpo Aeronautico Militare at the outbreak of hostilities)During the war the Engineer Branch expanded and created new types of units:
Sapper Companies were mostly employed to build the trenches along the Isonzo front - expanded from 43x to 236x companiesFlamethrower Companies - 9x were raisedTelegraph Companies tasked with managing the military's communications - expanded from 24x to 139x companiesTelephone Companies tasked with laying and maintaining phone cables along the front - 57x companies were raisedBridging Companies - expanded from 12x to 26x companiesMining Companies tasked with building defensive positions in the Alps - expanded from 20x to 53x companiesLagunari Companies tasked with providing transportation in the Marano lagoon and on Lake Garda and Lake Idro.Besides these also transport, ropeway, photography and poison gas companies were raised during the war.
In May 1940 when Italy entered World War II the branch fielded 18x engineer regiments, which contained a mix of sappers and signalers, and two mining, two bridging and one railroad engineer regiment. During the war each division received a mixed engineer battalion providing sappers and signalers. After the war the branch was rebuild as part of the Italian Army, fielding three pioneer, one bridging, one railroads and one fortification engineer battalion, along with mixed engineer battalions for the army's divisions and sapper companies for the army's brigades. In 1953 the signal units were split from the engineer branch to form their own service branch.
In 1975 all battalions of the engineer branch were given the name of lakes and rivers in Italy, while the companies of the branch continued to carry the name of the brigade they were subordinated too. The only exception to this naming rule were the three battalions of the 2nd Bridge Engineer Regiment and the two battalions of the Railroad Engineer Regiment. In 1975 the army fielded two mining, one sapper and 12x pioneer engineer battalions, along with 25x engineer companies in the army's brigades.
After the end of the Cold War the army renamed all battalions as regiments, although the composition of the units didn't change. In 1993 the brigade's engineer companies were merged with the brigade's signal battalions to create Command and Tactical Support Battalions. In 2001 the engineer companies of the remaining brigades were merged with the armies engineer battalions and each brigade received an engineer regiment.
Today the service branch is divided into four specialties: Engineers ("Guastatori"), Pioneers ("Pionieri"), Bridge Engineers ("Pontieri") and Railroad Engineers ("Ferrovieri"). All engineer battalions are named for rivers and lakes in Italy.
Railway Engineer Regiment, *1895 (Castel Maggiore) 2nd Bridge Engineer Regiment, *1883 (Piacenza) 2nd Engineer Regiment, *1860 (Trento) 2nd Mining Engineer Battalion Iseo, *1975-1995 3rd Engineer Regiment, *1926 (Udine) 3rd Sapper Battalion Verbano, *1976-1992 4th Engineer Regiment, *1922 (Palermo) 51st Sapper Battalion Simeto, *1982-1992, became 4th Engineer Regiment in 1992 and received flag of the 4th Engineer Regiment in 1995 5th Engineer Regiment, *1895-1976, re-raised 2003 (Macomer) 5th Engineer Battalion Bolsena, *1976-2001, in 2001 the battalion was renamed as 8th Paratroopers Engineer Battalion Folgore, so traditions and flag of the battalion could be used to raise the 5th Engineer Regiment in Sardinia. 6th Pioneer Regiment, *1926 (Rome) 6th Engineer Battalion Trasimeno, *1976-1993 8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment, *1926-1995, regiment re-raised in 2004 (Legnago)8th Paratroopers Engineer Battalion Folgore *2001-2004, raised by changing the name of the 5th Paratroopers Engineer Battalion Bolsena 10th Engineer Regiment, *1920 (Cremona) 3rd Engineer Battalion Lario, *1976-1993 11th Engineer Regiment, *1928 (Foggia) 132nd Engineer Battalion Livenza, *1976-1993 21st Engineer Regiment, *1937 (Caserta) 21st Engineer Battalion Timavo, *1975-1993 32nd Engineer Regiment, *1940 (Turin) 32nd Engineer Battalion *2002-2004Inactivated units of the Engineer branch:
1st Engineer Regiment, *1860-1975, then active 1993-1995 1st Mining Engineer Battalion Garda, *1975-1992, flag of the 1st Engineer Regiment 4th Engineer Battalion Orta, *1976-1995, flag of the 4th Engineer Regiment, became 1st Engineer Regiment in 1993, regiment and battalion inactivated in 1995104th Engineer Battalion Torre, *1976-1986, flag of the 7th Engineer Regiment 131st Engineer Battalion Ticino, *1976-1993, flag of the 9th Engineer Regiment 184th Engineer Battalion Santerno 1976-1995, became 8th Engineer Regiment in 1992, regiment and battalion inactivated in 1995The Signal branch of the army began as a speciality of the army's engineer branch, when in 1883 two telegraph battalions were raised and joined the 3rd Engineer Regiment. During World War I the speciality expanded rapidly and the war's end fielded 139x Telegraph Companies and 57x Telephone Companies. After the war a second Telegraph Regiment was raised and 26 Telegraph battalions were assigned to various commands of the army. During World War II the Signal Speciality raised a hundreds of units to join the various divisions of the Regio Esercito.
After the war the specialty was finally split from the Engineer Branch and on 16 May 1953 became a autonomous specialty of the army. Over the years the specialty grew and on 30 December 1997 it was finally elevated to a service branch of the army, with two specialities: Signal specialists and Electronic Warfare Specialists.
If not specified otherwise all Signal battalions below were activated in 1975. All signal battalions, with the exception of the 45th, 46th, 47th, 51st and 184th, were named after Italian mountain passes. The 45th and 46th were named after volcanoes, while the 47th and 184th were named after mountain massifs and the 51st kept the name of the Cold War Legnano division it once belonged to.
Signal Brigade *2007 (Anzio) RISTA-IEW ISTAR & Electronic Warfare Brigade *2001 (Anzio) NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC-IT) Support Brigade *2001 (Milan) Signal and IT School (Rome) 1st Signal Regiment, *1919 (Milan) 3rd Signal Battalion Spluga, raised 1975, elevated to 1st Signal Regiment in 1995 231st Signal Battalion Sempione, raised 1975, disbanded 1991, re-raised and entered the 1st Signal Regiment in 2001 2nd Alpine Signal Regiment (Alpini), *1926 (Bolzano) 4th Signal Battalion Gardena, raised 1975, elevated to 2nd (Alpine) Signal Regiment in 1992 42nd Signal Battalion Pordoi, raised 1975, disbanded 1992, re-raised and entered the 2nd (Alpine) Signal Regiment in 2005 3rd Signal Regiment, *1883 (Rome) 10th Signal Battalion Lanciano, raised 1975, elevated to 3rd Signal Regiment in 1993 43rd Signal Battalion Abetone, raised 1975, elevated to 43rd Signal Regiment in 1993, regiment disbanded in 1998 and the battalion entered the 3rd Signal Regiment the next day 47th Signal Battalion Gennargentu, raised 1996, entered 3rd Signal Regiment in 2000 7th Signal Regiment, *1918 (Sacile) 5th Signal Battalion Rolle, raised 1975, elevated to 7th Signal Regiment in 1992 107th Signal Battalion Predil, raised 1975, disbanded 1991, re-raised and entered the 7th Signal Regiment in 2002 11th Signal Regiment, *1940 (Civitavecchia) 8th ELINT Battalion Tonale, raised 1976, disbanded 1998, re-raised as Signal Battalion Tonale and entered the 11th Signal Regiment in 2001 11th Signal Battalion Leonessa, raised 1975, elevated to 11th Signal Regiment in 1992 32nd Signal Regiment, *1953 (Padova) 32nd Signal Battalion Valles, raised 1975, elevated to 32nd Signal Regiment in 1992 41st Signal Battalion Fréjus, raised 1975, elevated to 41st Signal Regiment in 1993, regiment disbanded in 1998 and the battalion entered the 32nd Signal Regiment the next day 33rd Electronic Warfare Regiment Falzarego, *2002 (Treviso) 33rd Electronic Warfare Battalion Falzarego, raised 1975, elevated to 33rd Electronic Warfare Regiment in 2002 44th Signal Support Regiment, *1957 (Rome) 44th Signal Battalion Penne, raised 1976, elevated to 44th Signal Regiment in 1993, became 44th Signal Support Regiment in 1997 46th Signal Regiment, *1997 (Palermo) 45th Signal Battalion Vulture, raised 1975, elevated to 45th Signal Regiment in 1993, regiment disbanded in 2000 and the battalion entered the 46th Signal Regiment the next day 46th Signal Battalion Mongibello, raised 1976, elevated to 46th Signal Regiment in 1997 184th Signal Support Regiment, *1944 (Treviso) 184th Signal Battalion Cansiglio, raised 1976, disbanded in 1993, re-raised in 1998 as 184th Signal Support Regiment 232nd Signal Regiment, *1939-1991, activated anew in 2004 (Avellino)51st Signal Battalion Legnano, raised in 2004 232nd Signal Battalion Fadalto, raised 1975, disbanded 1991, re-raised and entered the 232nd Signal Regiment in 2015Inactivated units of the Signal branch:
Maneuver Support Signal Brigade, *1998-2007 National Support Signal Brigade *2000-2007 9th Electronic Warfare Battalion Rombo, *1976 - inactivated on 20 January 199813th Signal Battalion Mauria, *1975 - inactivated on 30 November 1991 Aosta Logistic Regiment (Messina) Ariete Logistic Regiment, *2015 (Remanzacco) 8thTransport Regiment, *2002-2015 8th Maneuver Regiment Carso, *1994-2002 8th Maneuver Logistic Battalion Carso (former "Mantova" Division Logistic Battalion), *1986-1994 Folgore Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Pisa) 6th Maneuver Logistic Regiment, *2001-2013 Friuli Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Budrio) 6th Transport Regiment, *2001-2013 Friuli Logistic Battalion, *1975-2001 Garibaldi Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Persano) 10th Maneuver Regiment, *2001-2013 Persano Logistic Battalion, *1991-2001 Garibaldi Logistic Battalion, *1976-1991 Julia Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Meran) 24th Maneuver Regiment Dolomiti, *1994-2013 Orobica Logistic Battalion, joined the battalion in 1991 24th Maneuver Logistic Battalion Dolomiti, *1986-1994 Pinerolo Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Bari) 10th Transport Regiment, *2001-2013 Pinerolo Logistic Battalion, joined the regiment in 2001 10th Logistic Support Regiment, *1998-2001 10th Transport Battalion Appia, *1987-1998 Sassari Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Teulada) Taurinense Logistic Regiment, *2013 (Rivoli) 1st Maneuver Regiment, *2001-2013 Taurinense Logistic Battalion, joined the regiment in 2001 1st Logistic Support Regiment Monviso, *1998-2001 1st Transport Battalion Monviso, *1990-1998 Joint Forces Maneuver Regiment (Rome) 10th Inter-arms Transport Battalion Salaria, *???-??? 1st Transport Regiment (Bellinzago Novarese) Centauro Logistic Battalion, *???-??? 8th Transport Regiment Casilina, (Rome) 11th Transport Regiment Flaminia, (Rome) 33rd Tactical and Logistic Support Regiment, *2002 (Solbiate Olona) 33rd Logistic Maneuver Regiment Ambrosiano, *1993-2002 33rd Logistic Maneuver Battalion Ambrosiano, *1986-1993 3rd Logistic Maneuver Battalion Piemonte, *1982-1986 "Centauro" Division Maneuver Battalion, *1975-1986 3rd Transport Battalion Fluvia, *1975-198613th Logistic Battalion Aquileia, in Portogruaro Acqui Logistic Battalion, in L'Aquila Ariete Logistic Battalion, in Maniago Brescia Logistic Battalion, in Montorio Veronese Cadore Logistic Battalion, in Belluno Cremona Logistic Battalion, in Venaria Reale Goito Logistic Battalion, in Monza Granatieri di Sardegna Logistic Battalion in Civitavecchia Gorizia Logistic Battalion, in Gradisca d'Isonzo Julia Logistic Battalion, in Udine Legnano Logistic Battalion, in Presezzo Mameli Logistic Battalion, in Vacile Mantova Logistic Battalion, in Tricesimo Pozzuolo del Friuli Logistic Battalion, in Visco Trieste Logistic Battalion, in Budrio Tridentina Logistic Battalion, in Vahrn Vittorio Veneto Logistic Battalion, in Cervignano del Friuli 5th Maneuver Logistic Battalion Euganeo, in Treviso50th Maneuver Logistic Battalion Carnia (former 5th Maneuver Logistic Battalion "Postumia"), in Pordenone 7th Mixed Transport Battalion, in Florence 11th Mixed Transport Battalion Etnea, in Palermo12th Mixed Transport Battalion, in Cagliari 14th Mixed Transport Battalion Flavia, in Montorio VeroneseIn May 1951 the first aviation unit was created at the army's Artillery School in Rome. The first planes put in service were the Piper L21 A. By 1952 the army created four Light Plane Sections to support the four corps. In 1954 the first AB 47 helicopters arrived. On 1 June 1957 the training unit was moved to Viterbo and became the Army Light Aviation Instruction Center. By 1964 four squadrons of helicopters and 19 sections of light airplanes existed and the service was named Light Aviation of the Army ("Aviazione Leggera dell'Esercito", abbreviated as ALE)
By 1974 the L21 planes had been replaced by Cessna L19E planes, while the only helicopter in service was the AB 206 utility helicopter. With the army reform in 1975 the many light plane sections and helicopter sections were renamed squadrons and merged to form squadrons groups, equally in size to a battalion. The army also created four Army Light Aviation Groupings, equally in size to a regiment, for the three army corpses and the general staff. Squadrons groups were given the names of planets and constellations, while the groupings were given then names of stars.
After the Cold War the army reduced the number of squadrons groups, renamed the groupings to regiments and dropped the "Light" from the specialties name.
Aviation regiments are named for stars, while Aviation Support Regiments are named for constellations. All squadrons groups (with the exception of "Giove" and "Mercurio") are named for constellations:
Army Aviation Brigade, *1996 (Viterbo) Army Aviation Training Center, *1951 (Viterbo)1st Squadrons Group Auriga2nd Squadrons Group Sestante 1st Army Aviation Regiment Antares, *1976 (Viterbo)11th Squadrons Group Ercole28th Squadrons Group Tucano 2nd Army Aviation Regiment Sirio, *1996 (Lamezia Terme)21st Squadrons Group Orsa Maggiore30th Squadrons Group Pegaso 3rd Special Operations Helicopter Regiment Aldebaran, *1976-1998, re-activated in 2015 (Viterbo)26th Squadrons Group Giove 4th Army Aviation Regiment Altair, *1976 (Bolzano)34th Squadrons Group Toro54th Squadrons Group Cefeo 5th Army Aviation Regiment Rigel, *1976 (Casarsa della Delizia)27th Squadrons Group Mercurio49th Squadrons Group Capricorno 7th Army Aviation Regiment Vega, *1996 (Rimini)25th Squadrons Group Cigno48th Squadrons Group Pavone53rd Squadrons Group Cassiopea 1st Army Aviation Support Regiment Idra, *1953 (Bracciano) 2nd Army Aviation Support Regiment Orione, *1957 (Bologna) 3rd Army Aviation Support Regiment Aquila, *1965 (Orio al Serio) 4th Army Aviation Support Regiment Scorpione, *1976 (Viterbo)Inactivated units of the Aviation speciality:
12th Squadrons Group Gru - inactivated on 30 April 199820th Squadrons Group Andromeda23rd Squadrons Group Eridano24th Squadrons Group Orione44th Squadrons Group Fenice - inactivated on 4 July 199646th Squadrons Group Sagittario47th Squadrons Group Levrieri51st Squadrons Group Leone - inactivated on 4 November 200255th Squadrons Group Dragone
