Italian 132nd Armored Division Ariete
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| 132^ Divisione (later Brigata) Corazzata "Ariete" | |
|---|---|
 Italian 132^Armored Division/Brigade "Ariete" Shoulder Insignia |
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| Active | February 1, 1939 – December 8, 1942 April 1, 1943–October 1, 1986 (132^Armored Division) October 1, 1986–present (132^Armored Brigade) |
| Allegiance | Italian Armed Forces |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Division, later Brigade |
| Role | Tank |
| Part of | (blank) |
| Garrison/HQ | Pordenone |
| Nickname | Ariete (Ram) |
| Motto | "ferrea mole, ferreo cuore" |
| Colors | blue and red |
| Mascot | Ram Head |
| Battles/wars | World War II IBIS in Somalia Vespri Siciliani Constant Forge in Bosnia (SFOR) Joint Guardian and Consistent Effort in Kosovo (KFOR) ISAF in Afghanistan Antica Babilonia in Iraq |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Brig.Gen. Roberto Ranucci |
| Notable commanders |
Pietro Giannattasio Gian Marco Chiarini |
The Ariete Armoured Division is a part of the Italian military. A formation with this name has existed since 1939. The formation has a strong tradition of excellence.
Contents |
[edit] World War II
The Ariete Armoured Division was formed in Milan in February 1939 and designated the 132nd. It was initially made up of the 8th Bersaglieri (motorised infantry) regiment, the 32nd tank regiment (equipped with L3/35 light tanks and a few M11/39 medium tanks), the 132nd artillery regiment, and additional divisional support units. The division was moved to the French border at the outbreak of World War II, but it was kept in reserve during the short campaign on that front.
Later, some battalions of the 32nd Tank Regiment (the I and II M11/39 Medium tank battalions and the III and V M13/40 Medium tank battalions) were moved to Libya to become part of the Special Armoured Brigade belonging to General Rodolfo Graziani’s 10th Army. From December 1940 to February 1941 the British Western Desert Force overran the 10th Army, occupying the whole of Cyrenaica and endangering the Italian presence in Northern Africa.
It was then decided to employ the whole Ariete Division on that front line, and on the 24 January 1941 the first echelons of the Division disembarked at Tripoli. From February 1941 to November 1942 the Ariete Division took part to Northern Africa campaign attached to the 20th Motorised Corps, beside Rommel's Deutsche Afrika Korps.
In particular, reinforced in 1941 with the 132nd Tank Regiment (which later completely replaced the 32nd, disbanded on mid-1942) it took part in the first German – Italian counteroffensive to re-conquer the Cyrenaica, and the siege of Tobruk. With this Regiment, its battalions (initially the VII, VIII and IX, the former two later replaced by the X and XIII), now equipped with M13/40 and/or M14/41 medium tanks, and starting in early 1942 the V and VI battalions, equipped with M40 75/18mm semoventi (assault gun) from the 132nd Artillery Regiment, the Division continued its exceptional operational performance in the deserts of Libya and Egypt. Its contribution was felt everywhere in that theatre so as to earn the Division the nickname "The Ghost Division". It later took part, during the 2nd counteroffensive, in the invasion of Egypt and the three battles of El Alamein.
During the last of these battles it consciously immolated the whole of its about 120 obsolete tanks in the attempt to counter the enemy offensive and cover the withdrawal of the Army, gaining once again the praise of both enemies and allies. On 4 November at about 15:30, the few surviving tanks, surrounded by an overwhelmingly superior enemy, broadcast their last message, quoting:
- Enemy tanks broke through South of ARIETE Division. ARIETE thus surrounded, located 5kms northwest of Bir-el-Abd. ARIETE tanks keep on fighting!.
Then they were destroyed to the last tank.
On 21 November, 1942, following the unfavourable wartime events on Northern African Theatre, the Division was disbanded, and its name kept by a Task Force gathering up its remnants, which kept fighting throughout the retreat and subsequent battle of Tunisia, and was later forced to surrender along with the whole of Axis Army in Northern Africa.
On 1 April, 1943, as a tribute to a name that in such a short time had become a synonym of honour and bravery (the Division was the most quoted unit in the War Bulletin), it was ordered the re-constitution of 135th ARIETE II Armoured Cavalry Division, made up of cavalry regts. The division was located in North Eastern Italy, and organized on the following subordinate units:
- "Montebello lancers" Armoured Reconnaissance Group;
- "Vittorio Emanuele II’s Lancers" Armoured Cavalry Regiment;
- "Lucca light horse" Motorised Cavalry Regiment;
- 135th Artillery Regiment;
- 235th semoventi artillery Regiment;
- antitank battalion, equipped with 75/34mm semoventi;
- minor Divisional Support Units.
The Division was moved to Central Italy following the fall of Mussolini Government and took part to the defence of Rome from 8th to 10th September 1943, counterattacking German Panzergrenadier and Paratroops units, and performing a last stand at St. Paul's Gate. The Division once again distinguished itself for its outstanding performance and discipline, at a time when everything seemed uncertain and difficult. Because of the will by Supreme Headquarters to avoid unnecessary sacrifices and losses the Division received the order of surrendering while still holding back the enemy, and was then disbanded.
[edit] Post World War II
In 1948 it was once again re-constituted at Forte Pietralata in Rome as a Brigade, and displayed in Pordenone on 25 July, 1949 . On 1 October, 1952, the Brigade was raised again to Division level, formed by the same regiments of the African campaign:
- 8th Bersaglieri Regiment;
- 132nd Tank Regiment;
- 132nd Artillery Regiment;
its establishment was completed by
- 19th Reconnaissance Cavalry Squadron;
- Pioneers Engineers Battalion;
- Signals Battalion.
[edit] Cold War
In 1963 ARIETE adapted its organisation to NATO standards, with the reconstitution of 32nd Armored Regiment later transforming its regiments into brigades (two armoured brigades, one mechanised brigade, one artillery brigade). In September 1968 Brigade HQs were disbanded.
In 1975, following the reorganisation of Italian Army, ARIETE was re-organised, incorporating the 32nd “MAMELI” and 132nd “MANIN” Armored Brigades and the 8th “GARIBALDI” Mechanised Brigade. It kept this structure until 10 October, 1986, when it was turned back into a Brigade, its name being taken over by former 132nd “MANIN” Armord Brigade.
In peacetime, during years 1966 – 1976 – 1980 – 1994 – 1998 ARIETE units intervened in order to relieve civilian populations hit by natural disasters (Vajont, Friuli, Irpinia, Piedmont, Campania) earning several awards. During the same period, some of its units took part to peace Support operations abroad (Lebanon, Somalia), and to domestic support and border control operations. Further on modified in its task organisation, "ARIETE" acquired its current configuration. 132nd ARIETE Armd. Bde is an active member of Italian Army Reaction Forces; it belongs to 1st Operational Command from VITTORIO VENETO, and it is attached to 3rd (UK) Division as a part of ACE Rapid Reaction Corps.
Recently, the Brigade's HQ, HQ & Tactical Support Battalion and Combat Service Support Battalion have accomplished a tour of duty in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1998), under provision of SFOR mandate for Op. CONSTANT FORGE, and later on three times in Kosovo (1999 – 2000, 2001, 2002) under provisions of Op. JOINT GUARDIAN, then CONSISTENT EFFORT, attached to NATO KFOR.
In 2001 the first enlisted women joined the ranks of some Brigade units.
In 2002 elements from 10th Combat Engineer Regiment, and in 2004 the 132nd Artillery Regt, took part to Op.ISAF in Afghanistan. A significant part of the Brigade was deployed to Iraq on early 2004.
[edit] Present Day
The "Ariete" Brigade is nowadays one of the major formations of the Italian Army, and one of the most distinguished ones. Its headquarters are situated in Pordenone, and the present commander is Brigadier General Roberto Ranucci.
Today the Brigade includes –
- 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment;
- 11th Bersaglieri Regiment;
- 4th Tank Regiment;
- 32nd Tank Regiment;
- 132nd Tank Regiment;
- 132nd Artillery Regiment;
- 10th Combat Engineers Regiment;
- “ARIETE” HQ & Signals Battalion;
- “ARIETE” Combat Service Support Battalion.
