3 Alpini Regiment
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| 3° Reggimento Alpini | |
|---|---|
 Coat of Arms of the 3rd Alpini Regiment |
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| Active | 1 Nov. 1882 - 8 Sept. 1943 25 June 1944 - 30 Sept. 1945 23 Nov. 1993 - today |
| Country | Italy |
| Branch | Italian Army |
| Type | Alpini |
| Role | Mountain Infantry |
| Size | 1 Battalion Susa Battalion |
| Part of | 2nd Alpine Division “Taurinense” 1935 - 1943 1st Brigade - Italian Liberation Corps 1944 - 1945 Taurinense Alpine Brigade 1993 - today |
| Garrison/HQ | Pinerolo (TO) |
| Motto | "Altius tendo" |
| Anniversaries | 16 June 1915 - Battle of Monte Nero |
| Engagements | World War I Battle of Monte Nero War in Afghanistan |
| Decorations | 1 Croce di Cavaliere dell'O.M.I. 3 Silver Medals for Military Valour 2 Bronze Medals for Military Valour 1 War Cross for Military Valour 1 Gold Cross for Army Merit |
The 3rd Alpini Regiment is a light Infantry regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. The Alpini are a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII).
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[edit] Formation
The 3rd Alpini Regiment was formed on November 1st, 1882. It consisted of the three Battalions: Val Stura, Val Maira and Monti Lessini, named after the valleys and localities from which their soldiers were recruited. In 1886 the Battalions were renamed, taking their new names from the location of their main logistic depot: Fenestrelle, Susa and "Susa 2°". In 1908 the composition of the regiment changed: the new "Pinerolo" battalion was formed and the "Susa 2°" battalion was renamed as "Exilles" battalion.
[edit] World War I
The 3rd regiment saw its first action in the Italo-Turkish War 1911, fighting Ottoman forces in the Libyan desert.
During WWI the regiment consisted of 12 battalions and saw heavy fighting in the Alps against Austria’s Kaiserjäger and Germany’s Alpenkorps. The battalions of the 3rd regiment in these days were (pre-war raised units in bold):
- "Pinerolo", "Fenestrelle", "Susa", "Exilles", "Val Pellice", "Val Chisone", "Val Dora", "Val Cenischia", "Monte Granero", "Albargian", "Col dell'Assietta", "Moncenisio".
[edit] Interwar Period
On September 10th, 1935 the 1st Alpine Division “Taurinense” was formed and composed of the 3rd Alpini and 4th Alpini Regiment and the 4th Mountain Artillery Regiment. The division participated in 1936 in the Italian conquest of Abyssinia.
[edit] World War II
In 1940 the regiment as part of the Taurinense division fought in the Italian attack on Greece. After the German invasion of Yugoslavia the “Taurinense” performed garrison duties in Montenegro where the regiment disbaned after the signing of the Italian armistice with the Allies on September 8th, 1943. Most of its soldiers joined the Italian Partisan Brigade Garibaldi, which operated in central Yugoslavia.
On June 25th, 1944 the 3rd Alpini regiment was recreated in Southern Italy as part of the 1st Italian Brigade of the Italian Liberation Corps.
[edit] The Cold War
After World War 2 only the "Susa" battalion was reformed on November 23rd, 1945 as part of the 4th Alpini regiment and it carried on the traditions and regimental colours of the 3rd Alpini.
[edit] Today
On November 23th, 1993 the 3rd Alpini Regiment was recreated and the "Susa" became its single battalion. Today the 3rd Regiment consists of the “Susa” battalion, the regimental command and a logistic support company. The regiment is based in Pinerolo in the province of Torino and part of the "Taurinense" Brigade. The 3rd regiment was based in Kabul as part of Italy's contributions to ISAFuntil August 2007, when it was replaced by the 7th Alpini regiment.
