Alpine Brigade Orobica
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| Brigata Alpina Orobica | |
|---|---|
 Coat of Arms of the Alpine Brigade Orobica |
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| Active | 1 January 1953 - 27 July 1991 |
| Country | Italy |
| Branch | Italian Army |
| Type | Alpini |
| Role | Mountain Infantry |
| Part of | IV Army Corps 1953 - 1991 |
| Garrison/HQ | Merano |
The Alpine Brigade Orobica was a light Infantry brigade of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain warfare. Its core units were the Alpini, the mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II.
[edit] Constitution
The Orobica was constituted on January 1st, 1953 in the city of Merano. Is units were based in the western half of the Italian province of Bolzano-Bozen. The brigade’s name "Orobica" alludes to the Bergamo Alps, which are called Alpi Orobie in Italian and from here most units of the brigade initially originated and from where the Brigade drew the majority of its recruits. The brigade’s strength was around 3000 men and it was composed of the:
5th Alpini Regiment with the battalions
Edolo
Tirano
5 Mountain Artillery Regiment with the groups
- Bergamo
- Sondrio
- Vestone
[edit] 1975 Reorganization
In 1975 the regimental level was abolished and all units came under direct control of the Orobica Brigade. The new composition was:
- Morbegno Alpini battalion in Sterzing
- Tirano Alpini battalion in Mals and Glurns
- Edolo Alpini battalion in Merano (Training and Formation)
- Val Chiese Alpini battalion in Sterzing (disbanded in 1979)
- Bergamo Artillery group in Schlanders
- Sondrio Artillery group in Sterzing
- Command and Signals battalion in Merano
- Orobica Logistics battalion in Merano
- Anti-tank company in Merano
- Sapper company in Merano
- Carabinieri platoon in Merano
[edit] Today
The brigade was disbanded on July 27th, 1991 and the remaining units (Alpini battalions Morbegno and Edolo', the mountain artillery group Bergamo, the Orobica logistics battalion and the Anti-tank company) passed to the Alpine Brigade Tridentina.
