Carabinieri Mobile Units Division

Carabinieri Mobile Units Division
Divisione Unità Mobili Carabinieri

Emblem of the Carabinieri Mobile Units Division
Active 1 February 2001-present
Country  Italy
Branch Carabinieri
Type Gendarmerie
Role Military tasks
Size Division
6,500 troops (2004)[1]
Part of Specialists and Mobile Units Command
Garrison/HQ Rome
Commanders
Current
commander		 Gen. D. Maurizio Detalmo Mezzavilla[2]

The Carabinieri Mobile Units Division (Italian: Divisione Unità Mobili Carabinieri) is the Carabinieri formation, established in 2001, dedicated to the performance of military duties abroad, the military police tasks when abroad, the support to Territorial Organization, the participation in civil protection operations and to ensure the emergency reserve for the General Command.[3]

History

Carabinieri units devoted to the riot control and to tactical tasks experienced several organizational phases, from late 1910s to the present day.

1919-1923

The history of the branch of the Carabinieri specifically dedicated to quell massive civil disturbances dates back in 1919, when 18 Carabinieri Autonomous Mobile Battalions (Battaglioni Mobili Autonomi) were established[4] in order to deal with the Biennio Rosso. The autonomous mobile Battalions took the name of their seat and were marked with serial number if several Battalions residents in the same city: Turin (2 Battalions), Alessandria, Genoa, Milan (2 Battalions), Verona, Florence, Bologna, Ancona, Rome (2 Battalions), Naples (2 Battalions), Bari, Palermo, Catania.[1] The Battalions were organized on 3 Carabinieri on foot companies and 1 Cyclist Carabinieri Company, each with a total force of 750 men under the command of a lieutenant colonel.[1]

Two years later, in 1922, six Battalions were disestablished and at the next year the remaining Battalions followed.[4] However, Battalions subordinated to the local Legion remained in existence: two in Rome and one in Palermo.[4]

1940-1963

In 1940 the new Army organization foresaw four Carabinieri Battalions, while in 1945 12 Battalions (renamed Mobile Battalions) were re-established, in order to deal with the civil unrest following the end of the civil war, alongside with four Mobile Battalions Groups.[4] The 1945-established Mobile Battalions were equipped, supplied and maintained by the relevant Carabinieri Legion.[5] The Mobile Battalions Groups were:[5]

The Mobile Battalions were provided of new vehicles in order to enable them to deploy rapidly.[6]

After the end of the Second World War, in Italy occurred several security crisis: banditism in Sicily and in Sardinia, and civil disturbances across the country.[7]pp. 168–169 On 26 August 1949, the Banditry Repression Forces Command was established under Colonel Ugo Luca.[7]p. 170 Between 1951 and 1963, a new Parachute Carabinieri Battalion was established.[7]p. 183

1963-2000

In 1963, with the 1960s Army and Carabinieri reorganization,[1] the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade was established[8] directly under the General Command,[9] in order to cope with the internal territorial defence needs.[1] The establishment of the new brigade was in order to adjust the organization of the Battalions and of cavalry units both for strictly military tasks, and those related to the protection of public order. The aim was to ensure Carabinieri Battalions the availability of all elements necessary to be in a position to act in isolation and overcome considerable resistance without having to rely on the competition of other Army Corps or other Armed Forces, to ensure Battalions speed of movement and concentration in large sectors of foreseeable use and a constant high training level.[10]

Overall, the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade consisted of about 5,000 men with 80 tracked vehicles, 200 other military vehicles, 130 M47 tanks and a paratroopers battalion.[1] However, the brigade never had responsibility for actual unitary operational command, lacking supports due to a political choice,[10] but exercised the tasks of instruction and preparation for the riot control activities.[1]

In the reorganization, Mobile Battalions were renamed simply Battalions and were marked with a sequential number, while remaining administratively dependent on the relevant Legion;[4] the Battalions Groups were renamed Carabinieri Regiments,[5] and were given the conceptual role of a resolution unit in both riot and tactical tasks;[1] According original resolutions, Regiments were to have only disciplinary, training and deployment functions,[10] while general management rested within the relevant Legion. The newly formed Mechanized Brigade exercised its operational and training authority on:[8]

The command structure of the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade consisted of:[10]

Each Carabinieri Battalion was led by a lieutenant colonel or a major and consisted of: 1 Command Company (1 Command Platoon, 1 Services Platoon, 1 Scouts Platoon), 2 Rifle Companies (command platoon, 3 rifle platoons, 1 company weapons platoon each), 1 Mortars Company and 1 Tanks Company (Command Platoon, 3 Tanks Platoons).[9] It was therefore a robust tactical complex. The Carabinieri Battalions had to be used only when the police and the local organization of the Carabinieri they had found insufficient, in order not to deprive the General Command of a valuable combat tool.[1] Within the VII Battalion, based in Laives, the Counter-terrorism Special Company was established in 1960s to counter South Tyrolean terrorism.[7]p. 187 Both VII and XIII Battalions were to be always maintained at their full wartime force.[10]

However, the 1963 reorganization did not mark the end of the organizational shifts. In 1964, 1st Carabinieri Helicopter Section was established.[11]

Between 1967 and 1968 it was set up the Inspectorate of Mechanized and Training Units (led by a Divisional general), with responsibility on the X Carabinieri Brigade (including schools) and XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade. In 1971 it was established the Inspectorate Schools and Special Carabinieri Units; it controlled the X Brigade (dedicated to training) and XI Brigade.[12]

In 1969, Battalions framed within Carabinieri Regiments were reorganized. The new structure consisted of Battalion Command Unit, Command and Services Company (Command and Services Platoon, Scouts Platoon, Transmissions Platoon, Tanks Platoon, Transportations Platoon), 2 Mechanized Rifle Companies (Command and Services Platoon, 3 Rifle Platoons, Mortars Platoons).[9]

Between 1973 and 1976, the 5th Carabinieri Regiment (HQ Mestre) also existed, including IV, VII and XIII Battalions.[8] On 1 September 1977, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Carabinieri Regiments were disesablished and their Battalions were transferred under the direct operational and training authority of the 11th Mechanized Brigade; the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment was renamed Mounted Carabinieri Regiment.[8] In 1975 the XI Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade changed its name in 11th Carabinieri Mechanized Brigade (with Arabic numerals) and in 1976 the formation was renamed 11th Carabinieri Brigade; at the same time, the Brigade Command was tasked to exercise only training and logistical authority.[10]

In 1977, the three Carabinieri Regiments were disestablished and 4th Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment changed its name in Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment, with the Battalions being directly under the Brigade Command. The following year an Inspecting Colonel was appointed, while in 1979 two additional Colonels followed.[10]

In 1980, the Inspectorate changed its name to Command Division School and Special Carabinieri Units "Palidoro". In 1985, the department was deprived of training component and was reorganized on the XI Brigade (Carabinieri Battalions) and the XII Brigade (specialist units); the brigade was therefore placed under a command called Carabinieri Mobile and Special Units Division "Palidoro".[12]

Overall, Carabinieri Battalions were divided into two groups, according to the main type (motorized or mechanized unit) of unit the unit deployed.[13]

During the Years of Lead and the subsequent period, however, most of the Battalions reduced their military training in order to deal with riot control activities. 7th and 13th Battalions maintained instead their military capabilities and were transferred under direct Army operational control.[1] Each infantry company of each Battalion established, in this period, an "Intervention Platoon", in order to upgrade the responsiveness to serious riots.[7]p. 191

In the 1976 Friuli earthquake, the XIII Carabinieri Battalion "Friuli Venezia Giulia", IV Carabinieri Battalion "Veneto" and VII Carabinieri Battalion "Trentino Alto Adige" intervened paying rescue and providing police and utility services. In the 1980 Irpinia earthquake Carabinieri Battalions from Bari, Naples and Rome also intervened.[7]pp. 203–204

With the end of the Cold War, the mobile organization lost its combat-oriented connotation, taking over the role of force mainly devoted to the performance of riot control.[1] The 1st Carabinieri Group in Milan and the 2nd Carabinieri in Rome were established in the 1990s within the 11th Brigade; these units were renamed, in 1995, respectively Carabinieri Regiment in Milan and Carabinieri Regiment in Rome.[8] In 1996, the 1st Carabinieri Battalion was transformed in the 1st Parachute Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania", although it remained within Paratroopers Brigade Folgore until 2002.[1]

2001-present day

In 2001, when the Carabinieri were elevated to the rank of autonomous Armed Force, the 11th Mechanized Brigade was reorganized into the present-day Carabinieri Mobile Units Division.[1] From 2002 to 2013, the headquarters have been based in Treviso; in 2013 they were transferred in Rome.[14]

Division commanders

Since its establishment, the Carabinieri Mobile Units Division has been led by eight Generals:

Mission

The Carabinieri Mobile Units Division, through its Brigades, is tasked with:[3]

Military operations abroad

Abroad, Carabinieri guarantee, exclusively, the Military Police in support of Italian contingents and provide MSU (Multinational Specialized Unit) and IPU (Integrated Police Unit) Regiments. The Division provide resources and personnel for several missions abroad. Current missions are carried out on behalf of the United Nations, NATO, European Union and on behalf of other international agreements.

UN missions

NATO missions

EU missions Within the European Union, Carabinieri participate (through the Division) in:

Other missions:

Organization

Emblem of the 1st Carabinieri Regiment "Piemonte"

The Division is placed under the Carabinieri Specialists and Mobile Units Command "Palidoro"; in turn, the Division is divided into two brigades.[3]

1st Mobile Brigade

The 1st Mobile Brigade, located in Rome, successor of the 11th Brigade;[1] it employs the 1st Regiment "Piemonte", the 4th Mounted Carabinieri Regiment (based in Rome), the 5th Regiment "Emilia Romagna", the 8th Carabinieri Regiment "Lazio", the 10th Carabinieri Regiment "Campania" and 5 Carabinieri Battalions located in Milan, Mestre, Bari, Palermo and Vibo Valentia. The Brigade employs a total of 12 Carabinieri Battalions.

At the 8th Regiment Carabinieri "Lazio" in Rome and the Carabinieri Battalions in Milan, Florence, Naples, Bari, Palermo and Mestre it is constituted a "Operational Intervention Company" which, thanks to the special training of personnel and the allocation of substantial means and materials, allows to cope with the appropriate urgency in sudden danger to public security.[17]

In addition, in order to deal with emergencies in case of public calamity, at the Battalions are set up, when needed, special Rescue Units previously trained and provided with equipment and materials which allow them to provide initial assistance to people affected while awaiting the intervention of civil protection.[17]

The Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment contributes to the control of inaccessible rural areas of the country, supporting the territorial organization.[17]

2nd Mobile Brigade

The 2nd Carabinieri Mobile Brigade, based in Livorno, is dedicated to the military missions abroad, including the military police tasks.[15] It employs the 7th Carabinieri Regiment "Trentino - Alto Adige", the 13th Carabinieri Regiment "Friuli Venezia Giulia", and the 1st Paratroopers Carabinieri Regiment "Tuscania" and the Special Intervention Group.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Castello, Rosario. "Breve riflessione di carattere storico sui Battaglioni Mobili Carabinieri". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "Dirigenti". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). 12 January 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Divisione Unità Mobili". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Battaglioni Carabinieri". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 "Raggruppamenti Battaglioni Mobili Carabinieri". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Il riordinamento dell'Arma". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sinossi di storia dell'Arma (PDF) (in Italian). Redazione della “Rassegna dell’Arma dei Carabinieri”. 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Reggimento Carabinieri". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Ales, Stefano; Viotti, Andrea (2007). Struttura, uniformi e distintivi dell'Esercito Italiano 1946-1970 (in Italian). Rome: Ufficio Storico - Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito. p. 129.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Mirenna, Nicolò (2013). "Blindati per la Pace" (PDF). Le Fiamme d'Argento (in Italian). 4 (6): 12–14. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  11. ↑ Fiorilli, Alessandra (2015). Dalle vette innevate alle profondità marine. L'arma dei carabinieri nei quattro elementi naturali. Lampi di Stampa. p. 92.
  12. 1 2 "Organizzazione Mobile e Speciale". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  13. ↑ Frisciotti, Mauro; Bassetta, Fausto (2007). Il pubblico impiego non privatizzato - II - Forze armate e polizia. Milano: Giuffrè. p. 168. ISBN 9788814126178.
  14. ↑ "Villa Margherita: i carabinieri se ne vanno - Cronaca - Tribuna di Treviso". Tribuna di Treviso (in Italian). 29 March 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  15. 1 2 "La Polizia Militare". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  16. ↑ Publications, USA International Business (2011). Italy Justice System and National Police Handbook. Washington: Int'l Business Publications. p. 199. ISBN 9781438725420. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  17. 1 2 3 "1^ Brigata Mobile". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  18. ↑ "2^ Brigata Mobile". www.carabinieri.it (in Italian). Retrieved 7 March 2017.

Coordinates: 45°41′19″N 12°15′26″E / 45.6887°N 12.2573°E / 45.6887; 12.2573

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.