Alpine Brigade Taurinense
Encyclopedia
The Alpine
Brigade Taurinense is a light Infantry
brigade
of the Italian Army
, specializing in Mountain Combat
. Its core units are the Alpini
, the mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I
and World War II
.
The brigade’s name "Taurinense" alludes to the Roman
name Augusta Taurinorum of the city of Turin
around which the brigade is based. The Brigade carries on the name and traditions of the 1st Alpine Division Taurinense
.
. Initially the brigade was composed of the:
In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:
In 1962 the Mondovi Alpini Battalion and Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group were transferred to the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
to augment the Alpine Brigade Julia
and in 1963 the Aosta Alpini battalion was transferred to the Alpini Formation and Training Center in Aosta
, but returned to the 4th Alpini Regiment in 1967. On June 1, 1966 the 2nd Alpini Training Regiment
, with four battalions named for the four Alpini Brigades to which the conscripts were sent after training: Tridentina
, Orobica
, Cadore
and Taurinense, was transferred to the Taurinense. In 1970 the Mondovi Mountain Artillery group was raised and added to the 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment. Thus the brigade was composed of the following units in 1970:
had already been dissolved in 1974 and its four battalions were merged into a single Alpini Training battalion. In 1975 the Taurinense Logistic battalion was formed. The new composition was therefore:
With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade Cadore
in 1997, the two remaining regiments of that brigade passed to the Alpine Brigade Julia
, which in turn ceded the 9th Alpini Regiment to the Taurinense. At the same time the Mondovi Alpini Training battalion was dissolved. A fate shared by Taurinense Logistic battalion 2002. In the 2nd Railway Engineer battalion is reorganized into the 32nd Engineer battalion (in 2004 renamed 32° Alpini Engineer Regiment) and subordinated to Taurinense.
region of northern Italy, with the exception of the 9th Alpini Regiment which is based in the central region of Abruzzo
. The brigade headquarter is in the city of Turin
. Currently the brigade consists of the following units:
After 2013 the Taurinense will be merged with the French 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade
in Varces
to form a new joint French-Italian Mountain Infantry Brigade.
tracked all-terrain armoured personnel carrier
s (APCs) and 26 Puma 6x6
APCs. The Cavalry
regiment is equipped with 40 Centauro
tank destroyer
s and 36 Puma 4x4
APCs. The artillery regiment fields 24 FH-70
towed howitzers.
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
Brigade Taurinense is a light Infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
of the Italian Army
Italian Army
The Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
, specializing in Mountain Combat
Mountain warfare
Mountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains...
. Its core units are the Alpini
Alpini
The Alpini, , are the elite mountain warfare soldiers of the Italian Army. They are currently organized in two operational brigades, which are subordinated to the Alpini Corps Command. The singular is Alpino ....
, the mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The brigade’s name "Taurinense" alludes to the Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
name Augusta Taurinorum of the city of Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
around which the brigade is based. The Brigade carries on the name and traditions of the 1st Alpine Division Taurinense
1 Alpine Division Taurinense
The 1st Alpine Division Taurinense was a World War II light Infantry division of the Italian Army which specialised in Mountain Combat. The Alpini that formed the divisions are a highly decorated and elite mountain corps of the Italian Army consisting of both infantry and artillery units...
.
Constitution
The Taurinense was constituted on April 15, 1952 in the city of TurinTurin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. Initially the brigade was composed of the:
- HQ & HQ Platoon
-
4th Alpini Regiment with
-
Aosta Alpini battalion -
Saluzzo Alpini battalion -
Susa Alpini battalion - 4th Mortar Company
-
-
1st Mountain Artillery Regiment with
- Aosta Mountain Artillery group
- Susa Mountain Artillery group
- Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group
- Light Air-defense group (transferred to another brigade on January 1, 1956)
- Mixed Engineer Company (later split into a Signal Company and a Engineer Company)
In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:
-
Mondovi Alpini Battalion (1953) as 4th battalion of the 4th Alpini Regiment - Alpini Parachutist Platoon (1953)
- Light Army Aviation Company (1958)
In 1962 the Mondovi Alpini Battalion and Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group were transferred to the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli–Venezia Giulia is one of the twenty regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste. It has an area of 7,858 km² and about 1.2 million inhabitants. A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is...
to augment the Alpine Brigade Julia
Alpine Brigade Julia
The Alpini Brigade Julia is a light Infantry brigade of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. Its core units are the Alpini, the mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II....
and in 1963 the Aosta Alpini battalion was transferred to the Alpini Formation and Training Center in Aosta
Aosta
Aosta is the principal city of the bilingual Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps, north-northwest of Turin. It is situated near the Italian entrance of the Mont Blanc Tunnel, at the confluence of the Buthier and the Dora Baltea, and at the junction of the Great and Little St. Bernard routes...
, but returned to the 4th Alpini Regiment in 1967. On June 1, 1966 the 2nd Alpini Training Regiment
2nd Alpini Regiment
The 2nd 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 and World War II...
, with four battalions named for the four Alpini Brigades to which the conscripts were sent after training: Tridentina
Alpine Brigade Tridentina
The Alpini Brigade Tridentina 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...
, Orobica
Alpine Brigade Orobica
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.- Constitution :The Orobica was...
, Cadore
Alpine Brigade Cadore
The Alpini Brigade Cadore 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. The brigade was based in the...
and Taurinense, was transferred to the Taurinense. In 1970 the Mondovi Mountain Artillery group was raised and added to the 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment. Thus the brigade was composed of the following units in 1970:
- 4th Alpini Regiment with
- Aosta Alpini battalion
- Saluzzo Alpini battalion
- Susa Alpini battalion
-
-
2nd Alpini Training Regiment2nd Alpini RegimentThe 2nd 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 and World War II...
with- Cadore Alpini Training battalion
- Orobica Alpini Training battalion
- Taurinense Alpini Training battalion
- Tridentina Alpini Training battalion
- 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment with
- Aosta Mountain Artillery group
- Susa Mountain Artillery group
- Mondovi Mountain Artillery group
- Command and Signal battalion
- Light Army Aviation company
1975 Reorganization
In 1975 the regimental level was abolished by the Italian Army. The remaining units came under direct control of the Taurinense Brigade. Also the Aosta Alpini battalion was transferred again to the Alpini Formation and Training Center, the Susa Mountain Artillery group was renamed Pinerolo and the Mondovi Mountain Artillery group was dissolved. The 2nd Alpini Training Regiment2nd Alpini Regiment
The 2nd 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 and World War II...
had already been dissolved in 1974 and its four battalions were merged into a single Alpini Training battalion. In 1975 the Taurinense Logistic battalion was formed. The new composition was therefore:
- Saluzzo Alpini battalion
- Susa Alpini battalion
- Mondovi Alpini Training battalion
- Aosta Mountain Artillery group
- Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group
- Taurinense Logistic battalion
- Command and Signals battalion
- Anti-tank company
- EngineerMilitary engineerIn military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
company - Light Army Aviation company
1990s reorganization
On March 23, 1991 the Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group was dissolved. In 1992 the battalions took the names of historical Alpini regiments to carry on the regimental traditions. Each regiment consisted of one of the brigades Alpini battalions and an additional support company. Furthermore the Anti-tank company was dissolved and the Command and Signals battalion was merged with the Engineer company into the newly formed Command and Tactical Support battalion. The new composition was:- 2nd Alpini Regiment2nd Alpini RegimentThe 2nd 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 and World War II...
Saluzzo battalion -
3rd Alpini Regiment Susa battalion - 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment Aosta Artillery group
- Mondovi Alpini Training battalion
- Command and Tactical Support battalion
- Taurinense Logistic battalion
With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade Cadore
Alpine Brigade Cadore
The Alpini Brigade Cadore 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. The brigade was based in the...
in 1997, the two remaining regiments of that brigade passed to the Alpine Brigade Julia
Alpine Brigade Julia
The Alpini Brigade Julia is a light Infantry brigade of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. Its core units are the Alpini, the mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II....
, which in turn ceded the 9th Alpini Regiment to the Taurinense. At the same time the Mondovi Alpini Training battalion was dissolved. A fate shared by Taurinense Logistic battalion 2002. In the 2nd Railway Engineer battalion is reorganized into the 32nd Engineer battalion (in 2004 renamed 32° Alpini Engineer Regiment) and subordinated to Taurinense.
Today
Today the brigade is based in the PiedmontPiedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
region of northern Italy, with the exception of the 9th Alpini Regiment which is based in the central region of Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Abruzzo is a region in Italy, its western border lying less than due east of Rome. Abruzzo borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east...
. The brigade headquarter is in the city of Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
. Currently the brigade consists of the following units:
-
Taurinense Combat Service Support battalion in TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat... -
1st Cavalry Regiment Nizza Cavalleria (NiceNiceNice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
Cavalry) in PineroloPineroloPinerolo is a town and comune in north-western Italy, 40 kilometres southwest of Turin on the river Chisone.-History:In the Middle Ages, the town of Pinerolo was one of the main crossroads in Italy, and was therefore one of the principal fortresses of the dukes of Savoy. Its military importance... - 2nd Alpini Regiment2nd Alpini RegimentThe 2nd 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 and World War II...
SaluzzoSaluzzoSaluzzo is a town and former principality in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont region, Italy.The city of Saluzzo is built on a hill overlooking a vast, well-cultivated plain. Iron, lead, silver, marble, slate etc...
battalion in CuneoCuneoCuneo is a city and comune in Piedmont, Northern Italy, the capital of the province of Cuneo, the third largest of Italy’s provinces by area... - 3rd Alpini Regiment SusaSusa, ItalySusa is a city and comune in Piedmont, Italy. It is situated on at the confluence of the Cenischia with the Dora Riparia, a tributary of the Po River, at the foot of the Cottian Alps, 51 km west of Turin.-History:...
battalion in PineroloPineroloPinerolo is a town and comune in north-western Italy, 40 kilometres southwest of Turin on the river Chisone.-History:In the Middle Ages, the town of Pinerolo was one of the main crossroads in Italy, and was therefore one of the principal fortresses of the dukes of Savoy. Its military importance... -
9th Alpini Regiment L'AquilaL'AquilaL'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism...
battalion in L'AquilaL'AquilaL'Aquila is a city and comune in central Italy, both the capital city of the Abruzzo region and of the Province of L'Aquila. , it has a population of 73,150 inhabitants, but has a daily presence in the territory of 100,000 people for study, tertiary activities, jobs and tourism... - 1 Mountain Artillery Regiment
AostaAostaAosta is the principal city of the bilingual Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps, north-northwest of Turin. It is situated near the Italian entrance of the Mont Blanc Tunnel, at the confluence of the Buthier and the Dora Baltea, and at the junction of the Great and Little St. Bernard routes...
group in FossanoFossanoFossano is a town and comune of Piedmont, Italy, in the province of Cuneo. It is the fourth largest town of the Province of Cuneo, after Cuneo, Alba and Bra.... -
32° Alpini Engineer Regiment 
30° battalion in TurinTurinTurin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
After 2013 the Taurinense will be merged with the French 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade
27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (France)
The 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade is a mountain infantry formation of the French Army. It is heir to the traditions of the 27th Alpine Division, the division alpine FFI créée in 1944,...
in Varces
Varces-Allières-et-Risset
Varces-Allières-et-Risset is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France.-See also:*Urban unit of Grenoble*Parc naturel régional du Vercors...
to form a new joint French-Italian Mountain Infantry Brigade.
Equipment
The Alpini regiments are each equipped with 21 Bv 206SBandvagn 206
Bandvagn 206 is a tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier developed by Hägglunds for the Swedish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered...
tracked all-terrain armoured personnel carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
s (APCs) and 26 Puma 6x6
Puma (AFV)
The Puma light wheeled armoured fighting vehicle family consists of the Puma 6x6 and the Puma 4x4. The vehicles were developed and are produced by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara of Italy for the Italian Army...
APCs. The Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
regiment is equipped with 40 Centauro
B1 Centauro
The Centauro is a wheeled tank destroyer designed for light to medium territorial defense and tactical reconnaissance. It was developed by a consortium of manufacturers, the Società Consortile Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara...
tank destroyer
Tank destroyer
A tank destroyer is a type of armored fighting vehicle armed with a gun or missile launcher, and is designed specifically to engage enemy armored vehicles...
s and 36 Puma 4x4
Puma (AFV)
The Puma light wheeled armoured fighting vehicle family consists of the Puma 6x6 and the Puma 4x4. The vehicles were developed and are produced by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Oto Melara of Italy for the Italian Army...
APCs. The artillery regiment fields 24 FH-70
FH-70
The FH-70 is a towed howitzer in use with several nations.-History:In 1963 NATO agreed a NATO Basic Military Requirement 39 for close support artillery, either towed or tracked. Subsequently Germany and UK started discussions and design studies and in 1968 established Agreed Operational...
towed howitzers.