Cappello Alpino
Encyclopedia
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...
's 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 ....
troops uniform. The Alpini are 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...
troops, 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...
. Initially the Cappello was only issued to the Alpini, but soon the Cappello was adopted by the Alpini Corps' support units like Artillery, signals, engineers. Today the Cappello is issued to members of 15 Army regiments, 3 battalions and various high commands. Thanks to the black raven feather, which is carried on each Alpini soldiers Cappello, the Alpinis are known as the Le Penne Nere ("The Black Feathers") in Italy. A nickname the Alpini quickly adopted for themselves.
History
On June 7, 1883, the "fiamme verdi" (green flames) collar patch was introduced thus making the Alpini officially a specialty within the Italian infantry corps. At the same time the issuing of the Cappello Alpino began. At first the hat was a round black felt hat, nicknamed bombetta (bomblet), but with the introduction of the new green-grey uniform in 1910 the hat was changed to the distinctive grey felt hat that is still retained today. The Cappello Alpino is made of grey felt a quarter of an inch thick. In the front the rim is flattened to protect the face from rain and snow. On the left and right side four small metal encrusted holes allow for an exchange of air. Around the lower half of the round top section a green-grey leather band and for officers a golden braid encompasses the Cappello. Inside the Cappello has a two inch black leather band where Cappello and head meet.Each Cappello carries symbols which identify the wearers rank, unit and specialization:
- the feather, symbolizing the Alpini Corps
- the fregio, a coat of arms indicating the regiment
- the nappina, a colored tuft denoting the battalion (later the specialization too)
- the rank insignia for non-commissioned and commissioned officers
The feather
Each soldier is issued with a black ravenRaven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
feather, which he will carry at all times on the Cappello Alpino. When in combat the feather will be placed on the left side of the helmet. Officers above the rank of captain originally wore a white eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
feather, which has been replaced in later years by a white goose
Goose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
feather. Non-commissioned officers and officers up to the rank of captain continue to carry a brown eagle feather. The feather is approximately 10-12 inches long and is carried with a slight backward and inbound inclination on the left side of the Cappello.
The Fregio
The fregio is a coat of arms indicating the wearer's regiment. For soldiers it is black, for officers golden colored; both variants are sewn to the front of the Cappello. Today soldiers serving on a permanent basis are issued the golden variant of the fregio too. Each fregio carries an eagle with spread wings on top and below symbols, which indicate the wearer's regiments specialization (i.e. artillery regiment, logistics regiment,...) and at the center of the fregio a half-inch circle with the regiment's number.The symbols indicating a regiment's specialization are:
- Alpini: eagle with spread wings, two blowing hornBlowing hornThe blowing horn or winding horn is a sound device by and large shaped like a horn or actually a cattle or other animal horn arranged to blow from a hole in the pointed end of it...
s, crossed rifles - Mountain Artillery: eagle with spread wings, two blowing horns, crossed cannons
- Engineers: eagle with spread wings, two blowing horns, crossed axeAxeThe axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
s - Sappers: eagle with spread wings, two blowing horns, a gladiusGladiusGladius was the Latin word for sword, and is used to represent the primary sword of Ancient Roman soldiers. Early ancient Roman swords were similar to those used by the Greeks. From the 3rd century BC, the Romans adopted swords similar to those used by the Celtiberians and others during the early...
short sword, a burning grenadeGrenadeA grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
, crossed axes - Signals: eagle with spread wings, two blowing horns, round antennaAntenna (radio)An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
, crossed axes and flashes of lightningLightningLightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms... - Materials and Transport: eagle with spread wings above a spur gearGearA gear is a rotating machine part having cut teeth, or cogs, which mesh with another toothed part in order to transmit torque. Two or more gears working in tandem are called a transmission and can produce a mechanical advantage through a gear ratio and thus may be considered a simple machine....
with spread wings - Medical officers: eagle with spread wings above a five-pointed star with the red cross symbol and crossed staff of AsclepiusAsclepiusAsclepius is the God of Medicine and Healing in ancient Greek religion. Asclepius represents the healing aspect of the medical arts; his daughters are Hygieia , Iaso , Aceso , Aglæa/Ægle , and Panacea...
- Medical troops: eagle with spread wings above a five-pointed star with the red cross symbol
- Alpini Generals: a stylized silver eagle with spread wings, holding a silver laurel wreath, with a central red shield inscribed with the silver letters "RI" (for Repubblica ItalianaItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
), all together on a ribbon of red cloth.
The Nappina
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I battalion -
II battalion -
III battalion -
IV battalion and battalions not assigned to a regiment
The colors are the same as found on the Italian flag of the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
. Soldiers of the Mountain Artillery units were issued a green tuft with a black patch in the middle onto which the number of their battery was written in golden numbers. Officers below the rank of general and non-commissioned officers wear a golden colored metal wrap and generals a silver colored metal wrap instead of the nappina. Later further nappinas were issued in various colors and forms. Today the following nappinas are in use:
Alpini
- Morbegno Battalion (5th Alpini Regiment), Feltre Battalion (7th Alpini Regiment)
- Tolmezzo Battalion (8th Alpini Regiment), Aosta Battalion (Alpini Formation Centre)
- Saluzzo Battalion (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...
), Bassano Battalion (6th Alpini Regiment) - Susa Battalion (3rd Alpini Regiment), L'Aquila Battalion (9th Alpini Regiment), Alpini Formation Centre personnel not assigned to Aosta Battalion
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Monte Cervino Battalion (4th Alpini Regiment), Support Battalion (Alpine Troops CommandCOMALP- External links :*...
) -
Taurinense Brigade Support Battalion (Alpine Brigade TaurinenseAlpine Brigade TaurinenseThe 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"...
), Julia Brigade Support Battalion (Alpine Brigade JuliaAlpine Brigade JuliaThe 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....
) -
Regimental Command and Support Companies
Mountain Artillery
Regimental Command and Support BatteriesSappers, Signals
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2nd Engineer Regiment, 32nd Alpini Engineer Regiment, 2nd Alpine Signal Regiment
Logistics
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24th Alpine Maneuver Regiment
Rank insignia
Officers carry the grade displaying their rank on the left side of the Cappello Alpino. Instead of the nappina the feather is held in place by a silver or golden colored metal wrap. Non-commissioned officers and officers up to the rank of captain carry a brown eagle feather and officers starting with the rank of major carry a white gooseGoose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
feather, instead of the standard black raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
feather.
| Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... : three golden stars on a silver ribbon |
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| Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... : two golden stars on a silver ribbon |
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| Brigadier General Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... : one golden star on a silver ribbon |
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| Commanding Colonel: a twice as thick golden angled braid, below three standard sized golden angled braids and a red colored outline | |
| Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... : a twice as thick golden angled braid and below three standard sized golden angled braids |
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| Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... : a twice as thick golden angled braid and below two standard sized golden angled braids |
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| Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... : a twice as thick golden angled braid and below one standard sized golden angled braid |
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| Captain: three golden angled braids | |
| Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... : two golden angled braids |
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| Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal... : one golden angled braid |
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| First Marshal Lieutenant: one golden angled braid with a black central stripe, and a red colored outline and a golden star with a red colored outline | |
| First Marshal: one golden angled braid with a black central stripe and a red colored outline | |
| Non-commissioned officer Non-commissioned officer A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission... s: one golden angled braid with a black central stripe |