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{{about|the currently active [[Italian Army]] Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"|the [[World War II]] [[Royal Italian Army]] division|185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore"|the [[Cold War]] Italian Army division|Mechanized Division "Folgore"}}
[[Image:CoA mil ITA brg Folgore.jpg|200px|Coat of Arms of the Folgore Brigade]]
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
|native_name=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore"
|image= CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg
|image_size=160px
|caption= Coat of Arms the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
|dates= 1 January 1963 – Today
|country= {{ITA}}
|allegiance=
|branch= [[File:Coat of arms of the Esercito Italiano.svg| 20px]] [[Italian Army]]
|type= [[Airborne forces|Airborne]]
|size= [[Brigade]]
|command_structure= [[Division "Vittorio Veneto"]]
|garrison=[[Livorno]]
|nickname=
|motto=
|colors= light blue
|march= ''Come Folgore dal Cielo (Like lightning from the sky)''
|mascot= [[Michael (archangel)|Archangel Michael]]
|battles= [[Lebanon]] [[Multinational Force in Lebanon|MNF]]<br/>[[Iraqi Kurdistan|Kurdistan]] [[Operation Provide Comfort]] <br/>[[Somalia]] [[Unified Task Force|UNITAF]] <br> [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] [[Implementation Force|IFOR]]/[[SFOR]] <br> [[Kosovo]] [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] <br> [[Iraq]] [[Multinational force in Iraq|MNF-I]]<br> [[East Timor]] [[INTERFET]]<br/>[[Lebanon]] [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL II]]<br/>[[Afghanistan]] [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]
|anniversaries= 23 October ([[Second Battle of El Alamein]])
|notable_commanders=
|specialization= [[Paratroopers]]<br> [[Light Infantry]]
|current_commander= [[Brigadier General]] [[Roberto Vergori]]
|ceremonial_chief=
}}
[[Image:2june2006 108.jpg|thumb|183rd Regiment parading in [[Rome]] on 2 June 2006]]


The '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''' is an airborne brigade of the [[Italian Army]]. Its core units are three battalions of [[paratrooper]]s (''[[paracadutisti]]''). The name "Folgore" is Italian for [[lightning]]. The Folgore is one of three [[light infantry]] brigades of the Italian Army. While the Folgore specializes in parachute operations its sister brigade in the [[Division "Vittorio Veneto"]] the [[Airmobile Brigade Friuli]] specializes in helicopter assault operations. The Folgore and its units are based in [[Tuscany]], [[Veneto]] and [[Lazio]].
The [[Parachute Brigade Folgore]] is the only major unit of parachutists of the [[Italian Army]]; a second smaller unit is the [[4th Alpini Regiment]] '' Monte Cervino ''.


== History ==
'' The Folgore '' operates as Light Infantry with the infrastructures and means to drop airborne and air transport, equipped of modest mechanization is framed in the Forces of Projection to the dependencies of 1° Commando FOD.
=== World War II ===
{{main|185th Airborne Division Folgore|Folgore Combat Group}}


The first Italian paratrooper units were trained and formed shortly before [[World War II]] in [[Castel Benito]], near [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] in [[Libya]], where the first Military Parachuting School was located. Later the school was moved to [[Tarquinia]] in Italy.
==History==
The first units of Italian parachutists were trained and formed shortly before the [[Second World War]] in Castelbenito, near [[Tripoli]], where the first Military school of Parachuting was located.


On 1 September 1941 the [[Royal Italian Army (1940–1946)|Royal Italian Army]] raised the 1st Paratroopers Division in [[Tarquinia]].<ref name="Brigata">{{cite web |title=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> The division initially was organized as follows:
The first troops trained were two Libyan battalions of the Royal Colonial Corps. To these were added the first battalion of Italian troops and the [[Carabinieri]] Parachute Battalion.


* '''1st Paratroopers Division'''
Later in [[Italy]] , the staff at Castelbenito was expanded into the School at Tarquinia and became the first elements of the future Division Folgore.
** 1st Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 April 1941)<ref name="185° Paracadutisti">{{cite web |title=185° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-delle-Forze-Speciali-dell-Esercito/185-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-RAO-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref name="187° Paracadutisti">{{cite web |title=187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/187-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
*** II Paratroopers Battalion
*** III Paratroopers Battalion
*** IV Paratroopers Battalion
*** Cannons Company ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
** 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 September 1941)<ref name="186° Paracadutisti">{{cite web |title=186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/186-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
*** V Paratroopers Battalion
*** VI Paratroopers Battalion
*** VII Paratroopers Battalion
*** Cannons Company ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
** I Paratroopers Artillery Group ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons, raised 28 August 1941)<ref name="185° Artiglieria">{{cite web |title=185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/185-Reggimento-Artiglieria-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>


For reasons of order of precedence the title I Paratroopers Battalion was reserved for the [[1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania"|I Carabinieri Paratroopers Battalion]].<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/> The division was intended to be used in [[Operation Hercules]] – the planned Axis invasion of [[Malta]]. On 30 April 1941 the Italian paratroopers were deployed for the first time when the II Paratroopers Battalion jumped onto [[Cephalonia]].<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
==The Division Folgore==
In [[the 1941]] a Parachutist division was complete, and was trained for the occupation of [[Malta]] in [[operation Herucles]]. During course of the war in [[Africa]] it was engaged in ground combat operations in North Africa from [[the July]] [[1942]].


In 1942 the division was further augmented: on 15 January the II Paratroopers Artillery Group was raised, followed by the III Paratroopers Artillery Group on 10 March. On the same date the Paratroopers Division Artillery Regiment was activated. The regiment took command of the three paratroopers artillery groups, which each fielded two batteries with four [[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons per battery.<ref name="185° Artiglieria"/> On 15 March 1942 the 3rd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment with the battalions VIII, IX, and X was raised in Tarquinia.<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
The heroic behavior of the division '' Folgore '' during the [[Second battle of El Alamein]], it resisted the attack of six British divisions, two armored and four infantry, thus provoking the respect and the admiration of the English enemies.


On 27 July 1942 the division's name was changed to '''185th Infantry Division "Folgore"''' and its regiments were renumbered and renamed as well.<ref name="Brigata"/> The new structure was as follows:
[[11 November]] of [[the 1942]] in fact, to battle by now concluded [[London Radio]] transmitted the famous official notice:
{{quotas|The rests of the Folgore division have resisted beyond every limit of the human possibilities|London radio}}
From El Alamein the Folgore was withdrawn without being defeated on [[3 November]] [[1942]], without water and transporting to arms own pieces tank destroyer. To 14:35 of Day 6, after having exhausted all its ammunition, the remainder of the Division surrendered, but without having to show a white flag and without having to to raise theier hands while surrendering to the British.


* '''185th Infantry Division "Folgore"'''<ref name="Brigata"/>
==Other Parachute Divisions==
** [[185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore"]]<ref name="185° Paracadutisti"/>
*** II Paratroopers Battalion
*** III Paratroopers Battalion
*** IV Paratroopers Battalion
*** Cannons Company ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
** [[186th Infantry Regiment "Folgore"]]<ref name="186° Paracadutisti"/>
*** V Paratroopers Battalion
*** VI Paratroopers Battalion
*** VII Paratroopers Battalion
*** Cannons Company ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
** [[187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore"]]<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
*** VIII Paratroopers Battalion (re-roled as Paratroopers Sapper unit in May 1942)<ref>{{cite web |title=8° Reggimento Genio Guastatori Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/8-Reggimento-Genio-Guastatori-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
*** IX Paratroopers Battalion
*** X Paratroopers Battalion
*** Cannons Company ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
** [[185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore"]]<ref name="185° Artiglieria"/>
*** I Paratroopers Artillery Group ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
*** II Paratroopers Artillery Group ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
*** III Paratroopers Artillery Group ([[Cannone da 47/32|47/32]] cannons)
*** Regimental Services Battery


The division was then sent to [[Italian Libya]] to bolster Axis forces in the [[Western Desert campaign]]. Before the departing for North Africa the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" switched units: the 185th ceded the more experienced II and IV to 187th, which in turn ceded the VIII and X to the 185th.<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/> When the division arrived in Africa the three artillery groups of the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore" were merged into two artillery groups of three batteries each, thus providing one group for each infantry regiment, which in turn could now provide one battery to each battalion of a regiment. Additionally a seventh battery was formed with surplus materiel found by the division during its transfer to the front.<ref name="185° Artiglieria"/>
In Italy, meantime, a second School was opened in [[Viterbo]] and a new division, the [[Nembo Parachute Division|Nembo]] was being organized. a third division, the '' Ciclone '' (Cyclone), was planed but [[the armistice of Cassibile]] interrupted the organization. After the war, '' the Nembo '' was absorbed by '' the Folgore ''.


On 15 September the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore", which had remained in Italy, left the division and changed its name to 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo" and became the basis for the [[184th Airborne Division Nembo|184th Infantry Division "Nembo"]] (''Nemo'' Italian for [[Nimbus cloud|Nimbus]]). To aid in the raising of the [[183rd Infantry Regiment "Nembo"]] the 185th ceded its X Paratroopers Battalion to the 183rd and raised the XI Paratroopers Battalion in its stead.<ref name="187° Paracadutisti"/>
==The Brigade Folgore==


In North Africa the division participated in the [[First Battle of El Alamein|First]] and [[Second Battle of El Alamein]]. During the latter division put up a fierce defense against advancing Allied forces, managing to drive off repeated assaults conducted by tanks and infantry working in unison. However, in the course of the battle the division was annihilated and declared lost on 23 November 1942.<ref name="Brigata"/>
Currently '' the Folgore '' is a Brigade, with six battalion sized Regiments, based in [[Livorno]] and stationed in [[Livorno]], [[Pistoia]], [[Siena]], [[Pisa]] and [[Legnago]] (VR).


After the [[Armistice of Cassibile]] between the Allies and Italy most of the troops of the "Nembo" stationed on [[Sardinia]] decided to side with Italian [[King of Italy|King]] [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel III]] and began to fight the retreating German troops. Subsequently, the remnants of the "Nembo" were used to form the [[Combat Group "Folgore"]] of the [[Italian Co-Belligerent Army]] in 1944. The combat group was equipped with British materiel and uniforms and fought as part of the British [[XIII Corps (United Kingdom)|XIII Corps]] in [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]].
The Brigade is constituted around three Regiments of arm (183°, 186° and 187°), a Assault Regiment(the 9th Colonel Moschin), a Regiment Supply Unit (185°), the "Guastatori" Engineer Regiment (8th) and a Headquarters and Signals company.


During the war the [[Italian Social Republic|fascist regime in Northern Italy]] fielded the 1st Parachute [[Arditi]] Regiment "Folgore", which also fielded a "Nembo" and a "Folgore" battalion.
Plus CAPAR of [[Pisa]] (Center Training Parachuting, former SMIPAR - Military school of Parachuting, in its turn former CAP).


=== Cold War ===
Subunits:
{{see also|Mechanized Division "Folgore"}}


After World War II the Combat Group "Folgore" became one of the Italian Army's first divisions and by 1954 one of the strongest. The [[Infantry Division "Folgore"]] was mechanized infantry unit based in the North-eastern Italian city of [[Treviso]]. Airborne troops and operations were to be performed by the Military Parachuting Centre in [[Pisa]].
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA centro paracadutismo.png|100px]] Parachutist Training Center in [[Pisa]] ([[Tuscany]])
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 009.png|100px|Coat of Arms of the 9° Parachutist Regiment]] [[9th Parachute Assault Regiment|9° Parachutist Assault Regiment]] “Col Moschin” in Livorno (Tuscany) ([[Special forces]])
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 183.png|100px|Coat of Arms of the 183° Parachutist Regiment]] 183° Parachutist Regiment “Nembo” in Pistoia (Tuscany) with 26 [[Puma (AFV)|Puma 6x6]]
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 186.png|100px|Coat of Arms of the 186° Parachutist Regiment]] 186° Parachutist Regiment “Folgore” in Siena (Tuscany) with 26 [[Puma (AFV)|Puma 6x6]]
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 187.png|100px|Coat of Arms of the 187° Parachutist Regiment]] 187° Parachutist Regiment “Folgore” in Livorno ([[Tuscany]]) with 26 [[Puma (AFV)|Puma 6x6]]
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 185.png|100px]] 185° Parachutist Reconnaissance Regiment “Folgore” in Livorno (Tuscany) ([[Special forces|Forces for Special Operations]])
** [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt genio 08.png|100px]] 8° Parachutist Engineer Regiment in Legnago (Veneto)


On 1 January 1963 the Military Parachuting Center was reorganized and renamed Paratroopers Brigade, which consisted of the 1st Paratroopers Regiment with the II and V paratroopers battalions, the Paratroopers Saboteurs Battalion, a [[Carabinieri]] Paratroopers Company, which was expanded to battalion on 15 July 1963 and a Paratroopers Field Artillery Battery, which was expanded to group on 1 June 1963 and armed with [[OTO Melara Mod 56|Mod56 105&nbsp;mm]] howitzers, and the Paratroopers Training Center. On 1 April 1964 the brigade lost the Paratroopers Training Center in Pisa to the army's Infantry and Cavalry Inspectorate. On 10 June 1967 the Paratroopers Brigade was renamed Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore".<ref name="Brigata"/>
[[23 October]] celebrates the anniversary of the battle of El Alamein ([[1942]]). Patron: [[Saint Michele Arcangelo]] ([[29 september]]).


With the [[Italian Army 1975 reform]] the army abolished the regimental level and re-organised its brigades. Therefore, the "Folgore" brigade's 1st Paratroopers Regiment disbanded on 1 October 1975 and its two battalions became the 2nd Paratroopers Battalion "Tarquinia'" and the 5th Paratroopers Battalion "El Alamein". After the reform the brigade was structured as follows:<ref name="Brigata"/>
==[[Folgore]]==
Denomination of two distinguished units (for along period coexisting) of the Italian army: the Brigade Parachutists '' Folgore '' and the Division of Infantry (then Mechanized) '' Folgore ''.


* [[File:CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg|30px]] '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''', in [[Livorno]]<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'>{{cite web |title=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx |publisher=Esercito Italiano |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref name='Folgore'>{{cite book |last1=F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti |title=L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I |date=1998 |publisher=SME - Ufficio Storico |location=Rome |page=102}}</ref><ref name="Schema N. 11">{{cite book |last1=F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti |title=L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I |date=1998 |publisher=SME - Ufficio Storico |location=Rome |page=212}}</ref>
[[Heraldic|Common heraldic elements]] to both units: the [[gladio winged]] of mostrine/fregi (integrated from [[a parachute]] for the Brigade Parachutists) and [[the yellow lightning bolt]] in the symbol of the unit (in red field for the Division of Infantry, in blue field for the Brigade Parachutists).
** Paratroopers Command and Signal Unit "Folgore",<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/> in Livorno
Currently the military school of parachuting (CAPAR) is found to [[Pisa]].
** [[1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Battalion "Tuscania"]],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/> in Livorno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 187.png|25px]] [[2nd Paratroopers Battalion "Tarquinia"]],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web |title=187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/187-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Esercito Italiano |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in Livorno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 185.png|25px]] [[3rd Paratroopers Battalion "Poggio Rusco"]] (Recruits Training), in Pisa<ref name='Folgore'/><ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/>
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 186.png|25px]] [[5th Paratroopers Battalion "El Alamein"]],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web |title=186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/186-Reggimento-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Esercito Italiano |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in Livorno (moved to [[Siena]] in 1978)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 009.png|25px]] [[9th Paratroopers Assault Battalion "Col Moschin"]],<ref>{{cite web |title=9° Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti "Col Moschin" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-delle-Forze-Speciali-dell-Esercito/9-Reggimento-dAssalto-Paracadutisti-Col-Moschin/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx |publisher=Esercito Italiano |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref><ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/> in Livorno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 185.png|25px]] [[185th Paratroopers Field Artillery Group "Viterbo"]],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web |title=185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/185-Reggimento-Artiglieria-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Esercito Italiano |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in Livorno ([[OTO Melara Mod 56|M56 105&nbsp;mm]] towed [[howitzer]]s)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt logistico folgore.png|25px]] [[Paratroopers Logistic Battalion "Folgore"]],<ref name='Brigata "Folgore"'/><ref>{{cite web |title=Reggimento Logistico "Folgore" - La Storia |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/6-Reggimento-di-Manovra/Pagine/la-storia.aspx |publisher=Esercito Italiano |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref> in [[Pisa]]
** [[26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadrons Group "Giove"]], at Pisa-[[Pisa International Airport|San Giusto Air Base]]<ref name="AVES">{{cite book |last1=Cerbo |first1=Giovanni |title=L'Aviazione dell'Esercito - Dalle origini ai giorni nostri |date=1996 |publisher=Rivista Militare |location=Rome |page=128 |url=https://issuu.com/rivista.militare1/docs/1996_-l_aviazione__dell_esercito |access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="ALE Ordinamento">{{cite book |last1=Stefani |first1=Filippo |title=La storia della dottrina e degli ordinamenti dell'Esercito Italiano - Vol. III - Tomo 2nd |date=1989 |publisher=Ufficio Storico - Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito |location=Rome |page=1187}}</ref>
*** Command and Services Squadron
*** 426th Reconnaissance Helicopters Squadron ([[Agusta-Bell 206|AB 206]] reconnaissance helicopters)
*** 526th Multirole Helicopters Squadron ([[Bell 204/205|AB 204B/205]] multirole helicopters)
** Paratroopers Pathfinder Company "Folgore", in Siena
** Paratroopers Anti-tank Company "Folgore", in Livorno ([[BGM-71 TOW]] [[anti-tank guided missile]]s)
** Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore", in [[Lucca]]


In 1982 the brigade deployed in Italy's first international mission abroad since World War II, when it joined the [[Multinational Force in Lebanon]] and on 1 January 1983 the Military Parachuting School in Pisa with the 3rd Paratroopers (Recruits Training) Battalion "Poggio Rusco" returned to the brigade .<ref name="Brigata"/>
==Nembo==
[[Image: 2june2006 108.jpg|thumb|right|250px|183° Regiment in paraded the 2 june the 2006 to [[Rome]]]]
183th Division Parachutists '' Nembo '' was constituted in [[1943]] like the second Division Parachutists with the employment of new units and 185° [[the Regiment]] of '' the Folgore ''.
'' The Nembo '' was sent on the evening of 8 Sptember [[1943]] to [[Sardinia]] where it was decimated by [[malaria]].


On 1 January 1986, the "Folgore" brigade and the [[Friuli Air Assault Brigade|Motorized Brigade "Friuli"]], in conjunction with some units of the Army's Light Army Aviation and the [[Marina Militare|Navy's]] [[San Marco Regiment]], became the Rapid Intervention Forces of the [[Military of Italy|Italian Military]], deployable on short notice for out of area missions. On 31 October of the same year the army disbanded the [[Mechanized Division "Folgore"]], leaving the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" as only heir of the name and traditions associated with the name "Folgore".<ref name="Brigata"/>
Reraised but the 12/183° in [[the war of Italian liberation]] it fought in the battles of [[Filottrano]], Grizzano Houses and in [[Operationthe Herring operation]] (these last ones in the Group of Combat '' Folgore '', from it constituted after the reconfiguration of the Division due to the losses endured).


In 1991 tactical group of the brigade was sent to [[Kurdistan]] as part of the [[Operation Provide Comfort]]. The same year the army disbanded seven combat brigades as the [[Cold War]] had ended. On 31 May 1991 the "Folgore" received the 183rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Nembo" from the [[Mechanized Brigade "Gorizia"]], which subsequently was re-roled as a paratroopers battalion. Beginning in 1992 the battalions returned to their regimental names.<ref name="Brigata"/> The brigade's new structure was as follows:
To the end of the Second World War]] '' the Nembo '' was be used, like the Regiment before and Battalion before then, as Mechanized Infantry, passing for the centers of [[Belluno]], Vicentina Villa, Cervignano of [[Friuli]] and Gradisca d' Isonzo. In this last center it remained until [[1991]], when it was reconstituted as the 183th Parachutist Battalion '' Nembo '', within the Folgore Parachute Brigade. The same Folgore had been reconstituted in [[1960]] with instructors coming from the Nembo, formed into the Mechanized Division Folgore in [[Treviso]].


* [[File:CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg|30px]] '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''', in [[Livorno]]
In 1993 it was promoted to the rank of [[Regiment]], and from [[1991]] it has participated to all the international missions that Italy has participated in.
** [[File:CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg|25px]] Command and Signal Unit "Folgore", in Livorno
** [[1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania"]], in Livorno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 009.png|25px]] [[9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment "Col Moschin"]], in Livorno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 183.png|25px]] [[183rd Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"]], in [[Pistoia]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 186.png|25px]] [[186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"]], in [[Siena]] (former 5th Paratroopers Battalion)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 187.png|25px]] [[187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"]], in Livorno (former 2nd Paratroopers Battalion)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 185.png|25px]] [[185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"]], in Livorno, with [[OTO Melara Mod 56|Mod56 105 mm]] [[howitzer]]s
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt logistico folgore.png|25px]] [[Paratroopers Logistic Battalion "Folgore"]], in [[Pisa]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA centro paracadutismo.png|25px]] Military Parachuting School, in Pisa
** 26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadron "Giove", at [[Pisa International Airport|San Giusto Air Base]]
** Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore", in Lucca


On 3 December 1992 the brigade deployed for a year to [[Somalia]] as part of [[Operation Restore Hope]] (later [[Unified Task Force]]). There the brigade was engaged in a battle on 2 July 1993 where it lost three men and a further 36 were injured. The three deceased soldiers were each awarded the [[Gold Medal of Military Valor]] for their conduct during the battle.
==185Th Regiment==


=== After the Cold War ===
The 185th Regiment is framed in the Brigade Parachutists '' Folgore '', that it is in charge of the training and preparation of the unit, but depends, on the technical-functional plan and therefore for the employment on the land, from the Commando Operations of Special Forces (COFS), therefore as the other units of river basin FS/FOS of the Army, the Operating Group Incursori (GOI) of Military Navy, the Incursori Unit of the Aeronautics and for some functions also the Special Intervention Group (GIS) of the Police officers.
On 1 October 1997, the brigades passed to the [[3rd Army Corps (Italy)|Projection Forces Command]] (Comando Forze di Proiezione or COMFOP), which commanded all rapid-deployable units of the Italian Army. However, on 1 December 2000 the brigade passed to the [[5th Army Corps (Italy)|1st Defence Forces Command]] (1° Comando Forze di Difesa or COMFOD 1°) and received the 5th Engineer Battalion "Bolsena" in [[Legnano]], which was renamed as [[8th Paratroopers Engineers Regiment (Italy)|8th Engineer Regiment "Folgore"]] and incorporated the brigade's Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore". The same year on 31 August the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore" retired its howitzers and began its conversion to a [[Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol]] [[Special Operations]] unit.<ref name="Brigata"/>


In March 2001, the brigade lost its logistic battalion and the 26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadron "Giove" and when in 2002 the [[Carabinieri]] were separated from the Army to become the Fourth [[Italian Armed Forces|Armed Force of Italy]] the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania" left the brigade. From April to September 2005 the brigade was employed in Iraq as part of the [[Multi-National Force – Iraq]]. In 2007 the brigade sent a task force to [[East Timor]] as part of [[International Force for East Timor]], while the majority of its units deployed to Lebanon as part of [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon II]]. The brigade deployed twice to [[Afghanistan]] in support of [[ISAF]] – once in 2009 and once in 2011
Previously unit of Parachute Artillery , and forming the basis of the Forces for Special Operations of [[the Italian Army|Italian army]], from the moment that its main tasks have become the recognition, the acquisition objects (both to you carried out in hostile territory) and the guide laser of “intelligent” devices uncouples to you from aerial carriers. Its employment, insomma, re-enters in relative the special operations to the operating function of [[the military intelligence]] and to the control of the fire finalized to I engage it of objects to you to high priority.


== Organization ==
Officers, Non-commissioned officers and Troops of the unit are recruited by competitions announced publicly by the Army, but the possibility is previewed to feed the unit also with coming from staff at call (and previo verification of psycho-physical requirement) from other units of the Army. For being able to achieve the qualification of “Buyer” a much impegnativo of the duration of approximately two years (obligatory the attainment of the military licence of parachuting is previewed iter of training);
{{Location map+ | Italy Tuscany
| width = 420
| caption = {{center|Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" units in 2022<br>''[[185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"|185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment]]'' is based in [[Bracciano]] in [[Lazio]]<br>''[[8th Paratroopers Engineers Regiment (Italy)|8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment]]'' is based in [[Legnago]] in [[Veneto]]}}
| places =
{{Location map~| Italy Tuscany
| label = [[Livorno|Folgore]]
| position = left
| background = white
| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
| marksize = 10
| lat_deg = 43 | lat_min = 33 | lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 10 | lon_min = 19 | lon_dir = E
}}
{{Location map~|Italy Tuscany
| label = <small>[[Grosseto|Savoia Cavalleria (3)]]</small>
| position = right
| background = white
| mark = Orange pog.svg
| marksize = 8
| lat_deg = 42 | lat_min = 46 | lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 11 | lon_min = 06 | lon_dir = E
}}
{{Location map~|Italy Tuscany
| label = <small>[[Pistoia|183 Nembo]]</small>
| position = right
| background = white
| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
| marksize = 8
| lat_deg = 43 | lat_min = 56 | lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 10 | lon_min = 55 | lon_dir = E
}}
{{Location map~|Italy Tuscany
| label = <small>[[Siena|186 Folgore]]</small>
| position = right
| background = white
| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
| marksize = 8
| lat_deg = 43 | lat_min = 19 | lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 11 | lon_min = 19 | lon_dir = E
}}
{{Location map~|Italy Tuscany
| label = <small>[[Livorno|187 Folgore]]</small>
| position = right
| background = white
| mark = Blue 0080ff pog.svg
| marksize = 8
| lat_deg = 43 | lat_min = 33 | lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 10 | lon_min = 21 | lon_dir = E
}}
{{Location map~|Italy Tuscany
| label = <small>[[Pisa|Logistic Rgt]]</small>
| position = right
| background = white
| mark = Purple pog.svg
| marksize = 8
| lat_deg = 43 | lat_min = 43 | lat_dir = N
| lon_deg = 10 | lon_min = 24 | lon_dir = E
}}
}}
[[File:Savoia Cavalleria Centauro.png|thumb|Regiment Savoia Cavalleria (3rd) Centauro on maneuver]]


With the 2013 reform the "Folgore" changed its composition significantly. The brigade lost its two special forces units which both passed to the [[Army Special Forces Command (Italy)|Army Special Forces Command]] (COMFOSE) in Pisa. In return the brigade received the Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd) from the [[Airmobile Brigade "Friuli"]], the 33rd Self-propelled Field Artillery Regiment "Acqui" from the [[Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna"]] and the 6th Logistic Regiment from the disbanded Logistic Projection Command. Upon entering the brigade the 33rd Artillery Regiment was renamed as [[185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"]], while the 6th Logistic Regiment was renamed as Logistic Regiment "Folgore". As of 4 October 2022 the brigade consists of the following units:
The Regiment has been engaged in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq]] (where the Petty officer first class [[Salvatore Marracino]] and [[Nicholas Ciardelli]] have lost their lifes).


* [[File:CoA of the Folgore Brigade.svg|30px]] '''Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"''', in [[Livorno]] (Tuscany)
==Folgore and Nembo RSI==
** [[184th Paratroopers Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Nembo"]], in Livorno
After [[ 8 September]] [[1943]] the Nembo and Folgore were constituted by the [[Italian Social Republic]] (RSI). These units fought at [[Anzio]] against the ally landing with the Nembo being used by the Germans in order to hold defensive positions, during which two thirds of its effectives were killed during the withdraw between [[Rome]] and [[Viterbo]]) and to the north to [[Moncenisio]].
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt cavalleria 03.png|25px]] [[Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd)]], in [[Grosseto]] (Tuscany) with [[B1 Centauro]] [[tank destroyer]]s
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 183.png|25px]] [[183rd Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"]], in [[Pistoia]] (Tuscany) with [[Iveco LMV|VTLM Lince]] vehicles
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 186.png|25px]] [[186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"]], in [[Siena]] (Tuscany) with VTLM Lince vehicles
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt paracadutisti 187.png|25px]] [[187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"]], in Livorno ([[Tuscany]]) with VTLM Lince vehicles
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt artiglieria 185.png|25px]] [[185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"]], in [[Bracciano]] (Lazio) with [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|F1 120 mm mortars]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt genio 08.png|25px]] [[8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment "Folgore"]], in [[Legnago]] (Veneto)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt logistico folgore.png|25px]] [[Logistic Regiment "Folgore"]], in [[Pisa]] (Tuscany)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA centro paracadutismo.png|25px]] Parachuting Training Center, in Pisa (Tuscany)


The composition of the brigade is identical to the composition of the [[Alpine Brigade "Julia"]] and [[Alpine Brigade "Taurinense"]], the other light brigades of the Italian Army.
==Peacekeeping==
The Brigade has been employed in numerous peacekeeping missions in the recent years.
* [[Lebanese]] of [[1982]] (one of the first international missions of peace).
* In [[1991]] a Parachutist Tactical group was in [[Kurdistan]] in the picture of the mission of humanitarian aid “Italfor Airone”.
* From July [[1992]] the Brigade supplied personnel to the operation “Vespri Siciliani” (Control territory and defense of sensitive objects to you on the national ground).
* The Folgore participated [[Operation Restore Hope]], in [[Somalia]], from 3 [[December]] [[1992]] to September [[1993]].
* Parts of the Brigade have been employed many times over in the Balkans (Missions [[IFOR]]/[[SFOR]] in [[Bosnia]] and [[KFOR]] in [[Kosovo]]), with [[MNF]] in [[Albania]] and Mission [[INTERFET]]d to [[East Timor]].
* The Folgore participated from August [[2005]] to September [[2005]] in [[Operation Babylon]] in [[Iraq]].
* In August [[2007]] takes part in Operation Leonte 2 in [[Lebanese]], under aegis of the UN (Resolution 1701), as a result of the War between [[Israel]] and [[Hezbollah]] of the summer of [[the 2006]].


== Equipment ==
==Restore Hope: tortures and abuses in [[Somalia]]==
The paratrooper regiments are equipped with [[Iveco LMV|Lince]] light multirole vehicles. The maneuver support companies of the paratrooper regiments are equipped with [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|120 mm mortars]] and [[Spike (missile)|Spike]] [[Anti-tank missile|anti-tank guided missile]] systems. The cavalry regiment is equipped with [[B1 Centauro|Centauro]] [[tank destroyer]]s and [[Iveco LMV|VTLM Lince]] vehicles. The brigade's artillery regiment is equipped with 18x [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|120 mm mortars]].


== Gorget patches ==
Publication in [[1997]] in the weekly magazine [[Panorama]] of photos of the violences endured from some [[Somalis]] from part of the Paràtroopers of the Folgore (between which the photo of a civilian with of the electrodes positioned on their genitals), and was first reported in 1993 and released in the Johar, accompanied by a report of a [[Corporal major]] that launch accusations on the entire management of the mission. A series of inquiries were launched by the Power of the district attorney of [[Livorno]], and a governmental investigating committee who took several testimonies. The Commission, also refuting some accusations from some Somali civilians, ascertained that there were episodes of violence on the part of some soldiers, and recognized some responsibility of the military commanders of the mission.
{{main|Italian Army gorget patches}}


The personnel of the brigade's units wears the following gorget patches:<ref>{{cite web |title=Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" |url=https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/default.aspx |publisher=Italian Army |access-date=13 December 2019}}</ref>
== Honors ==
{{Onorificenze
|image = Valor of the army gold medal BAR.svg
|nome_onorificenza = Medal of gold to the valor military of the army
|collegamento_onorificenza =Medaglia of gold to the valor military
|motivation = Regiments 186° and 187° Parachutists “Folgore” collective Medal for the battle of El Alamein< ref> [http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/storia/elal_motiv_med3.asp the Medals of Gold to the Military Valor El Alamein]< /ref>
|place = North Africa, 22 July - 12 October 1942
}}
{{Onorificenze
|image = Valor of the army gold medal BAR.svg
|nome_onorificenza = Medal of gold to the valor military of the army
|collegamento_onorificenza =Medaglia of gold to the valor military
|motivation = 185° Artillery Parachutists “Folgore” collective Medal for the battle of El Alamein< ref> [http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/storia/elal_motiv_med3.asp the Medals of Gold to the Military Valor El Alamein]< /ref>
|place = Battaglia di El Alamein, 23 October - 6 November 1942
}}
{{Onorificenze
|image = Valor of the army gold medal BAR.svg
|nome_onorificenza = Medal of gold to the valor military of the army
|collegamento_onorificenza =Medaglia of gold to the valor military
|motivation = Division parachutists “Folgore” (185^) collective Medal for the battle of El Alamein< ref> [http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/storia/elal_motiv_med3.asp the Medals of Gold to the Military Valor El Alamein]< /ref>
|place = (Depression of El Kattara), 4 November 1942
}}


<gallery>
==Voci collegate==
File:Mostrina - Trasmissioni per Aviotruppe.png|{{center|184th Paratroopers Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Nembo"}}
* [[Italian Army]]
File:Mostrina - "Savoia Cavalleria" (3°).png|{{center|[[Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd)]]}}
* [[Paratroops]]
File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png|{{center|[[183rd Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"]]}}
File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png|{{center|[[186th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"]]}}
File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png|{{center|[[187th Paratroopers Regiment "Folgore"]]}}
File:Mostrina - Artiglieria per Aviotruppe.png|{{center|[[185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"]]}}
File:Mostrina - Genio Guastatori per Aviotruppe.png|{{center|[[8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment "Folgore"]]}}
File:Mostrina - TRAMAT per Aviotruppe.png|{{center|Logistic Regiment "Folgore"}}
File:Mostrina - Paracadutisti.png|{{center|Parachuting Training Center}}
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[1971 RAF Hercules crash]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* [https://www.esercito.difesa.it/organizzazione/capo-di-sme/COMFOTER/Comando-Forze-Operative-Nord/Brigata-Paracadutisti-Folgore/Pagine/La-Storia.aspx Italian Army homepage: History of the "Folgore"]


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.avalanchepress.com/FolgoreAtAlamein.php American Historian Praises The Role Of The Folgore In North Africa]
* [http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/unita_sez/unita_brig_folgore.asp Folgore Brigade on the official Italian Army site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071025065217/http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/unita_sez/unita_brig_folgore.asp Folgore Brigade on the official Italian Army site]
* [http://www.assopar.it/ National Association Parachutists of Italy
* [http://www.assopar.it/ National Association Parachutists of Italy]
* [http://www.nembo.info/ of the Division Situated Nembo]
* [http://www.nembo.info/ of the Division Situated Nembo]
* [http://www.squadronef.it/ of the Squadron F]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140221004616/http://www.squadronef.it/ Squadron F]
* [http://www.folgore.net/ Site on the “FOLGORE” Parachute Brigade]
* [http://www.folgore.net/ Site on the “FOLGORE” Parachute Brigade]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121103101602/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/129388/Tanks-of-El-Alamein/overview Tanks of El Alamein (1954) Movie]

{{Italian Military}}
{{Italian Army}}

[[Category:Airborne brigades]]
[[Category:Italian Army Brigades]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1963]]
[[Category:Airborne units and formations of Italy]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paratroopers Brigade Folgore}}

Latest revision as of 22:26, 15 June 2024

This article is about the currently active Italian Army Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore". For the World War II Royal Italian Army division, see 185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore". For the Cold War Italian Army division, see Mechanized Division "Folgore".
Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore"
Coat of Arms the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
Active1 January 1963 – Today
Land Italien
Branch Italian Army
TypAirborne
RoleParatroopers
Light Infantry
SizeBrigade
Part ofDivision "Vittorio Veneto"
Garrison/HQLivorno
Colorslight blue
MarchCome Folgore dal Cielo (Like lightning from the sky)
Mascot(s)Archangel Michael
Anniversaries23 October (Second Battle of El Alamein)
EngagementsLebanon MNF
Kurdistan Operation Provide Comfort
Somalia UNITAF
Bosnia IFOR/SFOR
Kosovo KFOR
Iraq MNF-I
East Timor INTERFET
Lebanon UNIFIL II
Afghanistan ISAF
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier General Roberto Vergori
183rd Regiment parading in Rome on 2 June 2006

The Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" is an airborne brigade of the Italian Army. Its core units are three battalions of paratroopers (paracadutisti). The name "Folgore" is Italian for lightning. The Folgore is one of three light infantry brigades of the Italian Army. While the Folgore specializes in parachute operations its sister brigade in the Division "Vittorio Veneto" the Airmobile Brigade Friuli specializes in helicopter assault operations. The Folgore and its units are based in Tuscany, Veneto and Lazio.

History

[edit]

World War II

[edit]
Main articles: 185th Airborne Division Folgore and Folgore Combat Group

The first Italian paratrooper units were trained and formed shortly before World War II in Castel Benito, near Tripoli in Libya, where the first Military Parachuting School was located. Later the school was moved to Tarquinia in Italy.

On 1 September 1941 the Royal Italian Army raised the 1st Paratroopers Division in Tarquinia.[1] The division initially was organized as follows:

  • 1st Paratroopers Division
    • 1st Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 April 1941)[2][3]
      • II Paratroopers Battalion
      • III Paratroopers Battalion
      • IV Paratroopers Battalion
      • Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
    • 2nd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment (raised 1 September 1941)[4]
      • V Paratroopers Battalion
      • VI Paratroopers Battalion
      • VII Paratroopers Battalion
      • Cannons Company (47/32 cannons)
    • I Paratroopers Artillery Group (47/32 cannons, raised 28 August 1941)[5]

For reasons of order of precedence the title I Paratroopers Battalion was reserved for the I Carabinieri Paratroopers Battalion.[3] The division was intended to be used in Operation Hercules – the planned Axis invasion of Malta. On 30 April 1941 the Italian paratroopers were deployed for the first time when the II Paratroopers Battalion jumped onto Cephalonia.[3]

In 1942 the division was further augmented: on 15 January the II Paratroopers Artillery Group was raised, followed by the III Paratroopers Artillery Group on 10 March. On the same date the Paratroopers Division Artillery Regiment was activated. The regiment took command of the three paratroopers artillery groups, which each fielded two batteries with four 47/32 cannons per battery.[5] On 15 March 1942 the 3rd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment with the battalions VIII, IX, and X was raised in Tarquinia.[3]

On 27 July 1942 the division's name was changed to 185th Infantry Division "Folgore" and its regiments were renumbered and renamed as well.[1] The new structure was as follows:

The division was then sent to Italian Libya to bolster Axis forces in the Western Desert campaign. Before the departing for North Africa the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" switched units: the 185th ceded the more experienced II and IV to 187th, which in turn ceded the VIII and X to the 185th.[3] When the division arrived in Africa the three artillery groups of the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore" were merged into two artillery groups of three batteries each, thus providing one group for each infantry regiment, which in turn could now provide one battery to each battalion of a regiment. Additionally a seventh battery was formed with surplus materiel found by the division during its transfer to the front.[5]

On 15 September the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore", which had remained in Italy, left the division and changed its name to 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo" and became the basis for the 184th Infantry Division "Nembo" (Nemo Italian for Nimbus). To aid in the raising of the 183rd Infantry Regiment "Nembo" the 185th ceded its X Paratroopers Battalion to the 183rd and raised the XI Paratroopers Battalion in its stead.[3]

In North Africa the division participated in the First and Second Battle of El Alamein. During the latter division put up a fierce defense against advancing Allied forces, managing to drive off repeated assaults conducted by tanks and infantry working in unison. However, in the course of the battle the division was annihilated and declared lost on 23 November 1942.[1]

After the Armistice of Cassibile between the Allies and Italy most of the troops of the "Nembo" stationed on Sardinia decided to side with Italian King Victor Emmanuel III and began to fight the retreating German troops. Subsequently, the remnants of the "Nembo" were used to form the Combat Group "Folgore" of the Italian Co-Belligerent Army in 1944. The combat group was equipped with British materiel and uniforms and fought as part of the British XIII Corps in Italian Campaign.

During the war the fascist regime in Northern Italy fielded the 1st Parachute Arditi Regiment "Folgore", which also fielded a "Nembo" and a "Folgore" battalion.

Cold War

[edit]
See also: Mechanized Division "Folgore"

After World War II the Combat Group "Folgore" became one of the Italian Army's first divisions and by 1954 one of the strongest. The Infantry Division "Folgore" was mechanized infantry unit based in the North-eastern Italian city of Treviso. Airborne troops and operations were to be performed by the Military Parachuting Centre in Pisa.

On 1 January 1963 the Military Parachuting Center was reorganized and renamed Paratroopers Brigade, which consisted of the 1st Paratroopers Regiment with the II and V paratroopers battalions, the Paratroopers Saboteurs Battalion, a Carabinieri Paratroopers Company, which was expanded to battalion on 15 July 1963 and a Paratroopers Field Artillery Battery, which was expanded to group on 1 June 1963 and armed with Mod56 105 mm howitzers, and the Paratroopers Training Center. On 1 April 1964 the brigade lost the Paratroopers Training Center in Pisa to the army's Infantry and Cavalry Inspectorate. On 10 June 1967 the Paratroopers Brigade was renamed Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore".[1]

With the Italian Army 1975 reform the army abolished the regimental level and re-organised its brigades. Therefore, the "Folgore" brigade's 1st Paratroopers Regiment disbanded on 1 October 1975 and its two battalions became the 2nd Paratroopers Battalion "Tarquinia'" and the 5th Paratroopers Battalion "El Alamein". After the reform the brigade was structured as follows:[1]

In 1982 the brigade deployed in Italy's first international mission abroad since World War II, when it joined the Multinational Force in Lebanon and on 1 January 1983 the Military Parachuting School in Pisa with the 3rd Paratroopers (Recruits Training) Battalion "Poggio Rusco" returned to the brigade .[1]

On 1 January 1986, the "Folgore" brigade and the Motorized Brigade "Friuli", in conjunction with some units of the Army's Light Army Aviation and the Navy's San Marco Regiment, became the Rapid Intervention Forces of the Italian Military, deployable on short notice for out of area missions. On 31 October of the same year the army disbanded the Mechanized Division "Folgore", leaving the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" as only heir of the name and traditions associated with the name "Folgore".[1]

In 1991 tactical group of the brigade was sent to Kurdistan as part of the Operation Provide Comfort. The same year the army disbanded seven combat brigades as the Cold War had ended. On 31 May 1991 the "Folgore" received the 183rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Nembo" from the Mechanized Brigade "Gorizia", which subsequently was re-roled as a paratroopers battalion. Beginning in 1992 the battalions returned to their regimental names.[1] The brigade's new structure was as follows:

On 3 December 1992 the brigade deployed for a year to Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope (later Unified Task Force). There the brigade was engaged in a battle on 2 July 1993 where it lost three men and a further 36 were injured. The three deceased soldiers were each awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor for their conduct during the battle.

After the Cold War

[edit]

On 1 October 1997, the brigades passed to the Projection Forces Command (Comando Forze di Proiezione or COMFOP), which commanded all rapid-deployable units of the Italian Army. However, on 1 December 2000 the brigade passed to the 1st Defence Forces Command (1° Comando Forze di Difesa or COMFOD 1°) and received the 5th Engineer Battalion "Bolsena" in Legnano, which was renamed as 8th Engineer Regiment "Folgore" and incorporated the brigade's Paratroopers Engineer Company "Folgore". The same year on 31 August the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore" retired its howitzers and began its conversion to a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Special Operations unit.[1]

In March 2001, the brigade lost its logistic battalion and the 26th Light Airplanes and Helicopters Squadron "Giove" and when in 2002 the Carabinieri were separated from the Army to become the Fourth Armed Force of Italy the 1st Carabinieri Paratroopers Regiment "Tuscania" left the brigade. From April to September 2005 the brigade was employed in Iraq as part of the Multi-National Force – Iraq. In 2007 the brigade sent a task force to East Timor as part of International Force for East Timor, while the majority of its units deployed to Lebanon as part of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon II. The brigade deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of ISAF – once in 2009 and once in 2011

Organization

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" units in 2022
185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment is based in Bracciano in Lazio
8th Paratroopers Engineer Regiment is based in Legnago in Veneto
Regiment Savoia Cavalleria (3rd) Centauro on maneuver

With the 2013 reform the "Folgore" changed its composition significantly. The brigade lost its two special forces units which both passed to the Army Special Forces Command (COMFOSE) in Pisa. In return the brigade received the Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" (3rd) from the Airmobile Brigade "Friuli", the 33rd Self-propelled Field Artillery Regiment "Acqui" from the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" and the 6th Logistic Regiment from the disbanded Logistic Projection Command. Upon entering the brigade the 33rd Artillery Regiment was renamed as 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", while the 6th Logistic Regiment was renamed as Logistic Regiment "Folgore". As of 4 October 2022 the brigade consists of the following units:

The composition of the brigade is identical to the composition of the Alpine Brigade "Julia" and Alpine Brigade "Taurinense", the other light brigades of the Italian Army.

Equipment

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The paratrooper regiments are equipped with Lince light multirole vehicles. The maneuver support companies of the paratrooper regiments are equipped with 120 mm mortars and Spike anti-tank guided missile systems. The cavalry regiment is equipped with Centauro tank destroyers and VTLM Lince vehicles. The brigade's artillery regiment is equipped with 18x 120 mm mortars.

Gorget patches

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Main article: Italian Army gorget patches

The personnel of the brigade's units wears the following gorget patches:[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b "185° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b "186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  6. ^ "8° Reggimento Genio Guastatori Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 102.
  9. ^ F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo I. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 212.
  10. ^ "187° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  11. ^ "186° Reggimento Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  12. ^ "9° Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti "Col Moschin" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  13. ^ "185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Reggimento Logistico "Folgore" - La Storia". Esercito Italiano. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  15. ^ Cerbo, Giovanni (1996). L'Aviazione dell'Esercito - Dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Rome: Rivista Militare. p. 128. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  16. ^ Stefani, Filippo (1989). La storia della dottrina e degli ordinamenti dell'Esercito Italiano - Vol. III - Tomo 2nd. Rome: Ufficio Storico - Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito. p. 1187.
  17. ^ "Brigata Paracadutisti "Folgore"". Italian Army. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
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