The
AlpiniThe 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 ....
Brigade Julia is a
light InfantryTraditionally 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...
brigadeA brigade is a military unit that is typically composed of two to five regiments or battalions, depending on the era and nationality of a given army. Usually, a brigade is a sub-component of a division, a larger unit consisting of two or more brigades; however, some brigades are classified as a...
of the
Italian ArmyThe Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Republic. It has recently become a professional all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 109,703 in 2008...
, specializing in
Mountain CombatMountain 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
AlpiniThe 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 IWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
and
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The brigade’s name "Julia" alludes to the
Julian AlpsThe Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from north-eastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 metres at the Triglav mountain. They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains...
were the brigade is based. The Brigade carries on the name and traditions of the
3rd Alpine Division JuliaThe 3rd Alpine Division Julia was a World War II light Infantry division of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. The Alpini that formed the divisions are a highly decorated and elite mountain corps of the Italian Army comprising both infantry and artillery units...
.
The Brigade supplies the headquarters and most units to the Italian/Slovenian/Hungarian Multinational Land Force battlegroup.
The
AlpiniThe 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 ....
Brigade Julia is a
light InfantryTraditionally 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...
brigadeA brigade is a military unit that is typically composed of two to five regiments or battalions, depending on the era and nationality of a given army. Usually, a brigade is a sub-component of a division, a larger unit consisting of two or more brigades; however, some brigades are classified as a...
of the
Italian ArmyThe Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Republic. It has recently become a professional all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 109,703 in 2008...
, specializing in
Mountain CombatMountain 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
AlpiniThe 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 IWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
and
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The brigade’s name "Julia" alludes to the
Julian AlpsThe Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from north-eastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 metres at the Triglav mountain. They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains...
were the brigade is based. The Brigade carries on the name and traditions of the
3rd Alpine Division JuliaThe 3rd Alpine Division Julia was a World War II light Infantry division of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. The Alpini that formed the divisions are a highly decorated and elite mountain corps of the Italian Army comprising both infantry and artillery units...
.
The Brigade supplies the headquarters and most units to the Italian/Slovenian/Hungarian Multinational Land Force battlegroup. Component parts from the other two countries are the
Slovenian 10th Motorized BattalionIs governed by the Slovenian Ministry of DefenseThe Military of Slovenia consists of the Slovenian Armed Forces . The SAF are the armed forces of Slovenia. As of 2003 it is organized as a fully professional standing army...
and the
Hungarian 1st Light Infantry BattalionThe "Hungarian Home Defence Force" currently has two branches, the "Hungarian Ground Force" and the "Hungarian Air Force."The term "Home Defence Force" was originally used to refer to the armed forces established by Lajos Kossuth and the National Defence Committee of the Revolutionary Hungarian...
.
Constitution
The Julia was constituted on October 15, 1949 in the city of
UdineUdine is a city in northeastern Italy, in the middle of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic sea and the Alps , less than 40 km from the Slovenian border. Its population was 99,030 in 2008, and that of its urban area was 174,000.- History :Udine is the historical capital of Friuli...
. The brigade was the biggest in the Italian Army with around 10,000 men as it was tasked to delay any attacking
Warsaw PactThe Warsaw Pact is the informal name for the mutual defense Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance subscribed by eight Communist states in Eastern Europe, that was established at the USSR’s initiative and realised on 14 May 1955, in Warsaw, Poland...
Forces until the remainder of the Italian Army could muster all reserves necessary to destroy any enemy forces that broke through the Julias defense line in the
JulianThe Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from north-eastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 metres at the Triglav mountain. They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains...
and
Carnic AlpsThe Carnic Alps are a range of the Southern Limestone Alps in East Tyrol, Carinthia and Friuli . They extend from east to west for about between the Gail River, tributary to the Drava and the Tagliamento, forming the border between Austria and Italy.They are named after the Roman province of...
. Initially the brigade was composed of the:
-
8th Alpini RegimentThe 8th 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.-World War I:...
with
- HQ & HQ Platoon
- Feltre Alpini battalion
- Tolmezzo Alpini battalion
- Cividale Alpini battalion
- L'Aquila Alpini battalion
- 8th Mortar Company
- Belluno Mountain Artillery group
- Anti-tank Artillery group
- 108th Field Hospital
- 58th Kitchen Platoon
In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:
- Signal Company (1950)
-
3rd Mountain Artillery RegimentThe 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain combat. Since their formation the Mountain Artillery Regiments have served alongside the Alpini, a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during...
with Conegliano Mountain Artillery group and Light Air-defense group (February 1st, 1951)
- Engineer
A military engineer is primarily responsible for the design and construction of offensive, defensive, and logistical structures for warfare. Other duties include the layout, placement, maintenance and dismantling of defensive minefields and the clearing of enemy minefields and the construction...
company (1951)
- 11th Frontier Defense Regiment (May 1954) (renamed 11th Alpini Position Regiment on January 1st, 1957 ) with the battalions
- XII° (renamed Val Fella Alpini battalion on July 1st, 1963)
- XIII° (created in 1959 and renamed Val Natisone Alpini battalion on July 1st, 1963)
- XIV (dissolved in 1962)
- XV° (renamed Val Tagliamento Alpini battalion on July 1st, 1963)
- XVI°(dissolved in 1962)
- Julia Logistic Battalion (1955)
- Light Army Aviation Company (1956)
- Osoppo Mountain Artillery Group and Julia Logistic Support battalion (1961)
On October 26, 1962 with transfer of the
Mondovi Alpini Battalion and
Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group from the
Alpine 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"...
the
Julia reached its peak strength in men, units and equipment and was now composed of:
- 8th Alpini Regiment
The 8th 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.-World War I:...
with
- HQ & HQ Company
- Gemona Alpini battalion
- Tolmezzo Alpini battalion
- Cividale Alpini battalion
- L'Aquila Alpini battalion
- Mondovi Alpini battalion
- 8th Mortar Company (dissolved in December 31st, 1964)
- 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment
The 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain combat. Since their formation the Mountain Artillery Regiments have served alongside the Alpini, a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during...
with
- HQ & HQ group
- Belluno Artillery group
- Conegliano Artillery group
- Udine Artillery group
- Osoppo Artillery group
- Pinerolo Artillery group
- 11th Alpini Position Regiment
- Val Tagliamento Alpini battalion
- Val Fella Alpini battalion
- Val Natisone Alpini battalion
- Light Army Aviation battalion
- Alpini Parachutist platoon
- Logistic battalion
1975 Reorganization
In 1975 the regimental level was abolished by the Italian Army. The remaining units came under direct control of the Julia Brigade. Each Alpini battalion had 4 companies and an organic strength of around 1,000 men, with the exception of the
Val Tagliamento Alpini Battalion, which was tasked to defend the border and the main passes. The
Val Tagliamento fielded no less than 16 full strength companies for a organic strength of almost 2,500 men. The new composition was:
- Gemona Alpini battalion
- Tolmezzo Alpini battalion
- Cividale Alpini battalion
- L'Aquila Alpini battalion (moved in 1975 from Tarvisio
Tarvisio is a town in Italy located in the northeastern part of the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the province of Udine, in the Val Canale, at the border of both Austria and Slovenia...
to L'AquilaL'Aquila is a city 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...
in central Italy)
- Mondovi Alpini battalion (later dissolved)
- Val Tagliamento Alpini battalion
- Vicenza Alpini Training battalion
- Belluno Mountain Artillery group (dissolved October 31st, 1989)
- Conegliano Mountain Artillery group
- Udine Artillery Group (renamed "Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group Udine" on December 6th, 1991)
- Julia Logistic battalion
- Command and Signals battalion
- Anti-tank company
- Engineer
A military engineer is primarily responsible for the design and construction of offensive, defensive, and logistical structures for warfare. Other duties include the layout, placement, maintenance and dismantling of defensive minefields and the clearing of enemy minefields and the construction...
company
1990's Reorganization
On September 26, 1992 the battalion
Val Tagliamento was dissolved. In August 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:
- 8th Alpini Regiment
The 8th 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.-World War I:...
Gemona battalion
-
9th Alpini RegimentThe 9th 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....
L'Aquila battalion (ceded to the Alpine 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"...
in 1997)
-
14th Alpini RegimentThe 14th Alpini Regiment was a short lived light Infantry regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. It was based in the city of Venzone and consisted of the single Tolmezzo battalion. The Alpini are a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in...
Tolmezzo battalion (dissolved in 2005)
-
15th Alpini RegimentThe 15th Alpini Regiment was a short lived light Infantry regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in Mountain Combat. It was based in the city of Chiusaforte and consisted of the single Cividale battalion. The Alpini are a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself...
Cividale battalion (dissolved November 11th, 1995)
- 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment
The 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain combat. Since their formation the Mountain Artillery Regiments have served alongside the Alpini, a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during...
Conegliano Artillery group and Udine Light Anti-aircraft Artillery group (Udine dissolved November 11th, 1995)
- Vicenza Alpini Training Battalion (dissolved in 1996)
- Command and Tactical Support battalion
-
Julia Logistics battalion (dissolved November January 29th, 2002)
With the suppression of the
Alpine Brigade CadoreThe 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 Julia Brigade:
-
7th Alpini RegimentThe 7th 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.-World War I:...
Feltre battalion
-
16th Alpini RegimentThe 16th Alpini Regiment was a short lived light Infantry training 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.The regiment was based in the city...
Belluno battalion (ceded to Alpine Troops CommandThe “Comando Truppe Alpine” or COMALP commands the Mountain Troops of the Italian Army, called "Alpines" - in Italian Alpini - and various support and training units. The Alpinis are light Infantry units specializing in Mountain Combat. The COMALP is the successor of the Italian Army's IV Alpine...
in 1998)
With the suppression of the
Alpine Brigade TridentinaThe 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...
in 2002, the last remaining regiment of that brigade passed to the Julia Brigade on July 1, 2002:
-
5th Alpini RegimentThe 5th 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.- Formation :...
Morbegno battalion
Furthermore the Julia received the
2° Alpine Engineer RegimentThe 2nd Alpine Engineer Regiment is a military engineer regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain combat. Founded in 1860 it is currently the oldest active Engineer Regiment of the Italian Army. Since 1954 it has been part of 4th Alpine Army Corps and thus a strong association with the...
IseoLake Iseo or Lago d'Iseo or Sebino is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy, Italy, fed by the Oglio river.It is in the north of the country in the Val Camonica area, near the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. The lake is almost equally divided between the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia...
battalion from the Alpine Troops Command in 2002.
Today
The brigade is based in the eastern half of northern Italy. The headquarter is in the city of
UdineUdine is a city in northeastern Italy, in the middle of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic sea and the Alps , less than 40 km from the Slovenian border. Its population was 99,030 in 2008, and that of its urban area was 174,000.- History :Udine is the historical capital of Friuli...
. Today the brigade consists of the following units:
- Julia Combat Service Support battalion in Udine
Udine is a city in northeastern Italy, in the middle of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, between the Adriatic sea and the Alps , less than 40 km from the Slovenian border. Its population was 99,030 in 2008, and that of its urban area was 174,000.- History :Udine is the historical capital of Friuli...
- 5° Alpini Regiment
The 5th 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.- Formation :...
MorbegnoMorbegno is a little town in the low Valtellina Valley in Italy, on the south side of the Adda river. It is part of the province of Sondrio of Lombardy. In 2007, Morbegno started a project to become a leader in sustainability, by involving the population in a participatory design process,...
battalion in Vipiteno
- 7° Alpini Regiment
The 7th 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.-World War I:...
FeltreFeltre is a town and comune of the province of Belluno in Veneto, northern Italy. A hill town in the southern reaches of the province, it is located on the Stizzon River, about 4 km from its junction with the Piave, and 20 km southwest from Belluno...
battalion in BellunoBelluno is a town in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Located about 80 kilometers north of Venice, Belluno is the capital of the province of Belluno and the most important city in the Dolomiti's region. With its roughly 35,000 inhabitants, it the largest populated area of Valbelluna...
- 8° Alpini Regiment
The 8th 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.-World War I:...
TolmezzoTolmezzo is a town and commune in the province of Udine, part of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-eastern Italy.-Geography:Tolmezzo is located at the feet of the Strabut Mountain, between the Tagliamento River and the But stream. Nearby is the Mount Amariana...
battalion in Cividale
- 3° Mountain Artillery Regiment
The 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain combat. Since their formation the Mountain Artillery Regiments have served alongside the Alpini, a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself in combat during...
ConeglianoConegliano is a town and comune of Veneto, Italy, in the province of Treviso, about north by rail from the town of Treviso. The remains of a castle that was built in the tenth century remain on a nearby hill...
group in TolmezzoTolmezzo is a town and commune in the province of Udine, part of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-eastern Italy.-Geography:Tolmezzo is located at the feet of the Strabut Mountain, between the Tagliamento River and the But stream. Nearby is the Mount Amariana...
- 2° Alpine Engineer Regiment
The 2nd Alpine Engineer Regiment is a military engineer regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain combat. Founded in 1860 it is currently the oldest active Engineer Regiment of the Italian Army. Since 1954 it has been part of 4th Alpine Army Corps and thus a strong association with the...
IseoLake Iseo or Lago d'Iseo or Sebino is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy, Italy, fed by the Oglio river.It is in the north of the country in the Val Camonica area, near the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. The lake is almost equally divided between the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia...
battalion in TrentoTrento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol...
Equipment
The Alpini regiments are each equipped with 21
Bv 206SBandvagn 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 carrierAn 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 6x6The 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-70The 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.
Source
Italian Army Homepage: Alpine Brigade Julia