Alpini

[Dan Morton]

Wikipedia:

The Alpini (Italian for "alpine"), are an elite mountain warfare military corps of the Italian Army. They are currently organized in two operational brigades, which are subordinated to the Alpine Troops Headquarters.
Established in 1872, the Alpini are the oldest active mountain infantry in the world. Their original mission was to protect Italy's northern mountain border with France and Austria. In 1888 the Alpini deployed on their first mission abroad, in Africa, a continent where they returned on several occasions and during various wars of the Kingdom of Italy. They emerged during World War I as they fought a three-year campaign on the Alps against Austro-Hungarian Kaiserjäger and the German Alpenkorps in what has since become known as the "War in snow and ice".

World War I



Celestino Ellero, World War I . He wears the 1st issue Italian Gas mask container strapped over his right shoulder. ca. 1916.


Italian positions on Cinque Torri summit today.


Col di Lana after the detonation of the Italian mine.
During World War I the 26 peacetime Alpini battalions were increased by 62 battalions and saw heavy combat all over the alpine arch. During the war years the Alpini regiments consisted of the following battalions (the pre-war raised battalions are in bold; their first line reserve battalions, named after valleys (in Italian: Val or Valle) and their second line reserve battalions, named after mountains (in Italian: Monte) drawn from the same recruiting areas as the original battalions follow below the pre-war battalions):
Regiment
1st Alpini Ceva
Val Tanaro
Monte Mercantur Pieve di Teco
Val Arroscia
Monte Saccarello Mondovì
Val d'Ellero
Monte Clapier
2nd Alpini Borgo San Dalmazzo
Val Stura
Monte Argentera
Cuneo Dronero
Val Maira
Bicocca Saluzzo
Val Varaita
Monviso
3rd Alpini Pinerolo
Val Pellice
Monte Granero Fenestrelle
Val Chisone
Monte Albergian
Courmayeur Exilles
Val Dora
Monte Assietta Susa
Val Cenischia
Moncenisio
4th Alpini Ivrea
Val d'Orco
Monte Levanna
Pallanza Aosta
Val Baltea
Monte Cervino Intra
Val Toce
Monte Rosa
5th Alpini Morbegno
Val d'Intelvi
Monte Spluga
Monte Mandrone Tirano
Valtellina
Stelvio
Tonale Edolo
Val Camonica
Monte Adamello
Monte Ortler Vestone
Val Chiese
Monte Suello
Monte Cavento
6th Alpini Verona
Val d'Adige
Monte Baldo Vicenza
Val Leogra
Monte Berico
Monte Pasubio Bassano
Val Brenta
Sette Comuni
7th Alpini Feltre
Val Cismon
Monte Pavione Pieve di Cadore
Val Piave
Monte Antelao Belluno
Val Cordevole
Monte Pelmo
Monte Marmolada
8th Alpini Gemona
Val Tagliamento
Monte Arvenis Tolmezzo
Val Fella
Monte Canin Cividale
Val Natisone
Monte Matajur
Monte Nero
Most of the above battalions were regular Alpini battalions, while some were units raised for special tasks: in example the Monte Marmolada battalion was a Skiing battalion tasked with combat on the Marmolada glacier.
The Alpini battalions were divided in 233 companies of 100 to 150 men each. The Alpini regiments were never sent into battle as a whole, instead single companies and battalions were given specific passes, summits or ridges to guard and defend on their own.
The war has become known as the "War in snow and ice", as most of the 600 km frontline ran through the highest mountains and glaciers of the Alps. 12 meters (40 feet) of snow were a usual occurrence during the winter of 1915/16 and thousands of soldiers died in avalanches. The remains of these soldiers are still being uncovered today. The Alpini, as well as their Austrian counterparts: Kaiserschützen, Standschützen and Landeschützen occupied every hill and mountain top around the whole year. Huge underground bases were drilled and blown into the mountainsides and even deep into the ice of glaciers such as the Marmolada. Guns were dragged by hundreds of troops on mountains up to 3,890 m (12,760 feet) high. Roads, cable cars, mountain railroads and walkways were built up, through and along the steepest of cliffs. Many of these walkways and roads are still visible today, and many are maintained as Via Ferrata for climbing enthusiasts. In addition, along the former frontline it is still possible to see what is left of hundreds of kilometers of barbed wire.
In this kind of warfare, whoever occupied the higher ground first was almost impossible to dislodge, so both sides turned to drilling tunnels under mountain peaks, filling them up with explosives and then detonating the whole mountain to pieces, including its defenders: i.e. Col di Lana, Monte Pasubio, Lagazuoi, etc.[2]
Climbing and skiing became essential skills for the troops of both sides and soon Ski Battalions and special climbing units were formed. It was during these years that the Alpini, their spirit and their mules became famous, although at the cost of over 12,000 casualties out of a total of 40,000 mobilized Alpinis.
Many of the famous Alpini songs originated during this time and reflect upon the hardships of the "War in Snow and Ice".