Italy – WW1 Italian, 8th Alpini Regiment, Silver medlallion.

Description

Small 8th Alpini regemental silvermedal, 28 mm from the 1915-16 campaign.

The 8th Alpini Regiment (Italian: 8° Reggimento Alpini) is a mountain infantry formation of the Italian Army, based in Venzone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The regiment belongs to the Alpine Brigade “Julia” and has a long and distinguished history.

History:

Formation and early years: The regiment was formed on 1 October 1909 by uniting the battalions “Cividale”, “Gemona” and “Tolmezzo”. In 1911-1912, the “Tolmezzo” battalion participated in the Libyan campaign under the command of Colonel Antonio Cantore.

World War I: At the time of Italy’s entry into World War I, the regiment was engaged on the Carnia and Trentino fronts. A notable event was that Riccardo Giusto, a soldier from the regiment, became the first Italian soldier to fall in the war.

Interwar period and World War II: The regiment participated in the Italo-Greco War and later on the Eastern Front in the Soviet Union. During these conflicts, the regiment suffered heavy losses and showed great bravery, resulting in the awarding of two gold medals for military valor.

Postwar period: After World War II, the regiment was re-formed on 15 April 1946 and in 1949 was assigned to the Alpine Brigade “Julia”. In 1975, the Italian Army underwent a reorganization in which the regimental level was abolished, and the former battalions became independent units. However, the regiment was re-formed in 1992.

Current structure:

Today, the 8th Alpini Regiment consists of:

• Regimental Staff
• A Logistics Support Group
• The “Tolmezzo” Battalion

The regiment’s banner is decorated with a Military Cross of the Italian Order, two gold medals for military valor, a silver medal for military valor, a bronze medal for military valor and a silver cross for military merit.