Monte Cervino Battalion
| Monte Cervino Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | November 1915-1919/1940-1943 |
| Country | Italy |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Air Assault Infantry |
| Role | Alpini Special Operations Forces |
| Part of | 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment |
| Garrison/HQ | Verona (VR) |
| Motto(s) | "Mai strac" (never tired) |
| Decorations | 2 Gold Medals of Military Valor 1 Silver Medal of Military Valor |
The Alpini Parachutist battalion Monte Cervino is the sole battalion of the Italian Army's 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment. The 4th Alpini Parachutist Regiment is one of the Italian Army's (Forces for Special Operations) units. The Alpini are a mountain infantry corps of the Italian Army that distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II. To this day, this is the only unit of "mountain paratroopers" in the world.
In November 1915, the Monte Cervino Alpini Battalion was raised in the village of Ivrea in northern Italy. Initially only fielding a single Alpini company (133rd Alpini Company "La nobile tonante"), it was augmented quickly by the 87th and 103rd Alpini Companies, which were reserve companies of the Aosta Alpini Battalion of the same regiment. After a short training regime in the village of Tirano, the battalion was sent in April 1916 to the Asiago plateau to reinforce the front, arriving just in time to feel the full brunt of the Austrian "Strafexpedition" offensive on the Asiago Plateau. After fierce fighting on May 15, the 103rd Company was overcome and had to surrender the Borcola Pass to the advancing Austrians. The 87th and 133rd Companies were able to withdraw from the advancing Austrians. With the commencement of the Italian counter-offensive, the remaining soldiers of the Monte Cervino fought in the Caldiera e Posina valleys.
In 1917, the battalion was employed on the Isonzo Front in a futile attempt to take Monte Vodice. In November of the same year, the battalion was tasked to defend the Melette di Gallio on the Asiago plateau against a renewed Austrian attack on the Asiago plateau. Afterwards, it was sent to the rear to rest and refit. In June 1918, the battalion defended the Monte Fior and Monte Castelgomberto mountains against the last Austrian attempt to break through the Italian lines on the Asiago plateau and thus open up a way into the Padan plain. Thirty officers and 1,000 Alpinis of the battalion died during the defence of Monte Fior - 2/3 of the unit's men at the onset of the Austrian offensive. For this sacrifice, the battalion was awarded Italy's second highest military order: the Silver Medal of Military Valor.
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