Sassari Mechanized Brigade

Brigata Meccanizzata "Sassari"
"Sassari" Mechanized Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	March 1, 1915 – March 11, 1926 Sassari Brigade March 11, 1926 - 1934 12th Infantry Brigade 1934 - 1939 Timavo Infantry Brigade 1939 - September 10, 1943 Sassari Infantry Division December 1, 1988 - January 1, 1991 Sassari Motorized Brigade January 1, 1991 – today Sassari Mechanized Brigade
Country	Italy
Allegiance	Italian Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Mechanized
Size	Brigade
Part of	Friuli Division Command
Garrison/HQ	Sassari
Motto(s)	Sa vida pro sa Patria ("life for homeland")
Colors	red and white
March	Dimonios ("devils")
Anniversaries	28 January 1918
Engagements	World War I World War II Bosnia SFOR Kosovo KFOR Afghanistan ISAF Iraq Multinational force in Iraq
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier Luciano Portolano

The Sassari Mechanized Brigade is a mechanized infantry brigade of the Italian Army, based on the island of Sardinia. Its core is two infantry regiments which distinguished themselves in combat during World War I.

During the general mobilization in preparation for entering World War I the Italian Army raised the Sassari Infantry Brigade on 1 March 1915, at Tempio Pausania and Sinnai on Sardinia. The brigade consisted of the 151st Infantry Regiment and 152nd Infantry Regiment. Unlike all other Italian infantry brigades the Sassari was recruited locally on Sardinia; even most officers came from the island.

The brigade saw its first combat in the summer of 1915 in the First Battle of the Isonzo and distinguished itself in the Second Battle of the Isonzo. In May 1916 the brigade was sent to the Asiago Plateau to help in the Italian effort to stop the Austrian Spring offensive. In the month of June 1916 the brigade conquered Monte Fior, Monte Castelgomberto, Monte Spil, Monte Miela and Monte Zebio. For these actions both regiments of the brigade were awarded a Gold Medal of Military Valor.

After the Italian defeat in the Battle of Caporetto and the following flight of the remnants of the Italian Army towards the Piave the Sassari fought with extraordinary discipline and toughness. In fact the last battalion to retreat over the Piave and to safety was a battalion of the Sassari brigade.