Alpine Brigade Julia
Encyclopedia
The Alpini
Brigade Julia 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 "Julia" alludes to the Julian Alps
were the brigade is based. The Brigade carries on the name and traditions of the 3rd Alpine Division Julia
.
The Brigade supplies the headquarters and most units to the Italian/Slovenian/Hungarian Battle Group. Component parts from the other two countries are the Slovenian 10th Motorized Battalion
and the Hungarian 1st Light Infantry Battalion
.
. The brigade was the biggest in the Italian Army with around 10,000 men and was tasked to stop Warsaw Pact
forces attacking through Austria over the Plöcken
and Naßfeld
passes, thus securing the Northern flank of the Italian V Army Corps, which formed the main line of defense against an enemy breakthrough into the Northern Italian plain
. Initially the brigade was composed of the:
In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:
On October 26, 1962 with transfer of the Mondovì Alpini Battalion and Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group from the Alpine Brigade Taurinense
the Julia reached its peak strength in men, units and equipment. For the next 30 years the Julia remained the largest brigade of the Italian Army. It was now composed of:
With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade Cadore
in 1997, the two remaining regiments of that brigade passed to the Julia Brigade:
With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade Tridentina
in 2002, the last remaining regiment of that brigade passed to the Julia Brigade on July 1, 2002:
Furthermore the Julia received the
2° Engineer Regiment Iseo
battalion from the Alpine Troops Command in 2002.
. Today the brigade consists of the following units:
tracked all-terrain armoured personnel carrier
s (APCs) and 26 Puma 6x6
APCs. The artillery regiment fields 24 FH-70
towed howitzers.
Alpini
The 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 Infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally 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...
brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
of the Italian Army
Italian Army
The Italian Army is the ground defence force of the Italian Armed Forces. It is all-volunteer force of active-duty personnel, numbering 108,355 in 2010. Its best-known combat vehicles are the Dardo infantry fighting vehicle, the Centauro tank destroyer and the Ariete tank, and among its aircraft...
, specializing in Mountain Combat
Mountain warfare
Mountain 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 Alpini
Alpini
The 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 I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The brigade’s name "Julia" alludes to the Julian Alps
Julian Alps
The Julian Alps are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav. 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 Julia
3 Alpine Division Julia
The 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 Battle Group. Component parts from the other two countries are the Slovenian 10th Motorized Battalion
1st Brigade (Slovenian Armed Forces)
1st Brigade is the main brigade of Slovenian Armed Forces.- History :It was formed with the reorganization of the 1st Special Brigade MORiS on December 17, 1998.- Organization :January 2004* Command-Logistics Company* 10th Motorized Battalion...
and the Hungarian 1st Light Infantry Battalion
Military of Hungary
The Hungarian Defence Force is the national military of Hungary. It currently has two branches, the Hungarian Ground Force and the Hungarian Air Force....
.
Constitution
The Julia was constituted on October 15, 1949 in the city of UdineUdine
Udine is a city and comune 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 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical...
. The brigade was the biggest in the Italian Army with around 10,000 men and was tasked to stop Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
forces attacking through Austria over the Plöcken
Plöcken Pass
Plöcken Pass is a high mountain pass in the Carnic Alps mountain range at the border between the Austrian state of Carinthia and the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. It links the market town of Kötschach-Mauthen in the Gail Valley with Tolmezzo on the Tagliamento River.-See also:* List of...
and Naßfeld
Naßfeld Pass
Naßfeld Pass is a 1552 m high mountain pass in Austria in the Carnic Alps in the Bundesland of Carinthia, leading into Italy.It connects the Gail River valley with Italian Valcanale...
passes, thus securing the Northern flank of the Italian V Army Corps, which formed the main line of defense against an enemy breakthrough into the Northern Italian plain
Po Valley
The Po Valley, Po Plain, Plain of the Po, or Padan Plain is a major geographical feature of Italy. It extends approximately in an east-west direction, with an area of 46,000 km² including its Venetic extension not actually related to the Po River basin; it runs from the Western Alps to the...
. Initially the brigade was composed of the:
-
8th Alpini Regiment 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 Regiment with Conegliano Mountain Artillery group and Light Air-defense group (February 1st, 1951) - EngineerMilitary engineerIn military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
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)
- XII° (renamed
- 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 Mondovì Alpini Battalion and Pinerolo Mountain Artillery group from the Alpine Brigade Taurinense
Alpine Brigade Taurinense
The 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. For the next 30 years the Julia remained the largest brigade of the Italian Army. It was now composed of:
- 8th Alpini Regiment with
- HQ & HQ Company
- Gemona Alpini battalion
- Tolmezzo Alpini battalion
- Cividale Alpini battalion
- L'Aquila Alpini battalion
- Mondovì Alpini battalion (dissolved in 1975, name used to create the Alpini Training battalion Mondovì in Cuneo as part of the Taurinense BrigadeAlpine 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"...
) - 8th Mortar Company (dissolved on December 31st, 1964)
- 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment 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 an organic strength of almost 2,500 men. The new composition was:- Gemona Alpini battalion in TarvisioTarvisioTarvisio is a town in the Province of Udine, in the northeastern part of the autonomous Friuli–Venezia Giulia region in Italy...
- Tolmezzo Alpini battalion in PaluzzaPaluzzaPaluzza is a comune in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 120 km northwest of Trieste and about 50 km northwest of Udine, in the Carnia, on the border with Austria....
- Cividale Alpini battalion in ChiusaforteChiusaforteChiusaforte is a comune in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 90 km northwest of Trieste and about 40 km north of Udine, on the border with Slovenia...
- L'Aquila Alpini battalion (moved in 1975 from TarvisioTarvisioTarvisio is a town in the Province of Udine, in the northeastern part of the autonomous Friuli–Venezia Giulia region in Italy...
to L'AquilaL'AquilaL'Aquila is a city and comune 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) - Val Tagliamento Alpini battalion in TolmezzoTolmezzoTolmezzo is a town and comune 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 Bût stream. Nearby is the Mount Amariana...
- Vicenza Alpini Training battalion in CodroipoCodroipoCodroipo is a comune in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 70 km northwest of Trieste and about 20 km southwest of Udine.The town was founded in Roman times and named Quadruvium...
- Belluno Mountain Artillery group (dissolved October 31st, 1989) in PontebbaPontebbaPontebba is a comune in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It is located about 100 km northwest of Trieste and about 50 km north of Udine, on the border with Austria...
- Conegliano Mountain Artillery group in UdineUdineUdine is a city and comune 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 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical...
- Udine Artillery Group (renamed "Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Group Udine" on December 6th, 1991) in TolmezzoTolmezzoTolmezzo is a town and comune 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 Bût stream. Nearby is the Mount Amariana...
- Julia Logistic battalion in UdineUdineUdine is a city and comune 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 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical...
- Command and Signals battalion in UdineUdineUdine is a city and comune 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 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical...
- Anti-tank company in Cavazzo CarnicoCavazzo CarnicoCavazzo Carnico is a comune in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 100 km northwest of Trieste and about 35 km northwest of Udine...
- EngineerMilitary engineerIn military science, engineering refers to the practice of designing, building, maintaining and dismantling military works, including offensive, defensive and logistical structures, to shape the physical operating environment in war...
company in Gemona
1990s 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 Gemona battalion
-
9th Alpini Regiment L'Aquila battalion (ceded to the Alpine Brigade TaurinenseAlpine 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 Regiment Tolmezzo battalion (dissolved in 2005) -
15th Alpini Regiment Cividale battalion (dissolved November 11th, 1995) - 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment 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 Cadore
Alpine Brigade Cadore
The 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 Regiment Feltre battalion -
16th Alpini Regiment Belluno battalion (ceded to Alpine Troops CommandCOMALP- External links :*...
in 1998)
With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade Tridentina
Alpine Brigade Tridentina
The 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 Regiment Morbegno battalion
Furthermore the Julia received the
2° Engineer Regiment IseoLake Iseo
Lake 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
Udine is a city and comune 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 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical...
. Today the brigade consists of the following units:
-
Julia Combat Service Support battalion in UdineUdineUdine is a city and comune 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 99,439 in 2009, and that of its urban area was 175,000.- History :Udine is the historical... - 5th Alpini Regiment MorbegnoMorbegnoMorbegno is a little town in the low Valtellina Valley in Italy, on the left 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 SterzingSterzingSterzing is a comune in South Tyrol in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy. It is the main village of the southern Wipptal, and the Eisack River flows through the medieval town.-Origin:... - 7th Alpini Regiment FeltreFeltreFeltre 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 BellunoBellunoBelluno , is a town and province in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Located about 100 kilometres north of Venice, Belluno is the capital of the province of Belluno and the most important city in the Eastern Dolomiti's region. With its roughly 37,000 inhabitants, it the largest populated area... - 8th Alpini Regiment TolmezzoTolmezzoTolmezzo is a town and comune 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 Bût stream. Nearby is the Mount Amariana...
battalion in Cividale - 3° Mountain Artillery Regiment
ConeglianoConeglianoConegliano is a town and comune of the Veneto region, Italy, in the province of Treviso, about north by rail from the town of Treviso. The population of the city is of around 36,000 people. The remains of a castle that was built in the 10th century remain on a nearby hill...
group in TolmezzoTolmezzoTolmezzo is a town and comune 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 Bût stream. Nearby is the Mount Amariana... - 2° Engineer Regiment
IseoLake 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 TrentoTrentoTrento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It is the capital of Trentino...
Equipment
The Alpini regiments are each equipped with 21 Bv 206SBandvagn 206
Bandvagn 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 carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An 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 6x6
Puma (AFV)
The 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-70
FH-70
The 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.