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|image_size= 160px
|image_size= 160px
|caption= Coat of Arms of the Alpine Brigade "Cadore"
|caption= Coat of Arms of the Alpine Brigade "Cadore"
|dates= 1 July 1953 - 10 January 1997
|dates= 1 Dec. 1953 - 31 Jan. 1997
|country= [[Italy]]
|country= [[Italy]]
|branch= [[Italian Army]]
|branch= [[Italian Army]]
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== Constitution ==
== Constitution ==
The Cadore was constituted on 1 July 1953 in the city of [[Belluno]]. The brigade’s name alludes to the [[Cadore|Cadore Alps]] in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno. Most of the brigade's recruits came from the north-eastern [[Veneto|Veneto Region]]. The brigade was tasked with defending the [[Piave (river)|Piave valley]] against an attack by forces of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. The brigade’s strength was around 3,600 men and initially it was composed of the:
The Cadore was constituted on 1 December 1953 in the city of [[Belluno]]. The brigade's name alludes to the [[Cadore|Cadore Alps]] in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno. Most of the brigade's recruits came from the north-eastern [[Veneto|Veneto Region]]. The brigade was tasked with defending the [[Piave (river)|Piave valley]] against an attack by forces of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. The brigade's strength was around 3,600 men and initially it was composed of the:


* [[File:CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png|25px]] '''Alpine Brigade "Cadore"''', in [[Belluno]]
* [[File:CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png|25px]] '''Alpine Brigade "Cadore"''', in [[Belluno]]
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** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|25px]] '''[[7th Alpini Regiment]]''', in Belluno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|25px]] '''[[7th Alpini Regiment]]''', in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina blu - Regimental supports.png|15px]] Command Company, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina blu - Regimental supports.png|15px]] Command Company, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore", in [[Pieve di Cadore]]
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore"]], in [[Pieve di Cadore]]
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Belluno", in Belluno and [[Agordo]]
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Belluno"]], in Belluno and [[Agordo]]
*** [[File:Nappina blu - Regimental supports.png|15px]] 7th Mortar Company, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina blu - Regimental supports.png|15px]] 7th Mortar Company, in Belluno
** [[File:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|25px]] '''[[6th Mountain Artillery Regiment (Italy)|6th Mountain Artillery Regiment]]''', in Belluno
** [[File:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|25px]] '''[[6th Mountain Artillery Regiment (Italy)|6th Mountain Artillery Regiment]]''', in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria - Reparto Comando.png|15px]] Command Battery, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria - Reparto Comando.png|15px]] Command Battery, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo", in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] [[Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo"]], in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Pieve di Cadore", in Bassano
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Pieve di Cadore", in Bassano
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo", in Feltre
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] [[Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo"]], in Feltre
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, in Belluno (disbanded in 1957)
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Anti-aircraft Artillery Group, in Belluno (disbanded in 1957)
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] [[Military engineer|Engineer]] Company "Cadore", in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] [[Military engineer|Engineer]] Company "Cadore", in Belluno
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In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:
In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:


* [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Feltre", in [[Feltre]] and [[Strigno]] (transferred from the [[Alpine Brigade "Julia"]] on 1 June 1956)
* [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Feltre"]], in [[Feltre]] and [[Strigno]] (transferred from the [[Alpine Brigade "Julia"]] on 1 June 1956)
* [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] Alpini Paratroopers <ref>{{Citation |title=Paratrooper |date=2023-10-17 |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paratrooper&oldid=1180533228 |work=Wikipedia |access-date=2023-10-23 |language=en}}</ref> Platoon, in Belluno (formed in 1956)
* [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] Alpini Paratroopers Platoon, in Belluno (formed in 1956)
* XIX Alpini Fortification Battalion, in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] (constituted on 1 January 1957; renamed [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Val Cismon" on 1 July 1963)
* XIX Alpini Fortification Battalion, in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] (constituted on 1 January 1957; renamed [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Val Cismon"]] on 1 July 1963)
* [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] Services Grouping "Cadore" (formed from the brigade's supply, maintenance, and logistic units in 1957)
* [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] Services Grouping "Cadore" (formed from the brigade's supply, maintenance, and logistic units in 1957)
* Light Aircraft Section "Cadore", in Belluno (formed in 1957 and expanded to Light Aircraft Unit "Cadore" in 1966)
* Light Aircraft Section "Cadore", in Belluno (formed in 1957 and expanded to Light Aircraft Unit "Cadore" in 1966)
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With the [[Italian Army 1975 reform|1975 Italian Army reform]] the regimental level was abolished and battalions came under direct command of multi-arms brigades. At the same time the army reduced and realigned its forces and therefore the Cadore saw some changes to its composition: the 7th Alpini Regiment, 6th Mountain Artillery Regiment, and Mountain Artillery Group "Pieve di Cadore" were disbanded, while the brigade headquarters and the signal company were merged to form the Command and Signal Unit "Cadore". Additionally an anti-tank company was raised, the Light Aircraft Unit "Cadore" was transferred to the newly formed 4th Army Light Aviation Regiment "Altair" of the [[COMALP|4th Army Corps]], the Services Grouping "Cadore" was reorganized as a logistic battalion, the Alpini Battalion "Belluno" became a training unit, and the Alpini Battalion "Val Cismon" was reduced to 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon".
With the [[Italian Army 1975 reform|1975 Italian Army reform]] the regimental level was abolished and battalions came under direct command of multi-arms brigades. At the same time the army reduced and realigned its forces and therefore the Cadore saw some changes to its composition: the 7th Alpini Regiment, 6th Mountain Artillery Regiment, and Mountain Artillery Group "Pieve di Cadore" were disbanded, while the brigade headquarters and the signal company were merged to form the Command and Signal Unit "Cadore". Additionally an anti-tank company was raised, the Light Aircraft Unit "Cadore" was transferred to the newly formed 4th Army Light Aviation Regiment "Altair" of the [[COMALP|4th Army Corps]], the Services Grouping "Cadore" was reorganized as a logistic battalion, the Alpini Battalion "Belluno" became a training unit, and the Alpini Battalion "Val Cismon" was reduced to 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon".


After the reform the brigade's two Alpini battalions had an authorized strength of 950 men, while the two artillery groups had an authorized strength of 610 men and fielded 18 [[OTO Melara Mod 56|M56 105mm]] pack [[howitzer]]s each. The new composition was:
After the reform the brigade's two Alpini battalions had an authorized strength of 950 men, while the two artillery groups had an authorized strength of 610 men and fielded 18 [[OTO Melara Mod 56|M56 105&nbsp;mm]] pack [[howitzer]]s each. The new composition was:


* [[File:CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png|25px]] '''Alpine Brigade "Cadore"''', in [[Belluno]]
* [[File:CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png|25px]] '''Alpine Brigade "Cadore"''', in [[Belluno]]
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*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] 141st Alpini (Training) Company
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] 141st Alpini (Training) Company
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] 142nd Alpini (Training) Company
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] 142nd Alpini (Training) Company
** [[File:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|25px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo", in Belluno
** [[File:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|25px]] [[Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo"]], in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria CG.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria CG.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 16 btr.png|15px]] 16th Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 16 btr.png|15px]] 16th Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 44 btr.png|15px]] 44th Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 44 btr.png|15px]] 44th Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 47 btr.png|15px]] 47th Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 47 btr.png|15px]] 47th Mountain Artillery Battery
** [[File:CoA mil ITA gr artiglieria agordo 1977-1987.png|25px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo", in [[Bassano del Grappa]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA gr artiglieria agordo 1977-1987.png|25px]] [[Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo"]], in [[Bassano del Grappa]]
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria CG.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria CG.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 41 btr.png|15px]] 41st Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 41 btr.png|15px]] 41st Mountain Artillery Battery
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[[File:Opera 11 Passo Monte Croce di Comelico.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Alpine wall bunker on the [[Kreuzbergpass]]]]
[[File:Opera 11 Passo Monte Croce di Comelico.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Alpine wall bunker on the [[Kreuzbergpass]]]]


After the 1975 reform the 4th Alpine Army Corps was responsible to defend the Italian border along the [[Main chain of the Alps|main chain of the alps]] from the [[Switzerland|Swiss]]-[[Austria]]n-Italian border [[tripoint]] in the west to the Italian-[[Yugoslavia]]n border in the east. In case of war with Yugoslavia the 4th Alpine Army Corps would remain static in its position guarding the left flank of the [[5th Army Corps (Italy)|5th Army Corps]], which would meet the enemy forces in the plains of [[Friuli Venezia Giulia]]. The only brigade which would have seen combat in such a case would have been the [[Alpine Brigade Julia|Julia]].
After the 1975 reform the 4th Alpine Army Corps was responsible to defend the Italian border along the [[Main chain of the Alps|main chain of the alps]] from the [[Switzerland|Swiss]]-[[Austria]]n-Italian border [[tripoint]] in the west to the Italian-[[Yugoslavia]]n border in the east. In case of war with Yugoslavia the 4th Alpine Army Corps would remain static in its position guarding the left flank of the [[5th Army Corps (Italy)|5th Army Corps]], which would meet the enemy forces in the plains of [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]]. The only brigade which would have seen combat in such a case would have been the [[Alpine Brigade Julia|Julia]].


In case of a war with the [[Warsaw Pact]] the 4th Alpine Army Corps had two war planes: one in the case the Soviet [[Southern Group of Forces]] and [[Hungarian Ground Forces|Hungarian Army]] would march through Yugoslavia and the other in case the Warsaw Pact would violate the [[Declaration of Neutrality|Austrian neutrality]] and march through Austria. In case the enemy forces would come through Yugoslavia, the Julia would cover the mountainous left flank of the 5th Army Corps, which with its four armoured and five mechanized brigades would try to wear down the enemy before it could break out into the North Italian [[Po valley|Padan plain]]. The other alpine brigades would remain static.
In case of a war with the [[Warsaw Pact]] the 4th Alpine Army Corps had two war planes: one in the case the Soviet [[Southern Group of Forces]] and [[Hungarian Ground Forces|Hungarian Army]] would march through Yugoslavia and the other in case the Warsaw Pact would violate the [[Declaration of Neutrality|Austrian neutrality]] and march through Austria. In case the enemy forces would come through Yugoslavia, the Julia would cover the mountainous left flank of the 5th Army Corps, which with its four armoured and five mechanized brigades would try to wear down the enemy before it could break out into the North Italian [[Po valley|Padan plain]]. The other alpine brigades would remain static.


In the more likely case the Soviet and Hungarian divisions would invade Austria and march through Southern [[Styria]] and through the [[Drava]] valley in [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]] the alpine brigades would have been the first front line units of the Italian Army. The [[Alpine Brigade Julia|Julia]] would have defended the [[Canal valley]] and the [[Alpine Brigade Tridentina|Tridentina]] the [[Puster valley]], while the [[Alpine Brigade Orobica|Orobica]] had a special mission and the [[Alpine Brigade Taurinense|Taurinense]] would remain in reserve. The Cadore was stationed between the Julia and the Tridentina brigades and tasked with defending the [[Piave (river)|Piave]] valley. If the Soviet forces would have advanced along the Drava Valley they would have reached the Italian border at [[Innichen|Winnebach]] in the [[Puster valley]] which was defended by the Alpini Battalion "Bassano" of the Tridentina. The Tridentina was tasked to defend the [[Puster Valley|Puster valley]], however if Soviet forces would turn south after crossing the border they would have been able to reach the Piave valley through the [[Sextental|Sexten valley]] and over the [[Kreuzbergpass]] or through the [[Höhlensteintal]] and over the [[Cimabanche Pass]]. Therefore the Cadore's [[Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore"]] based in [[Pieve di Cadore|Tai di Cadore]] was tasked with holding the Kreuzbergpass and Cimabanche pass. The "Pieve di Cadore" was supported by the Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo" based in [[Belluno]]. The second battalion of the brigade, the [[Alpini Battalion "Feltre"]] based in [[Feltre]] along with the Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo" based in [[Bassano del Grappa]] was tasked to cover the many [[Dolomites|Dolomite]] mountain passes on the left flank of the "Pieve di Cadore" battalion.
In the more likely case the Soviet and Hungarian divisions would invade Austria and march through Southern [[Styria]] and through the [[Drava]] valley in [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]] the alpine brigades would have been the first front line units of the Italian Army. The [[Alpine Brigade Julia|Julia]] would have defended the [[Canal valley]] and the [[Alpine Brigade Tridentina|Tridentina]] the [[Puster valley]], while the [[Alpine Brigade Orobica|Orobica]] had a special mission and the [[Alpine Brigade Taurinense|Taurinense]] would remain in reserve. The Cadore was stationed between the Julia and the Tridentina brigades and tasked with defending the [[Piave (river)|Piave]] valley. If the Soviet forces would have advanced along the Drava Valley they would have reached the Italian border at [[Innichen|Winnebach]] in the [[Puster valley]] which was defended by the Alpini Battalion "Bassano" of the Tridentina. The Tridentina was tasked to defend the [[Puster Valley|Puster valley]], however if Soviet forces would turn south after crossing the border they would have been able to reach the Piave valley through the [[Sextental|Sexten valley]] and over the [[Kreuzbergpass]] or through the [[Höhlensteintal]] and over the [[Cimabanche Pass]]. Therefore, the Cadore's [[Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore"]] based in [[Pieve di Cadore|Tai di Cadore]] was tasked with holding the Kreuzbergpass and Cimabanche pass. The "Pieve di Cadore" was supported by the Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo" based in [[Belluno]]. The second battalion of the brigade, the [[Alpini Battalion "Feltre"]] based in [[Feltre]] along with the Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo" based in [[Bassano del Grappa]] was tasked to cover the many [[Dolomites|Dolomite]] mountain passes on the left flank of the "Pieve di Cadore" battalion.


To aid in the defence of the narrow mountain valleys the 4th Army Corps re-activated some fortifications of the World War II era [[Alpine Wall]]. In the area of operation of the Cadore the 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon" based in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] was tasked with maintaining the Alpine Wall fortifications on the [[Kreuzbergpass]], in the [[Höhlensteintal]] and near [[Prags]]. In wartime the fortifications would have been manned as follows:
To aid in the defence of the narrow mountain valleys the 4th Army Corps re-activated some fortifications of the World War II era [[Alpine Wall]]. In the area of operation of the Cadore the 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon" based in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] was tasked with maintaining the Alpine Wall fortifications on the [[Kreuzbergpass]], in the [[Höhlensteintal]] and near [[Prags]]. In wartime the fortifications would have been manned as follows:
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** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|25px]] '''[[7th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Feltre", in [[Feltre]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|25px]] '''[[7th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Feltre", in [[Feltre]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 012.png|25px]] '''[[12th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore", in [[Pieve di Cadore]] (disbanded in 1997)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 012.png|25px]] '''[[12th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore", in [[Pieve di Cadore]] (disbanded in 1997)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 016.png|25px]] '''[[16th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] Alpini (Recruits Training) Battalion "Belluno", in [[Belluno]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 016.png|25px]] '''[[16th Regiment "Belluno"]]''' [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] Alpini (Recruits Training) Battalion "Belluno", in [[Belluno]]
** [[File:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|25px]] '''[[6th Mountain Artillery Regiment (Italy)|6th Mountain Artillery Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo", in Bassano del Grappa (disbanded on July 15, 1995)
** [[File:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|25px]] '''[[6th Mountain Artillery Regiment (Italy)|6th Mountain Artillery Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo", in Bassano del Grappa (disbanded on July 15, 1995)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA btg log cadore.png|25px]] [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] Logistic Battalion "Cadore", in Belluno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA btg log cadore.png|25px]] [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] [[Logistic Battalion "Cadore"]], in Belluno


== Today ==
== Today ==
The brigade was disbanded on 10 January 1997 and the remaining units (7th and 16th Alpini regiments) passed to the [[Alpine Brigade "Julia"]].
The brigade was disbanded on 31 January 1997 and the remaining units (7th Alpini Regiment and 16th Regiment "Belluno") passed to the [[Alpine Brigade "Julia"]].


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 09:23, 22 August 2024

Brigata Alpina "Cadore"
Coat of Arms of the Alpine Brigade "Cadore"
Active1 Dec. 1953 - 31 Jan. 1997
CountryItaly
BranchItalian Army
TypeAlpini
RoleMountain Infantry
Part ofIV Army Corps
1953 - 1997
Garrison/HQBelluno

The Alpine Brigade "Cadore" was a light Infantry brigade of the Italian Army, specializing in mountain warfare. Its core units were 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 Italian provinces of Belluno and Vicenza with its headquarters Belluno. The brigade was disbanded in 1997.

Based in the Cadore Alps of Northern Italy the brigade's coat of arms was modeled after the area's traditional coat of arms.

Constitution

[edit]

The Cadore was constituted on 1 December 1953 in the city of Belluno. The brigade's name alludes to the Cadore Alps in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno. Most of the brigade's recruits came from the north-eastern Veneto Region. The brigade was tasked with defending the Piave valley against an attack by forces of the Warsaw Pact. The brigade's strength was around 3,600 men and initially it was composed of the:

In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units:

The Alpini Paratroopers [1] Platoon merged with the paratrooper platoons of the other four alpine brigades on 1 April 1964 to form the Alpini Paratroopers Company in Bolzano under direct command of the 4th Army Corps. The same year the 7th Mortar Company was disbanded and its mortars and troops divided among the brigade's three Alpini battalions.

1975 Reorganization

[edit]
class=notpageimage|
Cadore locations 1989

With the 1975 Italian Army reform the regimental level was abolished and battalions came under direct command of multi-arms brigades. At the same time the army reduced and realigned its forces and therefore the Cadore saw some changes to its composition: the 7th Alpini Regiment, 6th Mountain Artillery Regiment, and Mountain Artillery Group "Pieve di Cadore" were disbanded, while the brigade headquarters and the signal company were merged to form the Command and Signal Unit "Cadore". Additionally an anti-tank company was raised, the Light Aircraft Unit "Cadore" was transferred to the newly formed 4th Army Light Aviation Regiment "Altair" of the 4th Army Corps, the Services Grouping "Cadore" was reorganized as a logistic battalion, the Alpini Battalion "Belluno" became a training unit, and the Alpini Battalion "Val Cismon" was reduced to 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon".

After the reform the brigade's two Alpini battalions had an authorized strength of 950 men, while the two artillery groups had an authorized strength of 610 men and fielded 18 M56 105 mm pack howitzers each. The new composition was:

Strategic plans in case of war

[edit]
Alpine wall bunker on the Kreuzbergpass

After the 1975 reform the 4th Alpine Army Corps was responsible to defend the Italian border along the main chain of the alps from the Swiss-Austrian-Italian border tripoint in the west to the Italian-Yugoslavian border in the east. In case of war with Yugoslavia the 4th Alpine Army Corps would remain static in its position guarding the left flank of the 5th Army Corps, which would meet the enemy forces in the plains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The only brigade which would have seen combat in such a case would have been the Julia.

In case of a war with the Warsaw Pact the 4th Alpine Army Corps had two war planes: one in the case the Soviet Southern Group of Forces and Hungarian Army would march through Yugoslavia and the other in case the Warsaw Pact would violate the Austrian neutrality and march through Austria. In case the enemy forces would come through Yugoslavia, the Julia would cover the mountainous left flank of the 5th Army Corps, which with its four armoured and five mechanized brigades would try to wear down the enemy before it could break out into the North Italian Padan plain. The other alpine brigades would remain static.

In the more likely case the Soviet and Hungarian divisions would invade Austria and march through Southern Styria and through the Drava valley in Carinthia the alpine brigades would have been the first front line units of the Italian Army. The Julia would have defended the Canal valley and the Tridentina the Puster valley, while the Orobica had a special mission and the Taurinense would remain in reserve. The Cadore was stationed between the Julia and the Tridentina brigades and tasked with defending the Piave valley. If the Soviet forces would have advanced along the Drava Valley they would have reached the Italian border at Winnebach in the Puster valley which was defended by the Alpini Battalion "Bassano" of the Tridentina. The Tridentina was tasked to defend the Puster valley, however if Soviet forces would turn south after crossing the border they would have been able to reach the Piave valley through the Sexten valley and over the Kreuzbergpass or through the Höhlensteintal and over the Cimabanche Pass. Therefore, the Cadore's Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore" based in Tai di Cadore was tasked with holding the Kreuzbergpass and Cimabanche pass. The "Pieve di Cadore" was supported by the Mountain Artillery Group "Lanzo" based in Belluno. The second battalion of the brigade, the Alpini Battalion "Feltre" based in Feltre along with the Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo" based in Bassano del Grappa was tasked to cover the many Dolomite mountain passes on the left flank of the "Pieve di Cadore" battalion.

To aid in the defence of the narrow mountain valleys the 4th Army Corps re-activated some fortifications of the World War II era Alpine Wall. In the area of operation of the Cadore the 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon" based in Santo Stefano di Cadore was tasked with maintaining the Alpine Wall fortifications on the Kreuzbergpass, in the Höhlensteintal and near Prags. In wartime the fortifications would have been manned as follows:

Administratively the 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon" fell under the Alpini Battalion "Val Brenta" of the Tridentina brigade. On 23 August 1986 the company was disbanded and the bunkers stripped of their equipment.

1991 Reorganization

[edit]

In 1991 the Mountain Artillery Group "Agordo" was disbanded and the remaining battalions took the names of historical Alpini regiments to carry on their traditions. Each regiment consisted of one of the brigade's Alpini battalions and an additional support company. Furthermore, the brigade's Anti-tank Company was disbanded and the Command and Signal Unit merged with the Engineer Company to form the Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Cadore". The new composition was:

Today

[edit]

The brigade was disbanded on 31 January 1997 and the remaining units (7th Alpini Regiment and 16th Regiment "Belluno") passed to the Alpine Brigade "Julia".

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Paratrooper".
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