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{{More citations needed|date=October 2023}}
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2019|bot=noref (GreenC bot)}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Brigata Alpina Cadore
|unit_name= Brigata Alpina "Cadore"
|image= CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png
|image= CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png
|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]]
Line 15: Line 15:
}}
}}


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 Italian provinces of [[province of Belluno|Belluno]] and [[province of Vicenza|Vicenza]]. The headquarters was in the city of [[Belluno]]. It was disbanded in 1997.
The '''[[Alps|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 [[province of Belluno|Belluno]] and [[province of Vicenza|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.
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 ==
== Constitution ==
The ''Cadore'' was constituted on 1 July 1953 in the city of [[Belluno]]. The brigade’s name ''Cadore'' alludes to the [[Cadore]] Alps in the northernmost part of the province of Belluno. Most of the brigades 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]]
** Brigade Headquarters, in Belluno
** Brigade Headquarters, in Belluno
** [[Image: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
** [[Image: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]] ''Cadore'' [[Military engineer|Engineer]] Company, in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] [[Military engineer|Engineer]] Company "Cadore", in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Signal Company, in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] Signal Company "Cadore", in Belluno


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]] ''Feltre'' Alpini Battalion, 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 Parachutist Platoon, in Belluno (formed in 1956)
* [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] Alpini Paratroopers Platoon, in Belluno (formed in 1956)
* XIX Alpini Position Battalion, in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] (constituted on 1 January 1957; renamed [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] ''Val Cismon'' Alpini Battalion 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]] ''Cadore'' Services Groupement (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)
* ''Cadore'' Light Aircraft Section, in Belluno (formed in 1957 and expanded to Light Aircraft Department in 1966)
* Light Aircraft Section "Cadore", in Belluno (formed in 1957 and expanded to Light Aircraft Unit "Cadore" in 1966)


The Alpini Parachutist Platoon merged with the other four Alpini brigades' parachutist platoons on 1 April 1964 to form an Alpini Parachutist Company in [[Bolzano]] under direct command of the [[COMALP|4th Army Corps]], and the 7th Mortar Company was disbanded in the same year and its mortars and troops split among the brigade's three Alpini battalions.
The Alpini Paratroopers <ref>{{Cite web |title=Paratrooper |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/paratrooper}}</ref> 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 [[COMALP|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 ==
== 1975 Reorganization ==
Line 53: Line 53:
| width = 480
| width = 480
| float =
| float =
| caption = <center>''Cadore'' battalions locations 1989</center>
| caption = {{center|Cadore locations 1989}}
| places =
| places =
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
| label = '''''[[Belluno|Cadore]]'''''
| label = [[Belluno|Cadore]]
| position = left
| position = left
| background = white
| background = white
Line 65: Line 65:
}}
}}
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
| label = ''[[Pieve di Cadore]]''
| label = <small>[[Pieve di Cadore]]</small>
| position =
| position =
| background = white
| background = white
Line 74: Line 74:
}}
}}
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
| label = ''[[Feltre]]''
| label = <small>[[Feltre]]</small>
| position = right
| position = right
| background = white
| background = white
Line 83: Line 83:
}}
}}
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
| label = [[Bassano del Grappa|''Agordo'']]
| label = <small>[[Bassano del Grappa|Agordo]]</small>
| position = left
| position = left
| background = white
| background = white
Line 110: Line 110:
}}
}}
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
{{Location map~ |Italy Veneto
| label = [[Belluno|Belluno<br />Lanzo]]
| label = <small>[[Belluno|Belluno<br />Lanzo]]</small>
| position = right
| position = right
| background = white
| background = white
Line 120: Line 120:
}}
}}


In 1975 the Italian Army abolished the regimental level and battalions came under direct command of newly formed multi-arms brigades. At the same 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 ''Cadore'' Command and Signal Battalion. Additionally an anti-tank company was raised, the Light Aircraft Department was transferred to the newly formed 4th Light Army Aviation Regiment ''Altair'' of the [[COMALP|4th Army Corps]], the ''Cadore'' Services Groupement 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.
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 105&nbsp;mm]] pack [[howitzer]]s each. The new composition was:
After the reform the new composition of the brigade 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]]
** [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Command and Signal Battalion, in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] Command and Signal Unit "Cadore", in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] ''Feltre'' Alpini Battalion, in [[Feltre]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|25px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Feltre"]], in [[Feltre]]
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Company
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Company
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 64th Alpini Company
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 64th Alpini Company
Line 132: Line 132:
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 66th Alpini Company
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 66th Alpini Company
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 125th Heavy Mortar Company
*** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 125th Heavy Mortar Company
** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] ''Pieve di Cadore'' Alpini Battalion, in [[Pieve di Cadore|Tai di Cadore]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 012.png|25px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Pieve di Cadore"]], in [[Pieve di Cadore|Tai di Cadore]]
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Company
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Company
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] 67th Alpini Company
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] 67th Alpini Company
Line 138: Line 138:
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] 75th Alpini Company in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]]
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] 75th Alpini Company in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]]
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] 167th Heavy Mortar Company
*** [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] 167th Heavy Mortar Company
** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] ''Belluno'' Alpini (Training) Battalion, in [[Belluno]]
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 016.png|25px]] [[Alpini Battalion "Belluno"|Alpini (Recruits Training) Battalion "Belluno"]], in [[Belluno]]
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Company
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] Headquarters and Service Company
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] 92nd Alpini (Training) Company
*** [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] 92nd Alpini (Training) Company
Line 144: Line 144:
*** [[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:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] ''Lanzo'' Mountain Artillery Group, 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:Nappina artiglieria.png|15px]] ''Agordo'' Mountain Artillery Group, 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
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 42 btr.png|15px]] 42nd Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 42 btr.png|15px]] 42nd Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 43 btr.png|15px]] 43rd Mountain Artillery Battery
*** [[File:Nappina artiglieria 43 btr.png|15px]] 43rd Mountain Artillery Battery
** [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Logistic Battalion, in Belluno
** [[File:CoA mil ITA btg log cadore.png|25px]] [[Logistic Battalion "Cadore"]], in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] Command and Services Platoon
⚫
** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 264th Alpini Company, in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] (transferred on 1 November 1976 to ''Val Brenta'' Alpini (Fortification) Battalion of the [[Alpine Brigade Tridentina|Alpine Brigade ''Tridentina'']])
** [[File:Nappina blu compagnia controcarri.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Anti-tank Company, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] 1st Light Logistic Unit
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Engineer Company, in Belluno
*** [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] 2nd Light Logistic Unit
*** [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] Medium Logistic Unit
⚫
** [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] 264th Alpini Company "Val Cismon", in [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] (transferred on 1 November 1976 to the [[Alpini Battalion "Val Brenta"]] of the [[Alpine Brigade "Tridentina"]])
** [[File:Nappina blu compagnia controcarri.png|15px]] Anti-tank Company "Cadore", in Belluno
** [[File:Nappina amarante.png|15px]] Engineer Company "Cadore", in Belluno


=== Strategic plans in case of war ===
=== Strategic plans in case of war ===
[[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 1976 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 Italian V 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''.
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 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 Alpini 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 Alpini 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 ''Bassano'' Alpini Battalion of the ''Tridentina'' brigade. 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 ''Pieve di Cadore'' Alpini Battalion was based in [[Pieve di Cadore|Tai di Cadore]] and tasked with holding the Kreuzbergpass and Cimabanche pass. The ''Pieve di Cadore'' was supported by the ''Lanzo'' Mountain Artillery Group in [[Belluno]]. The second battalion of the brigade, the ''Feltre'' Alpini Battalion in [[Feltre]] along with the ''Agordo'' Mountain Artillery Group in [[Bassano del Grappa]] was tasked to cover the many [[Dolomites|Dolomite]] mountain passes on the left flank of the ''Pieve di Cadore'' Alpini 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'' of the ''Val Brenta'' Alpini Battalion was deployed to [[Santo Stefano di Cadore]] and tasked with maintaining the Alpine Wall fortifications on the [[Kreuzbergpass]], in the [[Höhlensteintal]] and near [[Prags]] in peacetime. 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:


* [[Kreuzbergpass]]: 7 bunker, 247 men from the 264th Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento Passo Monte Croce Comelico|Sbarramento Passo Monte Croce Comelico]])
* [[Kreuzbergpass]]: 7 bunker, 247 men from the 264th Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento Passo Monte Croce Comelico|Sbarramento Passo Monte Croce Comelico]])
* [[Val Frison]]: 3 bunker, ? men from the 265th (Reserve) Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento Val Frison|Sbarramento Val Frison]])
* [[Val Frison]]: 3 bunker, ? men from the 265th (Reserve) Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento Val Frison|Sbarramento Val Frison]])
* [[Höhlensteintal|Landro Nord]]: 3 bunker, 150 men from the 277th (Reserve) Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento della Val di Landro|Sbarramento della Val di Landro]])
* [[Höhlensteintal|Landro Nord]]: 3 bunker, 150 men from the 277th (Reserve) Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento della Val di Landro|Sbarramento della Val di Landro]])
* [[Prags]]: 2 bunker, 116 men from the 347th (Reserve) Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento di Braies|Sbarramento di Braies]])
* [[Prags]]: 2 bunkers, 116 men from the 347th (Reserve) Company (Italian Wikipedia: [[:it:Sbarramento di Braies|Sbarramento di Braies]])


Administratively the 264th Alpini Company fell under the ''Val Brenta'' Alpini (Fortification) Battalion of the ''Tridentina'' brigade. On 23 August 1986 the company was disbanded and the bunkers stripped of their equipment.
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 ==
== 1991 Reorganization ==
In 1991 the Mountain Artillery Group ''Agordo'' was dissolved and the remaining battalions took the names of historical Alpini regiments to carry on their 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 Signal Battalion was merged with the Engineer Company to form the Command and Tactical Support Battalion. The new composition was:
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:


* [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Command and Tactical Support Battalion in Belluno
* [[File:CoA mil ITA alp bde Cadore.png|25px]] '''Alpine Brigade "Cadore"''', in [[Belluno]]
** [[File:Nappina blu - Brigade supports.png|15px]] Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Cadore", in Belluno
⚫
* [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|20px]] '''[[7th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] ''Feltre'' Alpini Battalion in [[Feltre]]
* [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 012.png|20px]] '''[[12th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina rossa.png|15px]] ''Pieve di Cadore'' Alpini Battalion in [[Pieve di Cadore]] (dissolved in 1997)
** [[File:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 007.png|25px]] '''[[7th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina bianca.png|15px]] Alpini Battalion "Feltre", in [[Feltre]]
* [[Image:CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 016.png|20px]] '''[[16th Alpini Regiment]]''' [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] ''Belluno'' Alpini Training Battalion in [[Belluno]]
** [[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 Regiment "Belluno"]]''' [[File:Nappina verde.png|15px]] Alpini (Recruits Training) Battalion "Belluno", in [[Belluno]]
* [[Image:CoA 6 Artimon Rgt.png|20px]] '''[[6th Mountain Artillery Regiment (Italy)|6th Mountain Artillery Regiment]]''' ''Lanzo'' Mountain Artillery Group in Bassano del Grappa (dissolved on July 15, 1995)
* [[Image:CoA mil ITA btg log cadore.png|20px]] [[File:Nappina viola.png|15px]] ''Cadore'' Logistic Battalion 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 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==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alpine Brigade Cadore}}
[[Category:Alpini brigades]]
[[Category:Alpini brigades]]

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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