Bersaglieri

The Bersaglieri are a corps of the Italian army created by General Alessandro Lamarmora in 1836. They have always been a high-mobility infantry unit, and can be still recognized from the particular hat they wear, which is decorated with capercaillie feathers.

Related Topics:
Corps - Italian army - General - Alessandro Lamarmora - Infantry - Capercaillie - Feather

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The Bersaglieri were deployed abroad for the first time in the Crimean War, by the order of one of the founders of Italian Unification, Cavour. On 20 September 1870, they entered Rome through the Porta Pia, ending the temporal power of the Pope, and completing the unification of Italy.

Related Topics:
Crimean War - Cavour - 20 September - 1870 - Rome - Porta Pia - Temporal power - Of the Pope - Unification of Italy

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While in the past their mobility was helped by their training in running and by the aid of bicycles, now they are mostly mechanised.

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They have served, as part of the 'Garibaldi' Mechanised Brigade, as peacekeepers in the Yugoslav and Somali Civil Wars, and are currently also deployed in Iraq.

Related Topics:
'Garibaldi' - Yugoslav - Somali - Iraq

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