The Logistic Battalion "Acqui" (Italian: Battaglione Logistico "Acqui") is an inactive logistics unit of the Italian Army, which was assigned to the Motorized Brigade "Acqui".[2] The regimental anniversary falls, as for all units of the Transport and Materiel Corps, on 22 May, the anniversary of the Italian Army's first major automobile use to transport reinforcements to counter the Austro-Hungarian Offensive at Asiago in 1916.[3]
| Logistic Battalion "Acqui" | |
|---|---|
| Battaglione Logistico "Acqui" | |
 Battalion coat of arms | |
| Active | 1 Oct. 1975 - 30 June 1996 |
| Country |  Italy |
| Branch | Italian Army |
| Type | Military logistics |
| Part of | Motorized Brigade "Acqui" |
| Garrison/HQ | L'Aquila |
| Motto(s) | "Con il lavoro alla meta" |
| Anniversaries | 22 May 1916 - Battle of Asiago |
| Decorations |  1x Silver Cross of Army Merit[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Unit gorget patches |  |
History edit
The battalion is the spiritual successor of the logistic units of the Royal Italian Army's 33rd Infantry Division "Acqui", which fought in the Italian invasion of France and Greco-Italian War of World War II. In May 1943 the division was massacred by German forces in Cephalonia.[2]
As part of the 1975 army reform the units of the Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna" based in the city of L'Aquila were used to form the Motorized Brigade "Acqui" on 1 October 1975. On the same date the Logistic Battalion "Acqui" was formed by merging and reorganizing the Resupply, Repairs, Recovery Unit, the Auto Unit, and the Provisions Company of the Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna". The battalion consisted of a command, a command platoon, a supply and transport company, a medium workshop, a vehicle park, and a medical company.[2] At the time the battalion fielded 651 men (37 officers, 82 non-commissioned officers, and 532 soldiers).[4]
Initially the Motorized Brigade "Acqui" remained assigned to the Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna", which was in the process of reforming as Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna". Consequently, the Logistic Battalion "Acqui" remained assigned to the division's Services Grouping Command "Granatieri di Sardegna". On 1 November 1976 the division contracted to Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" and on the same day the Motorized Brigade "Acqui" became and independent formation and was assigned the Logistic Battalion "Acqui".[2]
On 12 November 1976 the battalion was granted a flag by decree 846 of the President of the Italian Republic Giovanni Leone.[2][5]
On 1 October 1981 the battalion was reorganized and consisted then of the following units:[2]
From 19 September 1991 to 11 June 1992 the battalion operated a logistic center and medical point in Vlorë in Albania to distribute aid to the local population. For its conduct and work in Vlorë the battalion was awarded a Silver Cross of Army Merit, which was affixed to the battalion's flag.[1][2]
On 15 May 1996 the battalion joined the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna". On 30 June 1996 the Logistic Battalion "Acqui" was declared to be disbanded and the next day the flag of the Logistic Battalion "Granatieri di Sardegna" arrived in L'Aquila, where it replaced the Acqui's flag, which was transferred to the Shrine of the Flags in the Vittoriano in Rome on 3 July. After the exchange of flags the battalion was renamed Logistic Battalion "Granatieri di Sardegna".[2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Bandiera del Battaglione Logistico "Acqui"". President of Italy. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i F. dell'Uomo, R. Puletti (1998). L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Vol. Primo - Tomo II. Rome: SME - Ufficio Storico. p. 368.
- ^ "Arma dei Trasporti e Materiali - La Storia". Italian Army. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Stefani, Filippo (1989). La storia della dottrina e degli ordinamenti dell'Esercito Italiano - Vol. III - Tomo 2°. Rome: Ufficio Storico - Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito. p. 1190.
- ^ "Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 12 novembre 1976, n. 846". Quirinale - Presidenza della Repubblica. Retrieved 20 November 2023.