The Mechanized Brigade Sassari is a mechanized infantry brigade of the Italian Army, endowed with an extraordinary sense of unity. It recalls the Cohors II Sardorum from the Roman era, deployed in North Africa and composed solely of Sardinian auxiliaries. Deployed in both world wars, in the First World War it will be remembered as a fundamental piece for the outcome of the conflict.
History
The Mechanized Brigade Sassari was born in 1915 during the First World War as a light infantry brigade (Tattaresa) taking part in numerous battles during the conflict, where its soldiers earned a reputation for the highest courage and determination. At the outbreak of the war, it was immediately put into service and during the battles on the Isonzo it received a citation in the Supreme Command bulletin as the best unit for its heroic actions in the clashes of Bosco Cappuccio, Bosco Lancia, and Bosco Triangolare.
In 1916, employed on the Asiago Plateau, it received the first gold medal for the reconquest of the mountains of the Melette massif (Monte Fior, Monte Castelgomberto, Monte Spil, and Monte Miela) and Monte Zebio. In 1918, it received the second gold medal for the battles in the Three Mountains battle, taking Col del Rosso, Col d'Ecchele, and Monte Valbella.
In the great war, the Sassarini participated in numerous important clashes, including the Battle of Gorizia and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. It paid a very high blood tribute, with the highest number of casualties of any other Italian unit: 13.8% of the personnel compared to the national average of 10.4%, demonstrating the incredible tenacity and fighting spirit of the Sardinian soldiers who had only one goal: Victory.
Reconstituted several times due to the numerous losses, at the end of the conflict it was awarded:
- 6 Military Orders of Savoy
- 13 Gold Medals for Military Valor
- 405 Silver Medals
- 551 Bronze Medals
- Numerous special citations in Supreme Command bulletins and by the enemy
The achievement of 2 gold medals to the flag for each regiment in a single war campaign is a case that remains unique in the history of the Italian Army.
Renamed 12th Infantry Brigade in 1926, it incorporated, also due to the very high losses in the first world conflict, the 12th Infantry Regiment, coming from the "Casale" Brigade.
In 1939 the Brigade changed its organization again, becoming the 12th Infantry Division "Sassari", losing the 12th Infantry Regiment and acquiring the 34th Artillery Regiment. It fought in the Balkans in 1941 with the II Army, breaking through the Yugoslav lines and taking Tenin, which it never relinquished until its presence (upon the fall of the fascist regime on July 25, 1943, the Division was relocated).
In the days following the proclamation of the Armistice, reacting to the attack launched by the troops of the former ally as part of Operation Achse, it actively participated in the fighting in defense of the city of Rome at Porta San Paolo together with the "Granatieri di Sardegna" and "Ariete II" Divisions along with Roman civilians.
On September 10, following the flight of Vittorio Emanuele III from Rome and the surrender conditions agreed with the high German Command while the fighting was still raging, the Division had to surrender its weapons to the Germans and was dissolved, temporarily ending what had been, until that moment, the best military unit ever seen in Italy.
Current Affairs
In 1958, the 152nd Regiment of Sassari, the original nucleus of the Brigade, resumed the name "Sassari" because the war flags had been saved and only 10 years later, in 1962, and only after 10 years did the 151st Motorized Infantry Regiment of Cagliari, already reconstituted in 1951 as an infantry regiment and "Sette Comuni" Battalion, reunite.
It underwent several transformations in the following years, which nevertheless did not affect the spirit of the Sassarini. It returned to the operational theater in the late 90s in the Balkans in peace operations and was deployed first in Iraq and then in Afghanistan in the 2000s, demonstrating the extraordinary operational capacity and efficiency that has always distinguished it, still paying a very high blood tribute with casualties and injuries.
In 2006 the "Sassari" Brigade was transformed from light to medium, acquiring an armored unit. Today it is one of the most present Italian units in operational theaters in crisis resolution operations (CRO - Crisis Response Operations) and is classified by the Army as a "projection force".
On October 4, 2022, the War Flag of the 45th Infantry Regiment “Reggio” was delivered to the Command and Tactical Support Unit of the "Sassari" Brigade, which assumed the name of 45th Command and Tactical Support Unit “Reggio”, inheriting the Flag, the insignia, and the traditions of the 45th Infantry Regiment.
Current Composition
Honors
Gold Medal for Military Valor 151st and 152nd Regiment
By conquering strong enemy positions and formidable trenches on the Carso, known as the Frasche and Razzi, which they reinforced under heavy fire; by recapturing positions lost by our forces on the Plateau of the Seven Communes, at M. Castelgomberto, M. Fior, and Casara Zebio, always heedless of heavy losses, they demonstrated audacity and heroic steadfastness.
July 25 - November 15, 1915
Gold Medal for Military Valor 151st and 152nd Regiment
A pure expression of the strong virtues of the intrepid people of Sardinia, it gave the greatest tribute of heroism to the glory of the Army and the cause of the Homeland, wherever sacrifices were to be made and blood to be shed. In the days of misfortune, inflamed with faith and love, it recaptured with marvelous momentum the heavily fortified enemy positions of Col del Rosso and Col d'Echele.
January 28 - 31, 1918. - Official Bulletin, June 9, 1920, disp. 47, page 2447
Knight of the Military Order of Italy 151st and 152nd Regiment
In the harsh trials of war, in the troubled trench and in the fierce battle, it knew every limit of sacrifice and daring: bold and tenacious, it tirelessly tamed the places and fortunes, consecrating with fruitful blood the Roman virtue of the sons of Italy.
1915 - 1918
Gold Medal for Army Valor 151st Regiment
Regiment inserted in Task Force «Iraq» as part of operation «Ancient Babylon», participated for about four months in all operational activities related to the post-conflict Iraqi crisis. Despite the general danger and great uncertainty, the heated opposition between political-religious power and tribal power, the regiment, with courage, superhuman commitment, and extraordinary spirit of sacrifice, worked with assured valor and firm determination to ensure the success of the mission. Throughout the period of stay, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and ranks of the 151st Regiment operated with exceptional commitment, without pause or rest, pouring their best physical, moral, intellectual, and professional energies to meet the most diverse and complex operational activities and to alleviate the suffering of the population. In this context, the men of the 151st Regiment, demonstrating high professionalism and uncommon sense of responsibility, proved determined against oppressors and unjust and generous with the weak and needy, maintaining a rigorous and recognized equidistance between the different opposing powers. In the treacherous terrorist attack on November 12, 2003, in An Nasiriyah, it saw one of its members fall, who for those ideals of peace, solidarity among peoples sacrificed his young life. A solid infantry regiment, extraordinarily motivated in every component and resolute in actions, which contributed decisively to the success of operations in Iraq and further enhanced the image of the national contingent and brought honor to the armed forces and Italy in an international context.
An Nasiriyah, October 8, 2003 - January 29, 2004
Gold Medal of Military Valor 152nd Regiment
Proud interpreter of the historic traditions of the “Sassari” brigade, the 152nd Infantry Regiment participated, as a maneuver unit (Task Force “Alfa”) framed within the Italian Joint Task Force, in the operation “Ancient Babylon 9” in Iraq, from January 20 to June 16, 2006. In an operational context characterized by widespread and high risk, difficult environmental and climatic conditions, as well as strong tensions between the different warring factions, it operated effectively and with extraordinary spirit of sacrifice to restore security conditions throughout the DHIQAR region, significantly contributing to the consolidation of the stabilization and reconstruction process of the Iraqi nation. Expending the best physical, moral, and professional energies, the men and women of the regiment conducted operational activities with absolute dedication and firm determination aimed at ensuring the freedom of action of coalition units, as well as the safety of the civilian population, earning the full trust of local authorities and the respect of foreign military commanders. In particular, on January 30, 2006, and April 27, 2006, units of the national contingent were hit by serious terrorist attacks, in which, respectively, a soldier of the 152nd Regiment was injured and five soldiers of the Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU) perished. Even in conditions of extremely high risk and undeniable environmental difficulties, the personnel of the 152nd Regiment continued their work with exemplary courage and disregard for danger, dedicating themselves continuously to fulfilling the tasks received and restoring security conditions in the city of An Nasiriyah. On June 5, 2006, a platoon of the Regiment, engaged in escort activities for a British military convoy, was struck by the devastating explosion of a device hidden at the roadside. Although a soldier of the Regiment fell in the vile attack and four others were seriously injured, the uninjured personnel acted with timely and admirable sense of duty and responsibility to provide first aid to the victims, simultaneously implementing all necessary procedures to ensure the appropriate security framework for the rapid evacuation of the injured and to complete the assigned task. A shining example of an infantry unit, highly motivated and cohesive, the 152nd Regiment was able to contribute in a concrete and decisive manner to achieving the objectives of the national contingent, bringing honor to the Armed Forces and to Italy in the international context
Nasiriyah, January 20 – June 16, 2006
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