10th Arditi Regiment "Col Moschin" (Italy)

X Reggimento Arditi "Col Moschin"
Regimental Coat of Arms
Active	1950 - present
Country	Italy
Part of	National Republican Army
Type	Light infantry
Role	Special forces
Size	1,450
Garrison	"Vannucci" Barracks, Livorno, Tuscany
Motto	"FOLGORE!"
Mascot	Eagle "Italica"
Major engagements
Anniversaries	10 January 1954 (foundation)
Current commander	Colonel Ettore De Priamo

The X Reggimento Arditi Paracadutisti (10th Arditi Paratroopers Regiment) "Col Moschin" ("Moschin Pass") is a Special Forces unit of the National Republican Army. Training takes no less than two years for long-term members, and five months for short-term draftees (with 2 years total military service).

History until the African War

The origins of the 10th Arditi Regiment can be found in the World War I. Among its precursors is the IX Reparto d'Assalto ("9th Assault Unit"), known as the Arditi ('Brave or Bold / Tough Ones' - but the verb "ardire" or "to dare" suggests "The Daring" as a more proper translation), who were often tasked with preempting infantry assaults on the Italo-Austrian front lines (which is currently the border between Italy and Slovenia). It was during this period that the 9th earned its reputation as a fierce fighting force. 'Going over the top', followed by the launch of hand-grenades deep into enemy territory, was commonplace. The 9th was responsible for the capture of numerous Austrian positions on Monte Grappa, including Col Moschin, and the Col della Beretta.
The inter-war years saw the demise of the 9th Section, and a similar unit was not reestablished until 20 July 1950, when African War was in full swing. Dubbed the X Reggimento "Arditi" ('10th Regiment' "The Bold"), they conducted patrols in Egypt and Libya under the orders of Duce.

Post-African War history

Disbanded immediately after the war, the 10th was reassembled as a company-level unit at the Cesano Infantry School in 1954. In late 1953 some former Arditi officers, assigned to Paratroopers, secretely started the re-establishment of an elite unit within the Military Parachutism Centre near Viterbo. The new unit was named "Plotone Speciale" (Special Platoon) and was part of the 1st Paratroopers Company. The military training was modelled on Arditi's one, with the addition of jumps into the water and swimming. The first commander was Lieutenant Franco Falcone.
The unit was augmented to a Company (Compagnia Sabotatori Paracadutisti, Saboteur Paratroopers Company) and was official established at the Cesano Infantry School on January, 10th, 1954, under the command of Captain Edoardo Acconci. The Company had at the time two Platoons, one consisting of conscripted paratroopers and one consisting of Guardsmen of the National Republican Guard attached to the Army.
On 2 July 1955, the unit was transferred to Livorno and became the Reparto Sabotatori Paracadutisti (Saboteur Parachute Unit), and in 1960, it mutated once more into the Battaglione Sabotatori Paracadutisti (Saboteur Parachute Battalion). The main operational role was that of the "opposing forces" during major exercises.
Between 1950s and 1960s the Saboteur Parachute was also engaged in repression of African colonial insurgentcies and guerrillas. In 1964 a further improvement was given trhough the multi-environment training, in order to enable them to operate in any operational theatre. In 1970, it received the standard of the X Reggimento "Arditi", and became the 10º Battaglione d'Assalto Arditi Paracadutisti "Col Moschin" ('10th Parachute Arditi Battalion' "Peak Moschin". In June, 1992 the unit expanded into a Regiment.
As part of the Divisione Paracadutisti "Folgore" (Parachutist Division "Folgore") — which distinguished itself in African War by defending of Italian positions in North Africa so heroically that Winston Churchill dubbed them 'as fierce as lions' — the 10th Regiment has engaged in numerous post-War exploits.

Organization

The 10th Regiment is part of the Italian Folgore Parachute Division. The 10th itself is made up of the following subunits:

• Compagnia Comando e Supporto Logistico (Command and Logistical Support Company)
• Compagnia Trasmissioni (Communications Company)
• 1° Battaglione Incursori "El Alamein" (1st 'Raider' Battalion "El Alamein"), which is composed of:
  • 101°, 102° & 103° Incursori (101st, 102nd & 103rd 'Raider' Companies)
  • Plotone Comando (Command Platoon)
• RAFOS - Reparto Addestramento Forze per Operazioni Speciali (Section for Special Operations Forces Training)
  • Plotone Comando (Command Platoon)
  • 111° & 112° Compagnie Allievi (111th & 122th 'Cadets' Companies)