Savari: Difference between revisions
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The Savari formed part of the ''Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali della Libia'' (Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops), which included desert and [[camel troops]], infantry battalions, artillery and irregular cavalry (called "[[Spahi]]s"). The Truppe Coloniali saw extensive service during the Italian conquest of Cyrenaica, which was not completed until 1932. In 1936 Savari and other Libyan units took part in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and received a "Gold Medal of Honor" for their distinguished performance in battle <ref>[http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=18409 Medal of Military Honor]</ref> |
The Savari formed part of the ''Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali della Libia'' (Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops), which included desert and [[camel troops]], infantry battalions, artillery and irregular cavalry (called "[[Spahi]]s"). The Truppe Coloniali saw extensive service during the Italian conquest of Cyrenaica, which was not completed until 1932. In 1936 Savari and other Libyan units took part in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and received a "Gold Medal of Honor" for their distinguished performance in battle <ref>[http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=18409 Medal of Military Honor]</ref> |
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[[Amedeo Guillet]] was the commander of the VII°Savari Squadron in 1937. He was recognized for the optimal relationships established with the natives and charged of the organization of the equestrian part for the celebrations (in which the “sword of Islam” was unsheathed) of the 1937 [[Mussolini]]'s visit to Libya <ref> |
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[http://www.archivioluce.com/archivio/jsp/schede/videoPlayer.jsp?tipologia=&id=&physDoc=1123&db=cinematograficoDOCUMENTARI&findIt=false§ion=/# Video with Savari images]</ref> |
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==World War II== |
==World War II== |
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On the eve of Italy's entry into [[World War II]] the Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops comprised approximately 28,000 locally recruited personnel. They suffered heavy losses during the |
On the eve of Italy's entry into [[World War II]] the Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops comprised approximately 28,000 locally recruited personnel. They suffered heavy losses during the Battle of the Marmarica (December 1940) and consequently the Savari were sent to patrol the desert garrisons of internal Libya. |
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They were formally disbanded in January 1943 following the Italian withdrawal into [[Tunisia]]. The role of the Savari and other mounted troops was limited to patrol and scouting work, by the demands of modern mechanised warfare. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 01:18, 20 January 2011
Savari was the designation given to the regular Libyan cavalry regiments of the Italian colonial army in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica. The word "savari" was derived from a Persian term for "horsemen" ( Savārān ) .
Organisation
First raised in December 1912, these units were recruited from the Arab-Berber population of the two territories following the Italian occupation in 1911-12. The officers of the fourteen squadrons (twelve "regular line" and two "command") comprising these corps were nearly all Italian. Their troopers and some of the non-commissioned officers were Berber and Arab volunteers, who had a long tradition of horsemanship.
Seven squadrons were recruited from Tripolitania and five from Cyrenica in the 1930s [1].
Uniforms
Each squadron was distinguished by a distinctively coloured sash and farmula (sleeveless jacket) worn with white or khaki uniforms according to occasion. Sash and farmula colours were yellow, black, crimson, blue, green, red and orange, worn in various combinations according to the unit. Dark red "tachia" fezs of traditional Libyan pattern were worn by all Muslim personnel.
History
The Savari formed part of the Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali della Libia (Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops), which included desert and camel troops, infantry battalions, artillery and irregular cavalry (called "Spahis"). The Truppe Coloniali saw extensive service during the Italian conquest of Cyrenaica, which was not completed until 1932. In 1936 Savari and other Libyan units took part in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and received a "Gold Medal of Honor" for their distinguished performance in battle [2]
Amedeo Guillet was the commander of the VII°Savari Squadron in 1937. He was recognized for the optimal relationships established with the natives and charged of the organization of the equestrian part for the celebrations (in which the “sword of Islam” was unsheathed) of the 1937 Mussolini's visit to Libya [3]
World War II
On the eve of Italy's entry into World War II the Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops comprised approximately 28,000 locally recruited personnel. They suffered heavy losses during the Battle of the Marmarica (December 1940) and consequently the Savari were sent to patrol the desert garrisons of internal Libya.
They were formally disbanded in January 1943 following the Italian withdrawal into Tunisia. The role of the Savari and other mounted troops was limited to patrol and scouting work, by the demands of modern mechanised warfare.
References
- ^ Paolo Marzetti, "Uniformi e Distintivi dell" Escercito Italiano 1933-1945", Tuttostoria 1981
- ^ Medal of Military Honor
- ^ Video with Savari images
Sources
- "Le Uniformi Coloniali Libiche 1912 - 1942" Priero Crocaini and Andrea Viotti.
- "Inside Africa" John Gunther
- "World Armies" John Keegan ISBN 0-333-17236-1