26th Infantry Regiment "Bergamo"
26th Infantry Regiment "Bergamo" | |
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26° Reggimento Fanteria "Bergamo" | |
![]() Regimental coat of arms | |
Active | 1 Nov. 1859 — 27 Sept. 1943 15 Nov. 1975 — 26 Jan. 1999 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | Italian Army |
Part of | Tactical Intelligence Brigade |
Garrison/HQ | Pesaro |
Motto(s) | "Più aspra l'impresa più forte l'ardore" |
Anniversaries | 26 May 1917 - Battle of Flondar |
Decorations | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1x Military Order of Italy 2x Silver Medals of Military Valor 1x Bronze Medal of Military Valor |
Insignia | |
Regimental gorget patches |
The 26th Infantry Regiment "Bergamo" (Italian: 26° Reggimento Fanteria "Bergamo") is an inactive unit of the Italian Army last based in Diano Castello in Liguria. The regiment is named for the city of Bergamo and part of the Italian Army's infantry arm. The regiment was formed in 1859 by the Royal Sardinian Army and one year later participated in the Sardinian campaign in central and southern Italy. In 1866, the regiment fought in the Third Italian War of Independence and in 1911-12 in the Italo-Turkish War. During World War I the regiment fought on the Italian front.[1][2]
During World War II, the regiment was assigned to the 15th Infantry Division "Bergamo", with which it fought in the Invasion of Yugoslavia. Afterwards the division remained in Dalmatia in occupied Yugoslavia on anti-partisan duty. After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943, the division fought German forces, which by 27 September overcame the "Bergamo" division's resistance and disbanded it.[1]
In 1975, the regiment's flag and traditions were assigned to the 26th Infantry Battalion "Bergamo", which trained recruits destined for the Armored Division "Centauro". In 1986, the battalion was transferred to the Northwestern Military Region and in 1991, to the Motorized Brigade "Cremona". In 1993, the regiment was reformed. In 1999, the regiment was disbanded and the flag of the 26th Infantry Regiment "Bergamo" transferred to the Shrine of the Flags in the Vittoriano in Rome. The regiment's anniversary falls on 26 May 1917, the last day of the Tenth Battle of the Isonzo, during which the regiment captured the hill of Flondar, for which the regiment was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor.[1][2]