62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia"

62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia"
62° Reggimento Fanteria "Sicilia"
Regimental coat of arms
Active	16 April 1861 — today
Country	Italy
Branch	Italian Army
Part of	Mechanized Brigade "Aosta"
Garrison/HQ	Catania
Motto(s)	"Virtute supero"
Anniversaries	23 October 1942 - Second Battle of El Alamein
Decorations	1x Military Order of Italy 2x Silver Medals of Military Valor 2x Bronze Medals of Military Valor
Insignia
Regimental gorget patches

The 62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia" (Italian: 62° Reggimento Fanteria "Sicilia") is an active unit of the Italian Army based in Catania in Sicily. The regiment is named for the region of Sicily and part of the Italian Army's infantry arm. As of 2024 the regiment is assigned to the Mechanized Brigade "Aosta".

History

Formation

On 16 April 1861, the Royal Italian Army formed the Brigade "Sicilia" in Naples. The brigade consisted of the 61st Infantry Regiment and 62nd Infantry Regiment, which were formed on the same day and based in Naples, respectively in Nola. The 61st Infantry Regiment received three battalions ceded by the 18th Infantry Regiment of the Brigade "Acqui", and by the 27th Infantry Regiment and 28th Infantry Regiment of the Brigade "Pavia", while the 62nd Infantry Regiment received three battalions ceded by the 3rd Infantry Regiment and 4th Infantry Regiment of the Brigade "Piemonte", and by the 52nd Infantry Regiment of the Brigade "Alpi".

In 1861-62, the regiment operated in the area of Durazzano to suppress the anti-Sardinian revolt, which had erupted in Southern Italy after the Kingdom of Sardinia had annexed the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. In June 1961, the regiment's 2nd Company and 3rd Company, distinguished themselves in the fighting against rebel forces at Durazzano, for which they were awarded a Bronze Medal of Military Valor, which was affixed to the flag of the 62nd Infantry Regiment (Brigade "Sicilia"). On 1 August 1862, the regiment ceded its 17th Company and 18th Company to help form the 68th Infantry Regiment (Brigade "Palermo"), and one of its depot companies to help form the 72nd Infantry Regiment (Brigade "Puglie"). In 1866, the regiment participated in the Third Italian War of Independence, during which the regiment participated in the invasion of Trentino. On 21-22 July 1866, the regiment fought in the Battle Primolano and on 23 July in the Battle of Vigolo. For its conduct in the two battles the regiment was a awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor, which was affixed to the regiment's flag. In September 1870, the regiment participated in the capture of Rome.

On 25 October 1871, the brigade level was abolished, and the two regiments of the Brigade "Sicilia" were renamed 61st Infantry Regiment "Sicilia", respectively 62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia". On 2 January 1881, the brigade level was reintroduced, and the two regiments were renamed again as 61st Infantry Regiment (Brigade "Sicilia") and 62nd Infantry Regiment (Brigade "Sicilia"). On 1 November 1884, the regiment ceded some of its companies to help form the 84th Infantry Regiment (Brigade "Venezia") in Alessandria. In 1895-96, the regiment provided three officers and 97 enlisted for units deployed to Italian Eritrea for the First Italo-Ethiopian War. In 1911, the regiment provided men and materiel for units deployed to Libya for the Italo-Turkish War.

World War I

During the First World War, the regiment fought earning the cross of the Military Order of Italy as the infantry weapon. The regiment fought at Cima Palone, Monte Mascia, Monte Vies, Passo Buole, Monte Sperone, Malga Zugna, and Vallarsa.

In the first half of December 1915, some departments of the 62nd managed to take possession of Cima Vies and Cima la Cingla, after Cima Palone had also been conquered in October.

At the end of April 1916 the "Sicily" Brigade was transferred to Vallagarina, east of Lake Garda. On 18 May the Austrians launched the Strafexpedition, the "punitive expedition" and to face the invaders the 62nd was deployed in Serravalle, not far from Brentonico, while some companies belonging to both the 61st and 62nd regiments were sent to Passo Buole, where on May 30, during the battle of the Highlands led by the German and Austro-Hungarian forces , with a lightning bayonet counterattack, the overwhelming and fierce enemy infantry were rejected, managing to maintain a decisive position, deserving the flag of the 62nd the second bronze medal for military valor.

At the end of July the "Sicily" Brigade was assigned to the Macedonian front and translated to Taranto, in the first half of August the departments were shipped to Thessaloniki, from where the men reached the city of Sarigol, in Ellesponto, an area described as "Desert and malarial" in the summary made by the Historical Office.

From August 1916 to July 1919, the regiment was employed in the Macedonian sector of the Balkan front fighting at the bend of the Cerna in Vlakor on Mount Baba and on Mount Cerna in Kruscevo.

Organization

As of 2024 the 62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia" is organized as follows:

• 62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia", in Catania
  • Command and Logistic Support Company
  • 1st Mechanized Battalion
    • 1st Fusiliers Company
    • 2nd Fusiliers Company
    • 3rd Fusiliers Company
    • Maneuver Support Company

The regiment is equipped with Freccia wheeled infantry fighting vehicles. The Maneuver Support Company is equipped with Freccia mortar carries with 120mm mortars and Freccia IFVs with Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles.

See also

• Mechanized Brigade "Aosta"

External links

• Italian Army Website: 62° Reggimento Fanteria "Sicilia"