Royal Italian Army

Royal Italian Army
Unit name	Royal Italian Army
Native name	Regio Esercito Italiano
Dates	1861–1946
Country	Kingdom of Italy
Type	Army
Garrison	Rome
Battles	Third Italian War of Independence, Italo-Ethiopian War of 1887–1889, First Italo-Ethiopian War, Boxer Rebellion, Italo-Turkish War, World War I, Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Spanish Civil War, Italian invasion of Albania, World War II
Disbanded	1946
Notable commanders	Luigi Cadorna, Armando Diaz, Pietro Badoglio, Rodolfo Graziani, Giovanni Messe

Royal Italian Army. It was the land force of the Kingdom of Italy from the state's unification in 1861 until the monarchy's abolition in 1946. Forged in the conflicts of the Risorgimento, it evolved from a collection of regional forces into a modern military institution, participating in major European colonial and continental wars. Its history is marked by significant victories, catastrophic defeats, and a complex legacy intertwined with the rise and fall of Italian Fascism.

History

The army was established on 4 May 1861, merging the Army of the Two Sicilies with forces from the Kingdom of Sardinia and other regional militias following the Expedition of the Thousand. Early challenges included combating brigandage in the south and fighting in the Third Italian War of Independence against the Austrian Empire. The late 19th century saw colonial engagements in the Horn of Africa, including the defeat at the Battle of Adwa during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. Under the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, it was massively expanded and modernized, embarking on aggressive campaigns in Ethiopia, Spain, and Albania before its ultimate collapse during World War II.

Organization and structure

Initially organized into permanent corps, the army's structure was reformed after the poor performance in the Battle of Custoza (1866). The Regio Esercito was divided into infantry divisions, Alpini mountain troops, Bersaglieri light infantry, and Carabinieri military police. Under the monarchy, the King of Italy served as nominal commander-in-chief, with actual control exercised by the Italian Supreme Command and the Chief of the General Staff, such as Luigi Cadorna during World War I. During World War II, forces were grouped into armies like the Italian Army in Russia and the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia.

Major campaigns and wars

Its first major conflict was the Third Italian War of Independence, aligned with Prussia. It suffered a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896. The army participated in the Boxer Rebellion and achieved victory in the Italo-Turkish War, gaining Libya. During World War I, it fought the Austro-Hungarian Army in brutal attritional warfare on the Italian Front, including the Battle of Caporetto and the decisive Battle of Vittorio Veneto. In the 1930s, it fought in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the Spanish Civil War. World War II campaigns included the Italian invasion of Albania, the Greco-Italian War, the North African campaign, and the defense of the Italian peninsula following the Armistice of Cassibile.

Equipment and uniforms

Early equipment was a mix of French and Prussian patterns, such as the Carcano rifle. Interwar and World War II armament included the Breda 37 machine gun, Breda M30 infantry mortar, and Fiat L6/40 light tank. The army was often hampered by obsolete equipment, like the Fiat M11/39 tank, and relied on German suppliers like Krupp for heavier artillery. The iconic grey-green uniform (*grigio-verde*) was introduced in 1909 and used through both world wars, with distinctive features for elite corps like the feathered hats of the Bersaglieri and the wide-brimmed hats of the Alpini.

Ranks and insignia

The rank system was influenced by the French Army and later modifications. Commissioned officer ranks ranged from Sottotenente to Generale; notable holders included Pietro Badoglio and Giovanni Messe. Key general officer ranks included Generale di Corpo d'Armata and Generale di Divisione. The rank of First Marshal of the Empire was created for Victor Emmanuel III and Benito Mussolini in 1938. Insignia were primarily displayed on shoulder straps (*spalline*) and later on sleeve patches for combat units, with distinct symbols for branches like the Savoy cross for infantry.

Legacy and successor forces

Following the 1946 referendum and the birth of the Italian Republic, the army was reconstituted as the Italian Army. Many of its traditions, such as the Alpini and Bersaglieri corps, were continued. Its history, particularly its role in Fascist wars and the Armistice of Cassibile, remains a subject of significant historical study and public debate in Italy. The Italian Army now operates as a key member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union.

Category:Military history of Italy Category:Disbanded armies