June 18 is celebrated the day of the Bersaglieri, one of the most decorated and glorious Corps of the Italian Army. It was 1836 when King Carlo Alberto of Savoy agreed to the establishment of the project conceived by Alessandro La Marmora, then captain of the Guards Regiment. The first proposal for the formation of light troops of the third species was actually devised in 1831 by La Marmora himself. Only five years, on 18 June 1836, however, the king authorized the establishment of the First Company of the Bersaglieri Corps. The foundation took place in the "Ceppi" barracks in Turin and only a few years later the 1st Battalion Bersaglieri was created, which took to the field in the battle of the Goito bridge at the beginning of the first War of Independence in 1848. The Italians welcomed the "bersagliere”As an expression and symbol of the soldier par excellence.
The characteristics of the Bersaglieri
The tasks assigned to the Bersaglieri were those typical of light infantry: exploration, first contact with the enemy and flanking the line infantry. Alessandro La Marmora's goal was ambitious: to supply a body that had precision in the activity of fire and a relevant speed of execution in the assigned tasks. Furthermore, the Bersaglieri had to guarantee unprecedented versatility of use being hunters, sappers and able to organize themselves in small groups deployed to repel charges. All the men who were part of it had to be trained in running and shooting with modern breech-loading rifles ready to react. Physically of medium height, the Bersaglieri had to have an innate physical resistance and guarantee an aggressive charge in bayonet attacks.
The unmistakable hat and the decalogue
All the characteristics of the Bersaglieri are represented from the unmistakable hat, decorated with more than one hundred and thirty-two natural black capon feathers. It was designed by Alessandro and Alfonso La Marmora, who chose the plumet as symbol of ardor and impetus, of the quickness in the momentum and of the endurance in the race. La Marmora himself drew up the decalogue of the Bersaglieri Corps:
- Obedience
- Compared
- Absolute knowledge of your rifle
- Lots of shooting exercise
- Gymnastics of all kinds up to frenzy
- Camaraderie
- Feeling of the family
- Respect for the laws and honor the King
- Love for the homeland
- Self-confidence to the point of presumption
June 18, a date to celebrate
Since birth, the Bersaglieri Corps wrote fundamental pages of the Italian history. From the First War of Independence, passing through the breach of Porta Pia, up to the peace missions abroad, their contribution is fundamental. A precious help in the Italian territory and an indispensable force for stabilization, security and the achievement of peace in the world.
Every June 18 Italy remembers the commitment, valor and enthusiasm of the Bersaglieri with numerous celebrations. Without ever forgetting the typical Fanfare and the running pace that have always transmitted the strength and enthusiasm of a Corps that has distinguished itself, since 1836, for its heroic deeds.
Goodbye 🎉