187th Parachute Regiment Folgore

The 187th 'Folgore' Parachute Regiment is one of the Italian Army's historic parachute regiments, which has always been part of the Folgore Parachute Brigade.

Origins

The 1st Parachute Battalion came into being on 1 July 1940 by a group made up entirely of Italian volunteer soldiers from various specialities. Fifteen days later, following the establishment of the 1st Carabinieri Parachute Battalion, it was renamed 'II Battalion', due to its seniority in the Corps.

The 30 April 1941 carries out the first wartime airdrop of Italian paratroopers on the island of Cephalonia.

Upon returning from the Ionian Islands, the Battalion, framed as the '1st Parachute Regiment', began training for the invasion of the island of Malta with paratroopers from the Fallschirmjäger-Brigade Ramcke, a veteran of the air assault on Crete.

The German paratroopers transmitted to their Italian comrades-in-arms not only the highly effective tactical procedures of the German airborne infantry, defence in depth and counter-attack above all, but also and above all that spirit of community, sharing and brotherhood between officers, non-commissioned officers and troops that made their units extraordinarily cohesive.

Regiment

In the summer of 1942Abandoning all vague ambitions to attack the British stronghold, the 1st Regiment was renamed the 187th (Battalions II, IV and IX), framed in the 185th Parachute Division Folgore and sent to North Africa. In the sands of the Egyptian Sahara, the 187th took part in the battles that led to the consolidation of the front on the El Alamein line. Finally, it occupied the northern portion of the sector assigned to the Folgore Division, which was given the task of defending the southernmost part of the Italian-German Army's deployment, in the middle of the desert, in contact with the lunar landscape of the El Qattara depression.

The 23 October The second battle of El Alamein begins. The Regiment, deployed in the first step to the left of the device of the Folgore Division, resisted with indomitable tenacity and success to the repeated attempts of penetration of the XIII British Corps, and began to fall back, undaunted, only the 4 November, following the order given by Rommel to the entire Army, due to the collapse of the northern sector of the front. Without water, ammunition or vehicles, the Regiment began with the remnants of the Division, a heroic, last stand in the desert, which ended in a dramatic defeat. With a salute to valour from the adversary, the British awarded the honour of arms. Colonel Camosso then reviews the survivors of the 187th for the last time.

For the feats of arms at El Alamein, the Flag of the 187th Par. Folgore was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valour.

In the post-war period

The 2nd Battalion was reconstituted in 1963 acquiring the name Tarquinia, in honour of the city where it was established in the 1940 the first parachuting school on Italian soil, and is part of the 1st Parachute Regiment. The 2nd Tarquinia Battalion became autonomous in 1976, holding the flag of the 187th Rgt.

In the 1980s, he took part in the mission in Lebanon with Italfor.

Reconstitution

In 1992 the 187th Parachute Regiment Folgore was reconstituted. The Regiment, which framed the "Aquile" Command Company and the II "Tarquinia" Battalion, participated in all the out-of-area operations that the Italian Army has been involved in since that date.

Since the 2000s, it has consisted of a regimental command, a company for logistical support and a parachute battalion, the unit's operational pawn.

Operations

In theatre

• Lebanon 1982
• Iraq 1991 (Operation Heron)
• Somalia (Operation Ibis 1)
• Somalia (Operation Ibis 2)
• Bosnia 1996
• Albania 1997 (Operation Alba)
• East Timor 1999 - 2000
• Bosnia 1999 - 2000
• Afghanistan 2003 (Operation Nibbo 2-Enduring Freedom)
• Kosovo 2004
• Iraq 2005 (Operation Ancient Babylon)
• Afghanistan 2009 (ISAF XII)
• Afghanistan 2011 (ISAF XVI)
• Iraqi Kurdistan 2015 - 2019 (first parthic)
• Mali 2020
• Afghanistan 2021 (Resolute Support)
• Niger 2021 (MISIN)
• LIban 2023 (LEONTE XXXIII)

On a national level

• Presidium of the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria (1986-1988)
• Operation Sicilian Vespers (1992)
• Operation Safe Streets 2008 to date
• Expo 2015 (Milan)

Organisation

• Regimental Command
• 2nd Parachute Infantry Battalion 'Tarquinia'
  • 4th Parachute Rifle Company Falcons
  • 5th Parachute Rifle Company Bats
  • 6th Parachute Rifle Company Grifi
  • 10th Parachute Manoeuvre Support Company Dragons
• Eagle Logistic Support Company
• Sports section (combat and martial arts)

Coat of arms

The emblem of the 187th was designed in the 1942 by Lt-Col. Alberto Bechi Luserna, second Regimental Commander, MOVM to the memory, for the 4th Battalion. It reproduces the gladius and stylised wing, the emblem of the Paratroopers of Italy.

The motto on the sash is Ex Alto Fulgur, Folgore from above.

Flag Honours

Gold Medal for Military Valour

Parachutist Regiment of the glorious "Folgore" Division, in union with the divisional units assigned to it, for three months, without pause, valiantly lavished itself in numerous offensive and defensive actions, always crushing the impetuous advance of the enemy, enormously superior in numbers and means. In the epic battle of El Alamein, exhausted by the losses he suffered, having ceased all supplies of water, food and ammunition, with the faith that only the most sublime love of country can generate, he disdainfully rejected, to the cry of 'Folgore', repeated invitations to surrender, thus demonstrating that the superiority of his means could overpower the Italian paratroopers, and never bend them. Through countless episodes of collective and individual heroism, he prolonged the resistance until the total exhaustion of every means of fighting, imposing himself on the respect and admiration of the enemy himself, thus writing one of the most shining pages of valour for the Italian Army.

North Africa, 22 July - 12 October 1942; Battle of El Alamein, 23 October - 6 November 1942.

Army Silver Medal for Valour

The 187th Parachutist Regiment "Folgore", part of the Italian forces in Somalia, took part in rescue operations for the Somali population, working with total dedication and high professionalism in the dangerous mission and confirming, in numerous round-up operations to search for weapons and in operations against guerrillas and anti-banditry, the very high level of efficiency, great courage and generosity of its members. Involved in numerous firefights, it always reacted with effectiveness and determination, highlighting the military valour, operational capacity and strong motivation of its men. Despite the serious losses suffered in combat, he continued to carry out the tasks entrusted to him without flinching with the pride and pride of persevering in the attempt to restore security and humanitarian relief to the tormented Somali people and in his determination to honour his distant homeland

Somalia, 27 December 1992 - 3 July 1993.

Army Silver Medal for Valour

Parachute Regiment embedded in the Multinational Brigade North engaged in Bosnia-Herzegovina, he performed his assigned tasks with extraordinary enthusiasm, total dedication and uncommon spirit of sacrifice. During the many activities of territorial control, monitoring, patrolling routes, escorting humanitarian convoys and controlling and inspecting sites, in a particularly delicate and complex operational and environmental situation, he operated with constant poise, a deep sense of duty and extremely high professionalism. The ceaseless commitment to humanitarian support for the population, the prevention of criminal activities by the underworld, often resorting to extensive and risky round-up operations and the rescue of numerous human lives, highlighted the extraordinary capabilities and exceptional gifts of courage, steadfastness and solidarity of the men of the 187th regiment, who performed, sometimes at the risk of personal safety, a decisive role in restoring peaceful coexistence in the area. A clear example of a cohesive and strongly motivated unit that showed the highest professionalism, concrete moral steadfastness and elevated military virtues in its men, contributing to significantly enhance the prestige of Italy and the Armed Force in the international context.

Sarajevo, 3 July 1996-24 March 1997.

Knight Military Order of Italy

Engaged in a mountainous area of operations in Afghanistan, he faced multiple difficulties and dangers caused by environmental degradation, strong social and political tensions and a difficult and highly risky operational situation. He performed the mission entrusted to him with valiant professionalism and the highest sense of responsibility, providing a constant example of valour, drive and spirit of self-sacrifice. The full success achieved testifies to the courage and high efficiency and effectiveness of all the men and women of the Regiment, who thus contributed to increasing the prestige of the Army and the Nation in the international context.

Khost (Afghanistan), 15 June -15 September 2003

Army Bronze Medal for Valour

Parachute Regiment deployed in the Afghan theatre, brilliantly performed his duties with conscious disregard for danger, unquestionable valour and constant spirit of sacrifice. In particular, during violent and repeated attacks on a convoy, he sustained fierce fighting, repelling the hostile forces through numerous episodes of courage and thus managing to avoid the involvement of the civilian population in the clashes. An extraordinary expression of noble ideals, absolute dedication to service and lofty military virtues, with his actions he renewed the tradition and valour of the paratroopers, helping to enhance the prestige of the Army.

Afghanistan, 3 April - 20 October 2009.