The Lagunari Regiment 'Serenissima' is the only amphibious assault infantry unit of the Italian Army. The Lagunari is the youngest speciality of the Infantry Corps, having been formed on 9 January 1951.
The unit trains in the Venice lagoon and along the Adriatic coastline. Together with the Navy's 'San Marco' Marine Brigade, it forms the Sea Projection Force, the amphibious component of the Italian Armed Forces.
History
The Lagunari are the only amphibious assault unit of the Italian Army, while the Fucilieri di Marina of the 1st Regiment of the 'San Marco' Marine Brigade are part of the Navy. Between the two units, however, there is both a commonality of employment (they are amphibious units) and a commonality of symbols (the symbols of Venice).
The Lagunari hark back to the maritime infantry traditions of the Serenissima Republic of Venice established by Doge Enrico Dandolo in 1202 and transformed into Fanti da Mar during the 16th century. This illustrious tradition is emphasised by the displays the Lagunari wear on their uniforms, representing the winged lion of Venice seen from the front (in moleca).
In addition to the symbols on their uniforms, the modern Lagunari use the battle cry 'San Marco!', which they have been pronouncing when presenting their weapons since 1951 (the 'Fanti da mar' used to shout 'Viva San Marco!' after every victory on the battlefield). The establishment of the 'Fanti da Mar', which can be traced back to the beginning of the 16th century, was necessitated by the central role played by the 'Serenissima' in the international context and the need to defend overseas domains against possible attacks from the Ottoman Empire. This reference to the Venetian forts overseas is currently reflected in the regiment's official heraldic symbol.
During the Second World War, for the planned invasion of Malta, the Supreme Command in 1942 planned a landing force that, together with the Regia Marina's San Marco Regiment, included a landing division of the MVSN, the 'M' Battalion Group of Landing Black Shirts and the Superga Infantry Division (91st and 92nd Infantry), which trained in Corsica for a few months.
The Laguna Force Sector
After the war, on 15 January 1951, an inter-force unit was set up: the 'Lagunari Force Sector' comprising personnel from the Army (battalions 'Piave' and 'Marghera' and the Amphibious Vehicles Company) and the Navy (Battalion 'San Marco'), with command entrusted to a Rear Admiral. The 'maroons' of the San Marco constituted the 'pure' amphibious component, while the Lagunari of the Army constituted the mechanised amphibious component. During the Cold War period, the function of the Lagunari was mainly to protect the lagoon and marshy shores of the Venetian and Upper Adriatic from possible amphibious threats from the neighbouring Warsaw Pact countries, as well as to carry out the amphibious flanking of the Italian sector along the Adriatic. For this reason, the lagoon units have been equipped with LVTP 4 amphibious assault vehicles since 1951 (the first amphibious assault vehicles were the American Mk4 'Buffalo' used by the US Marines in the Pacific during World War II).
On 1 July 1957, the 'Lagunari Force Sector' lost all Navy components and was replaced by the 'Isonzo' Battalion.
On 1 September 1957, the sector, while retaining the same operational tasks, changed its organisation, taking on the name of 'Lagunare Regiment', divided into Headquarters, Command Company, Training Company, Transmissions Company, two amphibious lagoon battalions 'Marghera' and 'Piave' and the motorised battalion 'Isonzo', in turn divided into two self-propelled Companies and an amphibious Company.
On 1 May 1958, the Lagunare d'Appoggio department was established with the amphibious armoured vehicle and boat companies (landing craft, dinghies, etc.).
On 25 October 1959, in St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Lagunare Regiment was solemnly presented with the War Flag.
The regiment
On 25 October 1964, the Lagunari Regiment "Serenissima" was established, consisting of Regimental Headquarters, Regimental Company and Transmission Company based at "G. Pepe", Amphibious Transport Company based at the island of S. Andrea and detachment Cà Vio; three amphibious battalions "Marghera", "Piave" and "Isonzo", based at Malcontenta, Mestre and Villa Vicentina respectively. Andrea and the Cà Vio detachment; three amphibious battalions "Marghera", "Piave" and "Isonzo", based respectively in Malcontenta, Mestre and Villa Vicentina, and finally the XXII Tank Battalion "Serenissima", based in San Vito al Tagliamento, heir to the XXII Tank Battalion "Maggiore Coralli" of the Royal Army, active between 1935 and 1944, which had been sent to Libya during the Second World War, participating in the North African campaign. The 'Marghera', 'Piave' and 'Isonzo' battalions were each equipped with M113 VTTs and alternatively an amphibious vehicle platoon and boats. With the amphibious vehicle platoons of the battalions stationed at the Cà Vio base and the boat platoon of the same battalions, together with the boat platoon stationed on the island of Sant'Andrea, the Amphibious Transport Company was formed.
The Army Lagunari were given the name 'Serenissima' Lagunari Regiment by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, Lieutenant General Aloia, together with the task of preserving and persevering the traditions of the embarked militia of the Serenissima Republic: the 'Fanti da Mar' who fought for Venice for 800 years. In fact, the symbol of the Lagunari is the lion of Venice holding a sword and keeping one paw on a closed book. At the 'Andrea Bafile' barracks in Villa Vicentina, the training base of the 'San Marco' Battalion, the Navy sent conscripts recruited and assigned to the 13th Group of the Navy (the Marines of the 'San Marco' Battalion) until the second contingent in 1963.
On September 1, 1975, following measures resulting from the restructuring of the Italian Army, the "Marghera" Battalion was disbanded and on October 20, the Lagunari Regiment was also disbanded to form the "Comando Lagunari Truppe Anfibie" (Lagunari Amphibious Troops Command), divided into the Lagunari "Amphibious Troops" Command Company, Amphibious Battalion "Sile", constituted by the transformation of the Transport Company, while the "Piave" Battalion, taken over as a mechanised battalion, gave life to the 1st Lagunari Battalion "Serenissima", which inherited the Regiment's War Flag. The "Isonzo" Battalion, in turn, became a mechanised battalion, changing its name to 41st Mechanised Battalion "Modena" and was incorporated into the newly-formed Mechanised Brigade "Gorizia", which also included the XXII Tank Battalion, renamed 22nd Tank Battalion "M. O. Piccinini", which was reconceptualised as the "M. O. Piccinini".O. Piccinini", reconfigured from a tank battalion to a purely tank battalion, which during the earthquake in Friuli in 1976 distinguished itself in the rescue operations for the wounded and survivors and in the removal of rubble, limiting the damage of the serious disaster
On 25 June 1984, a Presidential Decree sanctioned the recognition of the 'Lagunari' Specialty as of 9 January 1951, and on 26 August of the same, the Military Ordinary for Italy declared St. Mark patron of the 'Amphibious Troops'.
In 1992, as part of orderly measures concerning the reorganisation of the Army, the Lagunari Battalion "Serenissima" and the Amphibious Equipment Battalion "Sile" were abolished and the Lagunari Regiment "Serenissima" was reconstituted, divided into Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters and Services Company, based in Venice Lido, 1st Lagunari Battalion Headquarters, three Rifle Companies and a Heavy Mortar Company based in Malcontenta di Mira, and an Amphibious Means Company based on the Island of Vignole. As part of the same restructuring of the Army, the 22nd Tank Battalion 'M.O. Piccinini', heir to the XXII Tank Battalion 'Serenissima', gave birth to the 2nd Tank Regiment in 1992.
The Lagunari Regiment 'Serenissima' was placed under the direct dependency of the 5th Army Corps in Vittorio Veneto until December 1997, when, after receiving, among the first Army units, volunteer personnel to replace conscripts, it passed to the Projection Force Command.
Restructuring
As part of the organic reorganisation, which envisaged the transformation of the Regiment into a light infantry unit and its redeployment to three locations, since 18 May 1999, the Regimental Headquarters, the "Venezia" Command and Services Company and the "Adria" Heavy Mortar Company have been redeployed to the new headquarters of the "Matter" barracks in Mestre, the Command of the 1st Lagunari Battalion, the 1st Amphibious Company "Marghera", the 2nd Amphibious Company "Piave" and the 3rd Amphibious Company "Isonzo" were located in the "Bafile" barracks in Malcontenta di Mira, while the "Sile" Marine Company in the "S. Andrea' barracks on the Isola delle Vignole. As part of the reconfiguration project, on 1 September 2000, the Counter Tank Company was established at the 'Matter' barracks in Mestre.
Since 1 December 2000, the Lagunari Regiment has been part of the Cavalry Brigade 'Pozzuolo del Friuli' under the 1st Defence Force Command based in Vittorio Veneto.
Since 2007, it has been operationally part of the large inter-forces unit Sea Projection Force with the 'San Marco' Marine Brigade.
Organisation
Today, the Regiment is composed entirely of volunteer personnel. The Regimental Headquarters, the Manoeuvre Support Company and the Command and Logistics Support Company are located at the "Matter" barracks in Mestre. The Battalion Headquarters, the 1st Amphibious Company "Marghera", the 2nd Amphibious Company "Piave" and the 3rd Amphibious Company "Isonzo", are located at the "Bafile" barracks in Malcontenta; the Tactical Amphibious Support Company is located at the amphibious base of S. Andrea in Venice on the island of Vignole:
- Regimental Headquarters (Mestre)
- Command and Logistics Support Company
- Amphibian Scout Company
- Amphibious Tactical Support Company (Vignole Island)
- Company courses
- Lagoon Battalion (Venice Lagoon)
- 1st Amphibious Company 'Marghera'
- 2nd 'Piave' Amphibious Company
- 3rd Amphibious Company 'Isonzo'
- Manoeuvre Support Company
Means
As an infantry unit, the Regiment is still equipped with VCC2 tracked vehicles and is capable of conducting all the typical roles of a mechanised infantry unit. However, given the recent reorganisation programme, the Regiment is being transformed into a light infantry unit equipped with VTLM wheeled vehicles.
As an amphibious unit, the Regiment is equipped with AAV7s (a special tracked troop transport vehicle with full amphibious capability and the ability to carry up to 21 soldiers), landing craft, rigid motorboats, inflatable boats (Zodiac Marine and Pool) and kayaks used for amphibious operations. These operations take the form of landing operations on hostile beaches or alternatively amphibious raids and other operations conducted by specialised elements. To fulfil these tasks, soldiers of all ranks assigned to the Regiment have to pass a specific qualification course in order to obtain the necessary skill to face the challenges typical of amphibious operations.
Military unit description
The Lagunari are able to operate in full autonomy on any type of terrain and, thanks to their amphibious and specialised means and special training, the Lagunari Regiment is a key element of the Italian Defence rapid deployment forces, capable of reaching any type of territory around the world quickly and being immediately ready for combat. The Lagunari are a unit specialised in amphibious operations. They have assault boats and amphibious vehicles. The Lagunari Regiment 'Serenissima' is particularly trained to act in contexts where the presence of two elements (land and water) limits the use of normal infantry regiments. Operational mobility on water is the main characteristic of Lagunari units. Lagunari can easily operate in inland waters in classic 'riverine' operations (rivers, lakes and lagoons) and at sea and perform the typical tasks of amphibious assault infantry (Marines) in various operational contexts. For this reason, the achievement of the Amphibious Qualification Patent is indispensable for a stay with the Lagunari Regiment.
The Regiment, being of a bivalent nature, cooperates with the other units of the Pozzuoli Brigade of Friuli and the amphibious component of the Navy.
Transactions abroad
The Regiment has also taken part in combined exercises at home and abroad, where Lagunarians have operated in almost every environment, from European valleys and Canadian forests to Mediterranean beaches, the Egyptian desert, and from the marshes of Estonia to the snowy Alps. As a conscript unit, the Regiment has been involved in almost all natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and operations in support of the police in the fight against organised crime. Having become a professional unit, the Regiment began to project itself into operations outside the national territory.
From June to December 1998, the 3rd Amphibious Company took part in the Bosnia and Herzegovina operation in Sarajevo as part of the Italian contingent in the NATO/SFOR operation (Constant Forge).
From October 1999 to February 2000, the entire Regiment was redeployed to Đakovica, Kosovo for the NATO/KFOR operation (Joint Guardian). From February to June 2001, it was deployed in Peć and Klina, Kosovo (Consistent Effort).
Since November 2002, the regiment has again been deployed in the Kosovo area in the municipalities of Peć, Klina and Goraždevac for Operation Decisive Endavour.
From June 2003 to May 2005, units of the Regiment at platoon or company level took part in Operation 'Ancient Babylon' in Nassiriya, Iraq.
The entire Regiment was deployed in May-September 2004 in the governorate of Dhi Qar in southern Iraq; Captain Massimo Ficuciello and 1st Corporal Matteo Vanzan lost their lives in the latter operation.
On 21 June 2006, the Lagunari Regiment 'Serenissima' was awarded the Silver Medal for Valour of the Army for its activities in the period 1951-2003.
From September 2006 to April 2007, the Regiment was engaged in Operation 'Leonte', in South Lebanon, to ensure the security and stability conditions necessary for the implementation of and compliance with UN Resolution 1701.
On 25 June 2008, in a solemn ceremony in St. Mark's Square in Venice, the Regiment's War Flag was awarded the Army Gold Medal for Valour for the events of August 2004 in Iraq.
From 2008 to 2009, the Regiment was still engaged in Operation 'Leonte' in South Lebanon.
In 2010-2012, he was deployed in Operation ISAF in Afghanistan in the Farah province where he operated for six months.
In 2013, the Regiment operated again as part of Operation 'Leonte' in southern Lebanon.
In 2019, the Regiment was deployed again in Afghanistan in Operation Resolute Support
Lagunar on mission in Lebanon poses behind an AAV7
In 2020 - 2021, it is deployed with small units in Venice and Genoa in Operation Safe Streets in support of the Police Forces.
In 2022, the Regiment is deployed in both Lebanon and Somalia. In South Lebanon at the head of "Unifil Italbatt" under the UN flag to monitor the observance of the ceasefire and compliance with the Blue Line (UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 11 August 2006), In Somalia as part of the "EUTM-S Mission with Advising, Mentoring and Training activities, it contributes to the development of territorial control capabilities by the Somali Security Forces.
Patron and Body Day
he patron saint is St Mark (25 April).
25 June is the anniversary of the recognition of the Specialty (1984), which recognises, by decree of the Minister of Defence of 25 June 1984, the Lagunari Specialty as of its establishment on 9 January 1951.
On 7 March 2011, in a solemn ceremony in Farah, in the Afghan theatre of operations, the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, General Giuseppe Valotto, handed over the new specialty beret to the Lagunari. The green beret recalls the colour of the Venetian lagoon "which has seen the Fanti da Mar of the Serenissima leave for overseas missions for over 800 years".
Honours
Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Italy
Regiment deployed in Afghan territory, in a region characterised by extremely high instability and a constant state of conflict, he carried out numerous daring exploits, achieving brilliant operational results, demonstrating iron abnegation, spirit of initiative and insightful military action. He operated with valiant commitment, offering a constant example of the highest professionalism, steadfastness and drive. A regiment guardian of extraordinary values, it contributed to Italy's lustre and prestige in the international context, deserving the nation's appreciation and the recognition of allied countries.
Farah (Afghanistan), 2010-2011 - Herat (Afghanistan), 2019
Army Gold Medal for Valour
Infantry regiment, he took part in the 'Ancient Babylon 4' operation in Iraq as part of the Italian Joint Task Force. Deployed in a theatre characterised by harsh and widespread violence, he wrote indelible pages of military valour and generous altruism. With selfless sentiments of dedication and enthusiasm sustained by the highest ideals of human brotherhood, he conducted humanitarian and aid activities, bringing relief to the Iraqi population, opposing, on several occasions and with vehement courage, repeated and unpredictable attacks to which he was subjected by hostile forces that prodigiously prevented them from being carried out. Diuturnally engaged in the training activities of the 604th Battalion of the Iraqi National Guard, with convinced dedication and determined participation, he devoted every resource to the preparation and training of the unit of the new Iraqi army, achieving brilliant results in a short time, unanimously recognised by the coalition and local authorities. In particular, during the clashes on the night of 5-6 August 2004, following attacks by militiamen barricaded on the right bank of the Euphrates River in the city of An Nasiriyah, he intervened, with the ardour and self-sacrifice of his lagunarians, in defence of local institutions to restore established authority, forcing his adversaries to call a ceasefire. He was an undisputed example of a cohesive and strongly motivated unit, which provided further and undisputed proof of professional ability, courage, moral steadfastness and extraordinary military virtues, making a decisive contribution to enhancing the prestige of the Army in the international context.
An Nasiriyah (Iraq), 5-6 August 2004
Silver Medal for Valour in the Army
The 'Serenissima' Regiment, guardian of the traditions of 'lagoon' soldiers, has been engaged in numerous relief operations to help civilian populations hit by extremely serious natural disasters and in numerous international relief operations, in which it has always shown generous commitment and an uncommon sense of participation. In these circumstances, even when subjected to extremely hard operational cycles and intense workloads, the Regiment's personnel showed unparalleled expertise, a very high sense of duty and a very high spirit of sacrifice, not without singular courage in carrying out the most dangerous activities. With its tenacity and unfailing determination, the Lagunari Regiment won the unconditional acclaim, unanimous gratitude and boundless admiration of the populations it helped, as well as the absolute esteem of all the contingents of foreign nations that worked with the unit on international missions. Significant example of high civic and military virtues, as well as courageous altruism and outstanding professionalism that brought prestige to the Italian Army, raising the nation's image also in the international context
National territory and Balkan theatre, 1951-2003
Silver Cross of Merit of the Army
Infantry regiment, framed in the 'Joint task force - Lebanon', heir to the glorious traditions of the 'Fanti da mar' of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, was deployed in the Lebanese theatre of operations in a region characterised by instability and latent conflict. With the determination and enthusiasm of its soldiers, it decisively contributed to writing luminous pages in peacekeeping operations. Thanks to deep feelings of dedication and enthusiasm, sustained by high ideals of human brotherhood, he played a leading role in conducting humanitarian and welfare activities in favour of the local population, gaining unconditional approval everywhere. Its Laggunarians, always present, from the very beginning of operations, were the main actors in the complete construction of the "United Nations 2-1" base in Mara La, offering an example of high professionalism and indefatigable sense of duty. Through the work of its personnel, the "Serenissima" lagoon regiment has contributed to bring prestige to Italy and the Army, raising the prestige of the Nation and the Armed Forces in the international context.
Shama (Lebanon), 9 November 2006 - 13 April 2007
