September 25, 1961: 65 years ago, the Battaglione Sabotatori Paracadutisti was founded

September 25, 1961, marks a pivotal date in the history of the Italian Army’s Special Forces. Sixty-five years ago, the Reparto Sabotatori Paracadutisti was elevated to the status of Battaglione Sabotatori Paracadutisti, marking a decisive milestone on the path that would lead to the establishment of today’s 9th Reggimento d’Assalto Paracadutisti “Col Moschin”.

The unit’s postwar roots date back to the early 1950s. In 1952, a Plotone Speciale was established in Viterbo, while in 1953 the cadre was reorganized as a Compagnia Sabotatori at the Scuola di Fanteria in Cesano. On June 1, 1954, it was redesignated as the Reparto Sabotatori Paracadutisti, and in 1957 it was assigned to the Centro Militare di Paracadutismo in Pisa.

However, it was September 25, 1961, that marked a true leap forward in organizational capability: the Reparto was elevated to Battaglione Sabotatori Paracadutisti. The new structure consolidated a military capability designed to operate according to standards different from those of conventional units, using selected personnel specifically trained for particularly complex missions.

The Battaglione progressively developed capabilities across different operational environments. Its organization included a Plotone Comando, a Compagnia Allievi, and two Compagnie Operative. In subsequent years, operator training was further expanded, moving beyond rigid specialization in a single environment and focusing instead on developing personnel capable of operating in multiple theaters.

The history of the Sabotatori thus became increasingly intertwined with that of the Brigata Paracadutisti “Folgore”, of which the Battaglione became one of the most distinctive components.

From Battaglione Sabotatori to “Col Moschin”

Another pivotal date came on October 1, 1975, when the unit was redesignated the 9th Battaglione d’Assalto Paracadutisti “Col Moschin”, inheriting the traditions of the Arditi and, in particular, of the IX Reparto d’Assalto, which distinguished itself during the First World War in actions on the Grappa massif.

The name “Col Moschin” recalls one of the most celebrated actions of the Italian Arditi: the capture of Col Moschin in June 1918, an episode to which the unit’s historical and spiritual legacy is linked.

Twenty years after the 1975 transformation, on June 24, 1995, a further reorganization led to the establishment of the 9th Reggimento d’Assalto Paracadutisti “Col Moschin”, continuing the evolution that had begun in the postwar period.

Today, the 9th “Col Moschin” is part of the Comando delle Forze Speciali dell’Esercito and represents the Italian Army’s commando component, safeguarding traditions rooted in the Arditi of the Great War and spanning more than a century of Italian military history.

Sixty-five years after that 25 September 1961, the establishment of the Battaglione Sabotatori Paracadutisti remains one of the key milestones in the development of the Italian Army’s modern special capabilities: a path that began with small, highly selected units and continued through to today’s 9° Reggimento d’Assalto Paracadutisti “Col Moschin”.

Della Folgore l'impeto!