Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" (8th)

The Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" (8th) (Italian: Reggimento "Lancieri di Montebello" (8°) - "Lancers of Montebello") is a cavalry unit of the Italian Army based in Rome. The regiment is the reconnaissance unit of the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" and performs guard and public duties in Rome. In September 1859, after being victorious in the Second Italian War of Independence, the Royal Sardinian Army formed three new cavalry regiments, among them the Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Montebello", which was named for the Battle of Montebello, that had been fought on 20 May of the same year. Thus the regiment became the only Italian Army cavalry regiment named for a battle. In June 1860, the regiment was renamed Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello". In 1866, the regiment fought in the Third Italian War of Independence. In World War I the regiment's squadrons fought on the Italian front. After the war the regiment was disbanded.

During World War II the regiment was reformed as Armored Reconnaissance Grouping "Lancieri di Montebello". After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943, the grouping fought in the defence of Rome against the invading German forces. On 10 September 1943, the grouping, together with the 21st Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna" and civilian volunteers, fought a last stand at the Porta San Paolo, for which the regiment was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor. On 16 September, due to the hopeless situation, the grouping's commanding officer ordered the grouping to dissolve. In 1950, during the Cold War, the Italian Army formed the Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Montebello" in Rome, which was given the name and traditions of the regiment. In 1951, the squadrons group was expanded to 8th Armored Cavalry Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" and equipped with M47 Patton tanks. In 1975, the regiment was disbanded and its name, traditions and standard were assigned to the 8th Armored Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Montebello". In 1979, the squadrons group was reorganized as 8th Mechanized Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Montebello". In 1992, the squadrons group lost its autonomy and entered the reformed Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" (8th). In 1997, the regiment was assigned to the Mechanized Brigade "Granatieri di Sardegna" as the brigade's reconnaissance unit. In March 2004, the regiment formed the Horse Squadrons Group to perform mounted public duties in Rome.

The regiment's anniversary falls on 15 September 1943, the day the Armored Reconnaissance Grouping "Lancieri di Montebello" ceased its week-long resistance against the German forces attacking Rome.