Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th)

The Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th) (Italian: Reggimento "Lancieri di Novara" (5°) - "Lancers of Novara") is a cavalry unit of the Italian Army based in Codroipo in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The regiment is the reconnaissance unit of the 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete". In December 1828, the Royal Sardinian Army formed a Dragoons regiment, which was named for the region of Piedmont. In 1832, the regiment was renamed Regiment "Novara Cavalleria". In 1845, the regiment's troops were armed with lances. In 1848-49, the regiment fought in the First Italian War of Independence, during which it distinguished itself in the Battle of Santa Lucia. During the Second Italian War of Independence the regiment distinguished itself in the Battle of Montebello. On 6 June 1860, the regiment joined the new Lancers speciality and was renamed Regiment "Lancieri di Novara". In the 1860-1861, during the Sardinian campaign in central and Southern Italy the regiment distinguished itself in the Battle of Castelfidardo, while the regiment's 1st Squadron distinguished itself in the Battle of Macerone Pass. In 1866, the regiment fought in the Third Italian War of Independence and in 1870 participated in the capture of Rome.^: 3

During World War I the regiment formed together with the Regiment "Genova Cavalleria" (4th) the II Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division of "Friuli". The two regiments fought for a short time dismounted in the trenches of the Italian Front. In October 1917, after the Italian defeat in the Battle of Caporetto, the II Cavalry Brigade stalled, together with the Brigade "Bergamo", the Austro-Hungarian advance in the Battle of Pozzuolo del Friuli, which allowed the Italian 3rd Army to retreat intact over the Tagliamento river.^: 13

During World War II the regiment was assigned together with the Regiment "Savoia Cavalleria" to the 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta", which in spring 1941 fought in the invasion of Yugoslavia. In summer 1941, the 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta" was assigned to the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia, which was sent to Ukraine to fight in the German invasion of the Soviet Union. In October and November 1941, the regiment fought in the Battle of Stalino (today Donetsk) and the battle for control of Horlivka. In July 1942, the regiment fought in the Battle of Krasnyi Luch. In late August 1942, the regiment defend the right flank of the 2nd Infantry Division "Sforzesca", during which the regiment's 2nd Squadron conducted a cavalry charge to disperse attacking Red Army infantry. For its conduct in July and August 1942, the regiment was awarded Italy's highest military honor the Gold Medal of Military Valor. In December 1942, the regiment was almost annihilated during the Soviet Operation Little Saturn and subsequently the regiment's surviving troops were repatriated. After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943, the remnants of the regiment were disbanded by invading German forces.

In September 1946, the Italian Army formed the Reconnaissance Group 5th Lancers, which received the regiment's traditions and white gorget patches. In 1949, the group was expanded to 5th Armored Cavalry Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" and equipped with M26 Pershing tanks. In 1957, the regiment was assigned to the newly formed Cavalry Brigade. In 1964, the regiment was reduced to Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Novara" and reorganized as a reconnaissance unit. In 1975, the squadrons group was reorganized and renamed 5th Tank Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Novara". The squadrons group was equipped with Leopard 1A2 main battle tanks and assigned the traditions and standard of the Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th). In 1992, the squadrons group lost its autonomy and entered the reformed Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th). In January 2013, the regiment was assigned to the 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete" as the brigade's reconnaissance unit.

The regiment's anniversary falls on 27 August 1942, to commemorate the regiment's conduct during the battles at Yagodnyi to the South of the Don river between 21 and 30 August 1942, for which the regiment was awarded Italy's highest military honor the Gold Medal of Military Valor.