Regiment "Genova Cavalleria" (4th)

The Regiment "Genova Cavalleria" (4th) (Italian: Reggimento "Genova Cavalleria" (4°)) is a cavalry unit of the Italian Army based in Palmanova in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The regiment is the reconnaissance unit of the Cavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli".

The regiment was formed on 1 August 1821, with a detachment of the Regiment "Dragoni del Re", that had remained loyal to King Victor Emmanuel I during a revolt in March of the same year. In 1871, when the Royal Italian Army's cavalry regiments were numbered according to their seniority, the regiment was numbered as if founded in 1821 and thus the fourth oldest by seniority. In February 1897, the Royal Italian Army allowed the regiment to inherit the traditions and honors of the Regiment "Dragoni di Sua Maestà", which was the direct predecessor of the Regiment "Dragoni del Re". Since then the regiment is the oldest Italian Army cavalry regiment and the army's only unit, whose anniversary commemorates an 18th century battle. The regiment is also the Italian cavalry's highest decorated regiment, with two Gold Medals of Military Valor, which were awarded to the regiment for its valor in the Battle of Mondovì. Furthermore, the regiment is the Italian Army's only unit, which was awarded two medals for the same battle, and the first Italian unit, that was awarded a Gold Medal of Military Valor.

In January 1683, Victor Amadeus II ordered to form a dragoon regiment, which was soon given the name Regiment "Dragoni di Sua Altezza Reale" (Regiment "Dragoons of His Royal Highness"). From 1690 to 1696, the regiment fought in the Nine Years' War. Between 1701 and 1713, the regiment fought in the War of the Spanish Succession, durich which Victor Amadeus II personally led the regiment against French forces during the Battle of Turin in 1706. The War of the Spanish Succession resulted with the transfer of the Kingdom of Sicily to the House of Savoy. On 24 December 1713, Victor Amadeus II and his wife, Anne Marie d'Orléans were crowned in the cathedral of Palermo King and Queen of Sicily. Consequently, the Regiment "Dragoni di Sua Altezza Reale" was renamed Regiment "Dragoni di Sua Maestà" (Regiment "Dragoons of His Majesty"). From 1733 to 1735, the regiment fought in the War of the Polish Succession, and from 1741 to 1748, in the War of the Austrian Succession, during which the regiment distinguished itself in the 1746 in the Battle of Rottofreddo. From 1792 to 1796, the regiment fought in the War of the First Coalition against the French Republic. On 21 April 1796, the two of the regiment's squadrons charged and dispersed the French 5^e Régiment de dragons during the Battle of Mondovì. For this act of valor King Victor Amadeus III awarded the regiment two Gold Medals of Military Valor. In November 1798, during the War of the Second Coalition, French forces occupied Piedmont, forced King Charles Emmanuel IV into exile, and formed the Piedmontese Republic, a French client-state. In spring 1799, the regiment fought on the French side against the Austrians, which disbanded the Piedmontese Republic and its military units after their victorious campaign in Italy.

In May 1814, King Victor Emmanuel I returned from exile in Sardinia and, on 1 December of the same year, the King ordered to reform the regiment as Regiment "Dragoni del Re". In March 1821 most of the regiment's personnel participated, together with the troops of two other cavalry regiments and four infantry brigades, in a revolt against King Victor Emmanuel I, who abdicated in favor of his brother Charles Felix. After the revolt Charles Felix ordered that the three cavalry regiments and four infantry brigades should be disbanded. The personnel of a detachment of the Regiment "Dragoni del Re", which had been based during the revolt in the city of Genoa (Italian: Genova) and dispersed the rebels there, was used to form the Regiment "Dragoni del Génévois". On 3 January 1832, that regiment was renamed Regiment "Genova Cavalleria". In 1848-49, the regiment fought in the First Italian War of Independence and in 1859 in the Second Italian War of Independence. In 1866, the regiment fought in the Third Italian War of Independence. In February 1897, the regiment was allowed to inherit the awards and traditions of the Regiment "Dragoni del Re". I

During World War I the regiment formed together with the Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th) the II Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division "Friuli". The two regiments fought dismounted in the trenches of the Italian Front. In 1916, the two regiments fought dismounted in the trenches of the Italian Front. In September 1916, the Regiment "Genova Cavalleria" (4th) distinguished itself in the Seventh Battle of the Isonzo at Monfalcone, for which the regiment was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor. 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. For their conduct at Pozzuolo del Friuli both regiments of the II Cavalry Brigade were awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor. During World War II the regiment was deployed in occupied Yugoslavia on anti-partisan duty. After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the regiment's depot in Rome organized an ad hoc battle group, which, with other units, defended Rome against invading German forces.

In November 1946, the Italian Army formed the 4th Dragoons Reconnaissance Group, which received the regiment's traditions and yellow gorget patches. In 1949, the group was expanded to 4th Armored Cavalry Regiment "Genova Cavalleria". In 1957, the regiment was assigned to the Cavalry Brigade, which in 1959 was renamed Cavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli". In 1975, the regiment was disbanded and its I Squadrons Group became an autonomous unit and was renamed 4th Mechanized Squadrons Group "Genova Cavalleria". The squadrons group was assigned the traditions and standard of the Regiment "Genova Cavalleria" (4th). In 1993, the squadrons group lost its autonomy and entered the Regiment "Genova Cavalleria" (4th). The same year the regiment was equipped with wheeled Centauro tank destroyers.

The regiment's anniversary falls on 21 April 1796, to commemorate the regiment's conduct during the Battle of Mondovì, for which the regiment was awarded two Gold Medals of Military Valor. As one of the two Italian Army dragoon regiments, whose history dates back to the 17th century, the regiment's enlisted personnel is addressed as "Dragoon" (Italian: Dragone).