Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria" (2nd)

The Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria" (2nd) (Italian: Reggimento "Piemonte Cavalleria" (2°)) is a cavalry unit of the Italian Army based in Villa Opicina in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The regiment is the reconnaissance unit of the Alpine Brigade "Julia".

In 1692, Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy ordered to form two cavalry regiments for service in the Nine Years' War. One of the two new regiments was named Cavalry Regiment "Piemonte Reale" (Italian: Reggimento di Cavalleria "Piemonte Reale"). From 1701 to 1713, regiment fought in the War of the Spanish Succession. Between 1733 and 1735, the regiment fought in the War of the Polish Succession, and from 1741 to 1748 in the War of the Austrian Succession. From 1792 to 1796, the regiment fought in the War of the First Coalition against the French Republic. 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 in July of the same year the King ordered to reform the regiment. In 1849, during the First Italian War of Independence, the regiment distinguished itself in the battles of Sforzesca and Novara, for which the regiment was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor. In 1859, the regiment participated in the Second Italian War of Independence. In 1860-1861, the regiment fought in the Sardinian campaign in central and southern Italy, during which it distinguished itself in the Battle of Garigliano, for which the regiment was awarded its second Silver Medal of Military Valor. In 1866, the regiment participated in the Third Italian War of Independence. During World War I the regiment fought on the Italian Front. In World War II the regiment participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and served afterwards in Croatia on anti-partisan duty. In November 1942, the regiment participated in the occupation of Vichy France. After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the regiment was disbanded by invading German forces.

In November 1946, the Italian Army formed the 2nd Cavaliers Reconnaissance Group, which received the regiment's traditions and scarlet gorget patches. In 1949, the group was expanded to 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria". In 1957, the regiment moved to Meran, where it joined the IV Army Corps. 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 2nd Mechanized Squadrons Group "Piemonte Cavalleria". The squadrons group was assigned to the newly formed Armored Brigade "Vittorio Veneto" and received the traditions and standard of the Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria" (2nd). In 1991, the squadrons group lost its autonomy and entered the 2nd Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria", which was assigned to the Cavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli". One year later, the regiment was renamed Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria" (2nd). In 1993, the regiment was equipped with wheeled Centauro tank destroyers. In 2014, the regiment was transferred to the Alpine Brigade "Julia".

The regiment's anniversary falls on 21 March 1849, to commemorate the regiment's conduct during the Battle of Sforzesca, for which the regiment was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor. As one of the two Italian Army heavy cavalry regiments, whose history dates back to the 17th century, the regiment's enlisted personnel is addressed as "Cavalier" (Italian: Cavaliere).