San Rossore, 6 October 2015. In the military world the symbols acquire a considerable value: they are useful to the soldiers to build a sense of belonging and a moral growth that will bind them forever to the department. The special forces are no exception: in this sector, in recent decades, we have observed an appreciable increase in new designs, mainly referring to missions, detachments or companies they belong to. However, no one among the special bodies in the world can boast an emblem with a tradition as ancient as that of the 9 regiment "Col Moschin".
After 70 years after the end of the second world war the dagger between oak and laurel fronds, symbol of the Arditi, returns to decorate the arm of the raiders, instead of the oval with the eagle, the parachute and the anchor.
From the blade to the eagle
In the 1917, shortly after their establishment in Sdricca di Manzano, the Arditi of the army began to distinguish themselves from the other infantry departments, modifying their uniform, making it more comfortable and less formal. To this they added new friezes among which the “black flame” insignia and the symbol of the assault departments: the dagger wrapped in laurel and oak leaves, under whose guard the Savoy motto FERT stood out. Thus was born the official badge of the Arditi, whose sight terrified the Austrian opponents buried in their trenches. As soon as the war ended, that little shield with a black or gray background, garnished the arm of the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio accompanied, in his Rumanian undertaking by many former combatant of the assault units. That short period of time coincided with a large production of badges, almost all "DIY", which reported the same "iron", with the addition of a new motto, "Fiume" or "Fiume o morte".
The advent of fascism and careful propaganda, took full advantage of the potential of military symbolism: the squadristi, for example, used various crests and pennants belonging to the daring. An appropriation certainly not driven by the same military capabilities, as by an opportunistic convenience and the more sensible appeal - to that part of soldiers who most suffered the shame of the "mutilated victory".
In the 1942 that symbol regained its martial dignity, adorning the uniforms of the newly formed X Arditi: one worthy representative and direct heir of the Black Flames. After the 8 September 1943 the special departments that joined the Social Republic showed off a variant of the same symbol: the hated Sabaudin FERT motto was, in fact, extinct, in favor of the more patriotic ITALY.
With the end of the second world war there was no talk of daring, let alone special units, at least until 1952 when a courageous lieutenant of the paratroopers, Franco Falcone, started a new adventure with the formation, at the CMP of Viterbo, of the Special Platoon. In that circumstance the imaginative machine of military symbolism was set in motion again, producing a series of friezes for the saboteurs that partly resumed the tradition of assault maniples. The piece of cloth remained closed in the drawer of memories, but the golden skull was audaciously reintroduced - not even disliked by many of the General Staff. But be careful, the new emblem (which over the years underwent several modifications) summarized both the qualification and the official image of the department: therefore, there was no real patent badge.
A decree of February 1977 established for the first time the badge of specialization of the raiders: an oval with the eagle, the anchor and the parachute surrounded by laurel and oak leaves. An apt graphic composition that linked, in a few elements, the operational meaning of the incursors of the With Moschin. Obviously also this brooch, then transformed into patch with velcro suitable for camouflage shades, it has been the subject of some adjustments on the lower cartouche. In the 2008, the then department commander, col. Giuseppe Faraglia, forwarded the first instances to regain possession of the famous FERT (preserving the Savoyard motto), not as a patent, but more simply as an emblem of the regiment. The General Staff showed some perplexity and at the time it was not officially approved. Meanwhile, ANIE, guardian of the traditions of the unit, endowed itself with the "FERT" as its legitimate associative symbol thanks to a new elaborate graphic design by the paratrooper ANPd'I Barbara Frediani.
An old symbol on the new raiders
Finally, since 6 October 2015, the raiders can again be adorned with their ancient frieze and the first to do so were precisely the newly patented, just come out of a very tough two years of formation. In the presence of the Chief of Staff, general of the army corps Giovan Battista Borrini, head of the FS / FOS division, of the commander of the IOC, gen. Marco Bertolini and COMFOSE gen. Nicola Zanelli, the department commander col. Paolo Attilio Fortezza has formalized the definitive assumption of the new patent. The new emblem appears slightly changed from the original, but the substance remains intact. In the speeches prior to the delivery, the department commander wanted to emphasize that the old symbol always retains a value of the first order, not only as a regimental badge: many raiders have, in fact, made enormous sacrifices to put it on their arms and their own it will be up to you to keep the memory and keep the value high.
The delivery ceremony featured the former ANIE saboteurs / raiders, who placed the new oval on the left arm of the patented neo. Two distinct rows, one facing the other: yesterday's saboteur, with a benevolent and proud gaze on today's young incursor, consecrated, in a single gesture, years of hard work. Two generations compared that reflect values, sacrifices and a lifestyle that goes far beyond a small piece of fabric affixed to the jacket. The military traditions are perpetuated from generation to generation, with the same intensity as the experiences lived in the field: a soldier unaware of the past of his own department will never be able to develop that sense of family that characterizes the life of a regiment, of whatever specialty it is. This emotion is even more marked in the 9 °: few men, united and ready to face any circumstance with that feeling of intense brotherhood that has always distinguished them.
After the ceremony, the festivities continued with an excellent lunch at the training base for raiders entitled Ardito Ciro Scianna gold medal for military valor.
Together with the many participants, someone from above also raised his glass together with his Arditi: Giovanni Messe, glory of Italy, can certainly be said to be satisfied!
[Article published by courtesy of the commander of the 9 ° rgt. par. the ass. "Col Moschin"]
(photo: Viviana Cariola)
