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102-513: The brigade was based in the eastern half of the Italian province of South Tyrol , with its headquarters in the city of Brixen . The brigade was disbanded in 2002, however the name and traditions were transferred to the newly raised Division "Tridentina" , a deployable military headquarters of the Italian Army. The "Tridentina" was constituted on 1 May 1951 in the city of Brixen . The brigade’s name

204-458: A subpolar oceanic climate , Cfc. The alpine valleys between 900 and 1,400 metres (3,000 and 4,600 ft), with a typically humid continental climate  — Dfb, covering the largest part of the province. The winters are usually very cold (24-hour averages in January between −8 and −3 °C (18 and 27 °F)), and the summers, mild with averages between 14 and 19 °C (57 and 66 °F). It

306-466: A German-speaking, eight a Ladin-speaking, and five an Italian-speaking majority. The Italianization of South Tyrol and the settlement of Italians from the rest of Italy after 1918 significantly modified local demographics. South Tyrol (occasionally South Tirol ) is the term most commonly used in English for the province, and its usage reflects that it was created from a portion of the southern part of

408-598: Is a very snowy climate; snow may occur from early October to April or even May. Main municipalities in this area are Urtijëi , Badia , Sexten , Toblach , Stilfs , Vöran , and Mühlwald . The alpine valleys between 1,400 and 1,700 metres (4,600 and 5,600 ft), with a subarctic climate  — Dfc, with harsh winters (24-hour averages in January between −9 and −5 °C (16 and 23 °F)) and cool, short, rainy and foggy summers (24-hour averages in July of about 12 °C (54 °F)). These areas usually have five months below

510-587: Is also used in English. The term had been the name of political subdivisions along the Adige River in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte , who created the Department of Alto Adige , part of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy . It was reused as the Italian name of the current province after its post-World War I creation, and was a symbol of the subsequent forced Italianization of South Tyrol. The official name of

612-563: Is called Vinschgau; the southernmost section, from Bolzano to Salurner Klause (207 metres or 679 feet), is divided into Überetsch and Unterland. From there, the Adige Valley continues in a southerly direction until it merges with the Po plain at Verona . At Bolzano, the Eisack Valley merges into the Adige Valley. The Eisack Valley runs from Bolzano northeastward to Franzensfeste, where it merges with

714-790: Is dominated by mountains. The highest peak is the Ortler (3,905 metres, 12,812 ft) in the far west, which is also the highest peak in the Eastern Alps outside the Bernina Range . Even more famous are the craggy peaks of the Dolomites in the eastern part of the region. The following mountain groups are (partially) in South Tyrol. All but the Sarntal Alps are on the border with Austria, Switzerland, or other Italian provinces. The ranges are clockwise from

816-561: Is granted a considerable level of self-government, consisting of a large range of exclusive legislative and executive powers and a fiscal regime that allows it to retain 90% of revenue, while remaining a net contributor to the national budget. As of 2023, South Tyrol is the wealthiest province in Italy and among the wealthiest in the European Union . In the wider context of the European Union,

918-480: Is usually wetter than the subtropical climate, and very snowy during the winters. During the spring and autumn, there is an extended foggy season, but fog may occur even on summer mornings. Main towns in this area are Meran , Bruneck , Sterzing , and Brixen . Near the lakes in higher lands (between 1,000 and 1,400 metres (3,300 and 4,600 ft)) the humidity may make the climate in these regions milder during winter, but also cooler in summer, making it more similar to

1020-578: The 3rd Alpine Division "Julia" . The division's and brigade's name allude to the Julian Alps in the Friuli region where the division's regiments recruited their troops, and where after World War II the brigade was based. Accordingly, the brigade's coat of arms is modeled after the Friuli region's coat of arms. The brigade supplies the headquarters and most units to the former Multinational Land Force , also known as

1122-692: The Cavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli" . As of 4 October 2022 the brigade is organized as follows: The Alpini regiments are equipped with Bv 206S tracked all-terrain carriers and Lince light multirole vehicles. The maneuver support companies of the Alpini regiments are equipped with 120 mm mortars and Spike anti-tank guided missile systems. The cavalry regiment is equipped with Centauro tank destroyers and VTLM Lince vehicles. The brigade's artillery regiment fields 18x FH-70 towed howitzers and an unknown number of M56 105 mm pack howitzers in

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1224-556: The Dolomites are the highest in the Alps. Among the large number of peaks, three stand out for their alpine or cultural importance: the Ortler (3,905 metres, 12,812 ft) as the highest mountain in South Tyrol, the Schlern (2,563 metres, 8,409 ft) as the country's "landmark" and the Drei Zinnen (2,999 metres, 9,839 ft) as the center of alpine climbing. Other well-known mountains are

1326-681: The First World War . The Allies promised the area to Italy in the Treaty of London of 1915 as an incentive to enter the war on their side. Until 1918, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian princely County of Tyrol , but this almost completely German-speaking territory was occupied by Italy at the end of the war in November 1918 and was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1919. The province as it exists today

1428-651: The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region to augment the Julia, followed by the Taurinense's Mountain Artillery Group "Pinerolo" on 1 December 1963, which moved to Tolmezzo . With this the Julia reached its peak strength in men, units and equipment. For the next 30 years the Julia remained the biggest brigade of the Italian Army. At the start of 1964 the brigade was composed as follows: The Alpini Paratroopers Platoon merged with

1530-524: The International Court of Justice in The Hague , that the province would receive greater autonomy within Italy, and that Austria would not interfere in South Tyrol's internal affairs. The new agreement proved broadly satisfactory to the parties involved, and the separatist tensions soon eased. The autonomous status granted in 1972 has resulted in a considerable level of self-government, and also allows

1632-915: The Königspitze (3,851 metres, 12,635 ft), the Weißkugel (3,739 metres, 12,267 ft), the Similaun (3,599 metres, 11,808 ft), the Hochwilde (3,480 metres, 11,417 ft), the Sarner Weißhorn (2,705 metres, 8,875 ft), the Hochfeiler (3,509 metres, 11,512 ft), the Dreiherrnspitze (3,499 metres, 11,480 ft), the Hochgall (3,436 metres, 11,273 ft), the Peitlerkofel (2,875 metres, 9,432 ft),

1734-1012: The direct fire role. The personnel of the brigade's units wears the following gorget patches: The military band of the Julia Brigade was formed on 1 October 1967 during the procession of the change of the Brigade Commander. It made its debut in Venzone at the "Feruglio" barracks. The nucleus of the band are musicians coming from the Alpine Regiments, all of which have experience in civilian city bands. It currently has 42 musicians, located in Udine. The repertoire consists of pieces by Gioacchino Rossini , Giacomo Puccini , Giuseppe Verdi , Glenn Miller , and George Gershwin . Its primary activity consists of participation in ceremonial ceremonies and events, concerts in various cities of Italy and abroad, and in

1836-794: The rivers . The remaining areas have given way to settlements and agricultural land . On the valley slopes, sub-Mediterranean mixed deciduous forests are found up to 800 or 900 metres (2,600 or 3,000 ft) altitude, characterized mainly by manna ash, hop hornbeam, hackberry, sweet chestnut and downy oak . From about 600 metres (2,000 ft) of altitude, red beech or pine forests can appear instead, colonizing difficult and arid sites (more rarely). At altitudes between 800 and 1,500 metres (2,600 and 4,900 ft), spruce forests are found; between 900 and 2,000 metres (3,000 and 6,600 ft), montane and subalpine spruce forests predominate. The latter are often mixed with tree species such as larch, rowan, white pine and stone pine . The larch and stone pine forests at

1938-769: The "Mittelgebirge" (including, for example, the Schlern area) are of particular importance in terms of settlement history . The three main valleys of South Tyrol are the Adige Valley , the Eisack Valley and the Puster Valley , formed by the Ice Age Adige glacier and its tributaries. The highest part of the Adige valley in western South Tyrol, from Reschen (1,507 metres or 4,944 feet) to Töll (approx. 500 metres or 1,600 feet) near Merano,

2040-561: The 269th Company and five reserve companies from the disbanded Alpini Battalion "Val Fella". The Mountain Artillery Group "Belluno" was disbanded and its name transferred to the Mountain Artillery Group "Osoppo", while the Mountain Artillery Group "Pinerolo" was disbanded and its name transferred to the Mountain Artillery Group "Susa" of the Alpine Brigade "Taurinense". The Mountain Artillery Group "Conegliano" moved to Udine, while

2142-630: The 5th Army Corps, which with its four armoured and five mechanized brigades would try to wear down the enemy before it could break out into the North Italian Padan plain . The other alpine brigades would remain static. In the more likely case the Soviet and Hungarian divisions would invade Austria and march through Southern Styria and through the Drava valley in Carinthia the alpine brigades would have been

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2244-520: The 8th Alpini Regiment, 3rd Mountain Artillery Regiment, and 11th Alpini Fortification Grouping were disbanded. The Alpini Battalion "Cividale" moved to Tarvisio , while the Alpini Battalion "Tolmezzo" and Alpini Battalion "Gemona" were disbanded with their names transferred to the Alpini Battalion "Mondovì" respectively Alpini Battalion "L'Aquila" . The name "Mondovì" was transferred to

2346-568: The 9th Heavy Artillery Group "Rovigo" as 3rd Battery "Wolves of Elvas". The "Rovigo" itself lost its nuclear capability in 1986 and in the same year the US Army left Site Rigel. To aid in the defence of the narrow mountain valleys the 4th Alpine Army Corps re-activated some fortifications of the World War II era Alpine Wall . In the area of operation of the Tridentina the task of maintaining and manning

2448-546: The Alpine Association, South Tyrol is home to 13 mountain groups of the Eastern Alps, of which only the Sarntal Alps are entirely within national borders. The remaining twelve are (clockwise, starting from the west): Sesvenna Group, Ötztal Alps, Stubai Alps, Zillertal Alps, Venediger Group, Rieserferner Group, Villgratner Mountains, Carnic Alps, Dolomites, Fleimstal Alps, Nonsberg Group and Ortler Alps. Of particular note are

2550-500: The Alpine Brigade "Tridentina". South Tyrol South Tyrol ( German : Südtirol [ˈzyːttiˌʁoːl] , locally [ˈsyːtiˌroːl] ; Italian : Alto Adige [ˈalto ˈaːdidʒe] ; Ladin : Südtirol ) is an autonomous province in northern Italy . An English translation of the official German and Italian names could be the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol , reflecting

2652-595: The Alpini Battalion "Orobica" of the 2nd Alpini Regiment of the Alpine Brigade "Taurinense" , while the name "L'Aquila" was transferred to the Alpini (Recruits Training) Battalion "Julia", which became an active unit. As new training unit the Alpini (Recruits Training) Battalion "Vicenza" was raised in Tolmezzo, which moved subsequently to Codroipo . The Alpini Battalion "Val Tagliamento" moved to Tolmezzo and received

2754-601: The Anti-tank Company and the 262nd Alpini Company were disbanded and the battalions took the names of historical Alpini regiments to carry on the regimental traditions. Each regiment consisted of one of the brigade's Alpini battalions and an additional support company. Furthermore, in 1993 the Command and Signal Unit "Tridentina" was merged with the Engineer Company into the Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Tridentina". Thus

2856-499: The Anti-tank Company was disbanded and the Command and Signal Unit was merged with the Engineer Company into the Command and Tactical Supports Unit. The new composition was: With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade "Cadore" on 10 January 1997, the two remaining regiments of that brigade passed to the Julia: With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade "Tridentina" on 1 July 2002, the sole remaining regiment of that brigade passed to

2958-619: The Arzkarsee (2,250 metres, 7,382 ft). The natural monuments designated by the province of South Tyrol include numerous hydrological objects, such as streams, waterfalls, moors, glaciers and mountain lakes like the Pragser Wildsee (1,494 metres, 4,902 ft), the Karersee (1,519 metres, 4,984 ft) or the Spronser Seen (2,117–2,589 metres, 6,946–8,494 ft). Approximately 50% of

3060-550: The Austrian federal states Tyrol and Salzburg , and by the Swiss canton of Graubünden to the west. The Italian provinces of Belluno , Trentino , and Sondrio border to the southeast, south, and southwest, respectively. The landscape itself is mostly cultivated with different types of shrubs and forests and is highly mountainous. Entirely located in the Alps , the province's landscape

3162-918: The Belluno artillery group in Pontebba and the Cividale battalion supported by the Conegliano artillery group in Udine. The Gemona was to block the Canal Valley right at the border, while the Cividale was tasked to defend the Naßfeld Pass on the Gemona's left flank. Further West the Tolmezzo battalion was stationed in Paluzza and tasked with defending the Plöcken Pass , as a breakthrough there would have allowed enemy forces to march through

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3264-797: The Brenner Pass, the Tauern window, in which the Peninsular and, according to some authors, the Helvetic are visible. In South Tyrol, the following structure can be roughly recognized: The lowest floor forms the crystalline basement. About 280 million years ago, in the Lower Permian, multiple magmatic events occurred. At that time the Brixen granite was formed at the northern boundary of the Southern Alps, and at about

3366-407: The But valley into the rear of the other Julia units. The Tolmezzo battalion was to be supported by the Udine artillery group. Additionally the Val Tagliamento battalion, the biggest battalion of the Italian Army, based in Tolmezzo near the Southern end of the Canal Valley fielded 16 companies and had an organic strength of over 2,500 men, which were tasked to man the Alpine Wall fortifications in

3468-436: The Canal valley into a nuclear wasteland. This mission was taken over in 1985 by the 27th Self-propelled Heavy Artillery Group " Marche ", which fielded M110 203 mm self-propelled howitzers and had its W33 nuclear shells stored at the "San Bernardo" ammunition depot in Reana del Rojale . The Marche fielded two firing batteries with 4 artillery systems per battery and had 140 nuclear artillery shells to fulfil its task. In

3570-421: The Dolomites, parts of which were recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as a "Dolomite World Heritage Site". Although some isolated massifs approach 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) and show strong glaciation (especially in the Ortler Alps and on the main ridge of the Alps), South Tyrol is by far dominated by mountains with altitudes of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres (6,600 and 9,800 ft). Among the multitude of peaks,

3672-409: The Italian government signed an armistice with the Allies , the region was occupied by Nazi Germany, which reorganised it as the Operation Zone of the Alpine Foothills and put it under the administration of Gauleiter Franz Hofer . The region was de facto annexed to the German Reich (with the addition of the province of Belluno ) until the end of the war. Italian rule was restored in 1945 as

3774-528: The Italian-Hungarian-Slovenian Battlegroup . Component parts from the other two countries were the Slovenian 10th Motorized Battalion and the Hungarian 1st Light Infantry Battalion . The Julia was constituted on 15 October 1949 in the city of Cividale del Friuli . During the Cold War the brigade was the Italian Army's biggest brigade with around 10,000 men and was tasked to defend the Plöcken and Naßfeld passes with Austria in case Warsaw Pact forces would attack through neutral Austria. The brigade covered

3876-417: The Julia. In case of a war with the Warsaw Pact the 4th Alpine Army Corps had two war planes: one in the case the Soviet Southern Group of Forces and Hungarian Army would march through Yugoslavia and the other in case the Warsaw Pact would violate the Austrian neutrality and march through Austria. In case the enemy forces would come through Yugoslavia, the Julia would cover the mountainous left flank of

3978-430: The Julia: Furthermore, in 2002 the Julia received the [REDACTED] 2nd Alpine Engineer Regiment [REDACTED] Sapper Battalion " Iseo " in Trento from the Alpine Troops Command. The brigade is based in the eastern half of northern Italy and part of the Alpine Troops Command . The headquarter is in the city of Udine . In 2013 the brigade received the reconnaissance Regiment "Piemonte Cavalleria" (2nd) from

4080-424: The Kalterer See (215 metres, 705 ft), the Großer (492 metres, 1,614 ft) and the Kleiner Montiggler See (514 metres, 1,686 ft). Fourteen South Tyrolean reservoirs used for energy production include the Reschensee (1,498 metres, 4,915 ft), which with an area of 523 hectares (2.02 sq mi) forms the largest standing body of water in South Tyrol, the Zufrittsee (1,850 metres, 6,070 ft) and

4182-442: The Ladin municipalities of Cortina d'Ampezzo /Anpezo, Livinallongo del Col di Lana /Fodom and Colle Santa Lucia /Col have asked in a referendum to be detached from Veneto and reannexed to the province, from which they were separated under the fascist government. In 1996, the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino was formed between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Trentino. The boundaries of

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4284-584: The Langkofel (3,181 metres, 10,436 ft) and the Rosengartenspitze (2,981 metres, 9,780 ft). The extensive mountain landscapes , about 34% of the total area of South Tyrol, are alpine pastures (including the 57 square kilometres (22 sq mi) of the great Alpe di Siusi). Along the main valleys, the mountain ranges descend in many places to valley bottoms over gently terraced landscapes, which are geological remains of former valley systems; situated between inhospitable high mountains and formerly boggy or deeply incised valley bottoms, these areas known as

4386-479: The Middle Triassic by a brief but violent phase of volcanic activity. In South Tyrol, the Eastern Alps consist mainly of metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses or mica schists, with occasional intercalations of marble and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks with metamorphic overprint (e.g., in the Ortler or southwest of the Brenner). Various metamorphic rocks are found in the Tauern Window, such as Hochstegen marble (as in Wolfendorn), Grünschiefer (as in Hochfeiler), or rocks of

4488-444: The Nazi regime ended. After the war, the Allies decided that the province would remain a part of Italy, under the condition that the German-speaking population be granted a significant level of self-government. Italy and Austria negotiated an agreement in 1946, recognizing the rights of the German minority. Alcide De Gasperi , Italy's prime minister, a native of Trentino, wanted to extend the autonomy to his fellow citizens. This led to

4590-431: The Sarntal, Pfitsch, Gröden, the Gadertal, the Tauferer Ahrntal and Antholz. In mountainous South Tyrol, about 64.5% of the total land area is above 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level and only 14% below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Therefore, a large part of the population is concentrated in relatively small areas in the valleys at an altitude of between 100 and 1,200 metres (330 and 3,940 ft), mainly in

4692-439: The Southern flank of the Central Army Group or they could turn southwards to Verona and attack the Italian 5th Army Corps in its back. Therefore the Tridentina was the second strongest Alpini brigade. It manned four lines of defence in the Puster valley and the 4th Alpine Army Corps had an armoured, and a mechanized battalion, as well as the 4th Heavy Field Artillery Regiment, and a self-propelled artillery group in reserve to support

4794-491: The Tridentina. Furthermore the 1st Heavy Artillery Group "Adige" was based in the village of Elvas near Brixen. The "Adige" was armed with M115 howitzers and in peacetime part of the 3rd Missile Brigade "Aquileia" . In case of war the group would have supported the Tridentina with conventional artillery fire, but if a Soviet breakthrough was imminent the "Adige" would have plastered the Puster valley from beginning to end with W33 nuclear artillery shells, which were stored in

4896-470: The Wipp Valley, which runs first northwestward and then northward over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. In the town of Brixen, the Eisack Valley meets the Puster Valley, which passes through Bruneck and reaches Lienz via the Toblacher Sattel (1,210 metres or 3,970 feet). In addition to the three main valleys, South Tyrol has a large number of side valleys. The most important and populated side valleys are (from west to east) Sulden, Schnals, Ulten, Passeier, Ridnaun,

4998-414: The Zentralgneiss (predominantly in the area of the Zillertal Main Ridge). The province of South Tyrol has placed numerous geological natural monuments under protection. Among the best known are the Bletterbach Gorge, a 12 km (7½ mile) long canyon in the municipality of Aldein, and the Ritten Earth Pyramids , which are the largest in Europe with a height of up to 30 metres (98 ft). According to

5100-423: The aforementioned valleys. As a Warsaw Pact attack through the Canal valley was considered to be the most likely scenario the Julia was by far the strongest brigade of the Italian Army with more than 10,000 men. In case the Julia would have failed to hold the Canal valley the 3rd Missile Brigade "Aquileia" with its MGM-52 Lance surface-to-surface missiles and M115 203 mm towed howitzers would have turned

5202-419: The alps from the Swiss - Austrian -Italian border tripoint in the west to the Italian- Yugoslavian border in the east. In case of war with Yugoslavia the 4th Alpine Army Corps would remain static in its position guarding the left flank of the 5th Army Corps , which would meet the enemy forces in the plains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia . The only brigade which would have seen combat in such a case would have been

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5304-424: The area of South Tyrol is covered by forests , another 40% is above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and thus largely beyond the forest demarcation line, which varies between 1,900 and 2,200 metres (6,200 and 7,200 ft). In each case, more than half of the total forest area is located on land with a slope steeper than 20° and at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,800 metres (3,900 and 5,900 ft). Approximately 24% of

5406-406: The area of the extensive alluvial cones and broad basins. The most densely populated areas are in the Adige valley, where three of the four largest cities, Bolzano, Merano and Laives, are located. The flat valley bottoms are mainly used for agriculture. The most important river in South Tyrol is the Adige , which rises at the Reschen Pass, flows for a distance of about 140 kilometres (87 mi) to

5508-419: The association correspond to the old County of Tyrol. The aim is to promote regional peace, understanding and cooperation in many areas. The region's assemblies meet together as one on various occasions, and have set up a common liaison office with the European Union in Brussels. South Tyrol is located at the northernmost point in Italy. The province is bordered by Austria to the east and north, specifically by

5610-463: The border at the Salurner Klause, and then flows into the Po Valley and the Adriatic Sea. The Adige, whose total length of 415 kilometres (258 mi) in Italy is exceeded only by the Po , drains 97% of the territory's surface area. Its river system also includes the Eisack, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) long, and the Rienz, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) long, the next two largest rivers in South Tyrol. They are fed by numerous rivers and streams in

5712-421: The brigade headquarters and the signal company were merged to form the Command and Signal Unit "Julia", and the Services Grouping "Julia" was reorganized as a logistic battalion. An anti-tank company was raised, while the Light Aviation Unit "Julia" was disbanded. After the reform the brigade's four Alpini battalions had an authorized strength of 950 men, with the exception of the "Val Tagliamento" battalion, which

5814-418: The coldest month, January. The periadriatic seam, which separates the Southern Alps from the Central Alps , runs through South Tyrol in a southwest–northeast direction. In South Tyrol at least three of the four main structural elements of the Alps come to light: the Southern Alpine comes to light south of the periadriatic suture, the Eastern Alpine north of it, and in the northern part of the country, east of

5916-441: The creation of the region called Trentino-Alto Adige/Tiroler Etschland . The Gruber–De Gasperi Agreement of September 1946 was signed by the Italian and Austrian Foreign Ministers, creating the autonomous region of Trentino-South Tyrol , consisting of the autonomous provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol. German and Italian were both made official languages, and German-language education was permitted once more. Still Italians were

6018-591: The district committee and the district council. The districts are responsible for resolving intermunicipal disputes and providing roads, schools, and social services such as retirement homes. The province is further divided into 116 Gemeinden or comuni . Climatically, South Tyrol may be divided into five distinct groups: The Adige valley area, with cold winters (24-hour averages in January of about 0 °C (32 °F)) and warm summers (24-hour averages in July of about 23 °C (73 °F)), usually classified as humid subtropical climate  — Cfa. It has

6120-400: The driest and sunniest climate of the province. The main city in this area is Bolzano . The midlands, between 300 and 900 metres (980 and 2,950 ft), with cold winters (24-hour averages in January between −3 and 1 °C (27 and 34 °F)) and mild summers (24-hour averages in July between 15 and 21 °C (59 and 70 °F)). This is a typical oceanic climate , classified as Cfb. It

6222-412: The entity to retain almost 90% of all levied taxes. In 1992, Italy and Austria officially ended their dispute over the autonomy issue on the basis of the agreement of 1972. The extensive self-government provided by the current institutional framework has been advanced as a model for settling interethnic disputes and for the successful protection of linguistic minorities. This is among the reasons why

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6324-401: The first front line units of the Italian Army. The Cadore would have defended the Piave valley , the Tridentina the Puster valley , while the Orobica had a special mission and the Taurinense would remain in reserve. In this scenario the Julia was expected to be the first Italian unit to encounter Warsaw Pact forces and to take the brunt of the enemy strength as the brigade was based in

6426-476: The forest area can be classified as protective forest preserving settlements, traffic routes and other human infrastructure . A 1997 study classified about 35% of South Tyrol's forests as near-natural or natural, about 41% as moderately modified and about 24% as heavily modified or artificial. The forests are found in the valley bottoms. The flat valley bottoms were originally completely covered with riparian forests, of which only very small remnants remain along

6528-429: The fortifications fell to the Alpini Battalion "Val Brenta" : As the fortifications manned by the 264th Alpini Company were in the area of operation of the Alpine Brigade "Cadore" information about the 264th Company can be found at the Cadore's article. On 23 August 1986 the "Val Brenta", with the exception of the 262nd Alpini Company, was disbanded and the bunkers stripped of their equipment. The 262nd Alpini Company

6630-648: The freezing point, and snow sometimes occurs even during the summer, in September. This climate is the wettest of the province, with large rainfalls during the summer, heavy snowfalls during spring and fall. The winter is usually a little drier, marked by freezing and dry weeks, although not sufficiently dry to be classified as a Dwc climate. Main municipalities in this area are Corvara , Sëlva , Santa Cristina Gherdëina . The highlands above 1,700 metres (5,600 ft), with an alpine tundra climate , ET, which becomes an ice cap climate , EF, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). The winters are cold, but sometimes not as cold as

6732-422: The higher valleys' winters. In January, most of the areas at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) have an average temperature of about −5 °C (23 °F), while in the valleys at about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), the mean temperature may be as low as −8 or −9 °C (18 or 16 °F). The higher lands, above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) are usually extremely cold, with averages of about −14 °C (7 °F) during

6834-412: The historic County of Tyrol , a former state of the Holy Roman Empire and crown land of the Austrian Empire of the Habsburgs . German and Ladin speakers usually refer to the area as Südtirol ; the Italian equivalent Sudtirolo (sometimes parsed Sud Tirolo ) is becoming increasingly common. Alto Adige (literally translated in English: "Upper Adige"), one of the Italian names for the province,

6936-494: The implementation of the post-war agreement was deemed unsatisfactory by the Austrian government, it became a cause of significant friction with Italy and was taken up by the United Nations in 1960. A fresh round of negotiations took place in 1961 but proved unsuccessful, partly because of the campaign of terrorism . The issue was resolved in 1971, when a new Austro-Italian treaty was signed and ratified. It stipulated that disputes in South Tyrol would be submitted for settlement to

7038-419: The late 1980s the W33 nuclear artillery shells were replaced with fewer but more powerful W79 nuclear artillery shells . On 26 September 1992 the Val Tagliamento battalion was disbanded. In August 1992 the battalions took the names of historical Alpini regiments to carry on the regimental traditions. Each regiment consisted of one of the brigade's Alpini battalions and an additional support company. Furthermore,

7140-403: The left flank of the 5th Army Corps , which would meet the enemy forces in the plains of Friuli-Venezia Giulia . The only brigade which would have seen combat in such a case would have been the Julia . In case of a war with the Warsaw Pact the 4th Alpine Army Corps had two war planes: one in the case the Soviet Southern Group of Forces and Hungarian Army would march through Yugoslavia and

7242-412: The left flank of the Italian 5th Army Corps , which was based along the Italian- Yugoslavian border and tasked to prevent an enemy breakthrough into the Northern Italian plain . Initially the brigade was composed as follows: In the following years the brigade was augmented with further units: On 26 October 1962 the Alpini Battalion "Mondovì" of the Alpine Brigade "Taurinense" moved to Paluzza in

7344-649: The majority in the combined region. This, together with the arrival of new Italian-speaking immigrants, led to strong dissatisfaction among South Tyrolese, which culminated in terrorist acts perpetrated by the Befreiungsausschuss Südtirol (BAS – Liberation Committee of South Tyrol). In the first phase, only public edifices and fascist monuments were targeted. The second phase was bloodier, costing 21 lives (15 members of Italian security forces, two civilians, and four terrorists). The South Tyrolean Question ( Südtirolfrage ) became an international issue. As

7446-613: The middle of the assumed line of advance of enemy forces. Marching through the Austrian Drava valley Eastern forces were expected to turn left at Villach and try to cross the Alps through the Canal valley , which was garrisoned by the Julia's Gemona battalion at the border in Tarvisio and the Cividale battalion further down the valley in Chiusaforte , with the Gemona battalion being supported by

7548-627: The more likely case the Soviet and Hungarian divisions would invade Austria and march through Southern Styria and through the Drava valley in Carinthia the alpine brigades would have been the first front line units of the Italian Army. The Julia would have defended the Canal valley , the Cadore the Piave valley , while the Orobica had a special mission, and the Taurinense would remain in reserve. The Tridentina

7650-423: The multilingualism and different naming conventions in the area. Together with Trentino , South Tyrol forms the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol . The province is the northernmost of Italy, the second largest with an area of 7,400 square kilometres (2,857 sq mi), and has a total population of about 534,000 inhabitants as of 2021. Its capital and largest city is Bolzano . The province

7752-543: The new composition was: In 2001 5th Mountain Artillery Regiment was disbanded, followed by the 11th Alpini Regiment on 8 March 2002. During 2002 the following units of the brigade passed to other commands: The brigade and its remaining units were disbanded on 31 December 2002. The next day the Division Command "Tridentina" was activated in Bolzano which carried on the traditions of the 2nd Alpine Division "Tridentina" and

7854-618: The now vacant base in Elvas . After the reform the brigade's two Alpini battalions had an authorized strength of 950 men, with the exception of the "Val Brenta" battalion, which was tasked to man fortifications in the Puster and Piave valleys. The "Val Brenta" fielded three active and nine reserve companies with a wartime strength of more than 2,200 men. The two artillery groups had an authorized strength of 610 men and fielded 18 M56 105 mm pack howitzers each. The new composition was: Note 1: Company

7956-539: The other in case the Warsaw Pact would violate the Austrian neutrality and march through Austria. In case the enemy forces would come through Yugoslavia, the Julia would cover the mountainous left flank of the 5th Army Corps, which with its four armoured and five mechanized brigades would try to wear down the enemy before it could break out into the North Italian Padan plain . The other alpine brigades would remain static. In

8058-469: The outbreak of the Second World War prevented them from fully carrying out their plans. Every citizen was given the choice to give up their German cultural identity and stay in fascist Italy, or to leave their homeland for Nazi Germany to retain their cultural identity. This resulted in the division of South Tyrolese families. In this tense relationship for the population, Walter Caldonazzi from Mals

8160-498: The paratrooper platoons of the other four alpine brigades on 1 April 1964 to form the Alpini Paratroopers Company in Bolzano under direct command of the 4th Army Corps . With 1975 Italian Army reform the regimental level was abolished and battalions came under direct command of multi-arms brigades. At the same time the army reduced and realigned its forces and therefore the Julia saw major changes to its composition:

8262-494: The province is one of the three members of the Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino Euroregion , which corresponds almost exactly to the historical region of Tyrol . The other members are the Austrian federal state Tyrol to the north and east, and the Italian autonomous province of Trento to the south. According to the 2011 census, 62.3% of the population used German as their first language ( standard German in

8364-691: The province today in German is Autonome Provinz Bozen — Südtirol . German speakers usually refer to it not as a Provinz , but as a Land (like the Länder of Germany and Austria). Provincial institutions are referred to using the prefix Landes- , such as Landesregierung (state government) and Landeshauptmann (governor). The official name in Italian is Provincia autonoma Bolzano — Alto Adige , in Ladin Provinzia autonoma Bulsan — Südtirol . South Tyrol as an administrative entity originated during

8466-478: The regional level to the provincial level, creating de facto two separate regions. Alpine Brigade Julia The Alpine Brigade "Julia" is a light infantry brigade of the Italian Army , specializing in mountain warfare . Its core units are Alpini , an infantry corps of the Italian Army, that distinguished itself during World War I and World War II . The brigade carries on the name and traditions of

8568-615: The same time, further south in the Bolzano area, there was strong volcanic activity that formed the Adige Valley volcanic complex. In the Upper Permian a period began in which sedimentary rocks were formed. At first, these were partly clastic sediments, among which the Gröden sandstone is found. In the Triassic , massive carbonate platforms of dolomitic rocks then formed; this process was interrupted in

8670-996: The tributary valleys. The most important tributaries are the Plima, the Passer, the Falschauer, the Talfer, the Ahr and the Gader. The remaining 3% of the area is drained by the Drava and Inn river systems to the Black Sea and by the Piave river system to the Adriatic Sea , respectively. In South Tyrol there are 176 natural lakes with an area of more than half a hectare (1¼ acre), most of which are located above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) altitude . Only 13 natural lakes are larger than 5 ha, and only three of them are situated below 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) altitude:

8772-705: The upper edge of the forest belt occupy relatively small areas. Beyond the forest edge, subalpine dwarf shrub communities, alpine grasslands and, lately, alpine tundra dominate the landscape as vegetation types. The local government system is based upon the provisions of the Italian Constitution and the Autonomy Statute of the Region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol . The 1972 second Statute of Autonomy for Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol devolved most legislative and executive competences from

8874-541: The village of Natz at "Site Rigel" by the United States Army 's 11th Field Artillery Detachment . The "Adige" had two firing batteries with four howitzers per battery and 140 (!) nuclear artillery shells to fulfil its task. After the introduction of the MGM-52 Lance tactical surface-to-surface missile system in the 1980s the 1st Heavy Artillery Group "Adige" was disbanded on 31 July 1982 and its 8th Battery joining

8976-415: The west and for each the highest peak is given that is within the province or on its border. Located between the mountains are many valleys , where the majority of the population lives. The province is divided into eight districts (German: Bezirksgemeinschaften , Italian: comunità comprensoriali ), one of them being the chief city of Bolzano. Each district is headed by a president and two bodies called

9078-543: The written form and the South Tyrolean dialect of Austro-Bavarian in the spoken form); 23.4% of the population spoke Italian, mainly in and around the two largest cities (Bolzano, with an Italian-speaking majority, and Meran , with a slight German-speaking majority); 4.1% spoke Ladin , a Rhaeto-Romance language ; 10.2% of the population (mainly recent immigrants) spoke another native language in addition to Italian and German. Of 116 South Tyrolean municipalities , 103 have

9180-473: Was Type A until 1975. Note 2: Company was Type A until 1964. After the 1975 reform the 4th Alpine Army Corps was responsible to defend the Italian border along the main chain of the alps from the Swiss - Austrian -Italian border tripoint in the west to the Italian- Yugoslavian border in the east. In case of war with Yugoslavia the 4th Alpine Army Corps would remain static in its position guarding

9282-452: Was abolished and battalions came under direct command of multi-arms brigades. At the same time the army reduced and realigned its forces and therefore the Tridentina saw some changes to its composition: the 6th Alpini Regiment, 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment, and Mountain Artillery Group "Verona" were disbanded, while the brigade headquarters and the signal company were merged to form the Command and Signal Unit "Tridentina". An anti-tank company

9384-517: Was activated on 1 September 1952 in Brixen and merged with the paratrooper platoons of the other four alpine brigades on 1 April 1964 to form the Alpini Paratroopers Company under direct command of the 4th Army Corps . The same year the 6th Mortar Company was disbanded and its mortars and troops divided among the brigade's three Alpini battalions. On 4 April 1957 the 21st Frontier Defense Regiment in Bruneck

9486-412: Was added to the brigade. It consisted of the battalions: The 21st Frontier Defense Regiment was disbanded on 30 June 1964 with the exception of the "Val Brenta" battalion, which absorbed the companies of the "Val Leogra". The companies of the "Val d'Adige" battalion were transferred to the Alpini Battalion "Val Cismon" of the Alpine Brigade "Cadore" . With 1975 Italian Army reform the regimental level

9588-516: Was created in 1926 after an administrative reorganization of the Kingdom of Italy , and was incorporated together with the province of Trento into the newly created region of Venezia Tridentina ("Trentine Venetia "). With the rise of Italian Fascism , the new regime made efforts to bring forward the Italianization of South Tyrol . The German language was banished from public service, German teaching

9690-486: Was disbanded in 1991. In 1991 the "Val Brenta battalion and the "Asiago" group were disbanded. The Mountain Artillery Group "Vicenza" was transferred to the 4th Alpine Army Corps . With the suppression of the Alpine Brigade "Orobica" in 1991, that brigade's remaining units (Alpini battalions "Morbegno" and "Edolo", Mountain Artillery Group "Bergamo", and the Anti-tank Company) passed to the Tridentina. In August 1992

9792-558: Was officially forbidden, and German newspapers were censored (with the exception of the fascistic Alpenzeitung ). The regime also favoured immigration from other Italian regions. The subsequent alliance between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini declared that South Tyrol would not follow the destiny of Austria, which had been annexed by Nazi Germany . Instead the dictators agreed that the German-speaking population be transferred to German-ruled territory or dispersed around Italy, but

9894-490: Was part of the resistance group around the priest Heinrich Maier , which passed plans and information about production facilities for V-1 rockets , V-2 rockets , Tiger tanks , Messerschmitt Bf 109 , and Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet and other aircraft to the Allies. The group planned for an independent Austria with a monarchical form of government after the war, which would include Austria, Bavaria and South Tyrol. In 1943, when

9996-541: Was raised, the Light Aircraft Unit "Tridentina" was transferred to the newly formed 4th Army Light Aviation Regiment "Altair" of the 4th Army Corps , the Services Grouping "Tridentina" was reorganized as a logistic battalion, and the Alpini Battalion "Bolzano" was reduced to reserve unit. After the Mountain Artillery Group "Verona" had been disbanded and the 1st Heavy Artillery Group "Adige" moved from Verona into

10098-443: Was taken from the name Venezia Tridentina , which was the name invented by the linguist Graziadio Isaia Ascoli for the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and was officially in use for the area between 1919 and 1948. Accordingly, the brigade's coat of arms is based on the coat of arms of the region's capital city Trento . The brigade was based entirely within the region and drew the majority of its recruits from it. The brigade

10200-412: Was tasked to man fortifications in the upper Canal valley. The "Val Tagliamento" 16 Alpini companies for an organic strength of almost 2,500 men. The brigade's three artillery groups had an authorized strength of 610 men and fielded 18 M56 105mm pack howitzers each. The new composition was: After the 1975 reform the 4th Alpine Army Corps was responsible to defend the Italian border along the main chain of

10302-574: Was tasked with defending the Puster Valley , ensuring that invading Warsaw Pact troops would be unable to cut the vital supply line over the Brenner Pass . To aid in the defense of the valley part of the pre-WWII fortifications of the Alpine Wall were reactivated and upgraded. The brigade’s strength was around 4,200 men and initially it was composed of the: The Tridentina was the first Alpini brigade to receive an Alpini Paratroopers Platoon. The platoon

10404-563: Was tasked with defending the Puster valley at all costs. Connected by a low pass to the Drava valley, the Puster valley ends near Brixen , and a Soviet breakthrough there would have cut the important line of communication over the Brenner Pass between the Italian Army and NATO 's Central Army Group in Southern Germany. Furthermore, from Brixen Soviet forces could either turn northwards and attack

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