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 ... devoted to the difficult fight
against crime as representatives of law and order. The
struggles which have taken place in the cities, small towns
and in the countryside have resulted in numerous heroic acts
and many deaths. The first of these was Carabiniere Giovanni
Boccaccio, who was killed during a violent exchange of fire
with dangerous criminals near Vernante, Cuneo on 23rd April
1815 after only 9 month from Force's constitution.
Of all these anti-crime operations, particular mention should be
made of those which took place in Upper Novarese, Asti Region, the
Cuneo and Ivrea countryside which were particularly hostile
areas.
In 1834 the young Carabiniere, Giovanni Battista Scapaccino, killed
in action, was posthumously awarded the first Gold Medal for
Military Valour ever bestowed on the Armed Forces. During the years
that followed, the Carabinieri continued to work for security and
national law and order for the public.
In 1856, Cambilargiu from Osilo, Sassari, head of a band of outlaws
which had terrorized the local countryside and nearby towns was
captured. Between 1860 and 1870 a vast operation was undertaken in
the southern provinces of the region against crime and banditry
resulting in a long term campaign during which 361 Carabinieri were
killed and 516 injured.
By the end of the nineteenth century the fight against banditry was
concentrated on many notorious criminals on a daily basis
especially in the centre and south of Italy. Of all the military
personnel who took part in these operations Captain Chiaffredo
Bergia is particularly remembered. He was awarded the Knights Cross
of the Italian Military Order and the Gold Medal for Military
Valour for his involvement in several incidents of exchange of fire
in the Abruzzo region with some of the most dangerous bandits of
that time.
After the First World War between 1924 and 1933 banditry was
concentrated in Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria. The Carabinieri
frequently valiantly fought in bloody gunfights. During this period
the Force was committed to the fight against mafia organizations
cleansing vast areas of arbitrary vendettas and murders.
After the Second World War there was an outburst of various forms
of banditry concentrated above all on the islands, particularly in
Sicily. The operations against the Giuliano Band became a real
military campaign. In the following years the Carabinieri Force
continued in its quest against crime guaranteeing the safety and
security of the population. As a testimony to this, an enduring
fight against everyday crime, political eversion and mafia
activities, common in the south of Italy, still continues today and
has cost the Force many lives.
As well as its military and crime fighting skills, the Carabinieri
Force is well known by the public for its humanitarianism aid and
assistance to the public, sometimes resulting in extreme sacrifice.
Gradually, over the years the aura of trust has grown around the
image of the members of the Carabinieri as well as the spirit of
devotion and loyalty by which they are still recognized
today.
Incidents which have cost the lives of Carabinieri include the
earthquakes at Casamicciola in 1833, Messina in 1915, Marsica in
1915 and Vulture in 1930; floods and storms which inflicted the
Polesine Region, the Ferrara plains, the Po Valley and other
Italian regions among which Sicily and Sardinia in 1951; violent
snowstorms throughout Italy in 1956 which isolated hundreds of
towns and villages which were left without food or medical
assistance and were aided by Carabinieri Units. In the earthquake
in Irpinia in 1962, the dam burst at Vajont in 1966 where the town
of Longarone was submerged underwater; the disastrous flood of 1966
which flooded the countryside and the surrounding populated areas
including Florence. The earthquakes at Belice in 1968, Ancona in
1972, Friuli in 1976, Campania and Basilicata in 1980;
hydrogeological instability in the Valley of the Fiemme in 1986,
Valtellina in 1987, Piemont and Emilia Romagna in 1994 and Valley
of Lauro in 1998. On these occasions the Carabinieri proved that
generosity is their essential characteristic.
For its service in natural disasters, in assistance to the public
and care of the environment and historical heritage the Colours
were awarded 7 Gold and 1 Silver Medal for Civic Valour, 5 Gold
Medals for Merit and 4 Gold Medals for Merit in Public
Healthcare.
The Carabinieri Museum, situated in Rome and containing many
artefacts, was founded with contributions made by all Italian Local
Authorities as a testimony of their respect, gratitude and
recognition of the Force.
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