Bolt Action: Alpini

Renowned as the world’s oldest regiment of mountain troops, the Alpini were formed in 1872 to defend Italy’s mountainous border with France and Austria. These crack troops earned a reputation for being tenacious and creative opponents during the First World War, where they spent three years battling the Austro-Hungarian Kaiserjager and German Alpenkorps for control of the Alpine Front.

By 1936, the Italian Army had five Alpine Divisions, composed of 12 Alpini regiments. All of these regiments, and their accompanying artillery and logistical support would become part of the 1st and 4th Army groups for the invasion of France in 1940.