1st Alpine Division "Taurinense"

1st Alpine Division "Taurinense"
1st Alpine Division "Taurinense" insignia
ActiveSeptember 10, 1935 – September 10, 1943
Country Kingdom of Italy
Branch Royal Italian Army
TypeAlpini
RoleMountain Infantry
Size17,460 men
Garrison/HQTurin
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Lorenzo Vivalda
Insignia
Identification
symbol

Taurinense Division gorget patches

The 1st Alpine Division "Taurinense" (Italian: 1ª Divisione alpina "Taurinense") was a division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II, which specialized in mountain warfare. The Alpini that formed the division are a highly decorated and elite mountain corps of the Italian Army consisting of both infantry and artillery units. Today, the traditions and name of the 1st Alpine Division "Taurinense" are carried on by the Alpine Brigade "Taurinense". The headquarters of the division was in the city of Turin and the majority of its soldiers were drafted from the surrounding Province of Turin — therefore the division was named "Taurinense" for the Roman name of the city of Turin Augusta Taurinorum.