Page 157 - La Grande Guerra dei Carabinieri - Flavio CARBONE

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dell’Arma. In definitiva, se da una parte la fine delle ope- vivere una delle fasi più drammatiche della propria bre-
razioni militari avrebbe fatto sperare ad un ritorno alla ve storia comune. In tutte queste vicende, i Carabinieri
vita ordinaria, la crisi sociale, economica e politica degli rappresentarono uno degli elementi di stabilità, di garan-
anni successivi, la grave emergenza sanitaria con l’epi- zia di legalità, secondo le norme dell’epoca, e di umanità
demia di spagnola e la difficile situazione internazionale e di equilibrio che sarebbero mancati ad altri organismi
costituirono gli elementi che condussero alla fine dell’e- amministrativi e istituzionali saldamente nelle mani del
sperienza liberale e all’ascesa di caricature teatrali che fascismo stabilitosi al potere.
avrebbero portato, nel lungo periodo, il nostro Paese a Flavio Carbone

end of the First World War
Carabinieri and the end

he Carabinieri played an important role in the retreat maneuver following the breaking into
the Italian front line in Caporetto (24 October 1917). The Carabinieri from the mobilized
T sections and platoons assigned to the Army units and Carabinieri territorial commands
were engaged in rearguard fighting and on the fortified frontline along the Torre river, in
the defence of Udine, and along the Tagliamento river; specifically, they proved essen-
tial in restoring order in the units that were retreating confusedly, in keeping the roads
clear, and in providing assistance to the fleeing population. The ability to stop the Aus-
tro-Hungarian army on the Piave line allowed the Army to deploy numerous units to
the front, which distinguished themselves the following year in the Second Battle of the
Piave River and in the subsequent breakthrough into and capture of Vittorio Veneto.
The armistice, the enemy’s unconditional surrender, was signed at 3 p.m. on 3 No-
th
vember 1918 at Villa Giusti, just outside Padua, in the presence, among others, of the
Carabinieri.
On 29 January 1920, upon its return from the front, the Flag of the Carabinieri was
awarded the first Gold Medal of Military Valour for its contribution to achieving victory
in World War I. The medal was granted by the Decree of 5 June 1920. Since 1921, June 5 has
th
th
been the date on which the Carabinieri celebrates the anniversary of its foundation.