Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" (8th)  The Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" (8th) ( - "Lancers of Montebello") is a cavalry regiment of the Italian Army based in Rome in Lazio. The regiment was raised on 16 September 1859 in Voghera as Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Montebello" with a three squadrons transferred from the regiments "Cavalleggeri di Novara", "Cavalleggeri di Aosta", and "Cavalleggeri di Monferrato", which had all three distinguished themselves in the Battle of Montebello four months earlier, making the "Lancieri di Montebello" the only Italian Army cavalry regiment named after a battle. Already in 1860 the regimented changed from a Chevau-léger unit to a Lancer unit. During World War I the regiment served on the Italian Front and disbanded after the war on 20 May 1920. On 15 July 1942 a reconnaissance group was raised, which received the name "Lancieri di Montebello". After Italy changed sides with the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 the group, together with the 12th Infantry Division "Sassari", 21st Infantry Division "Granatieri di Sardegna", and 135th Armored Division "Ariete II", defended Rome against Wehrmacht forces. On 16 September the Granatieri, Lancieri di Montebello, remnants of the Sassari and hundreds of civilians fell back to Porta San Paolo for a last stand. By 17:00 the Germans broke the line of the Italian defenders, who had suffered 570 dead. Soon after the units surrendered to the Germans as the flight of the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III from Rome had made further resistance senseless. For their role in the defence of the Rome the 1st Regiment "Granatieri di Sardegna" and the "Lancieri di Montebello" were each awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valour. On 1 January 1950 the Squadrons Group "Lancieri di Montebello" was raised, which on 1 May 1951 was expanded to 8th Armored Cavalry Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello". On 4 November 1958 the regiment returned to use its traditional title: Regiment "Lancieri di Montebello" (8th). The regiment consisted of three squadrons groups equipped with M47 Patton tanks and M113 armored personnel carriers.