The Alpini Paratroopers Battalion "Monte Cervino" is a Special Forces unit of the Italian Army.

The battalion served in the Greco-Italian War, during which it distinguished itself and was awarded its second Silver Medal of Military Valor.

In January 1942, the Skiers Battalion "Monte Cervino" was sent to Eastern Front, where it served with the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia.

For its bravery and sacrifice in the Soviet Union the Skiers Battalion "Monte Cervino was awarded a Gold Medal of Military Valor.

[3][4] At the outbreak of World War I, the Alpini speciality consisted of eight regiments, which fielded 26 battalions with 79 companies.

After Italy's initial declaration of neutrality, 38 additional Alpini companies were formed during the autumn of 1914 with men, who had completed their military service in the preceding four years.

In November and December of the same year, the battalion was tasked to defend Monte Fior in the Melette massif on the Asiago plateau against a renewed Austrian attack.

For its service and sacrifice during the war the Alpini Battalion "Monte Cervino" was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor for its conduct on Cima Bisorte during the Austro-Hungarian Asiago Offensive in May 1916, its conduct at Bodrež and on Monte Vodice during the Tenth Battle of the Isonzo in May 1917, and for fighting to its annihilation in the Melette massif.

The two battalions were immediately sent to Albania, where the Italian front was crumbling under heavy Greek attacks during the Greco-Italian War.

[3][4][6][7] On the evening of 17 January 1943, the Alpine Army Corps commander, General Gabriele Nasci, ordered a full retreat.

The 40,000-strong mass of stragglers — Alpini and Italians from other commands, plus German and Hungarians — followed the "Tridentina", which led the way westwards to the new Axis lines.

On the morning of 26 January 1943, the spearheads of the "Tridentina" reached the hamlet of Nikolayevka, occupied by the Soviet 48th Guards Rifle Division.

General Nasci ordered a frontal assault and by nightfall the troops of the "Tridentina" division had managed to break through the Soviet lines.

On 1 February 1943, when the remnants of the Alpine Army Corps reached Axis lines, the Skiers Battalion "Monte Cervino" was down to a handful of men.

The XX Skiers Grouping was attached to the 5th Alpine Division "Pusteria", which was on occupation duty in Southern France in the Alpes-Maritimes.

After the announcement of the Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943 invading German forces disbanded the XX Skiers Grouping and its battalions.

[3][4] During the Cold War, the IV Army Corps ordered its five brigades to form Alpini Paratrooper platoons.