- Savari
Savari was the designation given to the regular
Libya ncavalry regiments of the Italiancolonial army inTripolitania andCyrenaica . The word "savari" was derived from an Arab-Turkish term for "horsemen".Organisation
First raised in December 1912, these units were recruited from the
Arab -Berber population of the two territories following the Italian occupation in 1911-12. The officers of the fourteen squadrons (twelve line and two command) comprising this corps were nearly all Italian. Their troopers and some of the non-commissioned officers were Berber and Arab volunteers, who had a long tradition of horsemanship.Uniforms
Each squadron was distinguished by a distinctively coloured
sash and farmula (sleeveless jacket) worn with white orkhaki uniforms according to occasion. Sash and farmula colours were yellow, black, crimson, blue, green, red and orange, worn in various combinations according to the unit. Dark red "tachia"fez s of traditional Libyan pattern were worn by all Muslim personnel.History
The Savari formed part of the "Regio Corpo Truppe Coloniali della Libia" (Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops), which included desert and
camel troops , infantry battalions, artillery and irregular cavalry ("Spahis "). The Truppe Coloniali saw extensive service during the Italian conquest of Cyrenaica, which was not completed until 1932. In 1936 Savari and other Libyan units took part in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia.World War II
On the eve of Italy's entry into
World War II the Royal Corps of Libyan Colonial Troops comprised approximately 28,000 locally recruited personnel. They suffered heavy losses during the Battle of Nibeiwa (December 1940) and were formally disbanded in January 1943 following the Italian withdrawal intoTunisia . The role of the Savari and other mounted troops was limited to patrol and scouting work by the demands of modern mechanised warfare.ources
*"Le Uniformi Coloniali Libiche 1912 - 1942" Priero Crocaini and Andrea Viotti.
* "Inside Africa" John Gunther
*"World Armies" John Keegan ISBN 0-333-17236-1
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