In 1860, the Plebiscite sanctioned the annexation of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to the Kingdom of Italy. Until this date the Tuscan Army consisted of three Infantry Regiments each of two Infantry Battalions and one of the elite Grenadier Battalions. On 4 May 1861, "the Sardinian Army" was reconfigured into the "Royal Italian Army" incorporating the troops and militias of the annexed territories. In particular, in 1862, the Tuscan departments were included in the Royal Italian Army, reconfigured into two Grenadier Regiments, the 7th and 8th in the "Granatieri di Toscana" Brigade (similar to the 1st and 2nd "Granatieri di Sardegna", 3rd and 4th “Granadiers of Lombardy” and 5th and 6th “Granadiers of Naples”.
On 1 April 1871, two Grenadier Regiments of the Tuscany Brigade changed their name to the 77th and 78th "Tuscany" Infantry Regiment following a general reorganization of the Royal Italian Army.
In 1895, the 78th Regiment participated in the battle of Adua in Etopia and in 1911 and 1912 it participated in the Libya campaign.
During the First World War in May 1915, with the rest of the "Tuscany Brigade", the regiment was deployed in the Giudicarie sector. On 20 October 1915, it conquered Monte Melino. It is here that the enemy, dismayed, called the implacable infantrymen of the "Tuscan Brigade" "Wolves". On 6 August 1916, the 78th quickly and decisively overcame the enemy defenses of Sabotino, inflicting serious losses on the enemy and capturing numerous prisoners. For this heroic attack, it was awarded with the Silver Medal for Military Valor.
On 3 November 1916, ("date of the Regiment’s celebration") with a brilliant attack, the soldiers of the 78th conquered the Dosso Faiti (in the Gorizia Karst).
From 23 to 28 May 1917, the 78th carried out brilliant actions on the Flondar viaduct and on the slopes of the Hermada up to the mouth of the Timavo.
In December 1917, it gained the second Silver Medal for the Valor and courage shown in facing the enemy advance on the lines of the Col del Rosso – Col di Echele (on the Asiago Plateau). In 1918, it covered itself with glory on several occasions, and for the magnificent qualities of valor demonstrated by the 78th throughout the First World War, the Regimental Flag was awarded with the maximum reward for Military Valor: the Gold Medal and granted the Cross of Knight of the Military Order of Savoy.
In December 1923, the 78th received the certificate of Public Merit from the Minister of the Interior for having helped the populations affected by the flooding of the Gleno dams in Val Dezzo.
During the Second World War from 10 January to 6 October 1941, it fought on the Greco-Albanian front, where it was almost completely annihilated twice. There were many heroic deeds, including those carried out in the Mali Taronine area where, even without the support of heavy weapons, it vehemently attacked the enemy six times superior in number and armament to lighten the enemy pressure on the “Julia” Division. Again, in the Klisura area, where at the cost of indescribable sacrifices and losing almost half of his forces, it managed to first contain and then to stop the enemy's attack.
After being reconstituted, from 11 November to 4 September 1942, it was deployed to France, in the Marseille area. On 8 September, the Regiment moved towards Rome in order to defend the Capital.
On 13 September 1943, following agreements between the Rome Military Command and the German authorities, the Regiment was disbanded with military honors and the Flag was taken to the “Vittoriano”.
On 1 April 1947, the 78th Rgt. "Lupi di Toscana" was reconstituted in Florence, in the "General Ferrante Gonzaga" barracks, Scandicci, and on 1 December 1958 became part of the "Friuli" Brigade. From November 1966 to March 1967, the Regiment did its utmost to help the population of Florence hit by a catastrophic flood and deserved another certificate of public merit from the Minister of the Interior.
From 1979 to 1995, the 78th participated in the surveillance of the Bologna – Florence railway line; it became part of the Rapid Intervention Force (F.I.R.) and participated in the related training activities; it took part to the Pantelleria island crisis. It participated, with the “Friuli” Brigade, in several exercises in Aspromonte. During the First Gulf War, it provided security to sensitive targets in Italy. Later on, it participated with his men to the Operation "Vespri Siciliani".
Furthermore, in 1993 the “Lupi di Toscana” Regiment operated in Somalia (UN Operation “Ibis”), carrying out humanitarian assistance and Freedom of Movement operations. During its rotation, it was subject of six attacks by Somali guerrillas. The 78th Regiment was, therefore, the first Italian Unit, with the "Folgore" Paratroops Brigade, to be engaged in combat after the Second World War. Having discovered a large clandestine deposit of weapons and ammunition, the Wolves were involved in a heavy fight ended with the seizure of weapons. For excellent behavior in Somalia, the Army Silver Medal for Valor was awarded to the Flag.
On 5 September 1995, following the restructuring of the Italian Army, the Regiment was disbanded and the Flag was taken to the “Vittoriano” Flag Museum, at the “Altare della Patria”, in Rome.
1 July 1998, the Regiment is reconstituted, as a Volunteer Training Regiment in Scandicci and the Flag returned to Florence to be witness to the glories of the Wolves of all times.
On 28 March 2008, the Regiment was dismantled again. The Flag was brought to the “Vittoriano” Flag Museum in Rome.
As of 1 July 2019, following the change of denomination of the "Friuli" Division, it was renamed into "Vittorio Veneto" Headquarters Support Group Regiment.
From 1 October 2022, it was renamed the 78th Headquarters Support Group Regiment "Lupi di Toscana".
​ Today, the glorious Flag of the 78th is back to its hometown, Florence.
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