"Albis ardua"

Constituted on 24^th December 1828 as Dragons of Piedmont Regiment, it assumed the current name on 3^rd January 1832. Included in the Sardinian Army, it fought in the 1^st War of Independence (1848-1849), in Crimea (1855-1856) with the 1^st Squadron and in the 2^nd War of Independence (1859).

Included in the Italian Army, it participated in the Campaign of 1860-1861 in Central and Southern Italy. In 1866 it was in Custoza (3^rd War of Independence) and in 1870 it participated in the operations for the conquest of Rome. It mobilized personnel for the campaign in Eritrea in 1887-1888 and 1895-1896. It sent personnel for the Campaign in Libya in 1911-1912 and since 1916 it participated in the 1^st World War, fighting in the battles of Pozzuolo del Friuli (29^th and 30^th October 1917) and Vittorio Veneto in 1918.

In 1935 the 12^th Rapid Tanks Squadron was constituted and sent to Eritrea. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Regiment participated in the operations of the western alpine front; included in the "Prince Amedeo Duke of Aosta" Rapid Division, it participated in the Campaign of Yugoslavia in 1941 and in the Campaign of Russia in 1942-1943. Returned decimated from the operational theatre, it was surprised by the armistice during the reorganization phase in Emilia.

On 1^st September 1946 it was reconstituted in Coverciano (FI) as 5^th Lancers Explorer Group and soon moved to Codroipo (1^st February 1949). Included in the "Pozzuolo del Friuli" Cavalry Brigade, from Squadrons Group it became a Regiment twice and since 5^th September 1992 it has been reorganized as 5^th "Lancers of Novara" Regiment.

The first missions where it participated in were the "Sicilian Vespers" Operation in 1992 and 1993 as well as the "Restore Hope" Operation in Somalia in 1994. For its high professionalism, sense of duty and responsibility showed in Somalia, the Regiment earned a solemn commendation by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army. Later the Regiment was employed in Bosnia, FYROM (Macedonia), Kosovo, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Sudan).