20th Light Field Artillery Group

The 20th Light Field Artillery Group (20º Grupo de Artilharia de Campanha Leve, 20º GAC L) is a unit of the Brazilian Army, nicknamed "Grupo Bandeirante". It is stationed in Barueri, São Paulo, and is subordinate to the 12th Light Infantry Brigade (Airmobile). The unit was activated on 1 January 1977, when it occupied the facilities of the former 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group in Barueri. On 19 June 1995, it was renamed the 20th Light Field Artillery Group, becoming a pioneer in the Brazilian Army as an airmobile field artillery unit. The Group traces its lineage to two branches of older Brazilian Army units, including the Artillery Corps of Bahia of 1625 and the 4th Howitzer Group created in 1915. It inherited the historical traditions of the III Group 105 FEB, which fought in the Italian campaign during World War II. The unit's official website is hosted at 20gacl.eb.mil.br.

The history of the 20th Light Field Artillery Group can be traced through two branches of older Brazilian Army units. The first branch follows the Artillery Corps of Bahia of 1625, stationed in Salvador, which received various designations over the years. As the 2nd Foot Artillery Battalion, it was moved to Corumbá in 1857 and participated in the Paraguayan invasion that started the War of the Triple Alliance. In 1910, it was moved to Cuiabá as the 3rd Position Artillery Battalion (3º BAP). On 23 February 1915, Decree No. 11,498 restructured the Force. The 4th, 5th and 6th Batteries of the 3rd BAP joined the 6th Group of the 2nd Mounted Artillery Regiment (6º/2º RAM) from Curitiba-PR, forming the 7th Mounted Artillery Regiment (7º RAM) in Itu. There it was renamed the 4th RAM in 1921, and the 2nd 105 Howitzer Regiment (2º RO 105) on 1 January 1951. In March 1973, the 2º RO 105 was split into the 2nd GAC and the 20th GAC. The 20th GAC was activated on 1 January 1977, occupying the facilities of the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group in Barueri. The second branch began on 23 February 1915, when the 4th Howitzer Group (4º GO) was created in Jundiaí, originating from the Howitzer Battery of the 2nd Strategic Brigade of Mato Grosso. In March 1922, as the 2nd Independent Heavy Artillery Group (2º GIAP), it moved to Quitauna (Osasco), then a neighborhood of São Paulo. It was named the 2nd Howitzer Group (1934), the 6th Dorsal Artillery Group (1938) and the I/2nd Self-Towed Howitzer Regiment (1943). Upon joining the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, it was called the III Group 105 FEB. It returned victorious from Italy and, on 15 May 1946, became the I/2nd 105 Howitzer Regiment, stationed at Parque Dom Pedro II, São Paulo-SP, and in July of the same year received the historical designation "Grupo Bandeirante". Its material and constitution were changed to Anti-Aircraft Artillery on 1 January 1951, designated 2º GCanAuAAe, carrying its historical standard, symbol, designation and collection. In 1957, it occupied facilities in Barueri, and in 1973 it was renamed the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group (2º GAAAe). The latter was extinguished, and on 1 January 1977, the 20th GAC from Itu was activated in the Barueri facilities, with personnel from the 2º GAAAe incorporated into it, returning to the origin of field artillery, which allowed it to inherit all the historical tradition of the III Group 105 FEB. On 19 June 1995, the Group was renamed the 20th Light Field Artillery Group (20º GAC L), a pioneer in the Army as an airmobile field artillery unit.

• 1995

  On 19 June, renamed 20th Light Field Artillery Group (20º GAC L), pioneer airmobile field artillery unit.

• 1977

  On 1 January, 20th GAC activated in Barueri, inheriting the traditions of III Group 105 FEB.

• 1973

  2º RO 105 split into 2nd GAC and 20th GAC; 2º GAAAe renamed.

• 1951

  On 1 January, renamed 2nd 105 Howitzer Regiment (2º RO 105) and later converted to anti-aircraft artillery as 2º GCanAuAAe.

• 1946

  On 15 May, became I/2nd 105 Howitzer Regiment; in July received the historical designation "Grupo Bandeirante".

• 1943

  Unit designated I/2nd Self-Towed Howitzer Regiment and later III Group 105 FEB, joining the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in Italy.

• 1915

  Decree No. 11,498 restructured the Force; the 4th Howitzer Group was created in Jundiaí and the 7th Mounted Artillery Regiment was formed in Itu.

• 1857

  2nd Foot Artillery Battalion moved to Corumbá and participated in the War of the Triple Alliance.

• 1625

  Artillery Corps of Bahia established in Salvador, one of the earliest origins of the unit.

A traditional and pioneering airmobile light field artillery unit of the Brazilian Army.

1. 1Request Rejected20gacl.eb.mil.br
2. 220th Light Field Artillery Group - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 320.º Grupo de Artilharia de Campanha Leve - Wikipediapt.wikipedia.org