The initiative called "Project El Alamein, was conceived and coordinated by the University of Padua and the SIGGMI. (Italian Society of Military Geography and Geology) and involves important Italian and Egyptian organizations. Support operation is ensured by 'ANPdI and leave Folgore and the project was sponsored by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
aim of this initiative is to preserve the site of the battle by creating a geographic database in order to create a natural park museum, the historical development of culture and tourism of the area.
We started Jan. 20 and from Malpensa airport in the afternoon we arrived at the English Cemetery at El Alamein. The field is mounted Naqb Rala (front area to the south where he worked largely with the Division Folgore and Pavia).
The next day we head to Altitude 105, where the company was at the 19 th of the seventh battalion near right of the minefield. Here there was perhaps the onslaught of the third battle. In fact, the night of October 23, 1942, units of infantry and one mechanized brigade (3,500 men armed and 80carri) and other specialized units attacked these positions defended by 350 men with a battery against tank platoons and two 47mm mortars. Resisting above all limits, the dawn 19 ^ Cp. and 6 ^ Cp. were destroyed.
Divided into teams, we mapped and surveyed 110 locations. In the afternoon we head to el Qaret Himeimat, two coral hills that appear on a plain that those who were lost to enemy lines. In this position, a handful of heroes has withstood the blows of the artillery until the final epilogue: none surrendered and no one back a meter. return to camp we go Naqb Rala at stations where he was the command of the Fifth Battalion. the 186th Regiment. Continuing where we came Maj. Izzo MOVM and a group of his men stand their ground in the French Legion: I survived the 98 paratroopers in 34. Saturday, January 22
resume the interrupted work on the day before and I realize as the ground is absolutely flat and rocky, and how difficult it was to shelter from the firestorm that swept through the area. Identified a complex benchmark, we arrange for groups to restore the same, digging up the state it was in October of 1942, cataloging the finds, and restoring and making everything visible. In the afternoon we moved to field positions of the 21 ^ Cp. of the Seventh Battalion where we recalled the figure of our hero Siena, the MOVM Roberto Bandini. By sharing we head to where they kill the Deir Alinda MOVM Major Rossi and remember him on his own command post. Here we found the pieces of a slow burning fuse that lit, they were still very efficient. The last visit was made to the hospital in el Abd Qaret also known as "Hospital Brescia, consisting of a series of trenches, underground chambers and the air inlet port protected by jute bags still intact and a high perimeter wall.
The next morning, Sunday, January 23, We shall remove the field and at 8.30 we arrive at the Shrine of El Alamein. We have less than 1 hour and 30 so there we frame and enter on tiptoe, without even breathing. The emotion is strong and deployed before the altar, we begin the ceremony;'ll read the prayer of the Decorated to remind all those who lost their lives in this corner of earth, could hardly hold back tears.
Melancholy and sorrow I've tried looking at the thousands of tombstones that surround the walls of various rooms of the shrine in which are containing the remains of the fallen gravestones and even more impressed with the writing UNKNOWN that are lost to view
d 'eye. L 'experience in the places where, seventy years ago, suffered and sacrificed themselves heroically these men left in me feelings and emotions very difficult to describe.
Driven by a strong lure, the same being able to walk on the sand watching the starry sky, dig the same hole eating the same dust, albeit in very different circumstances, made me understand the serious difficulties that had to operate Our soldiers, responding to problems that often led them to make the sacrifice more extreme. I am sure that such deeds, even if it turned into defeat, must make some amazing victories as proud. In fact, in the belief of the ideals that animate me, this experience has strengthened even more about my principles of devotion to those who fought with honor, without any hesitation doing his duty as a soldier. The emotions were strong and feel in your ceremony, aware and proud that it was my duty to recall all Decorated for Military Valor and the Institute that represents them.
The wonderful experience, although a few days, will be something special and memorable, that I will carry within me all my life, ready as soon as possible. to return to these places to help perpetuate the memory.
Marco Cetoloni (°)
(°) President of the Federation of the Blue Riband of Siena.
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