the editorial team
The President of Gotica toscana aps Luca Faini and the Secretary Filippo Spadi, accompanied by other enthusiasts, visited the El-Alamein Desert, a place that testifies to the courage and resilience of Italian soldiers during the Second World War. At Quota 105, where the Italian tricolor still flies today, there is the Massoni stronghold of the 185th Folgore Parachute Regiment. On this site, on 23 and 24 October 1942, a single 47/32 artillery piece resisted for hours against the advance of English tanks, a symbol of Italian tenacity.
The excavations of the stronghold, carried out in 2011 by members of Gotica Toscana as part of the "El Alamein Project", confirmed the details handed down by the survivors' stories. Participating in this re-enactment was an honor and a privilege, an experience full of palpable emotions only for those who had the opportunity to walk on those sands steeped in history.
Next May 11th, a garden in Sant'Antioco (SU) will be named after Carlo Massoni, paratrooper artilleryman and Silver Medal for Military Valor, in a gesture of recognition that underlines the importance of the sacrifice and value of these heroes.
If you don't know the history of El Alamein and want to learn more, here are some readings that might interest you:
- “El Alamein: The Line of Fire” by Alessandro Barbero, which offers a detailed analysis of the battle and its protagonists.
- “War has no woman's face” by Svetlana Alexievich, for a different perspective on war experiences, including the stories of those who lived on the North African front.
There are endless food for thought for a greater understanding of the historical importance of events such as those experienced in El Alamein. Thanks to everyone who helped make this initiative possible. Gotica Toscana aps continues to work to keep the memory of Italian soldiers alive through research and commemoration activities.
