In 2014-15, I worked in ISAF/RS HQ in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Italian Regiment(s) were predominantly in Herat and their Alpini Liaisons at the HQ were quite professional and an honor to work with. The members brought with them, and occasionally wore their distinct Cappello hat. When asked about them, the pride was evident.
Michael
My Wifes Great Grandfathers were both Alpini, coming from a small Italian village (Picinisco) in the Mountains it was their natural Habitat, they were in the Alps fighting against the Austro-Hungarians.
---------- Post added at 07:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:03 PM ----------
By the way... Thanks to all of you for not "scolding" me for a bit of pride shown in my original post.
I really feel that way! And most of my pals too.
The bonds born during that experience are incredible!
Ovidio, has there been much success in finding the graves of Alpinis lost in Russia during WW2, in more recent years, in the same way that the graves of many German soldiers have been found and moved to a new cemetery in Russia? Obviously everything has been on hold since February because of the war in Ukraine.
I think we got quite a few of those who died as prisoners. Most were however lost during the long withdrawal. Not many could be regularly buried, so I guess most of them were not recovered at all. But I’ll try to find out if the Russians ever put the dead soldiers they found in some kind of cemetery, or if they just dumped them in mass graves.
PM
