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Historical Discussion / Re: Military experience?
« on: February 19, 2013, 05:39:54 pm »
Most of my ancestors who went to war were part of the Alpini corps (Italy's mountain troops).
My great-great grandfathers fought in WW1. One died during the battle for Mt. Ortigara.
During WW2, my grandfather on my dad's side was an airman who was shot down in the early stages of the invasion of Russia. My grandmother's uncle was in the 8th Alpini regiment, Gemona battalion along with my two great-grandfathers. They fought in Albania and Greece. When they were getting back to Italy by ship, a British submarine torpedoed them, killing 800 soldiers out of 1100. My grandmoter's uncle died there. After 30 days of leave, my ancestors were sent to Russia. During the retreat their division suffered massive casualities (only 1200 came back alive, if I recall correctly). Only one of my great-great grandfathers came back.
My great-great grandfathers fought in WW1. One died during the battle for Mt. Ortigara.
During WW2, my grandfather on my dad's side was an airman who was shot down in the early stages of the invasion of Russia. My grandmother's uncle was in the 8th Alpini regiment, Gemona battalion along with my two great-grandfathers. They fought in Albania and Greece. When they were getting back to Italy by ship, a British submarine torpedoed them, killing 800 soldiers out of 1100. My grandmoter's uncle died there. After 30 days of leave, my ancestors were sent to Russia. During the retreat their division suffered massive casualities (only 1200 came back alive, if I recall correctly). Only one of my great-great grandfathers came back.
