Pistoia hosts commemorations for 84th anniversary of Battle of El Alamein

The 84th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein was commemorated at the Marcello Melani municipal stadium in Pistoia. The ceremony honored the Italian paratroopers and various divisions—including Ariete, Littorio, Pavia, Brescia, Bologna, Trento, and Trieste—that resisted enemy attacks in October 1942.

Attendees included the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Senator Isabella Rauti, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Carmine Masiello, alongside civil and military authorities. During the ceremony, the Undersecretary emphasized the courage of the soldiers who faced extreme temperatures and inadequate supplies while resisting armored offensives.

Historical accounts of the battle highlight the harsh desert environment, where soldiers lived in hand-dug pits categorized as either 'rest pits' or 'combat pits.' These makeshift shelters were essential for survival against the desert climate and the rigors of combat.