Russian soil and water of the Don
as bastions of a tragedy choral
Nikolajewka Inauguration of National Monument, dedicated to the fallen of all the homelands in the countryside of Russia (1941-1943)
A Soave, May 24, 2009
A unique monument in Italy was inaugurated by representatives of five countries: Italy, Germany, Romania, Russia, Hungary
April 28, 2009, Soave. Unfurled flags of five nations on the memory of Nikolajewka. A Soave, on 24 May, representatives of the five nations involved on the Russian front in World War II - Italy, Romania, Russia, Germany and Hungary - will participate in the inauguration ceremony of the national monument dedicated to the fallen of all the homelands in the countryside of Russia (1941-1943).
The appointment is for 9:30 in via Foscolo, in Soave. After the flag hoisting, the morning will continue with the blessing of the monument, the greetings of the authorities and foreign delegations, and the commemoration by the General Luigi Federici CA.
will bring his testimony Giobatta Danda, Nikolajewka silver medal, while the godmother of the day will be Imelda Queen, wife of the doctor Enrico Reginato, who was taken prisoner during the retreat and went home ten years after the war ended in 1955 .
presidents Unirr Ana and the Flame will enter the gratitude of associations and veterans organizations and arms.
"The monument - Gaston says Savio, past-president of the Rotary Club Verona Soave - is a testament not only to the fallen Italian, who sacrificed themselves for their country, but also to the fallen Russians, Germans, Hungarians and Romanians. All close in choral tragedy of the Campaign of Russia (1941-1943). Wants to be a message of peace to the nations, - remembering the cruel events related to the war events of the time - want to live in a spirit of brotherhood and human solidarity. It is a memory, finally, a dramatic chapter of history, which cost the lives of more than thousands of soldiers and that is relatively recalled. "
"The choice of Gentle as a place to erect the monument was not random - he explains the town's mayor Lino Gambaretto -: in 1942, hence left for Russia a contingent of Alpine, compared to those from other places Alpine recruitment, resulted in the highest percentage. Very few of them returned to "lodge". The idea, therefore, was greeted with enthusiasm and the City has provided the land on which to build the monument and a reasonable contribution. "
The initiative was also welcomed by veterans associations (Unirr, Ana, UNUCI, Assoarma, Anupsa, combatants and veterans) and the provinces of Verona and Mantua. The Veneto Region has also helped with funding of € 33 thousand for the execution of the work (which took 70 thousand euro). The Rotary clubs in District 2060 have taken the burden of most of the masonry and statuary group. The project executive, finally, both of the works is the bronze group are the work of Colonel and engineer Gaetano De Nicolo, who lent his work for free.
The idea to erect the monument was created three years ago, during a crowded commemoration of the Battle of Nikolajewka Sveva at court, in Soave. The Rotary Club Verona Soave avanzò allora la proposta di erigere il monumento a tutti i caduti della campagna di Russia.
La posa della prima pietra è avvenuta nel giugno scorso: una manciata di terra di Nikolajewka è stata mescolata a quella italiana, con acqua del Don. Il tutto è stato coperto ora dal monumentale complesso, la cui parte centrale misura sei metri di lunghezza e quasi cinque di altezza. Su una base ottagonale è stato collocato un gruppo bronzeo, composto da un uomo che ne sostiene un altro. Alle loro spalle un arco, a ricordare il sottopasso ferroviario di Nikolajewka, ricostruito con forme a materiali analoghi a quello originario. Era il passaggio obbligato lungo la strada che riportava in Patria. Costituì il fulcro della battaglia. All’uscita affected many soldiers were killed by the intense enemy fire, which was waiting for them "to the gate." The price paid was enormous.
