Individual

PICCININI Vittorio

Infantry Captain, 133^rd Tank Regiment

Tank M.14/41 Company Commander. In spite of the critical tactical situation, the improper means and the difficult environmental conditions, he headed the company with impulse against armoured forces, contributing to the success thanks to a skilful manoeuvre. After the fall of three-quarters of the Officers and of the battalion Commander he substituted him and he pursued the enemy through the surviving tanks. Seriously burnt, wounded in the throat and in the chest, he continued the action dedicating his life to the honour of the Italian armies, confirming his values of capable and valorous commander as in the previous war campaigns.

Northern Africa, October 1942.

BRANDI Ferruccio

Lieutenant (Reserve Officer), 187^th Paratrooper Regiment, "Folgore" Division

Paratrooper platoon Commander, attacked by armoured forces, with his heroic example he incited the soldiers to defend their position. Surpassed by tanks, he gathered the survivors and headed them in a furious counterassault, forcing the enemy infantries to move backwards followed by the armoured means. He was attacked again by the tanks but he managed to inflect several casualties; after having finished the anti-tank munitions, he launched himself against one of the tanks and he put it on fire through an incendiary bottle. In the courageous endeavour he was hit by machine-gun fire that removed his mandible; despite his serious health conditions, with pain he continued to head his soldiers inciting them to fight. Thanks to his stoicism and combative spirit he managed to save the competed position and got the enemy admiration for having protracted the resistance over the human possibilities. His admired and proud paratroopers asked for the highest reward for him.

El Munassib (Northern Africa), 24^th October 1942.

GOLA Marco

Tenant (Reserve Officer), 186^th Paratrooper Infantry Regiment, "Folgore" Division

Paratrooper artillery Officer with great professional and moral qualities, he asked to be part of a paratrooper battalion. Because of the needy life in the desert he contracted a disease and he was hospitalized but he escaped to participate in the conflicts where the battalion was involved. He faced the enemy attack keeping calm and supervising the shot of his mortars. During a violent and dangerous attack preceded by intense artillery shots of the enemy forces' tanks, he substituted the fire artillery barrage through his mortars, hammering the enemy while it was moving towards. After the counterattack by the Italian paratroopers took shape, he hit the enemy and disoriented it. Even if he was injured twice, he continued to fight; wounded for the third time, he refused to be helped by his paratroopers and he incited them to fight. Aware of his imminent death, he was calm and strong, proud of his battalion. After a few hours he died, finishing his generous existence.

Egypt, NaqbRala (El Alamein), 23^rd–24^th October 1942.

GAMBAUDO Giovanni

First Lieutenant (Reserve Officer), 186^th Paratrooper Regiment, "Folgore" Division

Commander of advanced centre, all night long he was attacked by armoured and motorized forces but he managed to stop the enemy at its positions through the shot of his weapons; in that way he stopped the enemy offensive causing several losses. Even if he was wounded, at the dawn he carried out a counterassault with the survivors, in order to lighten the pressure along the lateral resistance areas. Almost without soldiers and wounded a second time, he resumed the fire through the remaining weapons. Wounded for the third time he refused to surrender; he was shooting the last loader when he died after being hit for the fourth time, shouting: "Folgore dies but it does not surrender! Long life to Italy!"

Qaret el Himmeimat (A.S.), 23^rd – 24^th October 1942

PIRLONE Dario

Major Sergeant, 185^th "Folgore" Artillery Regiment

In facing an enemy infantry tank formation, he managed to cause losses to the enemy by catching the soldiers of a tank that was hit. Later his vehicle was immobilized, his soldiers were injured as also himself, but he incited his men to fight using grenades and daggers. Despite he was seriously injured, he shot his last bullets against the enemy and, shouting "You never catch me alive – Long life to Italy!", he died bravely.

El Alamein (A.S.), 24^thOctober 1942

BANDINI Roberto

Lieutenant (Reserve Officer), 186^th Infantry Regiment, "Folgore" Division

Commander of a fire centre along the resistance line, attacked by motorized forces supported by artillery shot, he counterattacked stopping the enemy and to re-establish the situation. He was wounded but he continued to command the centre under enemy pressure. He was attacked again but, in spite of numerous losses, he resisted and counterassaulted violently. Seriously wounded again, he persisted in the battle inciting his valorous paratroopers to fight following his heroic example. Hit for the third time he continued the action until he died on the position that he had competed for tenaciously against the enemy for three days. Example of legendary heroism, he died shouting "Go forward, Folgore! Long life to Italy".

Quota 125 of Qaret el Him Meimat (Egypt), 23^rd– 25^thOctober 1942.

CAPPELLETTO Giuseppe

Paratrooper, 186^th  "Folgore" Paratrooper Regiment

Dispatch rider in an advanced centre attacked by an armoured enemy, since the beginning of the battle he moved forward daringly in order to give certain information. Despite he was wounded, he persisted in his task and came back to the centre carrying on his shoulders a wounded soldier; he was treated but he refused to leave his fighting position. When his centre remained isolated he offered to inform the company commander about the situation: on a completely exposed land where he was under the enemy shot, he carried out this second mission and, despite he was injured again, he came back to the centre to resume the battle. After the centre was completely surrounded and the survivors were forced to go towards the trench limit, he was the spirit of the resistance; he refused to surrender and continued to fight until when he died after having been hit by a grenade.

Quota 125 of Qaret el Himmcimat (A.S.), 23^rd - 25^th October 1942.

LUSTRISSIMI Gerardo

Paratrooper, 186^th Infantry Regiment, "Folgore" Division

Responsible of blockading the crossing to a minefield, attacked by the violent and continuous fire of the artillery, for more than 24 hours he used his special vehicle to impede the passage of the enemy tanks. Finished the flame thrower liquid, he continued to fight throwing anti-tank bottles until when he was wounded and captured by the enemy. After having been released, he fought bravely with other soldiers against the sentinels and they managed to return on our lines. He retook his place of combat and, even if he was wounded again, he went on fighting. Used up all the munitions and encircled by the enemy tanks, he refused to surrender and threw an unearthed mine under the peak tank; hit by the blaze and the splinters after the explosion, he died gloriously, as an example of supreme heroism.

Northern Africa, 23^rd – 25^th October 1942.

PISTILLO Nicola

Paratrooper Sergeant, 186^th "Folgore" Infantry Regiment

During a bloody battle, responsible of defending an important position, he resisted tenaciously to the attacks for more than 24 hours. He noticed that the enemy armoured forces and the assault troops were encircling a fire centre along his side; he decided to help his companions with a group of men and, thanks to his daring, the cold weapons and anti-tank bottles, he managed to enter the position. There he found the Officer commander dead and gathered the few defender survivors carrying out a counterassault with them. Wounded again, he maintained his position. In front of a new enemy offensive, he refused to surrender  and headed his soldiers in an assault shouting "Folgore dies but it does not surrender". After having been hit seriously, he died on the position that he had defended tenaciously.

Northern Africa, 23^rd – 25^th October 1942.

PONZECCHI Dario

Major Corporal, 185^th "Folgore" Paratrooper Infantry Regiment

At the lookout post beyond a minefield in order to prevent the removal of mines, during a fog cannons shot he move forward for verifications. He was ambushed but he was involved in a full contact fight shouting to the position defenders to open the fire on the area where he was in order to prevent the removal of the mines. He died as example of high sense of duty and stoic determination.

Northern Africa, 26^th October 1942.

RUSPOLI, Prince of PoggioSuasa Costantino

Cavalry Captain, 187^th  "Folgore" Paratrooper Regiment  

Commander of a paratrooper company employed as infantry in defending an important isolated citadel in the desert, although he was ill, he supported an artillery preparation and then the courageous attack to armoured enemy forces. While the enemy was retreating without defeating the heroic resistance of the defenders, the brave commander died during the counterassault hit to the chest by a series of a machine gun, shouting to his men "Hurray Italy". Proud commander and example soldier contributed in giving the glory to the name of the "Folgore" Division.

Deir El Munassib (El Alamein), 26^th – 27^th October 1942​

SIMONI Gastone

Cavalry Captain, 187^th "Folgore" Paratrooper Regiment

Volunteer in paratrooper units, he hid the pains of a previous war infirmity to remain with his men during a battle; for several days he faced the enemy infantry and the armoured vehicles under continuous land and aerial bombings, forcing them to retreat. Because of the serious danger in which the deployment was he decided to counterassault. He headed his few soldiers in an attack against the tanks, managing to arrest some enemies and push back others. In chasing them he died for the safety of the area. Notable example of dedication to his duty.

Western Egyptian Desert, 23^rd – 27^thOctober 1942

CESARONI Giacomo

Paratrooper, 187^th "Folgore" Infantry Regiment

Dispatch rider in a company, during an intense preparation fire of the enemy, he ensured the connections between the Command and the fire centres. During an attack, even if he was wounded, he carried out dangerous missions. Wounded again, he refused to be helped and offered to bring a message to the battalion command. When he came back, wounded for the third time in passing through an exposed area, immobilized in the legs and moving with his arms, he took on the command of the company and delivered the received order. Feeling he was dying, he said to his commander that he was happy to sacrifice his life for Italy but sad not to be able to serve it more.

Deir El Munassib (A.S.), 29^th October 1942.

FRANCHI Leandro

Paratrooper, 186^th "Folgore" Infantry Regiment

A war volunteer, in a lot of dangerous actions he was always an example for his army friends. During an enemy attack against his unit, he was wounded in different parts of his body and was imprisoned. In spite of the physical disablement, he managed to free some of his captured friends and to reach our lines with a seriously wounded Officer on the shoulders and another one blind guided by the hand. Captured again during a violent battle, he tried to escape but he was seriously injured. After he regained consciousness, he took the revolver of a fallen soldier and returned to his unit. Paralyzed in the right limbs, almost blind, he was an example of worthy altruism and high personal valour.

Northern Africa, November 1942

STARACE Giovanni

Paratrooper Lieutenant (Reserve Officer), "Folgore" Division

Paratrooper cadet with enthusiasm, after having lost the left arm and shoulder during an exercise and aware of the danger, he insisted until when he obtained to continue the launches to be as the others in dangers, inconveniences and in the battle. Unfit for the war efforts but with a strong warlike spirit, he went with his paratrooper unit to the front; there he worked hard in carrying out difficult and essential tasks. He represented an example of patriotism and sense of duty. In a very critical moment of the battle, when the unit was encircled by the enemy forces, he passed obstacles for several days and nights in order to salvage precious materials. During a more intense enemy bombing, after having left casual refuges, he saved a serious wounded with the survivor arm. Hit in the head, he fell unconscious. He was helped and taken to a field hospital, while he insisted to return to his unit.

Northern Africa, July-November 1942

ANDRIOLO Antonio

Paratrooper Major Corporal, 186^th "Folgore" Paratrooper Infantry Regiment 

Commander of 81-mortars company, located at the lookout post in front of the crossing of a minefield, during a violent battle he did his best for a prompt use of the weapons, keeping up the moral of his men against the tenacious efforts of the enemy that wanted to take possession of the crossing. After having been wounded he refused the treatments remaining at his positions. In the retreatment phase, he responded through the mortars to the enemy that asked for the surrender; in that way he forced the exploring means to escape. He incited the companions to resist and he left his position to better direct the shot but he was hit by a grenade. To his companions rushed to help him, he indicated the weak points of the enemy and just before dying he ordered: "Shoot!". He was a sublime example of self-denial beyond life.

Quota 125 of Qark ci Himeimat, Quota 146 of Rain Pool, 23^rdOctober – 4^thNovember 1942​

BRUNO Pietro

Second Lieutenant (Reserve Officer), 132^nd Infantry Tank Regiment

Commander of M.14/41 tank platoon, with great valour marked the way to the glory and the sacrifice. During an offensive reconnaissance, attacked by numerous armoured enemy groups, he headed his unit in fearless manoeuvres. Although he was wounded to the right shoulder, he continued the violent action with admirable perseverance until the mission ended. He refused to be sent to the base in view of the new employment of his tank drivers. The following day, during blooding conflicts against the armoured forces, he supported and incited his companions with his firmness and marked aggressive spirit. Chosen for his boldness in protecting the battalion manoeuvre, he launched himself with his platoon against the enemy disposition. Aware and proud for the dangerous mission, hanged out of the turret inciting the soldiers. He insisted in his movement causing losses among the surprised enemy. Hit to the forehead by a grenade slivers, he remained at his positions, persisting in the action. After his armoured means was hit, he died in the blaze of the tank.

Bir el Abd (A.S.), 3^rd – 4^th November 1942

RUSPOLI Marescotti Carlo of the princes of Poggio Suasa

Lieutenant Colonel, 186^th "Folgore" Paratrooper Cavalry Regiment 

Paratrooper grouping Commander, wounded for two times in passing through the minefield he remained at the line with his braves. Attacked by armoured forces, present where the battle was more violent, calm and impassive under the artillery bombings, he was the spirit of the resistance and a shining example for his men. He died, closing heroically a life of intrepid soldier and proud commander, all dedicated to the greatness of his Nation.

Northern Africa, Summer 1942; Camel Pass (El KattaraValley), 24^th October 1942​

PASCUCCI Luigi

Lieutenant, 132^nd "Ariete" Tank Infantry Regiment 

Tank company Commander, during the violent battle of El Alamein he showed exalted qualities of spirit and heart. He carried out his task of protecting the left side of the regiment deployment encircled by the armoured enemy means; in that way he permitted the retreat to the other units. Aware of the need to control the enemy advance, despite the bombing, he headed the eleven survivor tanks and hurled at the enemy formation forcing it to the retreat, followed by the emulation of his heroic soldiers. Their remains were never found; the wrecks of their tank proved their sublime and desperate endeavour​. A great example of sacrifice, self-denial, friendship and heroism.

Bir el Abd-Fuka (A.S.), 4^th – 5^th November 1942

Collective

186^th and 187^th "Folgore" Paratrooper Regiment and 185^th "Folgore" Paratrooper Artillery, "Folgore" Paratrooper Division

Paratrooper Regiment of the glorious "Folgore" Division, for three months without interruption it carried out numerous offensive and defensive actions blocking the impetuous advance of the enemy. During the epic battle of El-Alamein, exhausted for the losses and without any water provisions, he refused to surrender showing that the Italian paratroopers could not be fold. Through several collective and individual heroic episodes, it continued to resist up to the depletion of all the means gaining the admiration of the enemy.

Northern Africa, 22^nd July – 12^th October 1942; Battle of El-Alamein, 23^rd October – 6^th November 1942 (El Kattara Valley), 4^th November 1942.  

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