Montese
Montese Outlet 1945
On April 14, 1945, in Montese, Italy, the arduous combat waged by members of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) began, during the Second World War. Montese's conquest was fundamental, as it characterized the rupture of the German defensive line, paving the way for the retaking of Italy and the subsequent victory of the allies against Nazism and fascism.
Despite the victory, the Battle of Montese was one of the bloodiest in the history of the Armed Forces, with more than four hundred casualties (dead and wounded).
Celebrating the 74th anniversary of the conquest of Montese, the Brazilian Army pays homage to the brave little squares that fought for democracy and that are perennial examples for all generations of Brazilians.
The municipality of Montese occupies a vast area of hills bordering the Provinces of Modena and Bologna , in the region of Emilia-Romagna .
FEB's Three Heroes
During the capture of Montese, three Brazilian soldiers went on patrol throughout the region. Their names were Geraldo Baêta da Cruz, 28, from Entre Rios de Minas, Geraldo Rodrigues de Souza, 26, from Rio Preto in the Zona da Mata, and Arlindo Lúcio da Silva, 25, from São João del Rey.
Our simple tributes ...
FAB - Brazilian Air Force
In the Italian campaign, the FAB operated with two air units, the 1st ELO , and the 1st hunting group .
The fighter squadron had shot down sixteen planes, with the death of five of its airmen in action, in addition to the death of three more due to accidents. Although, between November 1944 and April 1945, it flew only 5% of the total missions performed by all squadrons under the XXII Allied Tactical Air Command, in this period it was responsible (among other tasks) for the destruction of 85% of the deposits of ammunition, 36% of fuel tanks, and 15% of enemy motor vehicles (trucks, tanks and locomotives) destroyed by this allied air command, having received an honorable quote from the United States Congress for this performance.
Montese today ...
National Monument to the Dead of World War II
After the transfer of the remains of Brazilian heroes to the National Monument to the Dead of World War II, at Aterro do Flamengo, the Military Cemetery gave way to the Brazilian Military Votive Monument, inaugurated on 06/07/1966.
Leaving Pistóia, I followed Route 64 to Porreta Terme and there, by chance, I ended up staying at Hotel Roma, which at the time of the war was called Albergo delle Terme and which was the headquarters of the Advanced HQ of the 1st Expeditionary Infantry Division, commanded by General Mascarenhas de Moraes.
Of the 25,394 FEB men in Italy, 465 died, 16 were missing and 2,722 were injured. Several ex-combatants returned to Brazil with psychological problems and had difficulties adapting to civilian life again.
Associations of ex-combatants have called for laws in favor of the squares. One of the few “perks” that was finally granted to them was the one that gave preference to ex-combatants in cases of a tie in public tenders.