10th Mountain Division Monument- Monte della Spe (834m)
Details:
In a small opening near the peak of the hill.
A large upright stone about 5 feet tall, with the emblem of the 10th Mountain Division and a silver metal inscribed plaque; the monument sites behind a chain border.
Nearby there are explanatory signs and former enemy defensive positions, and trench lines. Several small white crosses with silver metal plaques are located nearby by indicating the locations of where a few soldiers fell taking this hill in March 1945. The town maintains many crosses like these on the nearby battlefields.
A bit about Monte della Spe form the local Gothic Line Mueseum website:
The front, at the dawn of the Spring Campaign during April 1945, saw the IV United States Armed Corps, commanded by General Wills D. Crittenberger, lined up between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Reno River. The 10th Mountain Division was waiting between Monte Grande d'Aiano, Monte della Spe and Monte della Castellana.
On the April 14, 1945 started the offensive which was able to break through the German defensives bringing the men of the 10th Mountain division to the Brenner Pass where they were able to take control of its access points and subsequently controlling the Lake Garda area.
Monument Text:
The text on the plaque is written in Italian and English. The English reads:
(Symbol of the Town of Castel d’ Aiano) Comune di Castel d’Aiano
MONTE DELLE SPE
From here on the 14th of April 1945 the three
Regiments of the American 10th Mountain Division
Began the final attack on the Gothic Line.
In memory of all the heroic soldiers who lost their
Lives in this decisive battle.
April 14, 2014
The Administration
of the Castel d’Aiano
Cross #1
SSG Claude R. Halford Jr.
85 HQ1 REG. INF.
10th Mountain Division USA
KIA 06.03.1945
Cross # 2
The plaque is written and Italian and reads:
A PERRENE RICORDO DI QUESTI
SOLDATI DELL 85 C 10TH DIV. MONT. USA
CADUTI SU QUESTA COLLINA 12,13,14. 03. 1945
The translation in English:
In eternal memory of these
Soldiers of the 85th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
Who fell on this hill 12,13,14 March 1945
PFC GENO J. POLVERARI
PFC FRANCIS P. NORTON
ED UN OSSERAVTORE DI ARTIGLIERE SCONISCUITO
(AND AN UNKNOWN FIELD ARTILLERY OBSERVER)
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
10th Mountain Division
5th Army
85th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
86th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Gothic Line
Italian Campaign
Operation Craftsman
Other images :
