Monticelli

The Giogo Pass and the Gothic Line represent one of the most significant chapters in the fight for the liberation of Italy during the Second World War. General Clark, commander of the 5th Allied Army, made the decision to break through the Gothic Line from the Giogo Pass, a crucial strategic point for the German defense. The choice of this front, unexpected by the German army which was instead preparing for a breakthrough from the Futa Pass (near Bologna), became a decisive move in the battle for central Italy. On September 10, 1944, the Allied army, with a surprising maneuver and a large deployment of forces, attacked the Giogo Pass, managing to create a breach of over 8 km in the defensive system of the Gothic Line, marking a strategic victory. However, the German resistance was imposing: the well-prepared Nazi forces concentrated on defending key positions such as Monticelli and Mount Altuzzo, where the resistance became particularly fierce. The battle lasted for days of harsh clashes, during which the Allied forces, although managing to break through in some points, paid a very high price. On September 17, Mount Altuzzo was finally conquered, while the following day, September 18, the Allies managed to advance further, despite the heavy losses suffered. The battle, which also saw the commitment of the British as reinforcements, cost the lives of about 3,000 American soldiers, with numerous losses also on the German side. The Gothic Line had been breached, but the fight was far from over. The contribution of the Italian partisans was essential: these local fighters fought side by side with the Allied forces against the German positions, providing support in sabotage actions, infiltrating enemy rear areas, and maintaining resistance. These men, often left alone and in extremely difficult conditions, played a key role in ensuring that resistance on the territory remained alive and combative. The places around Monticelli, now a testimony to that struggle, still tell the story of the violence of the fighting. Bunkers and trenches, like the one at Fonte Fredda (currently being reconstructed and excavated), are visible in the surroundings. The signs of past battles are still present in craters and individual holes left by the soldiers. Some positions in Monticelli are still recognizable, and one of the most significant areas is where Lieutenant Bruno Rossellini fell, whose name is now engraved on a monument near the Nandone inn. Next to this, there is the memory of another hero: soldier Oscar G. Johnson, who, with extraordinary courage, earned the Medal of Honor from the United States Congress, single-handedly repelling enemy counterattacks. Monticelli and the Giogo Pass are now places of memory and testimony to the liberation and sacrifices made to break through the Gothic Line.

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