Tomada do Monte Castelo - WWII


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Tomada do Monte Castelo - WWII


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Tomada do Monte Castelo - WWII


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THE TAKEOVER OF MONTE CASTELLO

 

On February 21, 1945 the Brazilian Expeditionary Force achieved one of its most remarkable feats during the Campaign of Italy—the conquest of Monte Castello, until then considered an inexpugnable fortress.

That conquest became legendary not only for its expressive tactical meaning but also for the extremely adverse conditions that involved the attack operation.

Under the first signals of Italian winter three attacks launched on November 24, 25 and 29 against Monte Castello have been unsuccessful, partly due to our much lower topographic positions which lead to uphill attacks on steep surface covered by snow and mud with no air and tanks support, partly due to the reduced combat experience of the last two companies newly arrived in the battle field. On December 12 with reformulated operation plans but still under the same adverse conditions as before, a fourth unsuccessful attack was launched.

At last as Spring drew near the offensive was retaken in February 1945, this time with air and armored support.

On February 21, before dawn, the Brazilian took an offensive action against Monte Castle which fell at sunset after much tenacity and bloodshed. From its top was heard the cry of victory called out by the soldiers who still would have to overcome many counter-attacks from the experienced German soldiers until the effective consolidation of the conquest.

Monte Castello's bastion had fallen down. On the battlefield altar the Brazilian heroes have become true representatives of a people threatened in its sovereignty.

 

A TOMADA DE MONTE CASTELLO

No dia 21 de fevereiro de 1945, a Força Expedicionária Brasileira realizou um dos seus mais marcantes feitos durante a Campanha da Itália—a conquista do Monte Castello, até então considerado uma fortaleza inexpugnável.

Essa conquista tornou-se épica tanto pelo expressivo significado tático daquela elevação, como pelas condições de extrema adversidade que envolveram a operação de ataque.

Sob as primeiras manifestações do inverno italiano, realizaram-se três ataques a Monte Castello, em 24, 25 e 29 de novembro, com resultados desfavoráveis, em virtude das condições topográficas bastante inferiores das nossas posições, atacando de baixo para cima, em encostas íngremes, cobertas de neve e enlameadas, sem apoio aéreo e de blindados e, em parte, devido à reduzida experiência de combate dos dois últimos escalões recém-chegados ao campo de batalha. Em 12 de dezembro, refeitos os planejamentos, mas ainda sob as mesmas condicões adversas anteriores, desencadeou-se um quarto ataque, que também não logrou êxito.

Finalmente, com a aproximação da primavera, a of ensiva foi retomada, em fevereiro de 1945, desta vez contando-se com apoio aéreo e de blindados.

A 21 de fevereiro, antes do alvorecer, partiram os brasileiros contra Monte Castello, que caiu já ao entardecer, após muita tenacidade e muito sangue derramado. Do seu topo ouviu-se o brado de vitória dos pracinhas, que ainda teriam que se superar ao enfrentar várias reações dos experientes soldados alemães, até a consolidação da conquista ser efetivada.

Caíra o baluarte de Monte Castello. Sagraram-se, no altar do campo de batalha, os heróis brasileiros, lídimos representantes de todo um povo há pouco ferido em sua soberania.

 

REINALDO NONATO DE OLIVEIRA LIMA - Ten. Cel. Art. Centro de Comunicação Social do Exército

 

 


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Last updated: 12/22/11.


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 Copyright 2012 notice: Please note that most material on this site is copyrighted, if pieces and bits of this site is found in other locations without proper authorization there are happy lawyers that would be glad to contact you. If you would like to use some pictures, contents of this site, please contact author first
For problems or questions and advertising regarding this Web site contact email vivabrazil.
Last updated: 12/22/11.


Home | Brazilian Regions | This is Brazil | What is new | Search Help | Contact Information

 Copyright 2012 notice: Please note that most material on this site is copyrighted, if pieces and bits of this site is found in other locations without proper authorization there are happy lawyers that would be glad to contact you. If you would like to use some pictures, contents of this site, please contact author first
For problems or questions and advertising regarding this Web site contact email vivabrazil.
Last updated: 12/22/11.


Home | Brazilian Regions | This is Brazil | What is new | Search Help | Contact Information

 Copyright 2012 notice: Please note that most material on this site is copyrighted, if pieces and bits of this site is found in other locations without proper authorization there are happy lawyers that would be glad to contact you. If you would like to use some pictures, contents of this site, please contact author first
For problems or questions and advertising regarding this Web site contact email vivabrazil.
Last updated: 12/26/11.