The Column of Liberation 2013

Under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic

designed by

Rev “8” November 19th 2013

Report published

North Apennines Po Valley Park

organize

Historical and Commemorative Event

“Special Tribute to the 10th Mountain Division”

In collaboration with (updated April 4th 2013)

Proponent bodies (updated April 4th 2013)
 

Comune di Verona  Comune di Riva del Garda

Comune di Peschiera del Garda  Comune di Villafranca

Città di Pastrengo   Regione Toscana 

Comune di Nago-Torbole 

HMV Italia - MVPA

Supported by (updated Feb. 13th 2013)

The report

The Column of Liberation event should not be taken for granted. Because of what it represents, as well as because of the huge organizational efforts needed to make it happen, each Column is a unique, unrepeatable event, worth to be lived. Nor, because of the complex nature of the event, should it be assumed it to be a yearly appointment. Our suggestion, therefore, is to live the Column each time, whenever possible, as a unique opportunity. Living the Column, means one should not forget it is an on-the-road adventure when MV collectors have the chance to become the same with their vehicles and fellow travellers, experiencing a wealth of lasting emotions, in ways, which make the Column an event very different from the usual MV rally. At the roots and heart of the Column is the ambition of uniting large numbers of often extremely rare MV's, in locations loaded with historical significance as well as offering landscapes of a breathtaking beauty. With the ultimate purpose to pay our personal, informal tribute to the people who lived, and too often died and suffered, during those fateful days in history. All these projects and ambitions are born out of the passion, and interest for history, of MV collectors from all walks of life, striving to reunite as many friends as possible to share our enjoyment for our common hobby and activities.

Taking part in the event is quite simple, also if coming from abroad: just fill the entry form found on our website at www.goticatoscana.eu when registrations open, sending your personal data, preferences for hotel or other accommodation, and our staff will arrange for all necessary reservations. As for payments, both bank transfers and Paypal are accepted.
By means of this preregistration process, vehicles crews have to worry only about bringing their HMV to the event, all the rest, including meals and sleeping accommodations, is already taken care of. And, in the event of any mechanical breakdown during the event, nobody is left behind: we provide for emergency recovery of broken vehicles and their crew. Of course, it is also possible to participate without HMV's, and in that case, we arrange for transportation on other collectors' vehicles, by previous consent of the owner. We like to point out these facts to people living far from Italy, as we usually find out crews coming to our events for the first time are almost always quite surprised by the type of organization they find.
The 2013 edition took place in one of the most attractive parts of Italy - the Lake Garda region and the city of Verona. Also because of this, it was soon clear many vehicles would participate, and the final count went up to 140 HMV's, wheeled and tracked, and many participants came to Verona already on the 24th, assembling at the meeting point we had set up just out of downtown.

On April 25, the Italian national Liberation Day holiday, we assembled in Verona besides the Arena (A) - the famous amphitheatre of Roman times, on the official celebrations held by local authorities. Thousands of Veronese people gathered to visit our parked vehicles under a beautiful blue sky.

In the late morning, our column started for the first length of our trip, leaving downtown Verona amongst a cheerful crowd ( Pictures 6-7 ), and heading for the town of Pastrengo, itself a historic place since it was there the Italian Mounted Carabinieri charged against the Austrians during Italy's First War for Independence in 1848. We stop for lunch at a Napoleonic fort perched on top of a hill from where we can see a breathtaking view of the area ( B ) ( Pictures 8 ).

The Mayor of Pastrengo, Mr. Mario Rizzi, was instrumental in giving us the opportunity to be there and he gives us a friendly welcome, while we present him with the Column of Liberation 2013 plaque ( Pictures 9 ). In the afternoon, we proceed towards Riva del Garda by way of the Brenner highway, a route that saw the German army in retreat during April 1945, in a desperate attempt at avoiding total destruction by the Allies, after having incurred tremendous casualties in crossing the Po, where the wrecks of a once mighty army cluttered the south bank. While as a rule the Column does not revisit past locations soon after, there were several reasons to chose to be in this part of Italy in 2013, after having been in Verona already two years before. The warmth, which welcomed us in Verona two years ago, when we had been literally overwhelmed by the huge crowd assembled to see our entry into historic Piazza Bra, was indeed a factor. But also new facts point out to us what had to be done. First, the submerged wreck of a 10th Mountain Division DUCKW sunk in Lake Garda at the end of April, 1945, drowning many of the unfortunates onboard, was located by researchers after several failed attempts in the past; and, second, the mortal remains of several presumed victims of an air bombing raid were found in Verona during renovations works at the Porta Nuova railway station (and we had been summoned by legal authorities to help with the recovery and cataloguing of evidence found on site). Thus, while the overall route of the Column of Liberation 2013 was shorter than some of the previous years, it was still a meaningful experience, with many poignant moments.

We proceed northward on the highway and we reach the Mori Pass, where the highway branches off towards Torbole and Riva del Garda. A few mechanical problems delay some vehicles, but also thanks to our motorcycle escorts, the column - which in route march is about 5 kilometres long - reach our final destination with no losses ( Pictures 10 - 11 ).

 

Riva del Garda is a beautiful tourist location on the north shore of the lake, and several thousand people are waiting for us when we get there in the afternoon of April 25. ( C ). ( Pictures 12-13 ). Honour guest on the occasion is Colonel Andy Rholing of the 101st DIVISION, US Army, representing US authorities at the celebration we have arranged to commemorate the 22 US 10th Mountain Division soldiers who drowned when the DUCKW carrying them sunk in the lake at the end of April, 1945.

 

 

In their memory, we have arranged for three DUCKWs to navigate the lake to lay a wreath. While for the large crowd of curious and awed onlookers the event at first is more entertaining than sober, everybody's attitude changes when our waterborne vehicles stop in front of Riva and we explain, by loudspeaker, the purpose of the ceremony. When the notes of taps, played by a trumpeter on board one of our DUCKWs, resonate in the clear air of Riva concurrent to the wreath laying, nobody present at the ceremony, tourists or HMV collectors alike, can escape the sense of respectful remembrance. ( Picture 14 ).

 

We stay overnight at Riva, which offers us its impressive panoramas ( Picture 15-16-17 ), and the following morning, while our column assembles for its journey towards Peschiera, a few of us are sent to lay a wreath at the monument commemorating the death of General William O. Darby, who died in Torbole on April 30, 1945, a couple of days before the end of hostilities in Italy, after having survived the fights in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy where he commanded the Rangers and an Infantry Regiment, then volunteering to come back in the MTO and becoming the Assistant Division Commander of the 10th Mountain. ( Picture 18-19 ). The zone still shows many signs of its wartime past, such as pillboxes and galleries; also, a building, which at the time was used as a hospital, is prominent. ( Pictures 020 ).

 

Our column leaves Riva by way of the east lakeshore route, living us the chance for admiring beautiful landscapes. We are a little worried because the route has a reputation for traffic problems, and our column is almost 7 kilometers long, but everything goes fine. Before lunch, we stop at the German cemetery at Costermano for a ceremony (D) ( Picture 021 ). We have lunch at Garda and then proceed towards Peschiera, another very nice place where we have dinner ( E ) ( Picture 022-023-024 ). Then, a night transfer to Verona (A) brings us back to our meeting point where vehicles are parked in custody while people reach their hotel accommodations.

Our column leaves Riva by way of the east lakeshore route, living us the chance for admiring beautiful landscapes. We are a little worried because the route has a reputation for traffic problems, and our column is almost 7 kilometers long, but everything goes fine. Before lunch, we stop at the German cemetery at Costermano for a ceremony (D) ( Picture 021 ).

.

We have lunch at Garda and then proceed towards Peschiera, another very nice place where we have dinner ( E ) ( Picture 022-023-024 ). Then, a night transfer to Verona (A) brings us back to our meeting point where vehicles are parked in custody while people reach their hotel accommodations.

Saturday, April 27, we wake up finding a fine drizzle, which soon becomes a steady rain, which will keep up the whole day. That is unfortunate, but luckily, our route from the day is not too long. We are expected at the Villafranca Air Force base, home of the Italian 3rd Squadron, and we reach it on schedule under the rain.( F ) ( Picture 025 ), parking our vehicles in front of the main hangars.

( Picture 025 )

Altogether, there are about 150 vehicles and 450 participants.. ( Picture 026-027 ).. The base commander, Colonel Marco Maistrello, welcomes us and guides our tours of the place, including a display of the Air Force special operations setup in a mobile hangar used in deployment overseas.

 

We have lunch at the mess hall together with the base staff, and afterwards we leave again for Verona, where we will meet the armoured vehicles - two Sherman tanks and a Hellcat tank destroyer - and will make our official entry into town. ( Picture 028 ). We deploy the column ordering vehicles according to plan.

The view of our column on the long avenue reaching into town is impressive. Welcoming us in Piazza Bra with the Mayor of Verona, Mr. Flavio Tosi, is the US Consul General, Mr. Kyle Scott, Captain Anthony Parisi of the US Embassy, and other Italian authorities. And, the rain has not discouraged a veritable crowd of people, cheering our rain-drenched reenactors who march besides our vehicles. ( Picture 029-30 ).

Many of us decide to take shelter from the rain, patronizing the many bars and ice cream parlours of the beautiful Piazza Bra. Dinner follows, served in the wonderful scenery of the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, besides our assembled vehicles. ( Picture 031 ).

On April 28, the sun shines again, and we bring again our vehicles in Piazza Bra for the planned public exhibition, for the joy of the mass of tourists and locals alike. ( Picture 032-033-34-35 ). This is the final part of four four-day long event, and after lunch everybody start the journey back home - some for France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, or Great Britain, a few also for Brazil and the U.S. Our next appointment, April 25, 2014, for a new Liberation day anniversary to celebrate together.

 

AGENDA OF THE EVENT

The Organization reserves the right to change the current program of the event without giving notice about that.

Updated March 22nd 2013
 

Contacts

Download the program of the Column - rev.02 09/03/20 - pdf file

Download the program with route maps of the Column - rev.02 09/03/20 - pdf file

Thursday April 25 2013

VERONA: AEM Meeting Point - Formation of the Column (all vehicles except tanks)

See map

h. 08:30 Vehicles and participants gather in AEM Meeting Point
h. 08:45 Entrance in Verona Piazza Bra and stay under the famous Arena (Ancient Roman Theatre) for the official Liberation Day Ceremony
h. 10:15 Departure to Riva del Garda to Negrar - Domegliara via Castelvecchio.
h. 11:45 Arrival to Forte Nugent di Pastrengo and stop
h. 12:00 Lunch in Forte Nugent at the Speck Stube

Menù

Crespella ai funghi

Crespella formaggio e noci

Stinco di maiale arrosto

Verdura al forno

Still and sparkling water/Wine

Caffè and liquori not included

h. 14:00 Departure of the Column to Avio – Ala along the Brenner Pass route
h. 15:45 Transit through Mori heading to Torbole
h. 16:15 Arrival at Riva del Garda and stop in Piazza Garibaldi next to the Garda Lake.

h. 16:45 light refreshment for the participants at the Museum of Riva del Garda
h. 17:15 Ingresso anfibi Dukw nel Lago di Garda e partecipanti con battello
h. 18:00 Tribute to the Fallen of the 10th Mountain Division where a DUKW amphibious truck which foundered on April 30th, 1945 has been found 270 meters down in Lake Garda
h. 19:30 Accomodation and Hotel check-in
h. 20:30 Gala Dinner at the "Spiaggia degli Olivi" and terrazza Fraglia

Menu'

Pennette alla Boscaiola

Piccatina di vitello con verdurine e polenta di storo

Dessert, gelato

Still and sparkling water 1/2 litre - 1/4 litre Wine

Caffè and liquori not included

h. 22:00 Night exhibition of vehicles and reenactors

Distance Km 92

Fryday 26 April 2013

RIVA DEL GARDA: Piazza Garibaldi:

h. 08:30 Departure of the Column from Riva del Garda to Malcesine - Garda
h. 10:30 Arrival at Costermano and visit to the German War Cemetery

h. 12:00 Departure from German War Cemetery to Garda

h. 13:00 Lunch at the Park Hotel Oasi

Menù

Lasagne alla Bolognese

Maccheroncini alla campidanese

Arrosto alla fornarina

Contorni misti di stagione

Torta meringata

Still and sparkling water/Wine

Caffè and liquori not included

h. 15:00 Departure of the Column to Peschiera del Garda
h. 16:30 Arrival in Peschiera del Garda and stop in Piazza Betteloni, meeting with the local Authorities

h. 17:00 Visit of the downtown of Peschiera del Garda

h. 19:30 Departure of the Column from Piazza Betteloti to Lungolago Garibaldi in Peschiera del Garda
h. 20:00 Dinner at "Al Fiore"

Menù

Maccheroncini ceserecci al pomodoro e basilico e pecorino romano

Scaloppina principessa (fontina e asparagi)

Varietà ortolane al burro

Semifreddo al Torroncino

Still and sparkling water/Wine

Caffè and liquori not included

h. 22:00 Arrivalr to AEM Meeting Point; vehicles stop and transfer of participants into accomodations (hotels etc.) in Verona (own vehicles).

Distance Km 87

Satusday April 27 2013

VERONA: AEM Meeting Point:

h. 09:00 Departure of the Column from AEM Meeting Point in Verona to Villafranca Veronese
h. 10:00 Arrival at the Base of the 3° Stormo dell'Aeronautica Militare
h. 10:30 Visit to the Italian Air Force Base
h. 12:00 Lunch at the Base of the 3° Stormo

Menu'in progress

h. 14:00 Departure of the Column from AFB to Verona ( AEM Meeting Point )
h. 15:00 Arrival in Verona  at the AEM Meeting Point where Heavy vehicles and tanks get together in Verona outskirt (zona Fiera) and arrange the column with the light column of vehicles coming from Villafranca.
h. 15:30 Troops and vehicles make their entrance in Verona Piazza Bra and stay under the famous Arena (Ancient Roman Theatre).

h. 16:00 Stay in Piazza Bra and public exhibition of vehicles and reenactors.
h. 19:30 Dinner in Piazza Bra within the loggia of the Gran Guardia Palace.

Menu'

Polenta di riso con funghi e salame nostrano

Risotto all'Isolana

Arrosto di maiale con patate al rosmarino

Pane e grissini di riso

Water, red wine

Caffe'

h. 22:00 transfer of participants into accomodations (hotels etc.) in Verona (own vehicles).

Distance Km 42

Sunday April 28 2013

h. 09:30 Stay in Piazza Bra and public exhibition of vehicles and reenactors.
h. 10:30 Participant meeting Incontro con i partecipanti, reward of the vehicles and of the crews, signature of the “Carta della Memoria” by all participants. The "Carta della Memoria" will be bring to the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial next 5th of May 2013
h. 11:30 Lunch at one’s pleasure in the wonderful VERONA!
h. 15:00 End of the event

Totale Km 0

Sunday May 5 2013

Florence American Cemetery and Memorial – Firenze

h. 15:00 Tribute to the Fallen of the 5th US Army and of the 10th Mountain Division 10th Div and delivering to the Memorial Personnel of the signed “Carta della Memoria”.
 

REGISTRATION, RULES AND BEHAVIOUR OF PARTICIPANTS

Registration are closed, we reach the maximum number of participants

For information call Filippo Spadi +393357632983

1) The participation to the "Column of Liberation 2013" is subject to a pre-registration that you can accomplish by:
A. fulfilling the online form;
B. downloading and fulfilling the pdf registration form and email it at info@goticatoscana.eu or mail it to "Gotica Toscana Onlus - Loc. Ponzalla 47 - 50038 Scarperia (FI) - Italy" or to the fax number +391782267395.

2) The pre-registration must be accompanied by the payment of the TOTAL FEE which may vary depending if you are going to stay for the whole event or not (see below). The payment of the full fee in advance is necessary in order to avoid unfortunate situations which have caused huge loss to the Organization during past editions. Money can be transferred with:
-Paypal payment to finance@goticatoscana.it;
- Bank Transfer to the following account: Account Holder: Gotica Toscana Onlus - Loc. Ponzalla 47, I-50038 Scarperia (FI), Italy IBAN code: IT60 N 07601 02800 000071628283 BIC/Swift Code: BPPIITRRXXX.
In any case, payment description must indicate "Column of Liberation 2013". An envelope containing meal tickets, road book, useful telephone number etc., will be delivered to the participant at the moment of the arrival in order to avoid any other wait. The fee is not refundable except than in case of registration refusal by the Organization or cancellation of the event.
3)The deadline for registrations is April the 15th, 2012. Beyond that date, the Organization reserves the right to accept further registrations.
4)In any case, participation to the event is limited to the number of individuals /vehicles compatible with existing facilities. We strongly advise to register as soon as possible, particularly if hotel accommodations are needed..
5) The event is open to WW2 military vehicles up to 1945.
6) Vehicles owners dressing WW2 uniforms as well as reenactors are welcome and encouraged both in group or individually. The Organization will try to accommodate everybody on WW2 vehicles, in accordance with vehicles owners, to the extent room is available but declines responsability if there is not room enough. It is good practice to share fuel expences with the owner of the vehicle. Anyway, nobody will be left behind.
7) Military uniforms must be consistent with WW2 era. Allies and Axis uniforms (like Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe or Kriegsmarine, Royal Italian Army etc.) are allowed, while wearing or displaying uniforms of any political formation/organization such as PNF (Fascists Party), MVSN, NSDAP (Nazi Party) or SS units and similar are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
8) All vehicles must conform to Italian existing Highway Code (Codice della Strada) Laws and Regulations. Vehicles owners and drivers will be responsible for any damages and consequences caused by their vehicles. The Organization will not be responsible for the damages caused to people or properties.
9) Deactivated weapons/ordnances and toy model guns/ordnances can be showed and exhibited by the participants without harming other participants, visitors and local populations. Deactivated weapons/ordnances must be accompanied by a deactivation certificate which MUST COMPLY with ITALIAN REGULATION which is VERY SEVERE. Anyway, every participant is responsible for possession/displaying/carrying of his own weapon/gun/ordnance and must conform to Italian existing Laws and Regulations and fulfill requests which may come from Law Enforcement officers. If necessary, the Organization can limit the display of weapons during particular phases of the event or if requested to do so by Municipalities or Public/Police Authorities.
10) It is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to use any kind guns or other firing devices including blanks, fireworks, signals, smoke, and whatever else may alarm Law Enforcement and Firefighting authorities. It is also forbidden to light open-flame fires.
11) The behavior of every participant must be appropriate to a commemorative event. It is strictly forbidden to engage in any form of violence, harassment or other disrespectful behaviors which can upset or compromise the good outcome of the event. It is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to aim any kind of weapon to anybody even if deactivated or toy model.
12) During the event it is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to march, sing battle hymns or national anthems or swear at other participants, visitors or local populations.
13) Reenactors and other participants will avoid to engage in any kind political discussions or to express personal views on the local or general history of the places and period. Instead, military equipment can be displayed and pertinent explanations can be given to interested people.
14) The Organization reserves at any times the right to expel from the event the participant who will obey to the present rules, without previous warning and without refunding participation fees.
15) Each group/individual will be responsible for the preservation of and damages of all kinds to areas, sites, places, rooms, services, equipments, accessories made available for use to them/him. Particular attention must be paid in case of permanence/meal/accomodation within military structures.
16) Underages can join the event if accompanied/authorized (written) by their parents. In any case underages cannot man/handle weapons/guns/ordnances no matter if deactivated of toy models.
17) During the event it is forbidden to leave the column of vehicles or take your own initiative; during the stops every participant is due to respect timing which will be communicated properly.
18) No vehicle will be left behind even in case of malfunction; the Organization offers a recovery vehicle which can bear even three axles vehicles up to 14 tons.
19) The Organization informs that drivers of historical vehicles can be subject to Alcohol Test at will of Law Enforcement Authorities.
20)For issues not covered by the present rules/regulation, please contact the organization!

The Organization reserves the right to change the current program of the event without giving notice about that.

LOGISTIC AND TRASPORTATION

The Organization offers financial refunds to foreign participants in order to cover fuel and transportation costs for vehicles. Obviously, funds are limited and will be shared among foreign participants according to their number and the time of their registration. So, please if you wish to join the "Column of Liberation" contact the organization as soon as possible!!!

ACCOMODATIONS

The Organization provides a free of charge service of reservation for those wishing an hotel accommodations giving information about room availability and rates. Simply, tell us your requirements!

However, if you wish to arrange reservations directly you may do so at your own discretion.

Hotels

Riva del Garda

See Enlarged map

See Enlarged map

See Enlarged map

See Enlarged map

See Enlarged map

Verona

BEST WESTERN CTC HOTEL Verona * * * *

Hotel & Convention Center
Via Monte Pastello, 28 - 37057 S. Giovanni Lupatoto (VR) ITALIA
Tel. +39 045  8754111 –
e-mail: info@ctchotelverona.com

Enlarge map

Accomodation B&B ( American buffet )

 *Twin + 3rd bed

*10% VAT, breakfast and service included.

Payement

50% of the total at the booking by money tranfer
The payement shall be completed two weeks before the booked date by money tranfer.

Bank Account to CTC Hotel Verona S.r.l.

UBI - BANCO DI BRESCIA

IBAN: IT 23 R 03500 03211 000000035547

SWIFT code: BICABIT21

Reference to "Colonna della Libertà 2013"

Private, free of charge and unattended car/coach parking

Hostels Riva del Garda and Verona

Please, arrange directly the reservations of the Hostels, the organization is not responsible for this service.

Ostello Benacus Piazza Cavour, 14 Riva del Garda Trento 38066 Italia - info@ostelloriva.com Tel. +39 0464 554911 Fax +39 0464 244553

OSTELLI VERONA - OSTELLO E OSTELLI ECONOMICI A VERONA

Ostello della gioventu' "Villa Francescatti" Salita Fontana del Ferro n° 15 37129 Verona - Tel: +39 045 590360 Fax: +39 045 8009127 e-mail: info@villafrancescatti.it

COSTS

Join the event for the whole program (4 days) includes 6 Italian typical full meals (appetizer + first course + second course + side dish) and eventual small refreshments along the way, has a cost of EURO 110 (EURO 100 for members of: Gotica Toscana, Museo di Felonica, Museo Memoriale della Libertà and HMV Italia).

All participants will receive a gadget of "The Column of Liberation" for free;

If you intend to participate only to some days of the program, costs change according to the below table:

Childrens: free from 0 to 3 years old - 50% of the adult fee from 4 to 6 years old - adult fee from 7 years old

Should you need further information do not hesitate to contact us via email or mobile phone:

Gotica Toscana Onlus info@goticatoscana.eu

Information en Francais: Guidorzi Simone 0039-348-3157390 info@museofelonica.it

Information in English: Bambagiotti Luca 0039-338-4576040

Information for transports and logistic: Spadi Filippo 0039-335-7632983

We thank in advance all those who will participate or contribute to the event in any way Keep in touch and see you soon !!!

THE ORGANIZATION