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January 26th, 1943

 
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January 26th, 1943 - 1/25/2003 11:51:06 PM   
AC

 

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From: Italy
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Tomorrow 60 years have passed from the battle at Nikolajewka, where the Alpini of the "Tridentina" Division broke the last line of the Soviet encirclement.
Between late December 1942 and January 1943, the Soviet counter-offensive had achieved deep breakthroughs on both flanks of the Alpini Corps, deployed since November on the Don front. The Italian units, along with thousands of retreating German, Rumanian and Hungarian soldiers, had been trapped.
But the "Tridentina", which in spite of heavy fighting in their Don positions had preserved its strenght and readiness, was ordered to break the siege.
Beginning their march on January 16th, the Alpini managed to break six Soviet armored lines, always on top of a long column of retreating Axis soldiers.
In the morning of January 26th they reached Nikolajewka. From the top of a large slope they could clearly see the village, behind a railway line where the dug-in Soviets awaited them.
The fighting lasted for the whole day, and in the evening the Soviet resistance had still not been broken.
Considering that another night in the open would mean sure dead to many of the Alpini and to more of the almost 40,000 in the column, General Reverberi climbed on one of the two remaining German Sturmgeschuetze and cried out the famous "Tridentina avanti" to launch his Alpini in the final attack on the Soviet positions. The order bounced from row to row and pushed the whole unit forwards again. They went down the slope, pushed the Soviets out of their positions along the railway and gained the first houses of the village.
The Soviets, surprised by this last effort, withdrew leaving their heavy weapons behind.
Thus, the encirclement was finally broken, although many miles by feet still were waiting for the survisors; however, the brave attack of the Alpini saved many from death or Soviet POW camps.
The Alpini corps, originally sent to Russia for operations in the Caucasus with 57,000 men, had 34,170 KIA and 9,410 WIA in Russia; the "Tridentina" lost about 12,000 men and was awarded 25 Gold Medals for Military Action on the Field.

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"Tridentina, avanti!" General L. Reverberi leading his Alpini troops in the decisive assault on Soviet-held Nikolajewka, 26th January 1943
Post #: 1
- 1/26/2003 2:48:15 AM   
Irinami

 

Posts: 746
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:eek: WOW!! Talk about Hard!! I'd never heard of this (NOT that that's surprising).

You're for real, right? This isn't just a teaser for a scenario? ;) Because it would make a kickass one.

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Newbies!!
Wild Bill's Tanks at Munda Mini-Campaign. The training campaign for comb

(in reply to AC)
Post #: 2
Interesting account ... - 1/26/2003 6:47:07 AM   
stevemk1a


Posts: 855
Joined: 3/30/2002
From: Penticton B.C.
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Another battle that belies the old stereotype of Axis minor allies (especially Italians) being of little combat value ... with effective leadership and weapons these forces could be as steadfast as anything the Germans could field and I'm sure there's many more examples like this one. Thanks for enlightening us AC! :D

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Post #: 3
Italian Alpine Corps - 1/26/2003 11:55:53 AM   
mogami


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Hi, The Italian Mountain Corps kept it's unbeaten record intact in Russia. Soon after fighting it's way out of the pocket developed by
"Little Saturn" It was returned to Italy.
I've fought several battles online/PBEM where I took Italian troops in the peroid between 16 Dec 42-29 Jan 43
I even began designing a campaign for this period (But all the work remains on a computer I currently do not have access to)

In 1993 Italy issued a postage stamp for the 50th Anniversary.
I also think one of their 1000 Lira bank notes honored this battle.

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I'm not retreating, I'm attacking in a different direction!

(in reply to AC)
Post #: 4
- 1/26/2003 6:48:57 PM   
AC

 

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Joined: 3/4/2001
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Mogami, there has also been an official comunique from the Read Army's HQ where the Alpini Corps was mentioned as the only unbeaten enemy unit in Russia.
Irinami, it's a real story but also a teaser for a scenario. I do have some maps and info on this battle, but I'm lacking information on the Soviet OOB - and time and know-how to do a scenario.
Willy, you're absolutely right. I think the Italians have showed their valour sufficiently at El Alamein and also in Russia, always fighting against much more powerful enemies. It's not their fault their country couldn't or wouldn't give them good weapons and leadership.

AC

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"Tridentina, avanti!" General L. Reverberi leading his Alpini troops in the decisive assault on Soviet-held Nikolajewka, 26th January 1943

(in reply to AC)
Post #: 5
- 1/28/2003 1:16:29 AM   
Wild Bill

 

Posts: 6821
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From: Smyrna, Ga, 30080
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Let me thank Irinami for his plug for Tanks at Munda. I agree, a good place to learn to fight in SPWAW and for campaign experience.

I appreciate being in the list of the "respected..." I hope I can stay there.

As for the Alpini, AC, could you send me the info you've included here plus anything else you have. I've been wanting to do an Italian campaign for a long time and this might be the one.

[email]bwilder@bellsouth.net[/email]

I'd appreciate anything you can send my way plus hints on where to find more...books, websites, etc.

Thanks...WB

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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant

(in reply to AC)
Post #: 6
- 1/28/2003 5:27:37 AM   
AC

 

Posts: 149
Joined: 3/4/2001
From: Italy
Status: offline
Wild Bill,

give me a little time to see what I can find for you.
A nice plot for an Italian campaign would be to have an Alpini core force, starting in late 1940 with the attack on France, then going to Albania and Greeke in early 1941 and after that to Russia; for 1940/1941 there was also the Nord African theatre but I'm not sure if the Alpini fought there. After the Italian surrender in September 1943 a great thing would be if one could choose to go on fighting with the Axis, or to shift side to the Allies; not sure if this is possible, however.

Looking forward to a great WB's Italian campaign!

AC

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"Tridentina, avanti!" General L. Reverberi leading his Alpini troops in the decisive assault on Soviet-held Nikolajewka, 26th January 1943

(in reply to AC)
Post #: 7
I have some info - 1/28/2003 6:26:37 AM   
Orzel Bialy


Posts: 2664
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From: Wisconsin USA
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on the Italian Alpini Forces in Russia...mainly surrounding their part in Fall Blau.

I can send it to anyone who is interested...just let me know. Kunel, I will just assume that you will want it mailed off to you. :D

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(in reply to AC)
Post #: 8
- 1/28/2003 7:44:54 AM   
Wild Bill

 

Posts: 6821
Joined: 4/7/2000
From: Smyrna, Ga, 30080
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I think this could be a real winner and I'm quite enthused about doing it. Yes, both of you, send me any data or websites and let me start gathering material.

Thank you!

I'll contact my Italian Cohorts and see what they can find for us...WB

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In Arduis Fidelis
Wild Bill Wilder
Independent Game Consultant

(in reply to AC)
Post #: 9
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