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Nov. 7 - Nov.14, 2004 |
Canadians Return to Ortona
World War II veterans revisit the Italian territories they helped liberate over 50 years ago
Amidst the 1,615 tombs of Ortona's Canadian War Cemetery - the largest of the 17 war cemeteries where Canadian soldiers rest - last week 150 veterans remembered the battle that raged in that town in Abruzzi, in the presence of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Minister for Veteran Affairs Albina Guarnieri.
It was a savage battle, fought between December 20 and 28, 1943. Some 800 Germans also fell. "The name of Ortona," said Governor Clarkson during the ceremony, "is written in the heart of Canadians. It is part of our geography of emotions. It is an honour, therefore, to be here representing the Canadian people. For those among us who came here today from Canada, this is a pilgrimage. For the veterans who participated in that war campaign, and for those who know of their great sacrifice and final victory, Ortona will forever be in their hearts."
The battle of Ortona (called "Italy's Stalingrad" in a book by historian Marco Patricelli) was the only one fought house-to-house on the entire Western Front. Casualties included 1,300 civilians, in addition to 1,300 Canadian soldiers. The Allied forces conquered Ortona on December 28, at a steep price. The front line, however, stalled for months on the so-called "Gustav Line", running from Orsogna (Chieti) to Cassino (Frosinone). At the cemetery, close to the Moro River, the veterans and their families met with Ortona mayor Nicola Fratino and the mayors of other towns of what was a battle area until June 1944. "God bless you, Dio vi benedica," said Fratino to the veterans, inviting them to bring back to Canada "the friendship and gratitude of Ortona for your noble sacrifice."
The students of the Canadian College in Lanciano (Chieti) sung the national anthems of Canada and Italy. Wreaths have were laid at the monument to the fallen, which stands inside the cemetery, by Governor Clarkson, Minister Guarnieri, and various veterans' associations.
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada has decided to designate the area of the battle of Ortona as a site of national historical importance. The visit to Ortona was part of a trip to Italy that Clarkson, Guarnieri and the veterans concluded on November 4.
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