I Britannici RISERO dell’Italia a El Alamein — finché 5.000 paracadutisti della Folgore combatter...

October 23, 1942. British General Montgomery planned a simple breakthrough in the southern sector of El Alamein defended by Italian paratroopers of the Folgore Division. Only 5,000 men stood against four full Allied divisions: the British 44th and 50th Infantry, 7th Armoured Division, and 1st Free French Brigade. British commanders expected resistance to last one, maybe two days maximum. They were catastrophically wrong. For thirteen consecutive days, the Folgore paratroopers held every single meter of their positions without water, without adequate food, and with dwindling ammunition. On the first night alone, they destroyed 31 British tanks using only light 47mm anti-tank guns and desperate close-quarters tactics. When ammunition ran out, they fought with daggers and improvised weapons. The British were forced to call off attacks due to heavy losses, and Montgomery shifted his main offensive to other sectors. By November 6, only 304 paratroopers remained alive from the original 5,000. Completely surrounded and out of ammunition, they refused surrender seven times, shouting "FOLGORE!" while brandishing daggers from atop wrecked vehicles. The British granted them Honour of Arms - an extremely rare recognition reserved for the most valiant enemies. Winston Churchill himself called them "lions" in the House of Commons. Time Magazine, BBC London, Reuters, and Radio Cairo all broadcast tributes to their extraordinary resistance. All three regiments of the division received Italy's highest military honor, the Gold Medal of Military Valor. *SOURCES:* Wikipedia article on the 185th Infantry Division Folgore documented the division's formation in September 1941, deployment to North Africa in July 1942, and destruction at El Alamein in November 1942. The article confirmed that 5,000 paratroopers were reduced to 304 survivors, with 1,100 killed in action. It verified that 31 Allied tanks were destroyed on the night of October 24-25, 1942, and that four Allied divisions attacked the Folgore positions. Time Magazine correspondent Harry Zinder's quote about Italian paratroopers fighting "better than had been expected" and "to the last round of ammunition" was documented. Wikipedia article on the 186th Paratroopers Regiment Folgore confirmed that on October 25, 1942, at 10:30 AM, the British 7th Armoured Division, 44th Infantry Division, 50th Infantry Division, and 1st Free French Brigade launched an all-out attack from three sides. By 3:00 AM on October 26, Italian paratroopers had repulsed the attack and still held all positions. The article verified that on November 2, 1942, the division was ordered to retreat despite not losing any positions, and on November 6, 1942, remnants were surrounded and forced to surrender. The award of Italy's Gold Medal of Military Valor to all three regiments was confirmed. Brigata Folgore official website provided extensive documentation including the statement that Italian paratroopers "resisted for thirteen days WITHOUT GIVING A METRE, without water and without food." The site documented the famous scene where surrounded paratroopers "mounted the carcasses of the wagons, chest out and daggers raised, and answered with the cry: FOLGORE!!!" The official Gold Medal citation was quoted: "disdainfully rejected, to the cry of Folgore, repeated invitations to surrender" and "superiority of means could overpower Italian paratroopers, never bend them." The site confirmed 304 officers and troops remained from 5,000 original strength. General Hugues of the British 44th Division telling General Frattini "I had never met soldiers like those of the Folgore" was documented. The Honour of Arms ceremony was verified. Italian Army official website (Esercito Italiano) confirmed the Gold Medals of Military Valor awarded to the 186th and 187th Folgore Paratrooper Regiments and 185th Folgore Paratrooper Artillery for the Battle of El Alamein, October 23 - November 6, 1942. Avalanche Press historical analysis confirmed four enemy divisions attacked Folgore lines and that 31 British tanks were destroyed or damaged on October 25, 1942. The article noted General Enrico Frattini led Folgore at Alamein and that the division manned a division-sized sector despite low strength. German Afrika Korps historical blog documented that on November 6, 1942, at 14:35, British forces reached Folgore survivors and gave them honour of arms. Some isolated groups continued fighting until November 11 without surrendering. The encounter between General Hugues and General Frattini on November 7 was documented with direct quotes.