NIKOLAJEWKA: ODISSEA NELLA STEPPA. 26 GENNAIO 1943.

The town of Nikolajewka is now part of the village of Lìvenka, located in Belgorod Oblast. On January 26, 1943, a fierce battle took place there between Italian-German and Russian forces, who had trapped them in a pocket, cutting off their retreat after the collapse of the front on the Don. The clashes that proved decisive in breaking the encirclement at Nikolaievka were fought at Sceliachino and Warwàrowka, where Italian troops, including horse artillery, the Morbegno Alpine Battalion, several batteries of the Bergamo Mountain Artillery Group, and other units of the Black Feathers, sacrificed themselves almost entirely, destroying a large portion of the Soviet armored vehicles present in the area. From early morning, the long line of retreating Italian troops, along with units of other Axis forces, primarily Germans and Hungarians, was attacked by four Red Army planes. The 2nd Alpine Division "Tridentina," the only Italian division still capable of fighting, received the order to begin the assault on the village of Nikolajewka. Among the units participating in this desperate action were the "Vestone" Battalion—commanded by Major Enrico Bracchi—the "Verona," the "Valchiese," and the "Tirano." The Soviets had more men, more heavy weapons, and more artillery and were ready to receive us. The fighting lasted for hours. Toward evening, the "Edolo Battalion" also joined the battle, supporting the "Tridentina" forces, led by General Luigi Reverberi. The use of the last operational German tank and the strenuous efforts of the Alpine troops finally allowed Italian troops to open a gap in the Soviet lines. Our losses were very high, but thanks to the sacrifice of those men, on January 31, 1943, the survivors, having escaped from the pocket, managed to reach Shebekino. But why were the Italians there, on the Russian front, and what events had led them to Nikolajewka?