Non profit Association Italy
1st Armored
Division
Who we are
Mission
The Association "First Armored Division Old Ironsides" is a non-profit cultural
association, headquartered in in Rome, whose associates works to promote the
historical reenancting of the Italian World War II events, troughout the original
vehicles and uniform recovery.
The mission is to spread among the new generations, the historical culture of events
close to us but often unknown, the fundamental role of man in war events join
especially the deep awareness of the value of peace.
Only through knowledge of the past, and the remembrance of those who have
sacrificed their lives on every front, you can appreciate the values of freedom,
democracy and homeland.
The Association organized annually events in Anzio (anniversary of the Shingle
operation), Lucca (Gothic Line), Pompei and Scafati (battle of the same name), Rome
(anniversary of the Anglo American entrance) with great success and satisfaction of
the public and media.
Why 1st Armoured
The choice is initially derived from the origin of the first vehicle
acquired, a 1943 Jeep from the HQ of the 1st Armored Division.
The discovery of the history of the division , the presence of the above
mentioned corp in all the most important events of the war in Italy
has then naturally directed to develop our reenacting towards “OLD
IRONSIDES”.
Moreover the profound awareness and respect and importance of the
sacrifice of so many private on the Italian front , especially in these
times when the barrier between civility and horror is in danger expand
our willingness to respect and maintain all the military and democratic
traditions well deserved now and at that time by the 1st Armoured.
The people..the events
Battle of Scafati
Early on 24 September 1943 The King's Dragoon Guards in
their two LST's unshackled their vehicles as the craft ran in
towards the beach. As they arrived, the great bow doors
opened and the KDG drove out at speed. They had arrived
at Salerno, to be the Armoured car regiment for the British
10 Corps, part of the Fifth Army, coming under immediate
command of 23rd Armoured Brigade. On the 26th the KDG
moved out of the assembly area, driving through Salerno
and Maiori to Ravello, then on the 28th advancing north
across the mountains from Maiori. Lieutenant Phillips of
'A' Squadron found a bridge across the river Sarno intact,
although strongly held by the enemy. He managed to get
onto it but was driven off by heavy fire. He then kept it
under observation until the arrival of 131 Brigade, who
captured the bridge intact; and he himself finished the day
at Scafati. Another 'A' Squadron patrol encountered stiff
opposition at a second bridge, with heavy fighting taking
place, but the Germans managed to blow the main bridge
over the Sarno before retiring. 'B' Squadron advanced on
the left nearer the sea, reporting Castel-mare and Gragano
clear of the enemy, but they reached the line of the Sarno to
find all the bridges blown and the Germans in strength on
the far bank of the river. 'B' Squadron lost Trooper Rowell,
badly wounded and later dying, to a sniper.
Battle of Castellaccio
Returning to the junction one continues towards
Aquileja but watches out for the sign for il Castellaccio.
This is a ruined church and castle one can easily spo
https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/ilcastellaccio/10172014-063/ t on the hill rising in front.
The road deteriorates and it’s best to proceed on foot
through the gorgeous woods on top until the white
ruins of the church of San Leonardo are spotted on a
most panoramic situation which gives incredibly
extensive views onto the Apuan mountains and the
Luccan plain.
It’s sad to realise that this tranquil spot was the scene
of a major battle during World War II. Gerry had built a
number of fortifications within the gothic line and the
church was part of this defensive system. In order to
allow a break-through the allies organised a series of
heavy bombing raids in that massacring year, 1944,
which reduced the church to its present appearance.
This plaque at the entrance of the ruin refers to the
battle:
Gothic Line
Returning to the junction one continues towards
Aquileja but watches out for the sign for il Castellaccio.
This is a ruined church and castle one can easily spo
https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2014/10/17/ilcastellaccio/10172014-063/ t on the hill rising in front.
The road deteriorates and it’s best to proceed on foot
through the gorgeous woods on top until the white
ruins of the church of San Leonardo are spotted on a
most panoramic situation which gives incredibly
extensive views onto the Apuan mountains and the
Luccan plain.
It’s sad to realise that this tranquil spot was the scene
of a major battle during World War II. Gerry had built a
number of fortifications within the gothic line and the
church was part of this defensive system. In order to
allow a break-through the allies organised a series of
heavy bombing raids in that massacring year, 1944,
which reduced the church to its present appearance.
This plaque at the entrance of the ruin refers to the
battle:
Buffalo Soldier Veteran
The 92nd Infantry Division was a part of the 5th Army
that served in the Italian Theater during World War II. It was also the only infantry unit comprised entirely of
African Americans, or, as they were referred to at the
time – Colored Troops, to see combat in Europe. During their time in Italy, from August of 1944 through
the end of the war in May 1945, the 92nd advanced
more than 3,000 square miles and captured more than
20,000 German prisoners. They also suffered heavy
casualties – with more than a quarter of the unit killed
or wounded in action. For their Deeds the 92nd earned
more than 12,000 decorations and citations – including
two Medals of Honor.
One of the LAST VETERAN IVAN J. HOUSTON on
board our JEEP at Lucca
Liberation of Rome
4th June 1944
The people of Rome have crowded onto the
streets to welcome the victorious Allied
troops.
The first American soldiers, members of the
5th Army, reached the centre of Rome late last
night after encountering dogged resistance
from German forces on the outskirts of the
city.
Early this morning it was announced the
German troops had been ordered to
withdraw.
Rome is the first of the three Axis powers'
capitals to be taken and its recapture will be
seen as a significant victory for the Allies and
the American commanding officer who led
the final offensive, Lieutenant General Mark
Clark
Anzio beachhead
Operation Shingle The code name for the Allied
amphibious landing in the Anzio/Nettuno area on the
west coast of Italy, some 30 miles south of Rome.
At 0200 on the 22nd of January, 1944 the invasion fleet of
374 ships and landing craft, under the command of Rear
Admiral Frank J. Lowery, USN, commenced landing
troops of the US VI Corps on the beaches of Anzio and
Nettuno. The name of a rather obscure hamlet, ANZIO –
a former watering spot where Nero once came to soak his
tyrannical bones and where a latter day would be Nero,
had come to pitch hay, bare-chested for the benefit of the
newsreels was thus destined to become a prominent word
in the annals of war. The assault forces under the overall
command of Major General John P. Lucas consisted of the
US 3rd Infantry Division; the British 1st Infantry Division
and 46th Royal Tank Regiment; the US 751st Tank
Battalion, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the
82nd Airborne Division, and the 509th Parachute Infantry
Battalion; two British Commando battalions; and three
battalions of US Army Rangers. The US 45th Infantry
Division and Command A (CCA), a regimental-size unit
of the US 1st Armored Division, were directed to land as
reinforcements once the beachhead was established.
Anzio beachhead
Convoy of Liberation
One year has gone by since Pope Francis, in
recognition of the universal values the Convoy of
Liberation stands for, gave his public greetings to our
crews, in front of a huge throng of crowd. Values like
peace, democracy, family, toil and labor. Values, often
endangered in today's world, which go hand in hand,
for us, with our common passion for historical
vehicles, their preservation, restoration, and operation,
and for that age in history which is getting farther and
farther but still displays it long-lasting effects in our
world.
We believe comprehending, beyond the all too
common self-serving political distortions, the historical
reality of the dark years of WWII, in all of their
complexity, helps us to avoid repeating the mistakes
which lead humanity to its most devastating conflict in
history.
The Convoy of Liberation is an open-air museum
traveling to its public, acting as a stimulus to study
history, go to a museum, read a book, or - why not search for "history" on the net. Mechanics, uniforms
study, photography, research - all of these disciplines
are the interests of the Convoy of Liberation
participants.
Our Vehicles
Ford Jeep 1943 before and after
Ford Jeep 1943 before and after
DODGE WC51 1942 before and after
DODGE WC51 1942 before and after
Old Ironsides Committee
President Mauro Leva
Events deputy Alessandro Lama +39 348 3363838
Logistic Marco Presti
Historical Advisor Luigi Settimi
Administration Lorena D’Annunzio
mail: [email protected]