Renato Zanardo ( Italian: Renato Zanardo ; May 13, 1915 - May 24, 1977) - Italian tanker, participant in the Civil War in Spain . The holder of the highest award of Italy for the feat on the battlefield - the gold medal "For military valor" (1938).
| Renato Zanardo | ||||||
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| ital. Renato zanardo | ||||||
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| Date of Birth | May 13, 1915 | |||||
| Place of Birth | Monselice , Kingdom of Italy | |||||
| Date of death | May 24, 1977 (62 years old) | |||||
| Place of death | Rome , Italy | |||||
| Affiliation |  Kingdom of Italy | |||||
| Type of army | tank forces | |||||
| Years of service | nineteen?? - 1938 | |||||
| Rank | corporal | |||||
| Battles / wars | Spanish Civil War | |||||
| Awards and prizes |
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Content
Biography
Born May 13, 1915 in the municipality of Monselice , Kingdom of Italy [1] . Moved to Rome [2] .
Member of the civil war in Spain on the side of the rebels. The commander of the flamethrower wedges L3 / 33 of the Italian volunteer corps corporal Renato Zardano distinguished himself on March 11, 1938 in the battle for Oleta . Having lost his hand because of the near explosion, he directed his car to the aid of another, which they hit and surrounded. Then he drove another 3.5 miles to the positions of the Italian troops [3] .
The crew of the tank burst onto the bridge, crushing those who prepared the destruction. Entering Oleta , he fired at the enemy until a bomb hit that crushed his right hand. He left the battle only after the enemy was thrown out of the village, and despite the great loss of blood, he withdrew his tank several kilometers to the designated gathering place, brandishing his injured hand as a sign of joy from victory. Jumping out of the tank with stoic composure, he got up and answered praising him: “Any tanker would do the same.” When the operation was completed, as a reward for his feat, he impassively asked for a cigarette.
Spain , March 11, 1938
Original text (Italian)Carrista si lanciava sopra un ponte travolgendo chi ne preparava la distruzione. Entrato in Oliete mitragliando il nemico fu colpito da bomba che gli sfracellava la mano destra. Solo dopo fugato l'avversario inseguendolo al di la del paese malgrado la grande perdita di sangue, riconduceva alcuni chilometri indietro il suo carro, sul luogo convenuto di adunata, agitando in segno di giubilo, per la vittoro riata. Sceso dal carro si faceva recidere la mano con freddo stoicismo, rimanendo in piedi e dicendo a chi lo elogiava: "Qualunque carrista avrebbe fatto lo stesso". Ad operazione e fasciatura compiuta fumava impassibile una sigaretta da lui chiesta in premio del suo atto. Spagna 11 Marzo 1938.- From presentation to award [1]
For the battles in Guadalajara , Santander and Catalonia he was awarded the Russian prisoner of war medal and two crosses "For military valor . " In contrast to the battles, General Varela awarded him the Military Medal , and Generalissimo Franco - the Order of St. Ferdinand . He lost his right hand [2] .
Honorary member of the Roman branch of ANCI (Italian National Tank Association).
He died on May 24, 1977 in Rome .
Rewards
Italian state awards:
- Gold Medal "For Military Valor" (1938)
- two crosses "For military valor"
Spanish state awards:
- Order of St. Ferdinand (1973)
- Military medal
- POW Medal
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Renato Zanardo (Italian) . quirinale.it . Presidenza della Repubblica (Official website of the President of the Republic of Italy). Date of treatment July 16, 2012. Archived on September 29, 2012.
- ↑ 1 2 Fermo il cuore d'Oro di R. Zanardo . L'Associazione nazionale Carristi d'Italia (November 1977). Date of treatment July 16, 2012. Archived on September 29, 2012.
- ↑ John Scurr. The Spanish Foreign Legion / Martin Windrow. - London: Osprey Publishing, 1985. - P. 35. - ISBN 0-85045-571-5 . (inaccessible link)
Links
- Renato Zanardo (Italian) . quirinale.it . Presidenza della Repubblica (Official website of the President of the Republic of Italy). Date of treatment July 16, 2012. Archived on September 29, 2012.
- Fermo il cuore d'Oro di R. Zanardo (Italian) . L'Associazione nazionale Carristi d'Italia (November 1977). Date of treatment July 16, 2012. Archived on September 29, 2012.
- José SALAS Y GUIRIOR. Un Italiano, heroe de la Guerra de Espana (Spanish) . Blanco y negro, Madri, pp. 36-40 (1966). Date of treatment July 17, 2012. Archived on September 29, 2012.