Mario Ricci ( Italian. Mario Ricci ; ?? - January 1939) - Italian officer, tankman, member of the Spanish Civil War . Cavalier of Italy's highest award for the feat on the battlefield - the gold medal "For Military Valor" (1939, posthumously).
| Mario Ricci | ||
|---|---|---|
| ital Mario ricci | ||
 | ||
| Date of Birth | ||
| Place of Birth | city of Cortona , Kingdom of Italy | |
| Date of death | 1939 | |
| Place of death | Catalonia | |
| Affiliation |  Kingdom of Italy | |
| Type of army | tank forces | |
| Rank | Ensign | |
| Part | 1st Tank Battalion of the Italian Volunteer Corps | |
| Battles / Wars | Spanish Civil War | |
| Awards and prizes |
| |
Content
Biography
Born in the city of Cortona in the region of Tuscany , Kingdom of Italy [1] .
The commander of the tank platoon of the 1st tank battalion of the Italian Volunteer Corps, Junior Lieutenant Mario Ricci, distinguished himself in the Catalan operation during the Spanish Civil War . On December 23, 1938, the nationalist forces, supported by the tanks of the Italian division Littorio, crossed the river Serga . Republican troops under the command of Enrique Lister held off the attack for 12 days, and on January 3, 1939, under the onslaught of armored vehicles, the republican army had to retreat. January 5, the Franco occupied Borzhas-Blancas . In heavy fighting Italians suffered significant losses. In one of the episodes, Junior Lieutenant Mario Ricci and three other Italian tankers had the misfortune of being captured and shot. [2]
Posthumously awarded the gold medal "For Military Valor . "
From the presentation of the award [1] :
The commander of a tank platoon is always ready to perform any risky task, with clear and conscious fearlessness. During the battle for Catalonia , despite the injury, he insisted and took part in a new operation. When he was about to return from a raid undertaken against enemy positions, he learned that his captain’s tank had been shot down, and despite the deadly enemy fire and difficult terrain, he tried to save him. After several hits into the tank, he fell into a deep ravine, where the wounded and unconscious were captured by the red ones. In response to a question from their commander, he proudly reaffirmed his belief in fascism , which caused respect and admiration even among enemies. Posing before the firing squad, stoically met his death, once again confirming the strong temperament of the Italian soldier.
Spain , April 1939 - January 1939.
Original text (ital.)Comandante di ’plotne carri d’assalto Durante la battaglia di catalogna bench ferito, insisteva ed otteneva di partecipare ad una nuova azione. Mira stava per rientrare da una irruzione compiuta su posizioni nemiche saputo che il proprio Nel generoso tentativo, riputamente colpito; Interrogato dal capo di queste riaffermava fieramente la propria de fedecista, destando anche fra i nemici, rispetto ed ammirazione. Condotto dinanzi aduntaunto, econzione, affrontawa stoicamente la morte, riconfermando ancora una Spagna, aprile 1938 - gennaio 1939.
Awards
- Gold Medal "For Military Valor" (1939, posthumously)
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Ricci Mario (Italian) . Presidenza della Repubblica (Official site of the President of the Republic of Italy). Circulation date August 21, 2012. Archived October 29, 2012.
- ↑ La guerra civile di Spagna 1936-1939, La battaglia di Catalogna (ital.) . Regio Esercito. Circulation date August 21, 2012. Archived October 25, 2012.
Links
- Ricci Mario (ital.) . Presidenza della Repubblica (Official site of the President of the Republic of Italy). Circulation date August 21, 2012. Archived October 29, 2012.