Today's Itinerary and Activities
Day 4: May 9
Today we covered the Operation Avalanche strategic and operational plans, and the D-Day landings. We discussed the advance inland, and German counter-offensive, focusing on the struggle for the Alta Villa heights. We also considered two more seminar questions: What consequences do Italians living around the Gulf of Salerno face on the morning of 9 September 1943? and Which side emerges most victorious at Salerno?
Today we covered the Operation Avalanche strategic and operational plans, and the D-Day landings. We discussed the advance inland, and German counter-offensive, focusing on the struggle for the Alta Villa heights. We also considered two more seminar questions: What consequences do Italians living around the Gulf of Salerno face on the morning of 9 September 1943? and Which side emerges most victorious at Salerno?
Every year when we study the American landings and the events of 8-17 September in the Paestum/Salerno area two things happen: we find there is no American flag at the monument and inevitably at some point an Italian comes out and says "I was here then." This year, as we waited for our students to return so we could raise the flag, Maria (who lives very close to the monument) excitedly brought out a picture from the war. She said she would like to meet the children or family of the soldiers in the picture (because she assumes they are no longer alive themselves). It is clear that she has very positive memories of meeting them. Can we identify the soldiers in these pics and maybe contact their family? We took Maria's mailing address so we can send her information. Maria is the five year old being held by a soldier in the picture in the gallery below.