(map) 
There is so much more to Italy’s beautiful mountains than initially meets the eye. Take the small town of Torbole at the northern tip of Lake Garda, for instance.
It was here that the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army, which had been fighting its way up the boot for many months, finally fought its last battle in the spring of 1945. It was here that General Darby of Darby’s Rangers fame was killed by a German mortar shell.
Fast forward 50 years to the dedication of a monument to the 10th Mountain Division, General Darby, and the town of Torbole, Trentino. This was followed by a gift exchange in the office of the Sindaco (Mayor), the entourage consisting of the Mayor, local dignitaries, the US Army general from the nearby Vicenza base, and two tourists.
Fast forward 14 more years. The two tourists return to Torbole to remember. Fast forward 1 last year and the two tourists have an opportunity to ski with some of those same veterans of the 10th during their reunion in Vail, Colorado. One was 95 years old, the first to become an officer coming up through the ranks and the author of the army’s skiing field manual.
Gives a deeper appreciation for the beauty of these mountains, their history… and for all the people who wrote it.
- Kindly contributed by Michael Yaccino. Many thanks!
Thanks for the WWII history lesson. From what I have read elsewhere, this is the unit that was the most trained unit in the war. They trained for more than 2 years in the US befoer being deployed to Italy. Also, I believe that the 10th is the unit that Al Gore was in when he was injured in the Po Valley.
GB, Love your Notebook and this was particularly interesting with your follow up details. Kathy and I save them all for our next visit.
The expandable pictures are a wonderful addition also. So much more detail.
Best always, Ken
Al Gore may have invented the internet (sure, he did) but I doubt the likes of him would ever qualify for membership in the 10th Mountain Division. Perhaps you mean Bob Dole?
Al Gore, indeed. The very notion is ludicrous.
Beautiful!! Thank you! I’m familiar with the 10th Mountain Division training site near Vail, Colorado. I had no idea about the Italian connection!! Amazing!
Regarding the pictures of the men of the 10th, it would be very nice to know their names in the order in which they appear in the picture.
Thank you,
Esther Shelton
I believe the 10th trained at Leadville, CO, elevation 10,000′
Note to “Bob” – Al Gore indeed, what was I thinking!! Of course it’s Bob Dole!!
Thanks for your interest in the 10th. I again skied with them last week. If you want to see more pictures just e-mail me at ciaomichael@centurytel.net