On September 9 at 12:00 noon, at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Montecorvino Pugliano, the municipalities of Altavilla Silentina, Bellizzi, Battipaglia, Campagna, Eboli, Montecorvino Pugliano, Montecorvino Rovella, Pontecagnano Faiano, Olevano sul Tusciano, and Salerno will come together to honor the fallen. The ceremony is meant to remind us that war never solves conflicts – it only brings destruction and sorrow.
Back in January, these municipalities signed an agreement to work together in keeping alive the memory of Operation Avalanche, the Allied landing in September 1943.
Codenamed “Avalanche,” the Salerno landing was at the heart of a vast military campaign across Campania, Puglia, and Calabria. Because of its scale and complexity, it became the largest air and naval operation in the Mediterranean during World War II. Its impact went far beyond Italy, leaving a lasting mark on European history.
This commemoration is part of the Avalanche Project, promoted by the Mubat Association, with the support of the European Union’s “European Remembrance” program (DG Justice and Consumers) and the Campania Region
The Salerno War Cemetery is a war grave cemetery located a few kilometers south of Salerno, in the commune of Montecorvino Pugliano. Here lie the remains of 1,846 soldiers who fought in the battle of Salerno, coming from Commonwealth countries, in addition to other 107 servicemen whose nationality is unknown.
The cemetery was designed by Louis de Soissons, an English architect of French origin, who lost his son during the landing. It is run directly by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and among the fallen soldiers there is also Henry Valerian George Wellesley, 6th Duke of Wellington, who was killed in action, aged 31, in Piegolelle, on 16 September 1943, while he was leading a troop in (Royal Marines) No. 2 Commando.
