General 'Aquila 1' Ferruccio Brandi: the myth beyond the legend

If there is one name that echoes in the skies of Italian military history, that name is undoubtedly Ferruccio Brandi.

Myth, legend, unique hero, his life was a hymn to courage, determination and sacrifice.

Born in Trieste on 9 November 1920, by Oscar and Virginia Malusà, Brandi embodied the qualities of a born leader even as a young man. His thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Trieste, where he enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Business.

However, the call of adventure and duty was stronger: in 1938, In a choice that would define the course of his life, he enlisted as a volunteer in the Royal Army.

Promoted Aspirant in 1939 and assigned to the 152nd Infantry Regiment 'Sassari', his elevation to second lieutenant in the same year marked the beginning of an extraordinary career

Brandi was not simply a soldier, but a symbol of heroism, destined to leave an indelible mark in the history of the Folgore and of Italy as a whole.

As a young lieutenant at El Alamein

Detained on active duty, in 1940 attended the parachuting course in Tarquinia, after which he was assigned as commander of III Platoon, 6th Company, II Battalion, of the 187th Parachute Regiment Folgore.

Following the 'Folgore' Division, he was transferred to Italian North Africa, where he fought during the Battle of El Alamein distinguishing himself in the fighting at Deir El Munassib and Quota 187 (22-24 October 1942) being seriously injured on day 24, hit in the face by a machine gun bullet.

Captured by the British in the course of the fighting, on completion of his stay at the 9th General Hospital of the Cairo was transferred to a prison camp, returning to Italy in March 1945 to continue treatment.

However, his exploits did not go unnoticed, and it was his Paratroopers who strongly demanded and were awarded, after the war, the highest honour, the Gold Medal for Military Valour on the following grounds:

Commander of a paratrooper platoon, when attacked by a preponderant armoured force, he encouraged and incited his employees with his heroic example to defend the position entrusted to him at any cost. Overtaken by tanks, he gathered the few survivors and led them in a furious counterattack, managing to make the adversary infantry retreat, followed by the armoured vehicles. Again attacked by tanks, with titanic valour, he inflicted serious losses and, having run out of anti-tank ammunition, in an extreme attempt to immobilise them, he threw himself at one of them and set it on fire with an incendiary bottle. In this daring feat, he was hit by a machine-gun volley that detached his jaw. Overcoming his pain, he stood among his men, and with his jaw hanging down, horribly transfigured, he continued to direct them with his gestures, inciting them to the fight, and instilling in them his sublime heroism. With his stoicism and high fighting spirit, he saved the bitterly contested position and, by holding out for several hours beyond human possibilities, he won the admiration of his adversary. His admiring and proud paratroopers demanded the highest reward for him.

El Munassib (North Africa), 24 October 1942

Post-war: Aquila 1 from 1969 to 1973

He resumed his studies and obtained a degree in economics and commerce in 1947, returning to active service with the Italian Army in March 1950, assigned to the 182nd Infantry Regiment 'Garibaldi' as a captain on permanent duty.

In 1953 He served at the Inter-Allied Forces Command Southern Europe, subsequently attending courses at the War College and the Inter-Allied Staff Institute.

In 1963, while holding the post of Chief of Staff of the 'Avellino' Infantry Brigade, he was transferred, on his own request, to Pisa to hold the post of Chief of Staff of the Parachute Brigade then in the process of being established.

Between the 1964 and the 1965 continued to hold this position despite the transfer of the Parachute Brigade Command to Livorno. Between 1966 and the 1967 served as commander of the Military Parachute School of Pisa, and between the 1968 and the 1969 that of commander of the 1st Parachute Regiment in Livorno.

Between 1969 and 1973, he was Commander of the Folgore Parachute Brigade.

In November 1971 takes part in the airdrop during the Meloria tragedy.

The General, Aquila 1 at that time, is on the C-130 named 'Chalk 2'. He is personally in charge of organising the recovery of the bodies of the "C-130 Chalk 4" and assisting the families of the victims.

After retiring in 1983 He still held high positions, such as Commissioner for the Honours of the Fallen in War and Honorary President of the Parachutists Association on Leave, until he reached the rank of army corps general.

The 30 August 2014, in Bolzano, leaving behind his wife, Mrs Frieda Fischnaller.

Ferruccio Brandi remains a beacon of military virtue that continues to illuminate the path of future generations, reminding us that true valour lies in unwavering loyalty to one's ideals of country.

Folgore Commander Brandi!