The Special Forces of the 4th Recover a Plaque Engraved by the Alpini in 1917

A plaque engraved in 1917 by the Alpini of the 103rd Company of the “Aosta” Battalion was recovered on Monte Pasubio, under the Cresta dei Sogi (Municipality of Vallarsa), following a targeted operation conducted by a unit of the 1st Company “Monte Cervino” of the 4th Alpini Paratroopers Regiment, a special forces unit of the Italian Army under the direct command of the COMFOSE (Army Special Forces Command).

The intervention, authorized by the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage and Activities of Trento, allowed for the safeguarding of a historical artifact linked to the operations of the alpine troops on the Italian-Austrian front during the First World War.

A Testimony of Over 100 Years

According to reports by Giornale di Vicenza by Giovanni M. Filosofo, the plaque bears the engraving of the 103rd Company, then part of the “Monte Cervino” Battalion, established in 1915 and largely composed of Valdostan Alpini from the 133rd Company of the “Aosta” Battalion, with subsequent integration of the 87th and the 103rd.

The unit initially operated in the Monte Bisorte sector and the Folgaria plateau, distinguishing itself in battles against the Austro-Hungarian offensive. It was later transferred to Pasubio, where it took part in the defense of the massif, one of the most critical points of the Italian front.

Discovery and Recovery

The plaque was identified about a year ago in a ravine below the fortification path, near the area of the so-called “Villaggio Cervino”, an alpine post from 1917. Presumably, the artifact fell post-war due to weather conditions or land movements.

The personnel of the 1st Company “Monte Cervino” set up a hoist system to lift the artifact, weighing about 80 kg, up the ravine to the path. Subsequently, the plaque was carried on a tactical stretcher, with over four hours of movement on rough terrain.

Collaborations and Next Destination

The operations involved, as collaborators and observers, Eng. Roberto Greselin, author of the book “Saving Memory – Pasubio 1915-1918”, and Dr. Lucia Ongaro, from the Italian War History Museum (MiTaG) in Rovereto, contributing to historical documentation and relations with the Superintendency.

The plaque, now cleaned, will be delivered to the MiTaG, where it will be preserved and displayed to the public, as a testimony of the Alpini's contribution to operations on Pasubio during the first world conflict.