In World War II, the honour of arms represented a tribute of extraordinary moral value, awarded to those military units that, despite being defeated, demonstrated exemplary courage and tenacity. This ancient chivalric award from Roman times, which allowed the defeated army to maintain its dignity through symbolic gestures of respect, had among its protagonists not only the 185th Parachute Division 'Folgore' but also other valiant Italian and foreign units.
Although it is important to recognise that our beloved 'Folgore' was not the only Italian unit to receive such an honour during the conflict - as the examples of the men commanded by the Duke of Aosta at the siege of Amba Alagi and the Italian forces at the battle of CulQualber show - the case of the 'Folgore' remains emblematic for its exceptional resistance during the second battle of El Alamein.
An entire Division decimated in order to resist the enemy. Out of 5,000 Parachutists who arrived in Africa in the summer of 1942, just under 300 remained alive, surrendering last on 6 November, and against their will as Parachutist Captain Renato Migliavacca, who fought that battle, often stated.
Despite the significant attestation of valour, the honour of arms bestowed on Italian military units has often found itself in the shadows of Italy's collective memory, forgotten by a society and politics that have rarely been able to value moments of heroic sacrifice and resistance. This oblivion risks erasing from history not only the courage of those soldiers but also the depth of the recognition it implies: a gesture of esteem between adversaries that transcends mere military victory to celebrate humanity and integrity even in war.
The 'Folgore', with its stoic defence, embodied the principles of honour, courage and sacrifice that should define how we remember and honour those who distinguished themselves in moments of intense challenge and resistance. The fact that such remembrance takes a back seat in public discourse underlines a gap in our ability to adequately honour the valour and dedication of Italian soldiers who distinguished themselves through their heroic actions to the point of supreme sacrifice.
Rediscovering and enhancing the honour of arms does not only mean doing justice to the 'Folgore' and the other units that have received such recognition, but also reflecting on our collective identity and how we choose to remember the past. Giving these episodes of courage and dignity the place they deserve in Italian history is a crucial step towards a deeper understanding of the meaning of sacrifice, heroism and mutual respect that should illuminate our memory of historical events.
It is natural that within the Folgore Parachute Brigade these acts of valiant heroism are frequently commemorated, both in daily life and at official celebrations such as the speciality festival.
However, it is necessary for the Italian political class and society to go one step further, committing themselves to spreading the memory of such heroic deeds outside the barracks, so that the sacrifice and integrity demonstrated are not lost in the oblivion of history but remain as a shining example for future generations.