Post by Diarist on Oct 25, 2015 9:37:14 GMT 1
Sally and I had a great time at the Turin Officer's Casino. Luigi and his colleagues were very gallant. We stayed away from politics although Luigi did mention that a few units from the 1st Superior Alpini in Turin had been sent to Eritrea assigned to the 5th Alpini Division. He offered to show us around his unit today but I politely declined saying we had to move on. When I said that we were intending to visit Cúneo before going to the Riviera he gave me the telephone number of a friend there in the 5th Superior Alpini Command, soon to be 4th Alpini Division.
We got back to our hotel after midnight but we could sleep late because it is only a short drive to Cúneo. We had a large lunch at the hotel before leaving Turin. I paid Jacques a brief visit after a late breakfast expressing my concern about the Mont Blanc route. I left reassured that they were aware of the situation.
In the afternoon we arrived in Cúneo. If we march in to Italy there will be a lot of fighting here. It is near six important mountain passes:
. Colle della Maddalena at 1,996 metres (6,549 ft)
. Colle di Tenda at 1,871 metres (6,138 ft) - Tunnel of Tenda at 1,300 metres (4,300 ft), 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long
. Colle del Melogno at 1,027 metres (3,369 ft)
. Colle San Bernardo at 957 metres (3,140 ft)
. Colle di Nava at 934 metres (3,064 ft)
. Colle di Cadibona at 459 metres (1,506 ft).
I called LTC Bruno Marcchiesso and he was expecting my call. Sally and I were given a tour of the 5th Alpini Command. I learned that each regiment has 3000 mules - I wonder what our Highland Mountain Brigade is using for transportation. I was even allowed to take photos. We had dinner in the officer's dining facility and before leaving I gave him our address promising to revenge the tour if he ever visits England. But that won't happen!
An interesting day. Tomorrow it's vacation time again, our destination is Alassio.
We got back to our hotel after midnight but we could sleep late because it is only a short drive to Cúneo. We had a large lunch at the hotel before leaving Turin. I paid Jacques a brief visit after a late breakfast expressing my concern about the Mont Blanc route. I left reassured that they were aware of the situation.
In the afternoon we arrived in Cúneo. If we march in to Italy there will be a lot of fighting here. It is near six important mountain passes:
. Colle della Maddalena at 1,996 metres (6,549 ft)
. Colle di Tenda at 1,871 metres (6,138 ft) - Tunnel of Tenda at 1,300 metres (4,300 ft), 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long
. Colle del Melogno at 1,027 metres (3,369 ft)
. Colle San Bernardo at 957 metres (3,140 ft)
. Colle di Nava at 934 metres (3,064 ft)
. Colle di Cadibona at 459 metres (1,506 ft).
I called LTC Bruno Marcchiesso and he was expecting my call. Sally and I were given a tour of the 5th Alpini Command. I learned that each regiment has 3000 mules - I wonder what our Highland Mountain Brigade is using for transportation. I was even allowed to take photos. We had dinner in the officer's dining facility and before leaving I gave him our address promising to revenge the tour if he ever visits England. But that won't happen!
An interesting day. Tomorrow it's vacation time again, our destination is Alassio.