An Italian Hero

[medalnet]

This slipped through my hands yesterday. Probably the funnest RK Mappe one could own. Read about his heroic deed here:

a) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzo_Grossi

and more important here

b) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italia...rine_Barbarigo

viva Italia

[Waffenreich]

Interesting story. It's strange that in neither link do they mention him being decorated by the Germans (except in the list of awards).

Was it in an auction?

[Sepp45]

A few pics of Grossi

[Gew44]

Interesting story. It's strange that in neither link do they mention him being decorated by the Germans (except in the list of awards).

Was it in an auction?

Because the Italian awarded by KC was so few.

In the Italian Wikipedia is mentioned the motivation of the KC :

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzo_Grossi

[Gew44]

You know the joke about the thinnest book around? The one about Italian war heroes.Apparently this guy is in that book.

Few but good.

I would remember you the entire Folgore division and Ariete Tank division deaths during the attac in North Africa versus the Commonwealth Army Forces better armed than our soldiers.

No one of these is mentioned in any book but the few survivors were the only ones, to the enemy, to have the "honor of arms" from the Commonwealth Army Forces.

As wrote in Alamein stone " Lacked luck but not courage"

And many many others in Russia, Albania, Grecia.... you don't have to get a decoration to be a hero.

I know is a joke but The Italians are always Pizza, Spaghetti, Mandolino, Mafia...

With friendless from Italy

[Sepp45]

Grossi probably didn't deserved the KC, but there are 8 other Italians who got the KC for acts of extreme bravery.

Carlo Fecia di Cossato did an outstanding job as Commander of the Submarine Enrico Tazzoli, for example.

[Jelle M.]

Thats an outstanding document,
the controversy surrounding the recipient adds
charm to the document. Very rare mappe!

[Mobydick]

Hi

This Italian impostor has never earned his awards. An impertinence towards all true heroes.

Like that man, Skorzeny, who took part in the liberation of Mussolini just because he was there.
This was not an act that justified the awarding of the Knight's Cross.
Skorzeny received the Knight's cross as a gift from Hitler, but not for his hero bravery... more out of gratitude.

Merry christmas to all

[Klaus O.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4v1wQf01rc

Interesting...

[GREG E.]

Armchair Quarterback

I totally disagree with this comment! It still took courage and skill to command a combat submarine during wartime. This man still risked his life in the performance of his duties. How easy it is to pass such judgement from the comfort and safety of home 75 years afterwards...

Hi

This Italian impostor has never earned his awards. An impertinence towards all true heroes.

[Ohlau]

Let's be honest genetelmans, "Barbarigo" under Grossi command was able to escape 5 days sea/air hunting , nothing laughable for crew. They did what they were able to do. Not they fault they had different training and commanding than U-bootwaffe

[VtwinVince]

Only meant in good fun. And don't forget that the only major German warship named after a foreigner was named after Prince Eugene of Savoy.