Italian Photo and Translation Help Please

[Bob Hritz]

I just found this wonderful photo of an Italian 3rd Grenadier officer. I would like to know about the writing on the reverse.

Thank you,
Bob Hritz

[HuD]

Bob that's a very great photo! i do believe this is a picture of the General di cavalleria Tito Agosti.

He was an higly decorated officer, fighting during WWI and WWII (Africa).
He later joined the RSI and obtained the command of the Littorio division while training in Germany and then fighting on the french/italian border.

He was taken prisoner by the US troops by the end of april 1945 and he killed himself in the military prison nearby Rome in 1946.

Interesting to note the writings on he back, it is signed by the general and sent on July 1944 from Senne Lager (the Littorio training camp for the italian soldier in Germany).
The picture was taken way before in a photo shop "Corradini" in Bologna still with the monarchy uniform.

Actually it's not so easy to clearly read the writing on the back, as far as i understand it should be something like that:

Saluti alla mia Cara Lotte nell'amore fanatico per la Grande Germania, mia nuova Patria.
Lascio questo ricordo perchè mi abbia vicino anche quando il destino mi porterà infinitamente lontano"

and a quick translation:

"Greetings to my dear Lotte in a fanatical love for the Great Germany, my new homeland.
I leave this memory to be always close even when the fate will take me infinitely away"

I guess the meaning it's quite clear...

Really a great historical testimony!
Best,
Stefano

[chainsawrich]

Bob,

Wow great find !....... Here he ie -

http://www.generals.dk/general/Agosti/Tito/Italy.html

Rich

[Bob Hritz]

Thank you very much. I thought the photo was great and like it even more now!

Bob Hritz

[BPA-Paul]

What a great looking portrait photo, well done Bob..nice find.

[NickG]

Great score. You have good taste and than as a bonus he turns out to be an RSI General writing about his experiences in Germany
at the Littorio RSI troops training camp ! It doesn't get any better than that! A neat historical photo that "talks"!

[PAOLORUBENS]

are we sure ...

are we sure it is not a fake ??? the guy looks like Bruce Willis ... kidding
great catch