Italy

  • The Other Side of WWII

    World War II wasn’t only death and destruction, there were a few occasions where there was some reprieve. Sports remained very important during the war, to keep up the morale. The above picture is of Private Leonardo Rodriguez of Cartaro, Arizona, roping a calf during the American Red Cross rodeo and “Wild West” show staged…

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  • Brazil at War

    We all know about the allied troops which consisted of the US, British, Soviet, Australian, Indian and South African forces and there were others of course. However, one country that is always overlooked as a supplier of troops during World War II was Brazil. Roosevelt knew it was important to get the whole continent of…

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  • One of the most famous paintings, if not the most famous painting is the Mona Lisa,painted by Leonardo da Vinci. In 1503 or 1504 Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to paint Lisa del Giocondo (nee Gherardini), the painting became known as the Mona Lisa. Aged 15, real-life Lisa Gherardini married Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo. a…

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  • The killing of innocent lives is despicable enough, but trying to make a profit out of it in the most deceitful way is beyond evil. Giving people hope that somehow they will survive, where there really was no intention of sparing their lives, sickens me to the core. Shortly after the armistice between Italy and…

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  • 16 bodies in Lake Maggiore

    The lakes of Italy are known for its beauty. Although I have been to Italy several times it was usually the Lake Garda area I would visit, every time I was awestruck by its beautiful surroundings. I did see Lake Maggiore once in passing and it also looked majestic. However this majestic beautiful place was…

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  • (updated February 15, 2024) Now that the  we are only a few months away from the UEFA Euro 2024 and , it is a good opportunity to look at one of the sport’s legends. Ernest Erbstein, aka Ernest Egri-Erbstein was a Jewish-Hungarian football player and  He was involved in  football as a player and coach…

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  • This is one of those ‘What if’ stories, a different result would have made a massive impact on world’s history. Gibson was born in Dublin, Ireland, on August 31 1876. Her father was an Irish lawyer and politician, Edward Gibson, who was created Baron Ashbourne in 1886. Her mother, Frances, was a Christian Scientist. Violet grew…

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  • Raid of the Ghetto of Rome

    There are two sad elements to this story. A-As so oft before during WWII victims had been given a sense of hope, often false hope given by the Nazi’s to even inflict psychological terror upon the physical crimes. However in this case the hope was given by the allies. B. So very little is known…

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  • Of all the enemies Allied soldiers confronted during World War II, malaria proved to be among the most stubborn. The mosquito-borne disease was a constant scourge for soldiers stationed in the Pacific and Mediterranean theaters. General MacArthur’s retreat to the malarial Philippine peninsula of Bataan in early 1942 led directly to his sickly army’s surrender to the Japanese a…

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  • The other Mussolinis

    Cynical me would have probably given this blog the title “Hey, karma is a b*tch” but I am aware that my audience is bigger then just me and therefore I aim to remain unbiased. Bruno Mussolini (22 April 1918 – 7 August 1941) was the son of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and Mussolini’s wife Rachele. On 7 August 1941, the 23-year-old…

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