In the Cycling Tour, we'll be exploring the area represented in the Montello map. There's a lot of history to be found here, from the very structures that played a role in this battle to the monuments erected in memory della Grande Guerra. Every friday we'll make a new stop at one of these historic locations until we arrive at our final destination: The Nervesa della Battaglia train station.
Previously: The History of Montello Hill [#3]
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After a pleasant cycle over Montello and down the hill, we take a right, a second right and face the 15% incline back up. Don't worry, it's only half a kilometer. Here, we arrive at our next destination!
Stop #4: Monumento a Francesco Baracca
On the side of Montello hill overlooking Nervesa della Battaglia (if it wasn't for the trees), we find ourselves at a shrine-like monument made in honor of Count Francesco Baracca, an Italian war hero credited for 34 aerial victories. He was one of the highest-scoring pilots of the Allies, but sadly did not survive the war.
Born in 1888, Baracca entered the Military Academy of Modena in 1907 at the age of 19 and became a cavalryman with the Piemonte Reale Cavalleria in 1910. After a short period of being stationed near Rome and later in central Italy, he took an interest in aviation and got his pilot's license in France, 1912. Baracca served the Battaglione Aviatori from then on and into WW1.
WW1
In 1915, Baracca was assigned to the 8a Squadriglia Nieuport. However, the French Nieuport 10s biplanes used by this squadron were heavily outclassed by the Austro-Hungarians as they were too slow and the guns had the tendency to jam when you needed them the most.
A year later, the squadron was upgraded with Nieuport 11 fighters equipped with Lewis guns. With this new plane, it took Baracca only a couple days to score his first victory, the first aerial victory of Italy in the war. The maneuver he used for this victory quickly became his signature move: he would fly behind and below the enemy, moving in while remaining unseen. Once within pistol range, he would unleash the Lewis.
Around this time, Baracca adopted a black prancing horse as his personal emblem, plastered on his plane in tribute of his former cavalry regiment. We'll get back to this later!
He got his second victory over Gorizia a couple weeks later and was transferred to a new squadron as Capitano after his third victory, Baracca and his new SPAD VII plane were transferred again after 9 victories a year later to the newly formed 91st Squadriglia as the head of the "Squadron of the Aces". At this point, he was already nationally famous for his victories.
Baracca almost lost his life to friendly fire by one of his friends, Fulco Ruffo di Calabria, who was later senator of Italy until 1934 and father of Paola Ruffo di Calabria, Queen of Belgium until 2013 as wife of former king Albert II.
The Montello Mission
His success continued throughout the war, being promoted to Maggiore (Major) in November 1917 and raising his victory count to 30. Baracca didn't see much action in 1918 but did get 4 more victories. In June 1918, he was assigned to a strafing mission on Montello. Accompanied by rookie pilot Franco Osnago, they were hit by ground fire and got seperated. Minutes later, both Osnago and the airfield saw a plane light up in flames and fall from the sky.
After the Austro-Hungarian retreat, Baracca's remains were recovered. Reportedly, he took a bullet to the head, but it's unclear what exactly took place. His pistol was out of its holster and away from his body, leading people to think he took his own life before hitting the ground. However, an Austrian pilot claimed to have shot him in combat, which is backed up by Austro-Hungarian records.
Baracca's Legacy
Francesco Baracca was awarded with a Gold Medal of Military Valor, two Silver Medals of Military Valor, one Bronze Medal of Military Valor, the British Military Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the Belgian Order of the Crown and the Serbian Order of Karađorđe Star for his service during the war. His home in Lugo di Romagna was turned into a museum dedicated to him, many bridges and roads across the country are named after him. The airport of Bolzano, the Roma-Centocelle Air Force base and the Lugo di Romagna airfield are named after him as well.
The monument we're at right now was erected where Baracca's plane crashed. Once proudly looking over Nervesa della Battaglia, the spot is now quite obscured by trees, visible only to those who visit the monument to remember him. The monument features a dedication by Gabriele D'Annunzio on its frieze and a plaque in the center with his likeness, the Prancing Horse from his emblem and the griffin used by the 91st Squadriglia.
The Baracca legacy continues to this day, however. In the years following the war, Baracca's mother paid a visit to Enzo Ferrari. She suggested to adopt the Baracca Prancing Horse for the logo of Ferrari, as a good luck charm. Ferrari accepted this request. While the exact design was changed numerous times over the years, the iconic Ferrari logo – likely one of the most recognizable logos in the world – is the Prancing Horse of Francesco Baracca.
Up next
Our next stop isn't that far away: the Sacrario Ossario Militare del Montello. You'll have some downhill to enjoy, but don't get too comfortable! There's even steeper incline around the corner. See you there!
The route on Google MapsVisit Montello!
The Montello Cycling Tour is a collaboration with local organizations. We'd like to thank them for helping us out with information about the region, the history and photos they provided. If you're interested in visiting the area, please check them out and tell them we sent you!
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For bike renting and a historic tour with possibility for a meal.Bike Rental Montellohttps://aglizattieri.com/ |
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Looking for your next holiday destination?Visit Prosecco Hillshttps://visitproseccohills.it/en |
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Want to learn more about WW1 and the history of the area?Museo della Battaglia di Vittorio VenetoLocation on Google Maps |
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