Commemorative events held in towns south of Rome

On the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings at Anzio and Nettuno during world war two, a series of commemorations will be held on 22 January in both neighbouring coastal towns located about 60 km south of Rome.

The events are being organised by the town councils of Anzio and Nettuno, where the landings and battles over the next five months in 1944 saw 43,000 Allied casualties of whom 7,000 died. The Germans suffered similar losses.

The commemorations begin with a short British-led service of remembrance, followed by the unveiling of an interactive information panel, at the Commonwealth Beach Head Cemetery at Falasche, Anzio.

There will then be a brief visit to the Commonwealth Anzio War Cemetery at S. Teresa to lay a wreath and pay respects. Subsequently there will be an act of remembrance in the US Rome-Sicily Cemetery in Nettuno followed by commemorations at the war memorials in the town sqaures of Nettuno and Anzio. At Anzio a new memorial will be unveiled, dedicated to all the citizens of Anzio, civilian and military, who lost their lives.

Download the full programme of events here.

Some surviving veterans of the campaign will travel from UK to attend the commemorations, together with the families of those who died. Senior representatives from the UK, USA, Germany and Canada are also expected to attend, as well as local dignitaries.

Between January and June members of the Italian Star Association have arranged anniversary meetings to remember key events in the Italian campaign. After the meetings on 19 January in Piazza Venezia and 22 January at Anzio there will be gatherings on 18 February in Aprilia, 19 May in Monte Cassino, 4 June in Rome and 16 June at Allerona Bridge. To find out more details contact Harry Shindler MBE, Italian representative of the Italy Star Association, harryshindler@libero.it, tel. 0735 658446 or 347 5242893.

Photo:

66th anniversary world war two landings in Anzio and Nettuno 2010. The British Embassy Defence section participates in the Anzio and Nettuno commemorative programme of the allied landings.