The volume was released in July, 2015 From Sicily to El Alamein, (Edizioni Momenti), by the historian Carlo Palermo, born in Agrigento, class of '66, graduated in law and political science, passionate scholar of military history, librarian of the municipality of Realmonte (AG). It is a volume of about one hundred pages with vintage photos of Ribera, the Agrigento native town of Emanuele and Francesco Crispi, with vintage photos of the Bersaglieri in Libya, and photos of the shrine and the niche where Emanuele Macaluso rests.
Dr. Palermo tell us about yourself, how this passion for history was born.
I have a normal school curriculum: high school, university, with a passion for military history. I have read a lot of Petacco, De Felice, etc. As a historical narrative: Bedeschi, Dominioni, Rigoni Stern and other veterans. I read books purchased from the Italian Army historical office. In short, I have read a lot and I have 35 years behind my historical studies.
The first book you read?
It was David Irving's "The Fox Trail", I was 12 years old. I have books written by Rommel, Guderian etc. For years I have listened to the stories of war veterans. History has been a passion that I have cultivated since I was a child. I was curious to know the life of the great leaders of the past such as Hannibal, Caesar, Napoleon, etc. I was passionate about the stories of war veterans, I spent hours listening to them.
How come your interest in El Alamein?
Once a veteran of Alamein told me that he personally met General Rommel. I was fascinated by the figure of this skilled and cunning German leader who had driven the English troops mad in the African desert. From there my research on desert warfare began.
How did the idea for this book come about?
With the reading of the book "Alamein" written by Colonel Paolo Caccia Dominioni, where the author recounts the episode, which took place in 1954, of the discovery of the body of Emanuele Macaluso, Sicilian from Ribera (AG), Bersagliere of the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment Aries division, who died in early July during the first battle of Alamein. This fact intrigued me, it was a soldier born in the town of Agrigento, not far from the place where I live, about twenty kilometers. Since then I have always had in mind the idea of going to Alamein to pay homage to Emanuele and get to know his human story.
How much time did it take to write From Sicily to El Alamein?
I spent two years researching, testifying and drafting the draft. Activity always carried out in moments and on free days.
Have you ever been to Alamein?
Yes I've been there. I have been to Alamein several times as a partner of ARIDO (Association of Independent Desert Researchers of the West), an association of historical researchers involved in research on the battle of El Alamein.
The first time I went there with the paràs of thunderbolt on leave. There I met the lion of the thunderbolt Santo Fur.
During my travels to El Alamein, I visited the ancient front line and the Italian military shrine. When I entered that "Olympus of Heroes" I felt a strong emotion. There were 5000 young people waiting for us, who taught me and teach us, all of us Italians, how Italy is truly served.
For the first time in my life, I felt proud to be Italian. Once I entered, as if I were guided by a hand, by an entity, I don't know how to explain it well, I found myself in front of the niche where the remains of the bersagliere Emanuele Macaluso rest and instinctively I said: "dear Emanuele, I finally came to see you ".
But who was the bersagliere Emanuele Macaluso?
The Bersagliere Emanuele Macaluso was a smart and intelligent boy, educated according to the values of the past, "God, Country, family", and the rigid canons of Sicilian families of the last century. At the outbreak of the war he had given up university studies in order to serve his country in arms. On the African front, with his regiment, he had participated in military operations ranging from November 41 to July 6, 1942, the day of his death, behaving like a true bersagliere. An eyewitness said that Emanuele, together with a few other Bersaglieri, camouflaged himself on a cloth covered with sand and when an English tank passed, hooked a mine under the enemy vehicle.
Ideals, sense of duty, love for the homeland, what do they represent for you? Do they still exist today?
In my opinion these ideals are the fundamental pillars of a nation. When a people no longer believes in these values it is bound to drift. Fortunately, there are so many honest people in Italy, but they need certainty from those who lead our nation. There are many Italian citizens who serve Italy in arms or not, with self-denial and professionalism. We must take an example from them and do our part well.
Monica Palermo
(the interviewer and the author are not relatives)
