In the 80s, the Italian Army operated in a less technologically advanced environment than it does today, but it made up for it with the ingenuity and dedication of its soldiers, especially among the regulars. Although Italy was often labeled as "the soft underbelly" of NATO, the Italian military proved otherwise, contributing significantly to the efficiency of new platforms and weapon systems, thanks also to the innovative approach that involved the soldiers in the process of evaluating the equipment.
In a period of relative peace, military spending in Italy was around 2-2,5% of GDP, probably raising some concerns among the public. However, the Italcon mission in Lebanon (1982-1984) commanded by Gen. Franco Angioni, divided into the phases "Lebanon 1" and "Lebanon 2", marked a real turning point. Those operations highlighted the organization, adaptability and courage of Italian soldiers, laying the foundations for a modern army, ready to face international and increasingly complex scenarios.
The drafting of the From Bitonto brought back in January 1984, the news of two non-commissioned officers from Bitonto participating in the operation. Sergeant Major Antonio Carbone, still resident in the Lodi area, and the undersigned Sergeant Major Pasquale Rapio, currently resident in Bitonto. In Carbone's arms we see the contingent's mascot, the Palestinian Mustafà Haoui, currently a laboratory technician at the biobank of Regina Elena in Rome.
This story is that of Sergeant Major Pasquale Rapio (photo), now retired as a Marshal, collected by First Marshal Filippo Formica, his long-time colleague. A story experienced first-hand during the mission in Lebanon, which today continues to resonate strongly in current events.
As Rapio himself underlines: "The truce between Israelis and Palestinians is news, a sign of hope for a path of peace that leads to the mutual recognition of the two peoples."
Introduction
Leaving for Beirut, in a tense and unstable geopolitical context, meant facing a reality that would test not only physical strength, but also moral and psychological strength. Let us not forget that the bulk of the army ranks were made up of non-professional conscripts. We, Italian soldiers, coming from different corners of the country, had a clear mission: to protect and guarantee the safety of the most vulnerable.
The operation is part of a very delicate geopolitical context. It all began with the Israeli intervention "Peace in Galilee", aimed at neutralizing the bases of Yasser Arafat's PLO, from which incursions against Israel were launched. To avoid a total annihilation of the Palestinian troops, American mediation, supported by the Arab countries, organized the evacuation of Palestinian fighters from Lebanon to other Arab states.
A multinational force, composed of Italian, American and French soldiers, was tasked with escorting the Palestinian troops. Italy thus found itself participating in its first international operation since the war, called “Lebanon 1”. However, the initial withdrawal of the contingent was followed by a tragic event: the assassination of Lebanese President Bashir Gemayel. In response, Christian militias, with the complicity of Israeli forces, perpetrated a massacre in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatila, killing approximately 3.000 Palestinian and Shiite civilians.
Following these atrocities, the international community once again sent Italian, American and French forces, with the aim of protecting civilians and contributing to the stabilization of the country. Sergeant Major Carbone and I, both assigned to the Caserma Santa Barbara in Milan, were ordered to leave for Beirut. Carbone, employed as a mechanic, was involved in logistics activities, while I, responsible for communications, was responsible for ensuring radio and telephone links between the Italian units deployed in Beirut and the Italcon operational base, as well as with the operations room of the General Staff in Italy.
The Departure with Oriana Fallaci
An episode that I vividly remember occurred during the flight on the C-130 from Pisa to Larnaca (Cyprus), and then to Beirut, when we noticed an unusual figure among the passengers: Oriana Fallaci. The journalist, strong, determined and often divisive, was on her way to Beirut to document the situation and meet the contingent personnel. Her presence and her personality (and foresight) did not go unnoticed, leaving an indelible mark on all of us.
The mission in Lebanon (ITALCON)
During "Lebanon 2", the main task of the Italian soldiers was to protect the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra, Chatila and Burj El Barajneh from possible incursions. In November 1983, after the attack on the American and French bases that caused the death of 241 marines and 56 French soldiers, the order to leave came. Carbone and I, members of the 3rd Spluga transmission battalion, assigned to Beirut, embarked and arrived in the Lebanese capital to carry out our task.
I remember with particular intensity the January-February of 1984, when the fighting between the Shiite militias Amal-Hezbollah and the Lebanese army cut the telephone lines, leaving the Italian soldiers without any contact with their families. The Italian public opinion was very worried about this silence, not understanding the lack of communications, and the President of the Republic, Sandro Pertini, ordered the restoration of the telephone lines at all costs.
A risky but necessary undertaking
Despite the risks, my team and I immediately set to work, under enemy fire, to lay down new telephone cables.
It was a delicate operation. At dawn the next day, with a team of wiremen, we set to work fixing new telephone wires to the poles. Equipped with FALs, helmets and bulletproof vests, equipped with ladders and with an AR76 towing the reels of telephone cord, we prepared to climb the light poles and fix the field telephone wires.
Every now and then we could hear the crackle of weapons and the whistle of some bullets. The movements were tiring and slow because of the equipment we were wearing. Time was a tyrant, we had to hurry.
At a certain point I decided to lay the lines myself both because I was better trained than the conscripts and because I had to get the team out and unharmed from that dangerous situation. Irresponsibly I took off my bulletproof vest and proceeded more easily and quickly to fix the telephone cables on the poles. The team, galvanized, supported me admirably in my movements and, around noon, we finished the operation at the station.
Back at the base, the first phone call was made by the Chief of Staff to his mother. Sergeant Major Carbone, as a sign of gratitude, gave me the tray with the lunch.
The weight of goodbye
The operation concluded with the withdrawal of the contingent, decided after the arrival of Minister Spadolini in Beirut. Leaving the Palestinian refugee camps, where we had provided care and safety for two years, was one of the most difficult moments.
The regret of abandoning those civilians to an uncertain fate still weighs today. I remember with affection and respect Filippo Montesi, the only Italian fallen of the mission, and the 75 wounded.
It is also important to remember the contribution of Sergeant Major Paolo Nespoli who during the mission was assigned to escort the journalist Oriana Fallaci: thanks also to his determination, he will realize his dream of becoming an astronaut.
Finally, a thought goes to Captain Salvatore Cantatore who, with his diplomacy, prevented a truck loaded with explosives from causing a massacre among the Italian soldiers. A gesture for which he received belated recognition.
Back in Italy, I was welcomed with honor in Livorno under a heavy downpour, in the presence of President Pertini. The Carabinieri then escorted us after disembarkation to our battalion. But in Bitonto, no one was present to welcome me: that day the city was hosting the Pope.
Even today, these memories come back with force. The mission in Lebanon, with all its sacrifices and adventures, represented a lesson in humanity and dedication that deserves to be passed on to new generations.
Photo: facebook