Luigi Rizzo ship in operational stopover in Alexandria, Egypt

(To Marina Militare)
18/12/24

Ship Luigi Rizzoflagship operation Safe Mediterranean, has recently made an operational stopover in the city of Alexandria in Egypt, a few days after the anniversary of the famous "Night of Alexandria", the daring operation of the X MAS Flotilla conducted by Italian sailors with the use of slow-moving torpedoes, which led to the sinking and damaging of several Royal Navy units, including the battleships, during the night between 18 and 19 December 1941. Queen Elizabeth e Valiant, in addition to the oil tanker Sagona.

The tactical commander of the operation Safe Mediterranean, Admiral Andrea Petroni, accompanied by the commander of the FREMM Rizzo and a representation of the crew, during his stay in Egypt had the opportunity to meet some authorities of the Egyptian Navy at the military base of Alexandria and to receive on board the naval unit numerous diplomatic representatives, both Italian and from other countries accredited in Egypt.

The Navy personnel also took part in a ceremony held at the war memorial in the city of Alexandria alongside a delegation from the Egyptian Navy, and in a visit to the Italian Military Shrine in El Alamein which concluded with a suggestive ceremony in a moment of significant mourning to pay homage to the numerous Italian soldiers who sacrificed themselves for their country during the Second World War.

Finally, during the days of stopover, the crew on leave had the opportunity to take part in activities of ethical and cultural importance organized by the on-board command, which allowed everyone to immerse themselves in the evocative thousand-year history of Egypt, through a visit to the famous pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world.