After two British destroyers (Fame and Whiting) had rendered inoffensive four Chinese destroyers guarding the river mouth, at the first light of dawn the international contingent made up of Japanese, Italians (24 sailors from Elba and Calabria under the command of the lieutenant of vessel Giovanni Battista Tanca) Germans and Russians and transported by six low-draft ships, takes land hampered by the nature of the terrain and by the fire of the forts immediately countered by that of the ships; naval fire soon got over the cannons of the forts, making it possible to attack the international contingent who conquered them with slight losses (no Italians). The forts will then be permanently occupied.
The previous day (SATURDAY 16) - Admiral Seymour noted the impossibility of continuing to Beijing by rail due to the continuous sabotage of the line and trains and on foot due to the continuous attacks (five Italian sailors among the losses, including the sub-chief torpedo boat Vincenzo Rossi, decorated with a gold medal), begins the retreat on Tien tsin in the meantime subjected to massive attacks by boxers. After a tiring march under constant attacks, in Si-ku - about 12 km north of Tien tsin - a last furious attack by the boxers forces the column to barricade itself inside the arsenal, placing itself in defense while waiting for reinforcements.
The day after (MONDAY 18) - The second lieutenant of the vessel Ermanno Carlotto commander of the Italian squad belonging to the international garrison of Tien tsin, during an attack by the boxers, in order to better direct the fire of his men, he comes into the open and is seriously injured in a shoulder: he will expire on the 27th. The gold medal for military valor will be awarded to his memory.
Source: Military Navy
