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The event ruled from the 25th (Italian Liberation Day) to the 28th of April 2013. Starting from Verona, the convoy followed the Adige River until Riva del Garda and back to Verona along the East side of the Garda Lake in touching Torbole, Malcesine, Costermano and Perschiera del Garda. We was in Verona in 2011 and as a rule, the Column does not revisit past locations so soon, but we have determined to make an exception this year, as a tribute to the wonderful people of Verona, putting together the event as an ideal continuation of the 2011 edition. Our initial intention became even more firm when a few new developments took place, as if reality wanted to point out to us what had to be done: the submerged wreck of a 10th Mountain Division DUCKW sunk in Lake Garda at the end of April, 1945, drowning many of the unfortunates onboard, was located by researchers after several failed attempts in the past; and, the mortal remains of several presumed victims of an air bombing raid were found in Verona during renovations works at the Porta Nuova railway station, which caused us to be summoned by legal authorities to help with the recovery and cataloguing of evidence found on site.

The Column of Liberation 2013 was under the aegis of the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic.

Some figures: 153 vehicles and 450 reenactors participated to the event.

Pictures: the DUCKW float again on the Garda lake, Shermans and Helcat in Piazza Bra in Verona, the road next to the Garda Lake.

Thanks for the story and pictures. Sounds like it was a great time!

Fascinating. It's wonderful to hear that these kind of events are still taking place and from what I can tell from the numbers, they are drawing a lot of re-enactors and participants as well as a large audience.Bravo! Read with interest about the submerged DUKW. Are they going to be able to resurrect it?

Thanks for keeping us informed. It's great to hear news from Italy.

Is dated October 2004 the mission of the10th Mountain Division to find the Duckw. The actual localisation (December 2012) of the wrecked Duckw is the results of a combined effort of several Associations during the last years. Starting from a general mapping of the area, leaded by the staff of the PO RIVER WWII MUSEUM , to last sonar scan performed by the "Gruppo Volontari del Garda". Now is under evaluation a recovery project.

I will try to keep you informed.

Thanks for that info. I will be sure to look around the site for that and other interesting topics. Have a great day.