Italy 2023 | Edmonton Police Service Pipes & Drums | Canada

The 80th Anniversary Italian Campaign

Commemorative Tour

The Pipes and Drums Italy 2023 journey began in the present-day peaceful town of Ortona. Located on the Adriatic coast, the beauty of Ortona stands in stark contrast to its past. As the band walked through its streets, it was hard to imagine that this town was once the scene of one of the fiercest battles of the Italian Campaign. In December 1943, Ortona was a crucial objective for the Allies, particularly the Canadians and the British, as they fought against the German forces. The battle was part of a larger campaign to push the German army northwards from Italy. In the heart of Ortona, the band explored areas where the Loyal Edmonton Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada engaged in brutal urban combat. The “Mouse-Holing” technique, where soldiers broke through walls to advance from house to house, was extensively used here.

The tour was both an educational and commemorative experience, allowing band members to learn about and pay tribute to the historical events and individuals associated with the Battle of Ortona and its neighbuoring villages.

The first day of the tour started at the Sant’ Apollinare lookout, which provided a view of the River Moro. The tour then moved on to San Leonardo and San Donato, where lunch was enjoyed at Casetta di Tamarete, and they had the opportunity to meet Guido Berardi. During this meal, Guido Berardi explained the story of Casa Berardi Gully. Later the band performed at a monument which was dedicated to Paul Triquet, Canada’s first Victoria Cross recipient of the Italian Campaign. This monument overlooks the gully, which had significant importance in the battle’s history.