June 10 is Navy Day. This year the event is celebrated in the city of Gaeta (Latina) where, in Piazza Caboto, the highest institutional offices of the DEFENSE, political, military and civilian. Among these, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, admiral Enrico Credendino; the Minister of Defense, Lorenzo Guerini; the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. During the ceremony the Silver Medal for the value of Marina will be awarded to the Flag of the 1st Regiment S. Marco and the Combat Flag to Nave Marceglia. Starting at 9.45am, the celebrations will be visible in live streaming on the Facebook page and on the Youtube channel of the Navy and on ANSA.it
Premuda's anniversary
June 10 is not a random date. This day is the anniversary of Premuda (10 June 1918), or one of the most significant actions carried out on the sea during the First World War. Two small boats of the Navy, called MAS "15" and "21", managed to accomplish a real feat in the Adriatic. Near the small island of Premuda, they attacked a powerful Austrian naval formation. It consisted of two battleships, a destroyer and six torpedo boats and, having left the enemy base in Pola, was heading towards the Otranto Channel. The section of the two MASs, respectively commanded by the Corvette Captain Luigi Rizzo and by the complement ensign Joseph Aonzo, at dawn on 10 June 1918, the battleship “Szent Istvan” (Santo Stefano) sank. Their action nipped in the bud a dangerous raid that the Austrian fleet was preparing to carry out against the anti-submarine barrage organized by the Allies in the Strait of Otranto, to prevent German submarines from accessing the Adriatic.
Gaeta, a bond lasting more than 160 years
Even the choice of Gaeta is by no means accidental. The city, in fact, has been united with the Navy for over 160 years. The first page of the Kingdom of Italy was written in Gaeta. It was the the 13 February 1861, when, with the surrender of the stronghold, the conditions were created for the merger of the Sardinian and Bourbon Navy. For today's occasion, Gaeta will host naval units of the Navy, a mobile information center, a model exhibition and an AB 212 helicopter simulator.
The Institution of the Day
June 10 is the date of celebration of the Day of the Navy, linked - as has been written - to the action of Premuda. This, starting from 1939. In that year, in fact, each Armed Force was given the opportunity to choose the day on which to celebrate their party. Before 1939, the feast of the Navy was celebrated on 4 December, the day of Santa Barbara, patron saint of the Armed Forces. The ceremony of 1939 was solemnly celebrated in all military maritime squares, aboard naval units and in all work establishments. In particular, thousands of sailors arrived in Rome to pay homage to the Unknown Soldier. From 1950 to 1964 the Day was celebrated again on the day of Santa Barbara, but since 1964, the anniversary has been definitively brought back to 10 June.
An eventful anniversary
June 10 marks the beginning of a series of events that will take place over a year, aimed at remembering and sharing the anniversary of the historical bond between Gaeta and the Italian Navy. Scenographic projections are expected, over 300 historical relics on display, two volumes with hundreds of archive photos, 5 lessons and 8 seminars for the school, swimming trips in the waters of the Gulf, exhibitions, concerts and themed events. The initiative "Gaeta and the Navy: a 160-year-long historical bond" is promoted by the municipality of Gaeta and by the presidency of the Council of Ministers - Mission structure for the enhancement of national anniversaries and the participatory dimension of the new generations, with the patronage of the Italian Navy.
Shared historical path
The goal is to tell the anniversary of 10 June 2022 not only with the narration of a territory and a story. The intent is also to enhance the cultural heritage of the city of Gaeta and to undertake a historical path shared with the Italian Navy. The initiative for schools also consists of a competition linked to the celebrations. It provides for the creation of written works for secondary school and graphics for primary school inspired by the ceremony and the value it represents for the city, and the publication of the illustrated book for schools “Gaeta and the sea. From myth to the present day ”, published by Typimedia Editore (April 2022).
(Photo: Navy, City of Gaeta Facebook pages)
