‘A nation that forgets its past has no future.’ Churchill’s words are still relevant today.
On the 18-19 May HRH Prince Harry will visit Italy to attend a number of events commemorating the Allied Campaign in Italy during WWII, focussing on the 70th anniversary of the Battles of Monte Cassino. We are honoured that HRH will be heading our national commemorations as well as representing the UK at the Polish and New Zealand events.
Monte Cassino was the key site in the so called “Gustav Line” set up to defend Rome against allied forces advancing from the South at a critical moment in the Second World War. It is difficult for anyone who was not at Monte Cassino to understand the true nature of these battles. The four battles that took place between January and May 1944 saw the Allied Forces involved in some of the bitterest fighting of the Second World War where steep mountain slopes and winter weather were combined with the German forces’ determination and skill.
The battles involved troops from America, UK, Canada, France, the Indian sub-continent, New Zealand and Poland, in fighting that compared in its intensity and horror with the battles on the Western Front in the First World War. Much has been written about the battles and there are some exceptional stories of bravery (five Victoria Crosses were awarded). I’d recommend Peter Caddick-Adams recent book for those with an interest in learning more.
Sometimes the events and importance of the battles at Monte Cassino are overshadowed by the Normandy landings which took place soon after. I would like to hope that this visit can help those growing up now, to be aware of the veterans’ sacrifice and those of our young men and women serving in the Armed forces today, and of the important contribution they have made and continue to make to our security and to the way of life we enjoy today.
I am delighted that HRH Prince Harry is here, not only because he will bring the issue to the attention of a new younger audience but also because he has experienced what it is like being in the line of fire and can appreciate and is able to convey the sacrifice and effort that was made 70 years ago.
Prince Harry has championed the plight of those wounded and maimed in war. It is important not only to recognise our debt to those who have made sacrifices for us, but it is also our duty to help wounded soldiers to return to an active life in our society.
With Prince Harry’s help we have made progress in this area in the UK and we hope that his dynamism and efforts in this noble cause may also encourage them to attend the Invictus Games in London in September and thus assist the Italian Armed Forces in their work of rehabilitating wounded military personnel who have given much in the service of their country and our continuing peace.
So as Churchill urges us, this is not simply a matter of looking back to the past. It is also a chance to reflect on how far the UK-Italy relationship has come and to find new ways to ensure that our friendship will continue to flourish in the future.