There´s a rustle of leaves and a large exhale as service members stationed at Camp Darby begin their ascent up a cobblestone path. Their journey will take them up to an isolated village called Sommocolonia nestled in the heart of the Serchio valley. It is there that Buffalo Soldier Lt. John Fox earned the Medal of Honor.
“The grade of the trail was humbling, but when you reach the summit and see where Lt. Fox and other American Soldiers fought and realize they did this hike on Christmas eve and in snow, you get a strong appreciation honoring those World War II Soldiers,” said Maj. Kenneth Davis, U.S. Army Health Clinic Livorno.
At over a 30% grade, the hike is not for the weak of heart. “I don´t know what the trail was like back in World War II, I can say that even though there is now a cobble stone path today that kept our feet out of the wet mud and surely made the trek easier, my legs felt like dead wood by the time we reached the top of the mountain,” added Janine Wick, USAG Livorno.
Italian Lt. Col. Vittorio Biondi, Folgare Brigade, escorted the Camp Darby service members up the trail and explained how the battle progressed on Dec. 26, 1944 between the 92nd Buffalo Soldiers and the italo-nazi forces. “Lt. Fox was in the forward operating position and was calling artillery down on the advancing German forces,” explained Biondi. “In the end, when the Germans had filled the streets of Sommocolonia, Lt. Fox made his last call adjusting artillery on his position. When his body was recovered days later, he was surrounded by one hundred dead German soldiers.” Biondi´s family who also fought in the battles, added that they encourage people to visit Serchio valley and Barga to see the rich history.
“I have followed the second world war across Europe but seeing some of these smaller battle sites shows the massive amount of land that this war covered,” said Frank Maloney, 509th Signal Battalion.
“Being able to follow in the footsteps of the Buffalo Soldiers and see the austere conditions in which they bravely fought, makes you appreciate the sacrifice they made,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Bigelman, U.S. Army Garrison commander.” These Soldiers are my definition of a true hero.”
Barga´s Mayor Marco Bonini and the townspeople of Sommocolonia joined Camp Darby service members with a procession up the 92nd Buffalo Soldier road to the memorial to lay a wreath honoring those who served. (full article with images, interviews and short video can be found here)
“We are happy to welcome back the American Soldiers during African American heritage month to come visit this historic site; this visit is a way of remembering and keep alive the memory of those who sacrificed their life on Dec. 26, 1944,” said Mayor Bonini.
How to get there: from Camp Darby: drive towards Lucca and follow the SS12 to Abetone. At Bagna di Lucca follow the signs to Barga. You can park in Barga and follow the red and white marked hiking trails (B2) to Sommocolonia. Hiking from Barga to Sommocolonia takes approximately two hours. Hiking from Catagnana will take 45 minutes.
Lt. Col.Vittorio Lino Biondi, explaining (in English and Italiano) the exact dynamics of the battle for Sommocolonia in 1944
Story and photos by Joyce Costello – USAG Livorno Public Affairs