Italy - Castiglione South African Cemetery

The journey going up the spine of Italy towards Bologna had only one purpose, that being to visit the very tucked away Castiglione South African Cemetery 1939-1945. During the winter of 1944/45 the South African 6th Armoured Division was designated to this area, in helping the Allied offensive push the retreating Germans ever further north. Some 502 men are buried here on the hillside location in the Appenine Mountains between Bologna and Florence.
The journey was one of almost epic proportions, travelling through driving rain, sleet and even hail at some stage, only to find the roads in the Castiglione area recently cleared of snow! The roads were only just passable by a 3.5t motorhome. However, these are fellow countrymen who died serving the Allied cause of WW2 and I wanted to make the visit.

From the entrance gate

From the road leading into Castiglione

As is the case with all cemeteries falling under the auspices and care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this one too is immaculately cared for. It is small and far off the beaten track, but it is named the  Castiglione South African Cemetery and also carries the Afrikaans equivalent Castiglione Suid Afrikaanse Kerkhof. It honours and remembers a time when South Africa stood proud amongst the countries of the world ....

Wreath from the British Embassy in Rome. 

There was none from the 'new' South Africa ....

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning

We Will Remember Them