Ortano, »Little Stalingrad«

 Ortano is an ancient seaport on the Adriatic which dates back some 3000 years. The old town was a jumble of narrow buildings crowded together on a steep promontory thrusting out into the sea.

 It became an important battleground during the Italian campaign during World War II. Ortano offered the Allies a supply port on the Adriatic and was fiercely defended by the Germans. The struggle

between the German paratroopers and the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade attracted the attention of the international press, leading this battle to be known as Little Stalingrad."

(to be continued)