1999 Interview, Taken from RAIDS, by Giampiero Cannella
Someone who will never forget July 2, 1993 is Gianfranco Paglia. Second Lieutenant of the Folgore, 186th Paratroopers Regiment, at only 23 years old, that day he was involved in at least two actions. His comrades were in danger, and he did not hesitate for a moment to jump into the fray.
For his conduct in battle, he was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor.
Three Somali bullets severely wounded him: In the wrist, the lung, the spine. He was on the brink between life and death, he made it even though the spinal cord injuries left a mark.
But he did not abandon his military career. Now he is with the GARIBALDI brigade, stationed in Caserta, he is involved in planning operations and exercises; in his free time, he is engaged in volunteering at a community for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. He fights to regain an upright position. Under the eyes of his little sister Manuela, who never leaves his side, he willingly answers our questions.
- What happened that day in Mogadishu?
"It was a sweep like many others, we were looking for illegal arms depots, suddenly everything happened. First, women and children appeared, insulting us and throwing stones, then the ambush by the militiamen."
- Did you expect it?
"No. Of course, we knew we were taking risks. Imposing peace on two factions shooting at each other is neither easy nor painless; but within UNOSOM we were the most appreciated contingent. Let's say we were the most "diplomatic", the most humane. Relations with the Somalis were excellent, given the conditions. The Italians were, in theory, the ones who had the least to fear. Our behavior had always been correct, under the motto "strict but fair".
- How did you get involved in the clash?
"We of the BRAVO Group had finished our work and were already near Balad. We were called via radio to be told there were problems at PASTA. We turned around and went back, up to the checkpoint. There we found hell."
- You arrived in the middle of the battle…
"Yes, there were barricades everywhere. The Imperial Road was blocked, and the Somalis were shooting at us. We got off the vehicles to remove the obstacles and better use individual weapons. Then the tragedy. A counterfire rocket hit the VCC in front of mine, killing Pasquale Baccaro and seriously wounding Giampiero and Massimiliano (Monti and Zaniolo, Ed.). Then we intervened to get them out of the armored vehicle and protect them from the Somali attack."
- Was it all under enemy fire?
"Yes."
- How did you react?
"There were many conscript soldiers and in any case, it was a situation never experienced before, except in exercises... It was the "baptism of fire" for all of us. It was an experience I will not easily forget. The wounded just out of the VCC were in shock. Suffering the explosion of a grenade in such a confined space is no joke. It's not easy to react in those conditions. Not everyone has the same presence of mind, it's human. In movies or exercises, it's all different. Being under enemy fire or shooting at real targets is not like hitting a silhouette. However, overall, everyone operated very well. I received the Gold Medal, but there are many who deserve greater recognition."
- For example?
"Lieutenant Romeo Carbonetti did not hesitate to risk his life to protect others. He placed his VCC at a crossroads, a few steps from me and the hit vehicle. He was exposed, but that position gave him an excellent view. He fired with the machine gun, preventing the militiamen from approaching. Giovanni Bozzini then, was on Baccaro's vehicle, stayed there to shoot, I helped Giampiero who was losing a lot of blood. I only mention them, but ideally, I refer to everyone."
- Then what happened?
"We restarted the hit VCC, disengaged, and went to FERRO, to bring the wounded to safety. From there, we decided to return to the operation area."
- Decided autonomously?
"Yes. You know, there are things you do without thinking twice. My company was still under rebel fire, my comrades were there, my captain… You don't think about yourself, you're too involved. If you believe in what you do, in the values that underpin your mission, you have no hesitation. You've trained a thousand times to do certain things, it's automatic."
- Then?
"We organized a column, three VCCs and a Centauro. With us were two vehicles from Tuscanica. We faced yet another obstacle, a barricade. Once again under enemy fire. We managed to overcome the barrier erected by the militiamen, while coordinating the operation we were hit, both me and Millevoi."
- Simultaneously?
"I don't remember that. I remember seeing Andrea Millevoi leaning out of the turret to better direct the operation; I leaned out too, then more Kalashnikov shots came. I collapsed inside the VCC. My pilot and the crew were great. They managed to get me to FERRO in record time. From there, an Italian helicopter transferred me to the U.S. military hospital. The doctors thought I wouldn't make it, but I had an unexpected reaction and today I'm here."
- Thinking back to those moments, to the consequences, did you ever say to yourself "why did I do it?"
"Never. I volunteered for the FOLGORE, and I knew what it meant. I went to Somalia always as a volunteer. I did what I thought was right. It was an incredible life experience, our presence there was vital for many people. We were on a humanitarian mission and we truly gave hope to those who had lost it. The Italians distributed food, treated the sick - who would otherwise have died - built schools. Nothing like torture."
- Yes, the "Somaliagate". The two inquiry commissions acquitted Generals Loi and Fiore. Was it all a hoax?
"Fortunately, the truth was restored. Someone wanted to speculate by fabricating an unlikely story. Tortures, violence, mistreatment. The soldiers of Operation IBIS always behaved with great correctness. We were peace troops but practically in a war zone. We always respected the rules of engagement and the United Nations prescriptions. The castle of accusations, in fact, did not withstand a thorough investigation."
- After Somalia, Bosnia…
"That too was an unforgettable adventure. I have to thank the commander of the GARIBALDI, General Del Vecchio, who gave me the opportunity to go to Sarajevo during the election period. I relished the taste of "operational" life. The Italian soldiers are doing an excellent job and in the Bosnian capital, I also witnessed an event of great significance. The desire for peace manifested itself on the occasion of the U2 concert, with young people coming from all over the former Yugoslavia. The Italian peace force is working very well, despite being often unjustly attacked at home by too many who have never loved them. For this reason, it is right that Italy does not forget those who have sacrificed and are sacrificing for ideals, for a flag, doing the job assigned to them to the end. Also for this reason, the fallen of the IBIS missions and those in the former Yugoslavia cannot be forgotten by the country for which they died."
Gold Medal for Military Valor to Gianfranco Paglia
Platoon commander of paratroopers, part of the Italian contingent sent to Somalia as part of the humanitarian operation wanted by the United Nations, participated with the 183rd Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo" in the sweep of a Mogadishu neighborhood. During the subsequent fighting, treacherously provoked by Somali militiamen, with skill and intelligence, he contributed with the forces under his command to the disengagement of some tanks trapped in the town. After evacuating some wounded soldiers with his armored vehicle, on his own initiative, he returned to the combat zone and, heedless of the incessant enemy fire, coordinated the action of his men, countering the enemy attack with onboard weapons. To give more effectiveness to his fire action, he leaned his entire torso out of the vehicle, exposing himself to sniper fire that repeatedly hit him. Rescued and transferred to a medical facility in Mogadishu, he reacted with calm and manly behavior to the news that the injuries sustained had caused permanent impairments. A clear example of altruism, courage, a high sense of duty, and steadfastness of spirit
Mogadishu, July 2, 1993
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