The story of 'Bloody Corner' is one I've been researching recently for my next book, a trilogy about wartime Verona. Today I went for a site visit. The Magazzini Generali, a storage, logistical and refrigeration zone, was constructed during the fascist era to promote the economic development of the city and improve the flow of goods to northern European markets. On 25 April 1945 the tanks of the 752nd Tank Battalian reached the area on the southern periphery of the city, where a bloody battle ensued. The men of the 752nd were amongst the first Americans to reach occupied Verona. Today the area has undergone extensive regeneration, with Unicredit, Glaxo and the University of Verona amongst the new occupants. Although much has changed since 1945, the buildings that provided the backdrop to those dramatic scenes are still clearly recognisable today. The full story of Bloody Corner, and many others like it, will be told in the forthcoming trilogy Verona at War.
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AboutRichard Hough writes about history, football, wine, whisky, culture + travel and is currently working on a trilogy about wartime Verona. |