April 30th is an important date in the history of Torbole sul Garda, as it commemorates the liberation of the city in 1945 and the deaths of Colonel William O. Darby and Sergeant Major John T. Evans, along with 25 soldiers from the Division in the tragedy of the sinking of an amphibious vehicle in Lake Garda.
Every year, at the end of April, the Darby 40 Mile Ranger Challenge historical march takes place, an event that commemorates these events and celebrates the liberation. American soldiers serving in bases in Italy, Europe, and directly from the United States participate in the march.
This year, the Benàch Association will be present on April 26th at the departure at 06:00 from Peschiera del Garda and will organize the arrival of the march in Piazza Lietzmann in Torbole. The first participants who decide to run the entire route usually arrive shortly before noon, while the majority of participants arrive around 2:00 PM.
At 6:00 PM, at the end of the march, 25 bell tolls are sounded to commemorate the fallen, followed by an award ceremony for the winners.
This event represents an important moment to remember the sacrifice of American soldiers during World War II and to keep the bond between Torbole sul Garda and the United States alive. The Darby historical march is an opportunity to reflect on history and honor the memory of those who gave their lives for freedom.
Italian Version
