Between end of February and March 1945 Operation Encore was given the go-ahead destined to overcome the last German defense bulwarks along the Modena-Bologna Apeninnes. The offensive was put in the hands of the FEB and the American 10th Mountain Division. The Brazilians were given the task of protecting the right flank of the American troops and to launch the decisive attack on Mount Castello. Preceded by artillery fire, the Sampaio regiment managed to claim the peaks and to break down the German defenses. Meanwhile the 10th Division, flanked by Thunderbolt of the Brazilian aviation, occupied Mount Terminale, Monteforte, Sassomolare, Mount Grande d’Aiano and Mount Spe. After the conquest of Castelnuovo, at the hands of the Brazilian regiments, on 5 March the allied command declared the end of the offensive.The end of Operation Encore counted 240 dead, 1,382 wounded and 44 missing among the ranks of the FEB.
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| War memorial donated to Montese by the FEB |