The memory of Operation Avalanche returns to centre stage in Battipaglia with the tenth edition of Avalanche Day, the Public History project promoted by the MUBAT Association to tell the story of the Allied landings of 9 September 1943 through research, public engagement, historical re-enactment and new digital tools.
The initiative aims to involve not only enthusiasts and scholars, but also young people, schools and local communities, transforming history into a living experience that is accessible and able to engage with the present.
Commemorations on 9 and 12 September
The programme will get underway on 9 September with a commemoration at the Commonwealth War Cemetery, together with the municipalities that signed the Memorandum of Understanding dedicated to preserving the memory of the landings.
The second event is scheduled for 12 September, at the sites of Operation Avalanche, with a major historical re-enactment supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Campania Region.
The two events form part of “Radio Onda”, an initiative marking the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic, combining historical storytelling, artistic performances and music with the participation of actress Simona De Vita and the Wind Orchestra of the “Alfano I” Music High School in Salerno.
MUBAT: memory, schools and Digital Humanities
Avalanche Day is much more than a historical re-enactment. MUBAT’s work also extends into the field of Digital Humanities, with particular emphasis on engaging younger generations.
During 2026, the association involved more than 300 students and 15 university interns in research, digitisation and cultural communication activities.
Projects developed include the narrative exhibition “Ida e le Altre” (“Ida and the Others”), dedicated to women affected by the conflict in Battipaglia, and the first “Women’s Lexicon of the Second World War”, developed with the support of artificial intelligence and in collaboration with European partners.
A project with an international dimension
The promotion of local memory also extends to an international dimension. The contents of the Digital Museum of the Salerno Landings have been translated into several languages, while MUBAT participates in European programmes such as Erasmus+ and CERV.
In September, as part of the international STAR URBS consortium, two young people from Battipaglia will take part in a workshop in Germany, between Leverkusen and Jülich, where the German-language version of the exhibition “The Eighth Army and Salerno” will be presented.
Research continues in the local area
The association’s commitment also continues through field research activities. Recent work contributed to identifying the characteristics of the Panzer IV tank discovered beneath the Ponte della Speranza, demonstrating how the history of Operation Avalanche continues to provide new evidence, knowledge and perspectives even today.
With the tenth edition of Avalanche Day, Battipaglia once again renews its connection with a decisive chapter in its history, transforming memory into a cultural project capable of bringing together the local community, schools, innovation and active citizenship.
