On 3 March 1945, Iola di Montese was liberated by Company E of the 86th Regiment of the 10th American Mountain Division.
Brazilian soldiers then took over from the Americans, who were advancing towards Castel d'Aiano. The Brazilians set up a first aid station in the oratory of the Madonna del Montenero, which overlooks the town square. The church, which was unusable at the time due to damage caused by aerial and artillery bombardment, and the adjacent rectory, which now houses the museum, are located on the other side of the square.
As well as treating soldiers wounded in fighting in the surrounding mountains, the station also provided care to villagers.
In preparation for the attack on Montese as part of the Spring Offensive that began on 14 April 1945, and the subsequent dismantling of the first aid station, the military chaplain of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force left a written testimony dated 1 April 1945.
The original document is written in Latin, as this was the only language understood by both the military chaplain and the parish priest of the village. It is kept in the museum's section dedicated to the FEB.
Hoc in pio sacello Deiparae Virgini dicato, quod bellum immane profanavit, “Statio Rubrae Crucis” a militibus brasilianis de III° Btl ex 11° R.I. posita fuit.
Viator siste !
Abhominibus hoc factum est. Lacrimas verte paenitentiae et cogita de mundo meliori extruendo per semitas justitiae et caritatis.
Kalendas Aprilis 1945
Cap. P. fr. Alfredus, O.F.M.
Dr. Ademaro de Zamare
Dr. Pedro R. de Andrade
Sgt. Rafael Costa Pinto
Sgt. Josè de Oliveira Campos
Sgt. Pedro R. Santos Funo
Regozino A. Coretinho
Francisco Crenha
Francisco de A. Fano
Javiro Vietra Guz
Jaime A. Mashado
In this sacred chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mother, desecrated by the terrible war, a “Red Cross Station” was set up by Brazilian soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the 11th R.I.Traveler, pause!
This was done by abominable men. Weep tears of repentance and think about building a better world through the ways of justice and charity.
April 1, 1945.