Inaguration of Sikh monument in Forli, Italy on 13 August 2011 Part 3

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• published: 16 Sep 2011
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On Saturday 13th August 2011, thousands of Sikhs from all over the World mainly from Europe, gathered at Forli Indian Army War Cemetery in Italy in an inauguration ceremony to reveal the first Sikh military monument dedicated to the Sikh warriors who laid their lives in World War II for the freedom of Europe. President of Shromani Akali Dal Amritsar, Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann came specially from Punjab to attend this historical day. It has reminded the 300 years of the birth of khalsa when to honor the Khalsa and the sacrifices of the Sikh soldiers during World War I, the City of Ieper together with the European Sikh Community organized a celebration of Peace on Sunday 4 April 1999 at Cloth Hall in Ieper - Belgium and the Panj Piara's unveiled a Sikh monument in Hollebeek where Sikh soldiers were deployed and fought the Germans facist for the first time during World War I. Sikhs have fought in Forli (1943-45 ) in 1st - 2nd - 8th - 11th - 15th - and 16th Punjab Regiment, Nabha Akal Infantry, 1st Sikh Engineers , 11 Sikh Regiment, 12th and 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Pioneer Corps and English Regiments with Sikhs like King George V's Own Bengal Sappers and Miners, 1st Duke of York Own Cavalry ( Skinner's Horse ), 6th Duke of Cannaught's Own Lancers ( Watson Horse ), Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry and Royal Indian Army Services Corps . 352 Sikhs died here out of 800 British Indian Soldiers. Other soldiers are from 18 Garhwal Rifles and 4 & 5th Mahratta Light Infantry. For the liberation of Italy, 5773 British Indian Soldiers have died in Italy, mostly Sikhs, along with the Allied forces. Besides Forly, Sikhs have also fought in Cassino, Florence, Ravana and Sangro River during World War II. Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery and Taranto Town Cemetery Extention have also Samaads of 1 Sikh soldier of World War I each. The event was proudly organized by the World Sikh Saheed ( Martyrs) Military Memorial Committee , Italy, under the leadership of Mr Harwinder Singh, Mr Prithipal Singh, Mr. Kewal Singh, Mr. Satnam Singh, Mr. Sewa Singh Fauji and Mr Balwinder Singh Chahal with assistance from all the Sikh Sangat and Gurdwaras of Italy and with the kind co-operation of the Town Hall of Forli. The whole event was transmitted live by the Sikh Channel and Sangat Channel TVs. Messages of congratulations and good will were sent to grace this historical occasion by Governor of West Vlanderen Mr. Paul Breyne in whose province Sikhs have fought twice during World War I, Mayor of Ieper Mr. Luc Dehaene whose City was defended by the Sikhs and Chemical Gas Chlorine was used against them in April 1915, Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon, Chairman Siri Nankana Sahib Foundation, David Symons, Director of Communication & Information, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Mr. David Symons writes," In the last two World Wars 83,005 Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain, the Commonwealth and the World, enduring shellfire with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith. "we that live on can never forget those comrades who, in giving their lives, gave so much that are great and good to the story of the Sikh Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice. May they rest in peace." The plaque on the monument placed by the Sikh Community Italy states the quotation of Sir Winston Churchill as," We are today able to live with honour, dignity and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans". For more info. Please read the link below. http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikhs-europe-inaugurate-first-sikh-military-monument-forli-italy-13th-august-2011