Emotions of Exploration: In the heart of the Gothic Line with our Chiara

With our knowledgeable guide, Chiara Tallone, an expert in World War II history, today we embark on a research expedition in the Bolognese Apennines, exploring a wooded area that, 80 years ago, witnessed bloody conflicts between Americans and Germans.

Chiara is a member of the Terra Nostra association and the board of the Linea Gotica Officina della Memoria association, and her passion reminds us that beyond the recreational aspect, metal detecting can also be a valuable tool for uncovering and preserving the lesser-known pages of our history.

Among the ruins of old fortifications and remnants of ancient trenches, Chiara chooses the mountain slopes as the research ground. This choice is not arbitrary because gravity, over time, causes everything to roll downhill, and the hope is that, once again, this ground covered with vegetation, roots, and dry leaves will yield some precious artifacts.

Expectations are not disappointed as, in the heart of the forests along the Gothic Line, Chiara's Nokta metal detector identifies a series of fascinating wartime relics, including:

A grenade fuse (a very common find in these areas for militaria enthusiasts)
Several well-preserved American cartridge cases
An integrated Garand M1 US Army eight-round magazine
A piece of a probable tool for opening food cans
The inevitable (and cursed) shell fragments.