Lake Garda - COL Darby 40 Miler

The Last Battle of Gen. William Orlando Darby
by Steven L. Ossad

As an Army Major in 1942, Darby was selected to create and lead the first designated 1st Ranger Battalion activated on June 19, 1942. On November 8, 1942, he led his unit into combat for the first time during Operation Torch in North Africa. Later he would distinguish himself again by leading his Rangers on July 10, 1943 during an amphibious assault onto Gela, Sicily during Operation Husky.

On January 30-31, 1944, Darby's Ranger Force mission was to infiltrate the town of Cisterna and clear the Conca-Cisterna road during a nighttime preparatory attack. Due to faulty intelligence, they were overwhelmed and outnumbered, causing the 1st and 3rd Ranger battalions to suffer (12 killed, 36 wounded, 743 captured) and only six Rangers made it back to friendly lines.

On February 19, 1944, the Rangers were disbanded. Approximately 150 returned to the United States while 400 were permanently transferred to the Canadian-American First Special Service Force.

In April 1944, after having been promoted to Colonel, Darby returned to Washington D.C. for duty with the Army Ground Forces and later with the War Department General Staff. In March 1945, he returned to Italy for an observation tour with the General of the Army, Henry H. "Hap" Arnold.

On April 23, 1945, Brigadier General Robinson E. Duff, assistant division commander of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division, was wounded and Darby took over for Duff. "Task Force Darby" spearheaded the breakout of the 5th Army from the Po River Valley bridgehead and reached Torbole at the head of Lake Garda.

But on April 30, 1945, while Darby was issuing orders for the attack on Trento to cut off a German retreat, a single German 88mm artillery shell burst in the middle of the assembled officers and NCOs, killing Darby and a regimental Sergeant Major, Jon "Tim" Evans and wounding several others.

While "Task Force Darby" continued on with their mission, two days later on May 2, 1945, all German forces in Italy surrendered. It was on May 15, 1945 that Darby was posthumously promoted to brigadier general.

The facilitator of the 40 Miler would like all interested parties to know the following information:

All participants hoping to take part in the 40 Miler must register ahead of time. This includes:

• Individuals
• Teams
• Groups
• Offices
• Companies
• Battalions
• US military ID card holders
• Family Members
• NATO military guests
• Host Nation military guests
• Etcetera

It is important to the coordinator of the event to have as accurate a count as possible, not "ball park figures." They desire to make sure that everybody involved will also receive a race bib. The coordinator's desire is to ensure the count is as accurate as possible to avoid any financial loss of materials used for the event.

How To Register

To register for the race, contact the following email:
sossurvivalkits@live.com

When you contact them, you will need to provide the following:

1. Name (first and last)
2. Rank (grade, GS, Civilian, etc. or for Family Members put down FM)
3. Quantity (this is the number of participants joining you)
   Please note: this does not need to be the names of every person, simply the primary POC who will be responsible for picking up the race bibs on the day of). If it's just you, "Quantity" would be listed as yourself (1).
4. Email (for receiving updates and changes)
5. Cellular number (in the event of needing to be contacted).
   Please note: if number is foreign, provide the country code too.
6. Unit (if no unit, list office, work place, etc.).
7. Location you're assigned to (eg. Del Din, Ederle) or coming from (eg. Germany)

The event coordinator kindly requests that interested individuals do not contact to ask about when bibs can be picked up. They will contact you.

Coordinator's Disclaimer:
Because there are no fees for registering, nor is it being funded by any business, club, or organization (military or civilian), whoever intends to participates in this event is doing so voluntarily and is hereby responsible for their own transportation, safety, health, and injuries. This includes any accidents participants may be involved in or cause during their traveling between the towns of Peschiera and Torbole. Should anyone not feel comfortable with the above-stated responsibilities, they are advised not to participate in the event.

Who Can Participate

By the request of the coordinator, only US Military, DoD, CAC, ID Cardholders and their family members can participate in the event. If an individual does not hold one of these ID cards, they cannot attend the event.

The only exception is that of NATO/ Host Nation Military ID cardholders. Such individuals can participate as "guests" but will not be entitled to earn the Col. Darby 40 Mile Challenge Coin nor the awards and trophies.

Registration

Participants must be registered ahead of time (instructions listed above). Those who fail to register and to pick up their bibs and ticket will not be allowed to participate in the event.

Bibs & Tickets

There are two ways to obtain a bib, provided participants have registered with the coordinator ahead of time:

1. If you utilize Outdoor Recreation's charter bus service to/from the event, you will be able to receive your bib and ticket prior to boarding.
2. If you are coming from outside of Vicenza, you can sign for and receive your bib and ticket at the start point in Peschiera no later than 05:30 on the date of the event.

Additional Coordinator's Note:
The ticket attached to the bib entitles you to purchase one (1) Col. Darby 40-Miler challenge coin ($10 or€10) provided you have successfully completed the course in 12 hours or less. If you do not have a ticket, have lost it, or fail to complete the course within 12 hours, you will not be provided the challenge coin.

SP Bus & Car Parking

Due to limited parking space at the starting point in Peschiera, there is absolutely no parking of any cars whatsoever in or around the start line. Those who are arriving by car with participants must offload in the designated marked area just short of the starting point and depart immediately. Only chartered buses and passenger vans (no cars) will be allowed to proceed to the starting point to off-load their passengers. And immediately depart the area to avoid blocking traffic and the arrival of other buses and passenger vans.

FP Bus & Car Parking

Due to Torbole (finish point) being larger than Peschiera, access to parking will be a bit easier provided you do not arrive too late in the day. Only buses and passenger vans will have limited & restricted places to park with the word "BUS" painted in white with a blue background either on the ground or on a metal sign. Should you have problems finding a place to park try using Google to help you to locate a place.

Please take note:
Because there is an Italian holiday on 25 April called "National Liberation Day." Most Italians will usually take the next (extra) day off. In the event of this occurring on the same day as the 40 Miler Challenge, it will mean that Torbole will be more crowded with more people and cars and fewer places to park, unless you arrive early or arrive by a charter bus. Expect heavier traffic near the finish point in this eventuality.

Reflective Safety Belt & Flashlight

It is absolutely mandatory and essential to bring and wear a reflective safety belt due to having to share a hardball road with motorists, bicyclists, and hikers. It is especially important to also have a flashlight for any poorly lit series of tunnels along the northern part of the lake. Visibility will be important to your continued safety and the safety of others.

Buddies & Teams

While some may choose to walk, run, or ruck the 40-miles alone, it is strongly encouraged to do it with buddies or in teams in the event that something should happen and you or somebody else need assistance. Failure to do so will require you to seek assistance on your own or wait until another participant comes up behind you to ask for help.

Additional Note from the Coordinator:
Should an ambulance be required, call 118 and the operator will either speak English or switch you over to one who does. If you only require transportation to get you to Torbole, call one of these following taxi service numbers:

Torbole - 046 455 7044, 329 259 2004, 0464 350708

Malcesine - 349 230 8619, 333 765 9726, 348 318 4353

Additional Information:

There are two bus stops located between the towns of Malcesine and Torbole, one is located before the first tunnel (Navene) and the other is located after the last tunnel (Tempesta). Note that these two bus stops are not located in any town but instead near some private residences.

Route of Travel

Whether you are going to walk, run, or ruck the 40 miles, there is only one route of travel and it starts at 06:00 from the Peschiera train station. Once the starting horn is blown you must follow the lake "shoreline" heading north where you will encounter a mix of dirt, sand, and hardball trails & paths up to the town of Garda. Once you arrive and go through this town is when you must get up on the hardball road and stay on it all way to the finish point in Torbole.

Please note: As you approach and pass through the town of Garda, you may encounter their weekly Friday morning flea market. Be aware as it will be very crowded and congested with people. To avoid you can stay closer to the lake shoreline sidewalk.

Torbole Finish Line

To successfully complete the 40 mile course, upon your arrival you MUST touch both monuments dedicated to Col. Darby and the twenty-five 10th Mt. Div. MIAs.

• Peschiera to Bardolino | Approx. Distance (-/+) 10 Miles / 30 Miles From Finish Point
• Bardolino to Pai | Approx. Distance (-/+) 20 Miles / 20 Miles from Finish Point 
• Pai to Malcesine | Approx. Distance (-/+) 30 Miles / 10 Miles from Finish Point 
• Malcesine to Torbole | Approx. Distance (-/+) 40 Miles/ Arrived@ Finish Point 

The following is more information from the coordinator of this event to keep in mind:

Off-Road & Single File

Prior to arriving at the town of Garda, you may walk side-by-­side and in clustered groups. Once you get up on the hardball road, you MUST stay in a single file all the way to Torbole except when it is necessary to pass someone ahead of you.

Most Challenging

While the entire route is pretty level with a few inclined areas, the series of tunnels at the northern part of the lake between Malcesine and Torbole will be the most challenging. Not only because they are poorly lit, but because you will have to share the left side of the road with other Italian hikers and bicyclists too. This is why reflective safety belts are mandatory and required to be worn at all times.

Inclement Weather

Weather during the spring season is difficult to predict until the day before the event. Regardless of the forecast, it's not unusual for Lake Garda to receive some unexpected rain even though the forecast called for nothing but sunny skies. It is advised to come prepared, as desired.

Rest & Break Areas

During some 40 Miler runs, units have establishing their own rest & break areas and handing out bottles of water. It is not uncommon for these units to allow others to stop, rest, and replenish their water supply. There are also other routes along the way (bars, snack stands, grocery stores) where you can stop by to purchase supplies. Be aware that  Malcesine is the last town where you will be able to replenish your water supply before arriving in Torbole and that the distance between them in 10 miles.

Toilet Facilities

The only toilet facilities at the starting point in Peschiera is the train station and the four (4) nearby bars (note: you will be required to purchase something in order to use them). The same applies to the finish point in Torbole, except there will be more of them available. As for toilet facilities between the Peschiera and Torbole, you will encounter plenty of bars and other establishments where you will be able to use their toilet facilities (provided you purchase something).

Please Note Re: Campsites:

It is "Strictly Forbidden" to enter any campsites along the route to use their toilet facilities. Campsites clearly mark their gate entrances in several languages to notify passerby's that their locations are for "Registered Campers Only." These sites are manned by campsite staff personnel and/or security systems. Campsites have been known to file complaints of trespassing through the chain of command or the US Embassy in Rome, so avoid all campsites.

Returning to Pescheria

You are advised to coordinate your return ahead of time, whether by charter bus, taxi or friend. There are no buses or ferries back to Peschiera after 18:00. A taxi will cost about €130.00. You can opt to stay overnight at nearby lodging but planning ahead of time will be the best so that you can get back to your vehicle or back to post.