Summary
Pfc. Aldo Merli single-handedly held off a German attack, feigning death and continually rejoining the fight, until a counterattack forced the Germans to retreat.
Heroic Stand of Pfc. Merli
Highlights
Initial Attack and Retreat
On the night of September 4-5, 1944, Pfc. Merli's company faced a superior German force. He continued to operate his machine gun to cover his company's retreat even after his assistant machine gunner was killed.
Feigned Death and Renewed Combat
Merli feigned death when German soldiers prodded him with bayonets, only to rise and continue fighting after they left. His position was again taken, and he was left for dead, but he rose again to fight when the Germans withdrew.
Morning Counterattack and Truce
A morning counterattack forced the Germans to request a truce, finding Pfc. Merli still at his machine gun, having single-handedly resisted the enemy throughout the night.