Former Mussolini-Era Fuel Cisterns Near Parma Now Used for Underground Combat Training by 17 Nations Including Israel

A system of five massive drum-shaped cisterns and 2km of connecting passageways under woodland in Fornovo Taro near Parma now serves as a training ground for special forces preparing for tunnel combat. The site, known as La Carona, was built in the 1930s by the government of Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini to store aviation fuel and withstand enemy bombing.

After resisting 150 bombing runs by the Allies in the Second World War, the cisterns continued to be used by the Italian Air Force to hold aviation fuel until the site was abandoned and the fuel drained out in 2000.

In 2020 the La Carona was purchased and reopened for training by its current owners. Israel is among 17 national customers who have now trained at the privately run site.

U.S. Green Berets and a dedicated Italian army underground fighting unit created by the Italian army Folgore paratrooper brigade. The cylindrical tanks measure around 20 meters in diameter by seven meters in height and are supported by concrete columns. They are linked by tunnels which once channelled fuel between them, while another 1km long tunnel once carried fuel to a nearby train station.

Special forces entering the tunnels now engage in simulated combat that recreates the limitations of real tunnel fighting, including darkness, limited radio use, and no GPS. A control room allows trainers to generate sound including the noise of explosions as well as smoke and lighting. Robot canines, real dogs, and drones that can function without GPS can all be introduced at the site.

“Gaza has accelerated the use of this place like this - despite their technology, the Israelis were not ready for fighting in tunnels,” said a manager at the site. ” “The key ability to learn here is how to map underground spaces,” the manager said. “Most of the world’s population now lives in an urban setting and war is increasingly fought in cities.