Caposaldo VIII in Old Palmas is a World War II historical monument. It consists of 4 concrete casemates: number 67 for cannon and machine guns (disguised as a blockhouse adjoining the old Church); 68 and 69 (disguised as a house); and post 70, probably disguised as a level crossing of the Pantaleo-Santadi-Porto Botte industrial railway line, active between the late 19th century and the second half of the 20th century.
As early as June 1940, XIII Army Corps (Sardinia) was commissioned by the General Staff of the Royal Army to study suitable sites for building fortified systems against Allied landings, defending landings, production centers and facilitation routes. In Sulcis, the main defenses were concentrated at Sant’Antioco and in the area of the Santa Caterina containment arch. This line blocked the rolling stock and railroads that departed from the Gulf of Palmas in the direction of Carbonia, Siliqua and Teulada-Santadi.
The defensive line had about 90 concrete positions spread over 24 strongholds. There were also anti-tank ditches, trenches and grids. Each stronghold had the task of resisting 360° to the last cartridge, that is, “even if surrounded or overtaken by the enemy.” Construction took place in 1942-43. The casemates were served by the men of the 129th Regiment (command in Giba) in force of the 205th Coastal Division (command in Carbonia, then in Iglesias). Immediately to the rear of the defensive line were numerous artillery batteries, from the Army and the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Militia (MACA/DICAT). Mount Palmas, behind stronghold VIII, retains important vestiges of these batteries and their observatories.
The task of the defensive line was to block modest Commando actions and landings. In the event of an enemy landing in force, “mobile forces” and “tactical groups,” which in the sector belonged to the staffs of the 45th Regiment of the “Sabauda” division (command in Iglesias, later Domusnovas), would arrive to carry out counterattacks. The structures of the containment arch Santa Caterina are handed down substantially intact, representing an excellent ground for enhancement initiatives.
