 In early April 1945 the 4th "Alpini" Regiment of the 2nd Division "Littorio" held a long front running from "Rifugio Benevolo" near Rhêmes to La Forclaz, passing through several peaks including the Roc de Belleface and Traversette.On 10 April, the French captured the Roc de Belleface, but it was reoccupied by the "Alpini" and some German troops of the 100th "Gebirgsjäger" Regiment the following day.On April 25, the French 27th Alpine Infantry Division under General Eugène Molle was preparing to enter Italian territory (Val d'Aosta) across the Little Saint Bernard.