European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)

That was the way we were living. We were really looking forward to go back home.

When they gave me the news I was in Gottano.

I sat on a rock just outside town and could see the mountains and woods all around.

I recalled all my memories of the partisan struggle

and suddenly was hit by sadness. Not because I was leaving that place,

but because I had seen too many of my comrades die.

There were more and more women in the mountains by then, because some had been arrested and tortured.

When they were in danger they went to the mountains to the partisans.

The public opinion started talking about what women would be doing there, ill-minded.

I had to clash with this idea, too.

I had been on the Barazzone with the detachment for a month

when they told me to go to Cerresola, as my boyfriend Nanzio Corrada was waiting for me.

I went to meet him and as soon as I saw his face I understood that a storm was brewing here.

He told me right away that I had to leave with him.

I asked him why, since I had run away in order not to be executed.

Did he think it was right for me to go back home?

He continued, “We’ll get married, then you’ll come to Varese and nobody will look for you”.

“So you think that if we get married, hand out the information they need, they’d let me go to Varese?

Would you be happier if I’m tortured? You’re really joking”.