European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)

I lived 500 meters away from the rail tracks.

Nearly our whole Azione Cattolica group started to go there

to slow the trains down before they arrived in Reggio.

The soldiers on the train got off before the train left again.

We took them to the rectory. We dressed some in plain clothes, others as priests.

I dressed as an acolyte, since I was 19 but looked younger.

I remember bringing a guy called Catellani all the way home to Sesso.

He worked at the Reggiane. I took them to Rivalta. Then they could move on alone.

I had an exemption from the military and went on working at the Reggiane until December.

Then I received another call-up card.

I know the Germans immediately occupied the most relevant spots in the city,

the city hall, the Zucchi barracks, the Cialdini barracks.

They also plundered the city.

I remember that my wife lived in Coviolo.

Some Germans arrived in her courtyard

with hens, rabbits, and were laughing when they arrested the soldiers who had surrendered.

You have to remember that the Germans arrested and

sent to Germany more than 600,000 soldiers on the 8th of September.

Presentation: family, church, work

My name is Fernando Cavazzini, partisan Toni.