European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)

My mother and father had always been working  
to set up the cooperative.

My mother and father had always been working to set up the cooperative.

Then, that night, I remember that people came over  
to wake them up,

Then, that night, I remember that people came over to wake them up,

shouting that “the coop was on fire”:  
that’s a moment I will never forget.

shouting that “the coop was on fire”: that’s a moment I will never forget.

There were also other reasons which kept me  
from taking up membership,-.

There were also other reasons which kept me from taking up membership,-.

such as the fact that the Fascist youth had to take part  
in military activities and all kinds of classes every Saturday,

such as the fact that the Fascist youth had to take part in military activities and all kinds of classes every Saturday,

I went to live in Villa Rivalta and I wasn’t even seventeen  
when I started working at Officine Reggiane.

I went to live in Villa Rivalta and I wasn’t even seventeen when I started working at Officine Reggiane.

It was unpleasant to have to show a  
Fascist membership card for everything,

It was unpleasant to have to show a Fascist membership card for everything,

and that’s another aspect which had me  
disagreeing with the fascists.

and that’s another aspect which had me disagreeing with the fascists.

you were always expected to have your  
Fascist membership card with you.

you were always expected to have your Fascist membership card with you.

so I was forced to use alternative methods,  
those I had learned from my family,

so I was forced to use alternative methods, those I had learned from my family,

During the first three months of school we did writing exercises  
and we learned to count up to fifty.

During the first three months of school we did writing exercises and we learned to count up to fifty.

I remember that my teacher was from Casalgrande  
and walked all the way to school and back, poor woman.

I remember that my teacher was from Casalgrande and walked all the way to school and back, poor woman.

Just take my case: as soon as I finished primary third grade,  
after I had failed second grade,

Just take my case: as soon as I finished primary third grade, after I had failed second grade,

It’s not like someone stopped me from going,  
it’s just that it was enough to learn the basics of reading and writing.

It’s not like someone stopped me from going, it’s just that it was enough to learn the basics of reading and writing.

Later, in the army, I used to write letters for a fellow soldier from Guastalla  
and two more who were from the mountains.

Later, in the army, I used to write letters for a fellow soldier from Guastalla and two more who were from the mountains.

They were my age but didn’t know how to write:  
I was not better than them, but I had gone to school until third grade.

They were my age but didn’t know how to write: I was not better than them, but I had gone to school until third grade.

There weren’t any real dangers, since they rather controlled those  
who were older than me.

There weren’t any real dangers, since they rather controlled those who were older than me.

Colleagues like Ganassi, Bagnacani or Catellani were all sent to jail  
after being caught putting sand in the engine cylinders.

Colleagues like Ganassi, Bagnacani or Catellani were all sent to jail after being caught putting sand in the engine cylinders.

when the soldiers would come back, they would have to become members  
of the Party if they wanted to work in the factory”.

when the soldiers would come back, they would have to become members of the Party if they wanted to work in the factory”.

Those who were facing the worst situation were indeed those  
who had been combatants in Spain,

Those who were facing the worst situation were indeed those who had been combatants in Spain,

On Sundays we used to set up stalls in the square to sell things,  
or we organized lotteries:

On Sundays we used to set up stalls in the square to sell things, or we organized lotteries:

– you can still see one of the airplanes we made,  
it’s at the Reggio Emilia airport –

– you can still see one of the airplanes we made, it’s at the Reggio Emilia airport –

while those who worked at Lombardini Motori, manufacturing ship engines,  
usually served in the Navy.

while those who worked at Lombardini Motori, manufacturing ship engines, usually served in the Navy.

I was called up for military service, went to Bologna and then to Orvieto,  
where I completed the recruit training.

I was called up for military service, went to Bologna and then to Orvieto, where I completed the recruit training.

So we went to mount guard, and I remember that a new lieutenant came  
to pick us up with a van at eight in the morning,

So we went to mount guard, and I remember that a new lieutenant came to pick us up with a van at eight in the morning,

I went back inside the airport. The mail had arrived  
and there were also some letters for me.

I went back inside the airport. The mail had arrived and there were also some letters for me.

I went to my sleeping quarter and was opening a letter  
when my lieutenant,

I went to my sleeping quarter and was opening a letter when my lieutenant,

a man from Ancona whose name was Santaroni, came over.  
He was a good man – he gave me a hug later –

a man from Ancona whose name was Santaroni, came over. He was a good man – he gave me a hug later –

“You’re lucky to be in the Army, since in the past few days Pattaccini,  
Boiardi and others were arrested”.

“You’re lucky to be in the Army, since in the past few days Pattaccini, Boiardi and others were arrested”.

and my poor mother was telling me this openly.  
But that’s exactly why I was arrested.

and my poor mother was telling me this openly. But that’s exactly why I was arrested.

I never managed to get that letter back.  
Wherever I was taken, the letter seemed to follow me.

I never managed to get that letter back. Wherever I was taken, the letter seemed to follow me.

You see, we all used to deny knowing someone, but I couldn’t,  
since the names were written on the letter.

You see, we all used to deny knowing someone, but I couldn’t, since the names were written on the letter.

they had taken everything from me  
and that day I was slightly shabby and hadn’t shaved.

they had taken everything from me and that day I was slightly shabby and hadn’t shaved.

when there were eighteen of us, we had a whole railcar for ourselves,  
so there was no one else.

when there were eighteen of us, we had a whole railcar for ourselves, so there was no one else.

This time, however, the railcar was full,  
so people began to ask me what I had done,

This time, however, the railcar was full, so people began to ask me what I had done,

Once we arrived in Florence, however,  
the Carabinieri decided to get off and change train.

Once we arrived in Florence, however, the Carabinieri decided to get off and change train.

Later I understood that they did this to prevent me from talking  
to the people that were on the first train.

Later I understood that they did this to prevent me from talking to the people that were on the first train.

The other one – from Bologna to Reggio Emilia –  
was a lot less crowded.

The other one – from Bologna to Reggio Emilia – was a lot less crowded.

When we arrived in Reggio Emilia I was immediately taken  
to the Police Station.

When we arrived in Reggio Emilia I was immediately taken to the Police Station.

There, I was confronted with a lot of stories,  
and I still had to deal with the issue of the letter.

There, I was confronted with a lot of stories, and I still had to deal with the issue of the letter.

but Pagliarello had my letter in his hands while he questioned me,  
and I did not know what to say.

but Pagliarello had my letter in his hands while he questioned me, and I did not know what to say.

I managed to see out of the corner of my eye that  
he was about to hit me from behind,

I managed to see out of the corner of my eye that he was about to hit me from behind,

so I protected myself: he ended up hitting the handcuffs,  
got angry and smacked me a couple of times.

so I protected myself: he ended up hitting the handcuffs, got angry and smacked me a couple of times.

He was sentenced to fifteen years by the special court,  
and served quite a few of them.

He was sentenced to fifteen years by the special court, and served quite a few of them.

We were the last ones, and our sentences were lighter:  
as for myself, I was sentenced to four years of confinement.

We were the last ones, and our sentences were lighter: as for myself, I was sentenced to four years of confinement.

In any case, when you got into the movement you were aware  
that there would not be much you could do:

In any case, when you got into the movement you were aware that there would not be much you could do:

we had to pretend everything was ok  
and force a smile in order to make it easier for them.

we had to pretend everything was ok and force a smile in order to make it easier for them.

When we arrived in Castelfranco, the warden came over  
and asked the sergeant, who was in charge of the guards,

When we arrived in Castelfranco, the warden came over and asked the sergeant, who was in charge of the guards,

He asked where we came from,  
and when he was told we were from Reggio Emilia, he said:

He asked where we came from, and when he was told we were from Reggio Emilia, he said:

Although we had not done anything to be punished,  
they ended up putting us in confinement cells.

Although we had not done anything to be punished, they ended up putting us in confinement cells.

The prison was full, but they had these special cells  
where they could fit one or two of us,

The prison was full, but they had these special cells where they could fit one or two of us,

There was only a small opening in the door,  
and a tiny window for some fresh air,

There was only a small opening in the door, and a tiny window for some fresh air,

so you never heard or saw anyone aside from the guard  
who came by to check on us every now and then.

so you never heard or saw anyone aside from the guard who came by to check on us every now and then.

so the young workers of Reggiane who were called into the Army  
were entitled to serve in the Air Force,

so the young workers of Reggiane who were called into the Army were entitled to serve in the Air Force,

and told us we would be visiting Rome for a while since  
he had never been there before.

and told us we would be visiting Rome for a while since he had never been there before.

We were taken to a farming penal colony,  
called “Colonia Confinati di Pisticci”, near Matera.

We were taken to a farming penal colony, called “Colonia Confinati di Pisticci”, near Matera.

If you want I can quickly tell you this story.  
The issue with this colony was

If you want I can quickly tell you this story. The issue with this colony was

You see, in Ponza there were people  
like Terracini, Volponi, Cuccimarro

You see, in Ponza there were people like Terracini, Volponi, Cuccimarro

– there were large tables for eight –  
he took that time to explain things to the others.

– there were large tables for eight – he took that time to explain things to the others.

It was mostly for this reason that they decided  
to close down the island of Ponza.

It was mostly for this reason that they decided to close down the island of Ponza.

Some were sent to Ventotene,  
others were transferred to Pisticci with us,

Some were sent to Ventotene, others were transferred to Pisticci with us,

By the time I left the colony, there were almost  
three thousand people confined in Pisticci:

By the time I left the colony, there were almost three thousand people confined in Pisticci:

not only political prisoners, but a bit of everything,  
including spies.

not only political prisoners, but a bit of everything, including spies.

We arrived at the offices of the colony,  
where we were divided in three sheds,

We arrived at the offices of the colony, where we were divided in three sheds,

I started to explain to them how we were lucky  
that the number of socialist countries was growing,

I started to explain to them how we were lucky that the number of socialist countries was growing,

thanks to the Soviet Union – they had just occupied Sweden,  
Norway and Lithuania at that time – and how great the Russians were.

thanks to the Soviet Union – they had just occupied Sweden, Norway and Lithuania at that time – and how great the Russians were.

Come morning, a tiny man called me over  
and asked me where I was from.

Come morning, a tiny man called me over and asked me where I was from.

He was a professor from Milan, whose name was Lonato.  
We were in great terms after that.

He was a professor from Milan, whose name was Lonato. We were in great terms after that.

However I was younger than the others,  
and I understood that this was an advantage.

However I was younger than the others, and I understood that this was an advantage.

I was with a man called Bonini, from Villa Seta,  
who was around forty-five years old

I was with a man called Bonini, from Villa Seta, who was around forty-five years old

that was a lot harder, but he always managed to  
take care of things rather easily.

that was a lot harder, but he always managed to take care of things rather easily.

I had been given some documents  
which I was supposed to bring to the police.

I had been given some documents which I was supposed to bring to the police.

When I went there, I knocked on the door  
(we already knew how it worked)

When I went there, I knocked on the door (we already knew how it worked)

Finally, he told me:  
“Don’t you know that when you come here you must give the Roman salute?”.

Finally, he told me: “Don’t you know that when you come here you must give the Roman salute?”.

I replied that I had just come back from almost  
four years of confinement for a lot less,

I replied that I had just come back from almost four years of confinement for a lot less,

but within three months I was called up for the Army again,  
since I was in the military when I was arrested.

but within three months I was called up for the Army again, since I was in the military when I was arrested.

I explained to him how I knew that I was not entitled to use a weapon anymore,  
since I had lost all my rights by being arrested.

I explained to him how I knew that I was not entitled to use a weapon anymore, since I had lost all my rights by being arrested.

He replied that he went to fight in Albania  
with the Blackshirts although he was in the Army,

He replied that he went to fight in Albania with the Blackshirts although he was in the Army,

I received a letter from the Government stating that I immediately  
had to go back to Italy, since I was not supposed to be there.

I received a letter from the Government stating that I immediately had to go back to Italy, since I was not supposed to be there.

I was taken to the port and embarked on a ship  
whose name was Disentine.

I was taken to the port and embarked on a ship whose name was Disentine.

We stayed there three days without setting sail,  
apparently because there were British u-boats.

We stayed there three days without setting sail, apparently because there were British u-boats.

Then one evening, from the ship, we saw  
that there were great celebrations in Durres,

Then one evening, from the ship, we saw that there were great celebrations in Durres,

Even those in charge of the different services or of the orderly room  
could not speak to anyone in Rome: nobody would answer.

Even those in charge of the different services or of the orderly room could not speak to anyone in Rome: nobody would answer.

One day, our officers in charge, such as General Mondini, from Parma,  
who was the Commanding General of my division,

One day, our officers in charge, such as General Mondini, from Parma, who was the Commanding General of my division,

but they told us that they had reached an agreement with the Germans:  
they would take us to Trieste,

but they told us that they had reached an agreement with the Germans: they would take us to Trieste,

I was quite skeptical, but we all got on the train.  
There were forty-two of us on each railcar.

I was quite skeptical, but we all got on the train. There were forty-two of us on each railcar.

When we reached the border the Germans locked the railcars,  
allegedly because of the Partisans.

When we reached the border the Germans locked the railcars, allegedly because of the Partisans.

In the morning – I had a small booklet with a map –  
it turned out we were in Austria.

In the morning – I had a small booklet with a map – it turned out we were in Austria.

I was grateful that three or four years ago I was able  
to visit the camp I was imprisoned in sixty years before.

I was grateful that three or four years ago I was able to visit the camp I was imprisoned in sixty years before.

then there were two shacks of female prisoners –  
Russian women who worked on the railroad tracks with smaller shovels –

then there were two shacks of female prisoners – Russian women who worked on the railroad tracks with smaller shovels –

then the French, and finally us.  
I don’t know how many thousands prisoners were in the camp.

then the French, and finally us. I don’t know how many thousands prisoners were in the camp.

I should not forget to say that, at that point,  
I was still accompanied by two non-commissioned officers

I should not forget to say that, at that point, I was still accompanied by two non-commissioned officers

One of them was from Cosenza, the other from Catanzaro,  
and I think they were supposed to go back to Italy on special leave.

One of them was from Cosenza, the other from Catanzaro, and I think they were supposed to go back to Italy on special leave.

When everything changed I was slightly worried:  
the two were beginning to need something to drink,

When everything changed I was slightly worried: the two were beginning to need something to drink,

The two officers had been entitled to bunk beds,  
so they were sleeping in a corner of the shack.

The two officers had been entitled to bunk beds, so they were sleeping in a corner of the shack.

We slept on straw on the floor, and I managed  
to get into the group that was leaving.

We slept on straw on the floor, and I managed to get into the group that was leaving.

I never knew anything about them afterwards,  
and maybe I shouldn’t have done this,

I never knew anything about them afterwards, and maybe I shouldn’t have done this,

but I was afraid they would hand my documents to a guard.  
The guards were brutal there.

but I was afraid they would hand my documents to a guard. The guards were brutal there.

At first, we wondered what we were supposed to do –  
maybe get some coffee! –

At first, we wondered what we were supposed to do – maybe get some coffee! –

We immediately understood that we had to get up,  
even if we couldn’t understand the word.

We immediately understood that we had to get up, even if we couldn’t understand the word.

I lost all contact with the two officers afterwards,  
since that place was basically a marshalling camp,

I lost all contact with the two officers afterwards, since that place was basically a marshalling camp,

The last one I was in, where we were finally set free,  
was called Wickede and was in Westfalia, near Dortmund.

The last one I was in, where we were finally set free, was called Wickede and was in Westfalia, near Dortmund.

The camp I’ve been in for the longest period was in Hagen,  
again in Westfalia, near Dortmund, which was a very big city.

The camp I’ve been in for the longest period was in Hagen, again in Westfalia, near Dortmund, which was a very big city.

They might come to check on us at, say, 10:30 at night,  
so we would have to gather in the hallway.

They might come to check on us at, say, 10:30 at night, so we would have to gather in the hallway.

One of us was sleeping in the corner, another one was ill,  
and they would send us all outside to do some exercise.

One of us was sleeping in the corner, another one was ill, and they would send us all outside to do some exercise.

We wore wooden shoes that could easily be lost  
while walking down the three steps that led to each shack.

We wore wooden shoes that could easily be lost while walking down the three steps that led to each shack.

I was arrested, or, I should rather say,  
we were loaded on their trains on the 16th of September,

I was arrested, or, I should rather say, we were loaded on their trains on the 16th of September,

including the tank factories that the Americans used to attack with special bombs,  
in order to breach them.

including the tank factories that the Americans used to attack with special bombs, in order to breach them.

That’s all you got until evening.  
Then at night we were given some slop, but no more bread.

That’s all you got until evening. Then at night we were given some slop, but no more bread.

That piece of bread was like gold for me:  
I used to eat it bit by bit, in order to savor it.

That piece of bread was like gold for me: I used to eat it bit by bit, in order to savor it.

We were terribly hungry and in the winter,  
when we went to work in Hagen, it was freezing:

We were terribly hungry and in the winter, when we went to work in Hagen, it was freezing:

chard, turnip, and this kind of stuff, all minced,  
cooked and seasoned with some of this margarine.

chard, turnip, and this kind of stuff, all minced, cooked and seasoned with some of this margarine.

and it was often my case,  
since I did not like to cram up with all the others.

and it was often my case, since I did not like to cram up with all the others.

the Germans used to enjoy watching us cram in line  
and get into disputes.

the Germans used to enjoy watching us cram in line and get into disputes.

Forage caps would typically be falling in the soup,  
something that would drive people out of their minds.

Forage caps would typically be falling in the soup, something that would drive people out of their minds.

My Corporal, whose name was Mario Palazzeschi, from Arezzo,  
was incredibly healthy, a lot healthier than me.

My Corporal, whose name was Mario Palazzeschi, from Arezzo, was incredibly healthy, a lot healthier than me.

One day, however, he began to cry, sobbing  
“Carlo, I won’t make it, I won’t make it…”.

One day, however, he began to cry, sobbing “Carlo, I won’t make it, I won’t make it…”.

imagine what they would say if they were to find out that I’m still here,  
more than eighty years old now!

imagine what they would say if they were to find out that I’m still here, more than eighty years old now!

“Since you come from the outside, what do people say?  
How long will the war last?”.

“Since you come from the outside, what do people say? How long will the war last?”.

We always thought we knew everything,  
and we told them it would only last one or two more months,

We always thought we knew everything, and we told them it would only last one or two more months,

but they replied it would go on for another two years.  
They were right, the war went on for two more years.