European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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The Germans surrounded us with tanks during the night.
The Germans surrounded us with tanks during the night.
I tedeschi ci hanno circondato con i carri armati durante la notte. -
It was their mighty army against ours. They waited until morning to attack.
It was their mighty army against ours. They waited until morning to attack.
Era il loro potente esercito contro il nostro. Hanno aspettato fino al mattino per attaccare. -
I immediately offered to go, and three more men were equally enthusiastic to go with me up against the German tanks with hand grenades.
I immediately offered to go, and three more men were equally enthusiastic to go with me up against the German tanks with hand grenades.
Mi offrii subito per andare e altri tre uomini erano egualmente entusiasti di unirsi a me contro i carri armati tedeschi con bombe a mano. -
We imagined it was just a matter of throwing the grenades, we would simply kill the Germans
We imagined it was just a matter of throwing the grenades, we would simply kill the Germans
Immaginavamo che fosse solo questione di lanciare le granate e che avremmo ucciso i tedeschi -
and blast everything to ruins. Older and more experienced Partisans told us to calm down.
and blast everything to ruins. Older and more experienced Partisans told us to calm down.
e riduci tutto in rovina. I Partigiani più anziani ed esperti ci dissero di calmarci. -
There would be many more opportunities to fight. They clarified that it’s not that simple to destroy a tank.
There would be many more opportunities to fight. They clarified that it’s not that simple to destroy a tank.
Ci saranno molte più occasioni per combattere. Ci chiarirono che non è così semplice distruggere un carro armato. -
They’re not made of paper, rather of steel, and also the Germans were not sleeping.
They’re not made of paper, rather of steel, and also the Germans were not sleeping.
Non sono di carta, piuttosto di acciaio e anche i tedeschi non dormivano. -
We were atop this hill. There was also a bit of forest around.
We were atop this hill. There was also a bit of forest around.
Eravamo in cima a questa collina. C'era anche un po' di foresta intorno. -
The Germans approached in a dense line of ‘shooters’ followed by a display of tanks, slowly advancing in the rear.
The Germans approached in a dense line of ‘shooters’ followed by a display of tanks, slowly advancing in the rear.
I tedeschi si sono avvicinati in una densa fila di 'tiratori' seguiti da un allineamento di carri armati, avanzando lentamente nella retrovia. -
We then recognized the horror.
We then recognized the horror.
Dunque riconoscemmo l'orrore. -
We were all novices, it was our first fight, except for a few leading cadres.
We were all novices, it was our first fight, except for a few leading cadres.
Eravamo tutti novellini, era il nostro primo scontro, eccetto per alcuni quadri al comando. -
On the basis of my four grades of high schooling, I was named right off as the Political Commissary of a unit;
On the basis of my four grades of high schooling, I was named right off as the Political Commissary of a unit;
Sulla base dei miei quattro gradi di scuola superiore, sono stato subito nominato Commissario Politico di un'unità; -
without any previous fighting experience. I had to take care of my men.
without any previous fighting experience. I had to take care of my men.
senza alcuna precedente esperienza di combattimento. Dovevo prendermi cura dei miei uomini. -
We had these dugouts or shelters made from stones.
We had these dugouts or shelters made from stones.
Avevamo questi rifugi o fortini in pietra. -
During a fight we were to defend ourselves from behind the shelters.
During a fight we were to defend ourselves from behind the shelters.
Durante un combattimento dovevamo ripararci dietro ai rifugi. -
The command was to remain quiet and calm and to wait until the commander yelled charge (‘juris’).
The command was to remain quiet and calm and to wait until the commander yelled charge (‘juris’).
Il comando era di restare buoni e calmi e di aspettare fino a quando il comandante non gridasse la carica ('juris'). -
We were to wait for the enemy to approach within 20 meters and then each man was to pick his own target enemy.
We were to wait for the enemy to approach within 20 meters and then each man was to pick his own target enemy.
Dovevamo attendere che il nemico si avvicinasse entro i 20 metri e poi ogni uomo doveva scegliere il proprio bersaglio nemico. -
We would all charge together. Then something unexpected happened.
We would all charge together. Then something unexpected happened.
Avremmo caricato tutti insieme. Poi è successo qualcosa di inaspettato. -
Of the 300 men on our side the enemy was expecting at least 100 to die.
Of the 300 men on our side the enemy was expecting at least 100 to die.
Dei 300 uomini dalla nostra parte il nemico si aspettava che almeno 100 morissero. -
But when the Germans approached, not 20 meters away but rather 40 meters,
But when the Germans approached, not 20 meters away but rather 40 meters,
Ma quando i tedeschi si avvicinarono, non a 20 metri ma piuttosto a 40 metri,