European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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In 1940, when the danger of German occupation was imminent, my aunt wanted us to go to Southern France.
In 1940, when the danger of German occupation was imminent, my aunt wanted us to go to Southern France.
Nel 1940, quando il pericolo dell'occupazione tedesca era imminente, mia zia voleva che andassimo nel sud della Francia. -
We got to know the so-called “débacle” – the total collapse – during our flight.
We got to know the so-called “débacle” – the total collapse – during our flight.
Durante il viaggio abbiamo conosciuto la cosiddetta "débacle" - lo sfacelo totale. -
We left by foot, pushing our suitcases on bikes.
We left by foot, pushing our suitcases on bikes.
Partimmo a piedi, spingendo le valigie in bicicletta. -
In Le Mans the Germans caught up with us.
In Le Mans the Germans caught up with us.
A Le Mans i tedeschi ci raggiunsero. -
When the Germans got in front of us, we returned to Nanterre.
When the Germans got in front of us, we returned to Nanterre.
Quando i tedeschi ci superarono, tornammo a Nanterre. -
The city was almost empty at the time.
The city was almost empty at the time.
La città era quasi vuota in quel momento. -
It was July and Nanterre had been occupied on June 14th, 1940.
It was July and Nanterre had been occupied on June 14th, 1940.
Era luglio e Nanterre era stata occupata il 14 giugno 1940. -
There were very few working factories.
There were very few working factories.
Erano pochissime le fabbriche ancora funzionanti. -
I got back in touch with my comrades from the Communist Youth Movement and we started…
I got back in touch with my comrades from the Communist Youth Movement and we started…
Mi misi di nuovo in contatto con i miei compagni del Movimento Giovani Comunisti e iniziammo... -
how could I best describe it? The people did not understand anything.
how could I best describe it? The people did not understand anything.
come potrei descriverlo al meglio? Il popolo non capiva nulla. -
They were suddenly imprisoned instead of in a free country.
They were suddenly imprisoned instead of in a free country.
All'improvviso venivano imprigionati invece di vivere in un Paese libero. -
This happened in less than a month.
This happened in less than a month.
Questo successe in meno di un mese. -
The Nazis crossed the French border on May 10th, 1940 and on June 10th they were in Paris.
The Nazis crossed the French border on May 10th, 1940 and on June 10th they were in Paris.
I nazisti attraversarono il confine francese il 10 maggio 1940 e il 10 giugno erano a Parigi. -
Everybody was scared and tried to leave.
Everybody was scared and tried to leave.
Tutti erano spaventati e cercavano di andarsene. -
We did not understand how in this country of freedom,
We did not understand how in this country of freedom,
Non capivamo come in questo paese di libertà, -
where we had everything we wanted, self-sufficient country
where we had everything we wanted, self-sufficient country
dove avevamo tutto quello che volevamo, un paese autosufficiente, -
(its agriculture and its industry), suddenly nothing was left.
(its agriculture and its industry), suddenly nothing was left.
(per la sua agricoltura e la sua industria), improvvisamente non era rimasto più nulla. -
Ration tickets,
Ration tickets,
Tessere annonarie, -
we were hungry, cold.
we were hungry, cold.
avevamo fame, freddo. -
So we felt the need to explain to the people why we were in this situation.
So we felt the need to explain to the people why we were in this situation.
Sentivamo quindi il bisogno di spiegare alla gente perché ci trovavamo in questa situazione.