European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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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, -
the guy behind the machine-gun started firing the machine-gun too soon.
the guy behind the machine-gun started firing the machine-gun too soon.
il tizio dietro la mitragliatrice ha iniziato a sparare con la mitragliatrice troppo presto. -
We all charged at that moment, all frantic, all in a rush.
We all charged at that moment, all frantic, all in a rush.
Abbiamo caricato tutti in quel momento, tutti frenetici, tutti in fretta. -
We were suddenly inside the German lines, which were well organized according to the logic of a military attack.
We were suddenly inside the German lines, which were well organized according to the logic of a military attack.
Eravamo all'improvviso dentro le linee tedesche, ben organizzate nella logica di un attacco militare. -
The 300 young men charged among them and provoked such havoc
The 300 young men charged among them and provoked such havoc
I 300 giovani hanno accusato e causato tale caos -
that the Germans were so surprised they didn’t even shoot.
that the Germans were so surprised they didn’t even shoot.
che i tedeschi erano così sorpresi che non spararono nemmeno. -
Had they shot at us they would have also been shooting at their own people, because we were among them.
Had they shot at us they would have also been shooting at their own people, because we were among them.
Se avessero sparato a noi avrebbero sparato anche ai loro, perché eravamo tra loro.