European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)

Regardless of all the battles I fought, before the Liberation as well as afterwards,

with my biggest battle starting after the war, if I’m still here it’s because I believe that victories are not everlasting.

Things can always be changed.

The younger generations have been lucky that we haven't had any other wars in Italy in the last sixty years.

We’ve taken part in some, but we weren’t directly involved.

I believe that this was also due to some of the actions that I got involved in,

together with all the others and all the women who share the same feelings I have faith in.

The end of wars brings little joy

That night at home we started to count out those who were coming back.

As soon as we saw soldiers returning from the front, I went to the train station in Reggio.

I was hoping I would see my brother make it home too,

but I never saw him again.

Of my six brothers, our numerous family,

that had been awarded by the Duce,

three died, one was a victim of political persecution and one hostage.

We didn’t really have too much to be happy about, in spite of the Liberation.

The days of Liberation

On the 23rd we noticed a heavy fog over our heads.

Everything seemed quiet, muffled. Then the German tanks began to withdraw.

An army on the run is one of the saddest sights one can witness.