European Resistance Archive/European Resistance Archive (ERA)
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At a certain point there were around thirty of us. Then they split us into two groups.
At a certain point there were around thirty of us. Then they split us into two groups.
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One group took care of political campaigning with the population to gain support,
One group took care of political campaigning with the population to gain support,
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while we went on doing our usual tasks.
while we went on doing our usual tasks.
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On the 25th of April I was at the brigade headquarters. I was told to get my unit ready to go back.
On the 25th of April I was at the brigade headquarters. I was told to get my unit ready to go back.
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We had all been waiting impatiently for that moment.
We had all been waiting impatiently for that moment.
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I had been in the mountains for nine months, away from my family.
I had been in the mountains for nine months, away from my family.
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I had taught a woman who worked in a restaurant in Vetto the way to my house.
I had taught a woman who worked in a restaurant in Vetto the way to my house.
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Once a week, when she went to Reggio to buy supplies, she’d bring me news about my family and give them mine.
Once a week, when she went to Reggio to buy supplies, she’d bring me news about my family and give them mine.
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I was at the end of my strength.
I was at the end of my strength.
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It was because of the way we lived, the shortage of food, the lack of vitamins.
It was because of the way we lived, the shortage of food, the lack of vitamins.
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My legs hurt so much that before I went somewhere, I had to warm up like horses do before they run.
My legs hurt so much that before I went somewhere, I had to warm up like horses do before they run.
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I had a bad inflammation of the gums.
I had a bad inflammation of the gums.
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Since we didn’t have anything else, the doctor taught us to put a few milligrams
Since we didn’t have anything else, the doctor taught us to put a few milligrams
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of verdigris in the water and rinse our mouth with that to disinfect.
of verdigris in the water and rinse our mouth with that to disinfect.
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After a while a medical student joined us. He gave some vitamin injections to a few of us.
After a while a medical student joined us. He gave some vitamin injections to a few of us.
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The poor girls who did cried desperately because of the pain (he had to give the shots into their backs).
The poor girls who did cried desperately because of the pain (he had to give the shots into their backs).
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That was the way we were living. We were really looking forward to go back home.
That was the way we were living. We were really looking forward to go back home.
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When they gave me the news I was in Gottano.
When they gave me the news I was in Gottano.
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I sat on a rock just outside town and could see the mountains and woods all around.
I sat on a rock just outside town and could see the mountains and woods all around.
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I recalled all my memories of the partisan struggle
I recalled all my memories of the partisan struggle