La Resistenza: Italian Partisans Fight Fascism

April 25 is Liberation Day in Italy, a national holiday sometimes also called Anniversary of the Resistance. It commemorates Italy’s liberation from the grip of fascism and Nazi occupation. That grip was looking fatal to the Italians in 1943 after 3 years of demoralizing and devastating defeats in World War II. By late 1943, the country was at the mercy of the Germans, who attacked, disarmed Italian troops, and occupied the center-north of the peninsula.

But in northern Italy’s mountains and towns (where we are now) a partisan resistance movement was born and thousands of Italians fought for their freedom. They fought as individuals, in small autonomous groups, and in groups linked to communist, socialist, Catholic or liberal movements. Many gave their lives to fight fascism.

Gramsci-Garibaldi Partisan Brigade.jpg

Garibaldi Gramsci Partisan Brigade in Trento region of northern Italy. (Garibaldi was a national hero in the 19th century fight for independence; Gramsci was a major Marxist philosopher and activist in the 1920s and early 30s.)

Leader of Trento Resistance-Manci.jpg

Shopping plaza in Trento honoring the resistance and featuring a plaque for its local leader Giannantonio Manci.

The partisans operating in the mountains and surrounding valleys near Bassano del Grappa, about an hour from Trento, exemplified this resistance. While there was some conflict between the varied groups, they united during major operations, such as the strategically important damage to the Bassano–Trento rail line in June 1944. Their success, however, led to a brutal German–RSI counter-offensive in September. Severe, highly visible reprisals produced heavy losses, mass arrests, deportations and the public hanging of dozens in Bassano — an episode that put the Grappa fighting in the national spotlight and left a strong local memory.

Trees-Bassano del Grappa.jpg

Looks beautiful today, but the Nazis executed resistance fighters on these and 12 other trees along the avenue in September 1944. It is now a memorial site.

Vedovotto Albino - Bassano del Grappa.jpg

Vendovotto Albino was one of those executed

Despite this and many other anti-partisan operations in northern Italy including some that led to terrible massacres of civilians by the Nazis, partisan strength rose dramatically in 1944–45, perhaps even tenfold according to some estimates. In a final uprising and campaign across the north in April 1945 the partisans seized control of many towns and facilitated the Allies advance. They succeeded in liberating Italy.

Hanged or Shot - 1944 Bassano del Grappa.jpg

Plaque honoring resistance fighters who fell for freedom, either hanged or shot.

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