The plaque at Sant'Angelo in Formis, in memory of 13 young volunteers from the Anglo-American shot of CSR, the following words inscribed: "In the clash of giant" blood against gold "here between January and May 1944, in a larger vision of a united Europe in Italy, fell shot by invading Anglo-Americans, young soldiers of CSR.
From left: Franco Aschieri , Italo Palesse, Don Ferrieri, Giorgio Tapola, Vincenzo German. Photo taken on the morning of execution.
________________________________________
"SABOT" ALLIES OF CSR shot by
were treated as spies worthy of contempt and were soon forgotten in reality were of pure heroes
Filippo Giannini
summer 1944 Anglo-American air, along with bombs, launched the ' flyers "announcing the successful execution of young people" saboteurs "belonging to" Special Forces "of CSR.
Together with the logic of "carpet bombing", the launch of these "flyers", was part of the technique to the 'war on terror. "
fact, the father of one of these young men (Alfonso Gain) learned in this way, the fact of uncivil implementation of the child. Interestingly, the historical point of view, the text of these "flyers" from one of which I deleted a part. On one side of the paper had printed the photos of the Youth Justice at the back were given their names, place and date of birth. The text continues:
"Before them, other lights have been switched over to the weapons, although their cases were thrown leaflets. In addition, others have already been caught and end up in front of firing squads allies (...) But the Allies can not be generous in cases of such gravity. International law allows the death penalty as punishment for crimes of espionage and sabotage. The United Nations will apply this law (...). "
The message continues with other threats directed at those young people who wanted to follow the example of the candidates caught and shot.
The "international law" to which the Allies as a 'flyer' refer, is the Hague, then updated with the Geneva Convention "(Art. 4) The unlawful combatants wherever they are pursued with severe punishments and are generally subject to capital punishment. In the ground war snipers operating in the enemy rear, infiltrating in dribs and drabs in disguise, are passed to the weapons in case of capture, the same goes for the saboteurs. "
So, those young people from the "Special Forces" of CSR, if captured by the Allies 'in disguise' (not in regulation uniform) were punishable by death. And we have nothing to complain about everything. Just a quick and simple consideration: punishable by the same sentence because the crime was identical, so were "partisans" in CSR. In fact, the Government of the CSR acted with restraint, because most of the snipers was sent to prison (considered the most dangerous attacks in defense of hostages), many others, at their request and subject to more formal commitment not to harm the unity of the CSR, were sent as "militarized workers" in "Battalions Complements." In most cases, they maintained their commitment to the end of hostilities. After the disaster
8 September '43, the resistance against the Anglo-American occupying forces in southern Italy, was led by fascist elements. These were small underground formations that were operating in isolation, but which will be making history.
In the North, within the emerging CSR formed "Special Services", which operated in the young volunteers of both sexes, after the training period, were parachuted or landed by submarines or, more simply (but boldly ) crossed the front lines to work with acts of sabotage and intelligence collection. Their number was about 4,000 volunteers and of these, between 70 and 100, were captured and passed down their arms.
The testimony of those who were close to these young people in the last moments of their short lives, can provide a picture of the Stoic view of some of them.
In these years of great moral confusion is good to remember those guys, as we shall see, came from every region of Italy, from North to "deep" South
The first: Mauro Bertoli
Apuania Massa was born in June 23, 1925 and Luigi Cancellieri was born in Monteroni di Lecce the l1 January 1925. Both reacted with outrage to the armistice of 8 September and presented themselves to the authorities of CSR, expressed the desire to be enrolled in "Special Services" Republican Army. Immediately began the missions assigned to them. In the last of them, were captured by the British in December 1943. Subjected to torture did not reveal anything that would jeopardize the missions of the other components of their 'Group'.
the morning of January 21, 1944 were loaded onto a truck and transported to the place of execution, in a quarry of S. Angelo in Formis. So Don Naccarato, pastor of St. Erasmus, who assisted them to the last, one remembers them:
"The supreme values \u200b\u200bof the Catholic faith was for them to secure food for the journey to face the reality of calm and conscious after death (one hour before death they ate lunch ritual with such a sense of joviality as to suggest to me that between the earthly and heavenly life for them there was no posting (...). The Duce was something sacred to them and therefore deserving of their sacrifice. Ordered to leave the cell to be translated to the place of execution, I warned her again: - Father, tell our mothers that our heart will not die, but will always be alive and burning with love for them (. ..). Faced death calmly, with a high forehead, and without fear (...)». Cantele
Marino, born in St. John Persiceto (Bo) June 21, 1922 Menicocci and Henry, born in Marseille March 19, 1924.
After the capture, interrogation and the proceedings were conducted too, April 16, 1944, in the quarries of St. Angelo in Formis. Don Umberto Piccirillo, pastor of Portico, left this testimony:
"The April 16, 1944 Beccarini Monsignor, Archbishop of Capua, he ordered me to go in the prison of S. Maria Capua Vetere in order to bring the word of comfort to the young fascists, and Cantelli Menicocci, both sentenced to death in March '44 (...). A node gripped my throat. After almost eight months I was back before the representatives of the true homeland and the invaders were regarded as traitors, but by people buckets were considered as true and worthy sons of Italy. We embraced them and confessed in prison. (...) At 9.45 we went out from the cells. In the prison, to everywhere, you could hear the screams of other inmates who were weeping for the sad fate of their brothers (...). At the quarry, the two poles ready, they were bound with a rope. A bandage covered their eyes and a crosshair was placed on their hearts. Young people wanted to be freed from the bandages to look again, as they say, face their executioners, and perhaps forgive them die, again watching and greeting the beautiful sky of Italy, for which they had fought and suffered so much '.
A discharge of eight guns thundered them instantly. "
On April 30, 1944 was the turn of: Italo
Palesse, born in Stand d'Ocre (L'Aquila), October 10 1921; Aschieri Franco, born in Milan on April 26, 1926; Mario Tapola, born in Rome on June 4, 1925, Vince German, born in Naples on April 14, 1925.
Of this group, Italo Palesse, following a recent television broadcast (Combat Movie), is known about why he threw a communist lie, then exposed.
Aschieri Franco, the son of a famous architect, when he was captured, being little more than seventeen years old, was taken to an Algerian prison camp, then, just turned eighteen years old, reported to be shot in Italy.
Here's how they remember Father Joseph Ferriero in an excerpt of his memoirs:
"I found them singing. As soon as I saw they remained silent, and when the iron gate opened, and rallied around me ... The Milanese and Roman were blond to brown Aquila, robust, with an eagle on his chest, the dachshund with his pants Neapolitan officer (...). A soldier of the MP told me I had two more minutes of time. - We are ready - was the answer. I wanted to accompany them to the place of execution ... I went out with two of their MP in four American soldiers. The cry of the prisoners greeted us at the exit of the corridor (...). The two, the Roman, a medical student, said the Neapolitan melody and Fascist Italy (...). We arrived. Two poles in a lot of green corn, behind the pozzolana quarry (...). Here they are near the pole, the Roman takes off his shirt. He says Which is not to have it pierced. The bind his hands. E 'smiling (...). Way to Naples, smiling, dark, handsome. I recommend that they wrote letters to their loved ones (...). Two soldiers charge the twelve muskets. A command dry the gun, even a third device, part of the burst. I saw the fall dear young people, I approached them reciting three Requiem and a De Profundis for each (...) It should be noted in the other two, arriving at 11.45. As soon as they see me smiling at me, they found a friendly face who is there to comfort them. What Eagle takes off his shirt too. Bind him, want a cigarette (...). While the tie, the Milanese cry three times: - Viva il Duce - and the other replies: - Viva - And again - God curse the English! - I look at him and he understands: I told them not to hate the enemy. Then the usual terse commands. I saw them bend slowly. I listened to their death rattle: the shots were not as precise as the first time. What agony to my heart (...)».
For the high office of spirituality contained in the last letter written by Franco Aschieri the mother, should be mentioned, at least, the most poignant passages:
"Dear mother, with a mind fully peaceful I prepare to leave this life for me was so short and yet so dense and full of sensational experiences (...). Please, Mama, let my departure from this life is not accompanied by tears, but is enlivened by the serene joy of those chosen souls who are aware of the significance of this transition. Yesterday, after I was sent the news, I'm lying on the bed and I felt a sensation that she knew as a child: I heard that my mind was filled with strength and extended to become huge (... ). I have no resentment for those who are going to kill me because I know you are but the instruments chosen by God (...). I will stay close to you to support you and help you until you come to join me, because I am sure that our spirits will continue along their path of redemption (...). At this time there are up to you and kiss you one last time, with you and dad and other loved ones who leave. Dear mother I end my letter because of the time sentenced to death is counted to the second. I'm glad that the death is for me because it is one of the most beautiful, being tied to a sacred ideal. I fall killed in this great battle for the salvation of the spirit and civilization, but I know that others will continue the fight for the victory that Justice can only be assigned to us. Viva fascism. Long live Europe. Franco. "
On May 6, 1944, S. Maria Capua Vetere were brought before a firing squad: Alfredo
Calligaro, born in Campolongo (Ud) 16 August 1918, Dominic Donnini, born in Urbania (PS) February 19, 1919; Scarpellini Virgil was born in Ronica (Bg) January 22, 1925 and Julius Sebastian, born in Cupramontana (An) 13 August 1915.
The "Committee for the honor to the fallen of CSR 'of S. Angelo in Formis (as later we will remember), knows nothing of the first two, but it was found that all belonged to the Xa MAS. Di Virgilio
Scarpellini you know that after several missions, carried out successfully, the last assigned related to the powder keg of Aversa. Scarpellini managed to blow up the deposit but, while trying to reach the submarine that would have an entry in its lines, was captured.
The Allies tried to make him talk for 18 days, but failed to break the firm resolve of the young. Brought before the firing squad, accompanied by Don Alfredo Contini (who a few days after he died) sang Schubert's Ave Maria. At the time of "nunc et in hora mortis nostrae" was struck by the discharge of twelve muskets.
The last letter was sent to his brothers
"I am dying with the calm mind because I am conscious of having given everything with enthusiasm and devotion to my country, which I loved more than myself, my family and, perhaps , God's dear brothers, do not curse my idea nor my action: I did what every Italian had a duty to do (...)».
And now a disgrace that the Allied military ethics: they requisitioned, to carry out their interviews, some isolated houses near Naples. Here they used to torture the young people of the "Special Services" who fell into their hands. Paolo Poletti, born in Florence October 26, 1919, suffered torture so terrible that he went mad. I1 young man was handcuffed and thrown in jail, but screamed all the time, tore her clothes off, scratched. The Americans came up with the solution, "Yankee" means a day Poletti, still delirious, put his hands against the door of the cell "had been forgotten strangely ajar." The poor young man, still yelling, insulting the guard went into the corridor, which the unloaded pistol against her. The attempt Escape was the justification for eliminating a dangerous witness. His body was brought back to his cell where he remained for two days, after which it was "hard pressed" in a box too small to easily hold its size.
Alfonso Guadagni, born in Afragola (Na) April 7, 1925; Ennio Viviani, born in Verona on September 18, 1926 and Vito Bertolozzi, date and place of birth unknown for the latter two, but all three were shot May 31, 1944 to Nisida. They went to death with admirable dignity. Ennio Viviani, given his young age should not have been brought before a firing squad. Conducted at the place of martyrdom "died singing hymns and chanting to the Duce of the Nation."
June 21, 1944 at the time of Peter Nisida Brambilia, born in Milan in December 1916 l1: "He prayed and there was a wire to the pole, facing death with courage and spirit of sacrifice."
Silvio Bartolini was born in Piacenza, 29 January 1920, was shot Aug. 24, 1944. 'Without hooded sit on a chair shouting died Viva Italy. " Caramel
Flanders [* Note 1 Italian-rsi], who was shot along with three other, ignore the names of them and the place of execution. Fallen
I mentioned above, cover the shot in central South America. But as the front moves northward, the activity of special services was repeated almost without interruption, then capture and, unfortunately, the executions.
On November 26, 1944 at Cave of Majano (Fi) Ruy Blas Biagi was shot. Also in Florence, December 6, 1944, Louis and Franco Piras Berson. The l1 January 1945 was the turn of Angelo Lencioni. Mario Martinelli and Giuseppe Boni were shot Jan. 30, 1945. Geoffrey Agostini, Raffaella and Giorgio Venturini Simino fell 14 February 1945. Welcome to Hermes and Domenico Muscatiello were shot on the eve of Easter a few days before the end of the war.
Rome 1944. The fascists Sabelli and Testori convicted of illegal activities, greet the firing squad in Roman Britain [* 2 Italian note-rsi]. It 's interesting to know that in the early months of 1998 the opening of archives has revealed that British special services in the immediate post-war British agents, outside the international rules, they continued to seek and kill the German commanders held responsible for the shooting of British agents infiltrated in Germany and discovered. Sabelli
Franco and Armando Testori both Romans were the last to face the firing squad. On September 8, '43 did not accept the surrender and joined the SS. When Rome fell under Allied occupation, the two remained in the city to carry out actions of noise and transmit information. Identified, were sentenced to death and executed June 26, 1945. The execution took place at Fort Bravetta; before download mortal raised his arm in salute and chanted "Youth." This, in itself dramatic, was enriched with another sublime episode: a few hours after the execution, the young wife of Testori, Nella, killed himself by jumping out a window of his house. On his body was found a letter whose text in full:
"On 26 June 1945. I reach beyond my husband. No more no one will shoot him, no one will ever divide us: in what the Communist rulers are powerless. And you, Minister Togliatti, which last until you wanted to be a coward, like all your worthy fellow, unnecessarily prolonging the agony of living two lives one for the other, may you be cursed. To me it is the eternal happiness, he is waiting for me. I want to be respected all the wishes of my husband, and come with me the pictures of our beloved son and the only man in my life I loved. Gualtieruccio dear mom and dad is always watching over you. In Testori. Death to communism! "
A good testimony is offered by a volume, now nowhere to be found and written after the war, titled" Fight Mother "Covella Rico Bari This was part of the" Special Services ", was captured and escaped the firing squad because at the time, just seventeen. He met many young people locked up with him in the prisons of St. Maria Capua Vetere and left us precious memories. 'Fight Mother, "pp. 36-37:
(...) But even here the sound of bolting and the gate will open: is the special rations for Rico, a minor (...). The gate opens, enter an American officer and delivered to three sheets of tissue paper, one by one: the sheets are to appear in court and contain the charges that are equal for all. The case is set at four days after (...). The defender, a British army captain comes the day before the trial: - You have been arrested in uniform? - Requests - No - replied Mauro (Mauro Bertoli ed) - We were in civilian clothes - then there is no hope-Replica English and left.
The process begins the next day in a classroom of the Court of St. Maria Capua Vetere in camera and takes two days.
A U.S. army interpreter translates into an unpleasant Italian: - You are sentenced to death by firing squad by musket - There is an imperceptible movement toward Mauro Rico - Are you up - without turning the whistles - He has gone quiet - the answers Rico , property, too.
The three youths were accompanied at the exit and onto a truck, brought back to prison.
The room, usually cold, has a welcoming warmth that night.
- Excuse me a moment ago - says Mauro Rico only just - but I saw you turn pale. "
- I knew before - says Rico - I caught the word 'dead', but that pig of the interpreter said in a way! ... I had to force myself not to puke -.
(...) - we do hope to write at home - says Mauro - I would prepare
mom (...) (...) am waiting Mauro and Gino (Louis Clerks ed) silent at the window of the cell number 1. In the courtyard they stop talking to each other groups of officers, American, British, Italian and some civilians. The door to the courtyard opens to admit a new group of officers allies are together for a reason. You through the hall and start at the wing that houses the boys. Rico feels, their steps through the door of his room: are directed to Room No. 4, enter it and an interpreter translates to Mauro and Gino, standing, ruling that the device will be performed this morning.
Two priests are replaced as an officer.
- you regret what you did?
- I have nothing to repent, if he should return to Italy to serve in the same way
-You want something in particular? - Ask before you say goodbye.
- If possible, a good food - Gino says - it's almost noon! But I do not have any appetite
When an American sergeant arrives with a large tray, helped by Mauro, Gino collects everything in bowls and places it on the prison camp Rico, then rummages pockets, pulls out the few cigarettes they offered him that morning and places them next to the bowls, with matches. When you take them away, pass before the door of cell No. 1, but are now far from everything, and behind the cell door, his body left hanging Rico, his hands tight on the bars of the window. It 's good that has not had the strength to pull himself up, he might have cried, maybe he yelled, he might have upset his brothers.
manages to reach the window of the courtyard and sees them go, as straight men, each of four enemies.
Tied to the pole, Mauro collapses after the download.
A Gino, before the "fire", it lacks the physical strength in the knees; the head, incredibly rich, is built (...)
LETTER OF THE FALLEN CSR
