Fascism, World War II, Resistance

Autumn 1943 saw the beginning of armed resistance which, in spite of bans, rounding-up operations and reprisals, did not end until April-May 1945 with the general insurrection and liberation. In 20 months the Vicenza area resistance quickly linked up with the allies and the sparse groups of the beginnings transformed into battalions, brigades and divisions. The fighting in the province of Vicenza was mainly sustained by four large formations: the Pasubio, Garemi, Ortigara and Vicenza divisions.

The first units of the Pasubio division formed in the valleys of the river Chiampo, along the border between the provinces of Vicenza and Verona, during the winter of 1943-44. One of the main aspects of partisan warfare, often overshadowed by the more suggestive idea of mass warfare, were actions of sabotage aimed at the enemy’s communication lines, barracks and depots. In winter 1944-45 and in the following spring these original units, that never gave up their speciality, were joined by many other territorial formations operating on the plain, giving way to the formation of the Vicenza Division on 2nd April, a division that was made up of the following brigades: Argiuna, Battisti, Damiano Chiesa, Martiri di Grancona, Rosselli, Segato and Silva. It was a multi-party formation that was responsible for liberating the town of Vicenza and a large part of the surrounding plain. Together with political and military resistance, an equally important role was carried out by civil resistance. This collaboration, the extent of which was well known to the occupying forces, was sadly paid for dearly in terms of hard and cruel reprisals that struck both the suffering civilian population and the partisan combatants. On 10th April 1945 the partisan forces launched the operations that led to the liberation of the province and that also aimed at surrounding the main towns with a circle of fire to block the retreating enemy. At the end of these operations, the provincial C.L.N. (“Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale” - National Liberation Committee) took over power, marking the return of liberty after the long dark night of tyranny.

Partigiani in marcia verso Lusiana

Telefono da campo tedesco, a quattro linee