The Partisan Struggle for Freedom


Part F: The Final Battles


Finally the spring of 1945 arrived, and the time of the final attack was decided: April 5th on the Tirreno's side and April 9th on the Apennine and Adriatic line.

In strict coordination with the Allied advance, which had resumed, the partisan brigades rose resolutely and with the definite promise of reaching the liberation of the whole national territory in the shortest time by spring at the latest.

Taro  Imola  Massa

Due to direct action of the partisans or together with the Allied forces, these were set free: on April 8 and 10, the Taro Valley as far as Fornovo; on April 10 and 11, Massa and Carrara; on April 14, Imola; ...

Bologna  Modena

...on April 20, Bologna; on April 22, Modena; Ferrara; on April 24, Reggio Emilia; on April 25, Parma; and on April 28, Piacenza.

Genova  Cuneo

The following were the popular uprisings. On April 25, Genova was finally freed. After a battle with the populace that involved women and boys, the enemy surrendered unconditionally. On April 27, Torino was set free after a four-day struggle; the factories were the nerve centers of these battles. Partisans and population fought together for the liberation of Asti, Alessandria, Aosta, Cuneo and Novara.

Milano

Milan was set free on April 27, after a two-day struggle that began with a general strike and the occupation of the factories.

Achille Marazza

During such feverish moments the meeting took place between Mussolini and Graziani and the representatives of C.L.N.A.I.: Generals Cadorna, Riccardo Lombardi and Achille Marazza. This meeting took place in the seat of the Milan's Archdiocese in the presence of Cardinal Schuster.

Verona

The most bloody encounters occurred in Veneto because the enemy fought with the force of the despair, having their only way out blocked. On April 26, Verona was set free after a two-day struggle: the enemy blew up the ten bridges on the Adige River and the surrender took place with Allied intervention.

Padova

April 27 and 28 were two days of relentless fighting for Padova's liberation. In the same period were set free Venezia, Vicenza, and Belluno with the capture of many enemy soldiers. Trieste and Udine were set free on May 1. In Carnia they fought until May 7. After twenty months of struggle the national territory was once again united and free.


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