war

The first partisan band: Free Italy

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“Dear former partisans, you've been heroes not because of the armed struggle, But first of all for the courage and dignity to rebel and say no to the authoritarian power and that in part was also warmonger. A boy of the partisan war”. These lines can be read on a sheet hanging on the door of a cabin of Paraloup, literally "defence from wolves", small Alpine Township of the municipality of Rittana, country belonging to the Stura Valley located in the province of Cuneo.

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Sheet visible outside a cabin Paraloup Township

 

 

 

This place 1.360 meters altitude took some historical significance since it was the site of the first partisan band of Justice and liberty, one of the partisan groups more numerous after the "Brigate Garibaldi". Under the Green handkerchief, the men of the Brigade GL Italy Free were led by charismatic characters including Giorgio Bocca, Duccio Galimberti, Dante Livio Bianco and Nuto Revelli, to name just a few.

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Stone visible upon arrival at Quiot Rosa, important communication point

 

 

 

 

The 20 September 1943 the first organized partisan in Piemonte (and probably in Italy) moved to the borgata Paraloup, perfect vantage point and cuneese plain check. The village soon became a fixed camp and also an enlistment, including dormitories and canteens.

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The huts belonging to the Township of Paraloup were renovated and partially used as a Museum of memory

 

 

 

The cradle of the first partisan welcomed hundreds of young people involved in the resistance, men and women brought together by a single ideal: defend their territories to ensure a future free of any dictatorship.

Today Paraloup, the subject of a careful architectural restoration with the contribution of fondazione Nuto Revelli ", can be easily reached with a short walk of 30 minutes from Chiot Rosa, where you can leave your car. From opening a series of "paths of resistance", trails that only seven decades ago were paths from men and women searching for freedom and hope, all with the desire to build a better world.

Maria

 

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Anschluss: so Hitler took Austria

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The 13 March 1938 ends the process of direct annexation of Austria to Germany, the so-called “Anschluss”. The operation, only started the previous day, is entry into Austrian territory by German soldiers, in the occupation of cities and in taking full control of all State functions. The Austrian troops, overall, don't oppose any form of resistance and the Austria falls, all too easily, in the hands of Nazi Germany, to the amazement of the hierarchs and the same Fuhrer. Europe merely a verbal warning, Whereas, however, the Austria almost “a territorial extension” thereof Germany, while Mussolini notified with a telegram from the same Chancellor, He finds himself so the German army at Brenner. For Adolf Hitler, the Austria is a fundamental territorial conquest, for the following reasons. First, It is his country of origin, Since he was born in Branau, a small village situated on the border with the Austrian border German territory: Hitler prefers as a teenager the Germany to Austria, captures the grandeur of the State and its people, its intrinsic power and fascination of the myth of “Volk”. According to, the annexation is crucial to extending the living space in German: already in his Mein Kampf, Hitler lists what are the necessary steps to expand Germany and make it so dominant status in Europe and the world. Third. in this way the German dictator can exert a strong pressure towards Italy, allocating its troops at the border of the Alps. Europe is well aware that Hitler will not stop at Austria, in fact, in a few years will be conquered and annexed Czechoslovakia and Poland. Only after the invasion of the latter, which took place on 1 September 1939, Europe will control the German dictator, but it will be too late. One could predict and stop Adolf Hitler? Yes, It would have been enough to read the Mein Kampf and interpret it not as her diary of thoughts, but as his political program that the Fuhrer will implement step by step: invasions, war, extermination, genocide. But, in England and France, suited at that time that a strong State, decided, bellicose is required by from the embankment “worrying” Soviet power. Nobody reckoned the fury and not Hitler's madness, but his lucid and transparent plan of death and destruction. Europe paid dearly for this mistake losing, Forever, the role of hegemonic continent, on behalf of the United States.

For now, Hitler parading on his self discovery, among jubilant crowds, his heart is full of joy and revenge, managed it: that Austrian guy roaming the streets without a goal, avoided by all, never appreciated for his talent as an artist that he claimed to have, that young boy is now acclaimed and praised by all. For a moment the Fuhrer will think that is enough so, but it is just a moment, Czechoslovakia back in her eyes.

Roberto Rossetti

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The Monuments men: recovered history

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About trecentoquarantacinque people between men and women from thirteen different countries served, among the 1943 and the 1951, service at the section Mfaa (Monuments, Fine Arts and Archive Program): their task, approved by Roosevelt and Churchill, was to penetrate to the heart of Europe at the mercy of the Nazis and then the biggest treasure hunt ever: retrieve all artworks looted by Hitler. These heroes went down in history as the Monuments men, the men of monuments.
In 1943 Americans and British established the Mfaa; in the spring of the following year there was the first meeting in Britain, where at Shrivenham was established the base camp for military trainings: the heroes ofMfaa they were mostly intellectuals and artists, Museum Directors and art experts, without any military cognition.
After landing in Normandy with other troops in early June of ' 44, the Monuments men began to reach castles, churches and convents where hung the famous sign bearing the inscription "Off limits. To all military personnel: historic building!"and began a series of interviews involving pastors, Museum Directors and local people to understand where the works could have been transported and hidden.
Many of the works in the Louvre were taken by the Nazis in Bavarian Castle Neuschwanstein Castle; the structure contained so many artworks that Monuments men needed six weeks to recover all. The real surprise was however when in the salt mine of Altaussee, in Austria, were found in ' 45 well 6.500 paintings, statues and minor works. Among the artistic treasure was found even the Madonna and child by Michelangelo, the only sculpture of the Tuscan artist to have left Italy while he was still alive, in 1506. Were found in the same place also crates with unexploded bombs inside them, This is to facilitate the so-called Operation Nero: in the event of defeat, the order of Berlin was to blow up everything and deprive humanity of European artistic treasure.
All the recovered artworks were brought to the station set up by the allies in Munich: from here began a difficult task of locating owners and restitution, operation still in progress and far closer to the conclusion.
It is thanks to the work of these heroes that we can still appreciate masterpieces by great artists like Leonardo, Donatello, Vermeer and Rembrandt.

Maria

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