Republic of Ossola

The Resistance in VCO and the Partisan “Republic” of Ossola

Interview with Resistance mother and daughter “Partisan Republic of Ossola”

Student: Today we have the privilege of interviewing two protagonists of our story: "Mamma Resistance" and her daughter "Repubblica partigiana dell'Ossola". Let’s find out together in 10 questions what they have to tell us!

Student: Why is it important to remember the Resistance in the VCO and the Partisan Republic of Ossola?

Resistance: What we experienced between 1943 and 1945 under the Nazi-fascist occupation must be remembered and transmitted.

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: It is important to know the past in order not to repeat mistakes. Without memory there is no future! The values we have defended - freedom, peace, dignity - are more relevant today than ever.

Student: What was the Italian resistance?

Resistance:I was officially born after 8 September 1943, but many people were already opposed to the fascist regime before that. After the armistice, rebellion against the German and fascist occupation grew.

 Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: The Resistance resulted in a true war of liberation, but also in a civil war: some Italians remained loyal to the fascist regime, creating the Italian Social Republic of Salò.

Student: What did the partisans and anti-fascists do?

Resistance: Several partisan formations operated in our territory: the Banda Libertà, the Strona Group, the Fabbri Battalion, the Valdossola Division, the Beltrami Assault Division, the Valtoce Division, the 2nd Garibaldi Redi, the Cesare Battisti, the Valgrande Martire, the 8th Matteotti, the Piave.

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: The partisans lived in hiding, often in the mountains, under very harsh conditions. They were considered "bandits" and, if captured, they risked torture, shooting or deportation. I remember Luigi Boghi, a partisan from Domodossola, deported to Dachau and only released in May 1945.

Resistance: In addition, soldiers, religious men, women and civilians carried out clandestine propaganda, sabotage and actual battles, but the Nazi-Fascists retaliated with round-ups and massacres.

Student: What were the most serious massacres in our territory?

Resistance: the Villadossola uprising, the Val Grande round-up (around 300 dead), the Fondotoce massacre (42 partisans killed), Baveno (17 boys shot), Tràrego and others.

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: We remember the killing in Beura cardezza of partisan children and mother Teresa Adele Binda, the martyrdom of Don Giuseppe Rossi in Castiglione d'Ossola and the massacre of Lake Maggiore against the Jews.

Student: What role did women play in the Resistance?

Resistance: Women were crucial: they procured food, treated the wounded, carried information and weapons.

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: Some of them fought directly, like Elsa Oliva from Piedimulera, commander of a Volante of the Valtoce Division who escaped being shot.

Student: What did the population of Val d’Ossola do during the Resistance?

Resistance: A large part of the population, tired of the war and dictatorship, helped and protected partisans, anti-fascists and Jews. Luigi Fradelizio was killed for leading fugitives to Switzerland.

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: For the extraordinary collaboration between the population and the Resistance, the Ossola Valleys received the gold medal for military valour.

Student: When were you born, Partisan Republic of Ossola?

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: At the end of august 1944, the partisans controlled several valleys in Ossola. On the 8th of September they won in Piedimulera, forcing the Nazi fascists to surrender in Domodossola, on the 9th of September. On the 10th I was born, the Partisan Republic of Ossola!

Resistance: Thanks also to the archpriest of Domodossola, Don Pellanda, the surrender took place without bloodshed. Domodossola was liberated and the citizens celebrated by waving the tricolour.

Student: What has the Ossola Partisan Republic done in 40 days of life?

Resistance: A Temporary Government Council led by Prof. Tibaldi was formed.

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: In a short time: we reactivated our relations with Switzerland (to receive aid and save 2,500 children); we created a police force and a fair judicial system, treating prisoners with respect without revenge, exemplary was the behavior of the lawyer Ezio Vigorelli, despite having lost his children! We even launched a democratic school reform and appointed the first woman minister, Gisella Floreanini.

Student: Why are you so important, Ossola Partisan Republic?

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: Despite the short duration, I was a true experiment of democracy. I had a civil government, recognized the role of women and managed a territory of 20,000 square kilometers with 60,000 inhabitants.

Resistance: You were the most famous of the 18 partisan “free zones”, in an Italy still at war! A symbol of hope.Student: How did you end your life, Partisan Republic of Ossola?

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: On October 12, 1944 the Nazi fascists returned. The Junta retreated to the San Giacomo pass and on October 23 my experience officially ended. Some partisans continued the struggle until the liberation of Italy

Resistance: You lived a short time, but you left a deep mark and the writer Giorgio Bocca said that in 40 days you did more for democracy than the Italian Republic did in decades.

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Student: Thank you for this precious testimony. We will do our best not to forget!

Repubblica partigiana dell’Ossola: We have sown freedom, now it is up to you to keep it alive!

Student: We won’t let you down!