Death In The Mountains: Italy's Robin Hood

Al Murray and James Holland delve into the partisan activities in Northern Italy during World War II, focusing on the Stella Rossa Brigade, led by Mario Musolesi, also known as Lupo. They discuss the challenges faced by the partisans, including German occupation and the internal politics of various resistance groups. The episode highlights the origins of the Stella Rossa, their non-political stance, and their significant impact on German supply lines. Despite being well-armed through OSS support, the partisans face increasing pressure from German forces, leading to a critical confrontation. The narrative paints a vivid picture of bravery, betrayal, and the harsh realities of resistance warfare.

• Discussion centers on the partisan activities in Northern Italy during World War II, highlighting the largest civilian massacre in Western Europe outside of the camps, occurring in Montesole at the end of September 1944.
• James Holland has extensively researched this topic, having lived with it for 25 years, and created various works based on it, including a novel and a film script.
• The podcast episode aims to shed light on the events in Italy as the Allied forces moved north, emphasizing the existence of partisan bands, particularly the Stella Rossa, led by Major Mario Musolesi, known as "Lupo."

"What happens in Italy, though, is essentially once the Fascist government has collapsed and then a new puppet Fascist government is installed at Salo under Mussolini, you essentially have a vacuum, don't you?"

• The collapse of the Fascist government and the establishment of a puppet government under Mussolini created an anarchic vacuum in Italy, leading to a state of civil war in the German-occupied territories.

• The episode explores the political background in Northern Italy, the division of control between Italians and Germans, and the emergence of partisan bands.
• Stella Rossa is highlighted as an exceptional partisan group operating in the mountains south of Bologna, known for their unity and discipline.

"But we're going to specifically look at this band, Estella Rossa, as a kind of an example. They are exceptional for a number of reasons, which will become clear."

• Stella Rossa is used as a case study to illustrate the rise of partisan groups, noted for their exceptional qualities and operations in the mountainous regions.

• The narrative includes personal stories, such as that of Carlo Venturi, an 18-year-old who joined the partisans after receiving his call-up papers and facing harassment from fascist authorities.
• Carlo's journey from a contadino family to joining the partisans is detailed, highlighting the challenges and decisions faced by young Italians during this period.

"Carlo was only 18 in the spring of 1944. He lived in the tiny little village, mountain village of Fondazza, southwest of Bologna. And in May 1944 he received his call-up papers as one of the class of 25, 1925, eligible for service."

• Carlo's story exemplifies the personal struggles and motivations of young Italians who chose to join the partisan movement in response to the political and military pressures of the time.

• The harsh realities and dangers of life as a partisan are illustrated through Carlo's experiences, including suspicion, the threat of betrayal, and the necessity of proving loyalty.
• The story of Carlo's encounter with the partisans and his subsequent acceptance into their ranks underscores the precarious nature of partisan life.

"And as he was telling it, I mean, you know, I was sort of feeling quite. Because even if you do become a partisan and they accept you, you've now signed up to a. To a life from which there is no escape until liberation comes."

• Joining the partisans was a significant commitment, with no possibility of return until liberation, highlighting the courage and resolve required of those who chose this path.

• Leadership within the Stella Rossa is characterized by figures like Mario Musolesi (Lupo) and Gianni Rossi, who exemplify the charismatic and authoritative leadership styles necessary for maintaining discipline and unity.
• The organizational structure and discipline within Stella Rossa are emphasized as key factors in their effectiveness and resilience.

"Mario Mousalesi, Lupo is much more kind of open, obviously warm. Janny is kind of sort of brooding. Carlo is given a Sten gun, five magazines assigned to a c."

• The leadership dynamics within Stella Rossa, as illustrated by the contrasting personalities of Lupo and Gianni Rossi, played a crucial role in the group's operations and success.

• The Stellarossa, meaning "Red Star," is a partisan group in Italy during World War II, known for its apolitical stance.
• Despite their name, which suggests communist leanings, the Stellarossa is not Marxist or communist.
• The group is led by individuals such as Lupo, who emphasizes unity against Nazi fascists over political affiliations.

"No, they are absolutely not. And this is one of the great ironies of it, is they are one of the very, very few partisans, if not the only partisan band which is apolitical and maintains its apolitical status right to the very end."

• The quote highlights the unique apolitical nature of the Stellarossa, distinguishing them from other partisan groups with political agendas.

• Young Italians faced three choices: join the fascists, collaborate with the Germans, or fight with the partisans.
• Failure to comply with military call-ups was punishable by death, though actual executions were rare.
• Many Italians fled to the mountains to avoid conscription and join the resistance.

"Carlo said to me, he said, you know, there were three crystal clear choices. Either go with the fascists, the Germans, or choose to fight with the partisans."

• This quote underscores the limited and harsh choices available to young Italians during the occupation.

• Germany exploited Italy for its war efforts, seizing gold reserves and controlling factories.
• Italians were forced to pay for German war costs, exacerbating economic hardships.
• The German occupation was characterized by brutal measures, including public executions.

"Everything in occupied Italy must be exploited by us for our war effort. So they take Italian gold reserves. They're denied any economic or trade policy of their own."

• This quote illustrates the severe economic exploitation and control imposed by Germany on Italy.

• Many Italians were sent to Germany for forced labor, with approximately 750,000 ex-armed forces personnel affected.
• Mussolini was allowed to recruit troops, forming divisions with younger Italians due to the absence of older forces.
• Recruitment for the SS police battalions and fascist militia was significant, with motivations ranging from political belief to survival needs.

"By May 1944, there's seven and a half million foreign workers in, in Germany. Quite a number, isn't it?"

• The quote highlights the scale of forced labor involving Italians and other foreign workers in Germany.

• Mussolini's puppet government, the Italian Social Republic, was established with limited power.
• The GNR (Guarda Nazionale Repubblicana) was formed as a fascist militia, replacing the old squadristi.
• Real control was under German officers like Karl Wulf, with Mussolini as a figurehead.

"The real control day to day is under Karl Wulf... who is the Ober Gruppenfuhrer and highest police officer in Italy."

• This quote emphasizes the limited power of Mussolini and the control exerted by German authorities over Italian affairs.

• The Italian Resistance, including groups like the Stellarossa, played a significant role in opposing German occupation.
• The resistance movement was less known compared to the French Resistance but was deeply rooted in Italian society.
• Partisan activities were widespread, with many Italians facing difficult decisions and societal divisions.

"The anpi, which is the Association Nationale Partisans d' Italia, is a very big deal, or certainly was a very, very big deal in Italy."

• This quote highlights the importance and impact of the Italian Resistance within Italy, despite lesser recognition internationally.

• Janny Rossi was an individual who lived in the shadow of Montessori for years, coming from an anti-fascist family.
• His father refused to join the fascist party, making it difficult for the family to find work.
• Janny grew up in Gardeleta, a tiny village on the banks of the River Seta, and was an apprentice mechanic before being drafted into the navy during WWII.

"Janny told me all about his life and his growing up and all rest. And he came from a family of anti-fascists."

• Janny Rossi's background is deeply rooted in anti-fascism, influenced by his father's strong stance against joining the fascist party.

• Janny Rossi and Mario Musalesi, known as Lupo, formed the Stella Rossa, a partisan group, after witnessing the escape of Allied POWs.
• Lupo was charismatic, popular, and opposed to fascism, refusing to become a civil servant for the RSI.
• The group was formed in response to anti-fascist events and personal experiences with the fascist regime.

"Lupo and Janny spontaneously decide they're going to help them... They hide them in barns in the mountains."

• The formation of the Stella Rossa was a direct response to witnessing the plight of Allied POWs and their shared anti-fascist sentiments.

• The Stella Rossa began with a raid on a local GNR barracks, seizing weapons and ammunition.
• They faced internal betrayal, notably from Olindo Sama, leading to infiltration attempts by fascist spies.
• Despite suspicions, Lupo was hesitant to act against perceived traitors, reflecting his reluctance to kill.

"They consecrate the Stella Rossa in the crypt of the church at Vardo, overseen by the local priest."

• The consecration of the Stella Rossa marked their commitment to resistance, solidifying their group identity and mission.

• Lupo was recognized as the leader due to his charisma and military experience.
• He was seen as a figurehead in the community, known for his leadership qualities and reluctance to resort to violence unless necessary.

"It's very clear that Lupo's the right man for the job because he's got this terrific charisma."

• Lupo's leadership was vital to the Stella Rossa, as his charisma and military background made him a natural leader.

• The Stella Rossa operated within a broader resistance movement in Italy, which included various political parties forming an anti-fascist entity.
• The Comitato Deliberazione Nazionale (CLN) was formed by six opposition parties after the armistice, representing a united front against fascism.

"Once the armistice has been signed, the six main opposition parties actually form themselves into a single anti-fascist entity in Rome."

• The political landscape in Italy during WWII was complex, with various parties uniting under the CLN to resist fascism and support the partisan movement.

• Janny Rossi shared personal stories of his experiences during the war, including the emotional and moral challenges faced by partisans.
• He recounted a close encounter with a fascist spy, highlighting the dangers and personal stakes involved in their resistance efforts.

"Janny said, you know, we didn't have much of a plan... we borrowed a lorry, raided one of the barracks."

• Janny's account provides insight into the improvisational and risky nature of partisan activities, driven by necessity and conviction.

• The CLN (Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale) was a coalition formed to resist Nazi occupation in Italy, comprising diverse political factions, including the Liberals and Communists, who were united against fascism.
• Ivan Obonomy, a former pre-fascist Prime Minister, was unanimously chosen as the president of the CLN, highlighting the coalition's unity despite political differences.
• The CLN established clandestine committees in Northern Italy to organize resistance efforts, even as the region was under Nazi and RSI (Italian Social Republic) control.
• The CLNAI (Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale Alta Italia) became known as the supreme organ of the resistance movement in Northern Italy.
• Partisan brigades such as the Garibaldi Brigades, mainly communist, and the Justice and Liberty Brigades, associated with the Action Party, were formed to resist fascist forces.

"The amazing thing, so they, so politically they're all quite diverse but they all stick together. And the interesting thing is very clever, they all agree that the president of the CLN should be Ivan Obonomy."

• This quote highlights the unity of diverse political factions within the CLN, agreeing on leadership to effectively resist fascism.

"The CLNAI is the political bit, the CVL under an ex Italian general... is the military wing."

• This explains the structure of the resistance, with the CLNAI handling political aspects and the CVL (Corpo Volontari della Libertà) serving as the militarized wing.

• The resistance faced challenges in maintaining unity, as some factions, like the Stella Rossa, preferred to remain neutral and avoid political affiliations.
• Lupo, a leader within the resistance, emphasized unity and prioritized defeating Nazi fascists over political differences.
• The resistance was supported by external forces like the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and SOE (Special Operations Executive), which coordinated arm drops and intelligence sharing.

"We'll get rid of the Nazi fascists, then we can talk about politics. But right now I want everyone to be united."

• Lupo's focus on unity and prioritizing the fight against fascism over political differences is emphasized in this quote.

"OSS would send an agent to one partisan band, the SOE would send an agent to a different partisan band, and through them they would have a radio and they would go back to Brindisi and signal to 344wing RAF to deliver the drop."

• This describes the collaboration between the OSS and SOE in supporting Italian partisans through coordinated arm drops.

• Personal stories, such as that of Lino Rocco, illustrate the individual motivations and challenges faced by those involved in the resistance.
• Rocco, an OSS agent, pursued his personal goals while contributing to the resistance, highlighting the human element of the war effort.

"He immediately goes up to Fiume to look for his girlfriend. You know, I mean he's a good sort of, you know, red hearted Italian."

• This quote illustrates the personal motivations and human stories intertwined with the broader resistance efforts.

• The Stella Rossa, a partisan group, gained significant strength through successful arm drops and strategic operations against German forces.
• They conducted raids, roadblocks, and attacks on German supply lines, significantly impacting German operations in the region.
• Despite internal conflicts and challenges, the Stella Rossa maintained its effectiveness and continued to grow in strength and numbers.

"By the end of May, they've got about 250 people. And this just gives them all the latitude that they could possibly hope for."

• This highlights the growth and increased capabilities of the Stella Rossa due to successful arm drops and strategic operations.

"The Germans and the fascists couldn't have chosen a worse time to do this. This is where they're absolutely at kind of peak power. The Stella Rossa."

• The quote emphasizes the strategic advantage and peak strength of the Stella Rossa during their operations against German forces.

• The German forces, recognizing the growing threat of the resistance, planned large-scale operations to counter the partisans, including the arrival of the SS for maximum effort against the Stella Rossa.
• Despite the impending German operations, the Stella Rossa continued to disrupt German supply lines and communications, contributing to significant German losses.

"The Germans have had enough of the Stella Rossa and they're girding their loins for their largest restauramento maximum effort against the Stellarossa."

• This indicates the increasing threat posed by the Stella Rossa, prompting a major German response.

"Between June and August 1944, Castle Ring is told in an intelligence briefing that the partisans had killed in action 5,000 troops and wounded in action and captured 30,000."

• This quote underscores the significant impact of partisan operations on German forces, contributing to substantial losses.