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CSS Dixieland
Probing the depths of knowledge
These essays by P. A. Stonemann, CSS Dixieland, cover a wide range of
historical, philosophical, scientifical and technical subjects. Each page
deals with a particular topic, divided into sections and explained by itself.
Every page shows at its top hyper links to every other page. The Start page
also has short descriptions of the other pages. CSS Dixieland expresses
gratitude to the readers that make this work meaningful.
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Uniform Resource Locator:
Heroic Women page
Fierce Women who fought, killed, or died, for what they believed
Sections in this page
Introduction: The Outstanding Heroine
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Introduction: The Outstanding Heroine
The fallacy of the 'weak' sex
Women Fighters exist and have existed everywhere and everywhen, from Ancient
History to recent times. More than one skeptic will discover unmistakable
evidence that the romantic notion of the 'defenceless weak lady' is only a
false masculine perception. A rôle that some ladies perform very well,
and that most women feel inclined to play at one time or another, because
they know that it elicits a strong instinct of protection in the gentleman.
Nonetheless, it is inaccurate to see women in that passive, 'home-bound'
attitude. Even the supposedly weakest woman will fight like a lioness for
defending her child, or she will sacrifice herself for saving her baby from
an imminent danger, because she also has a very strong instinct of protection
to her offspring. Such are the rules that Nature has impressed on them.
The purpose of this page is to show that, besides the usual traits of the
feminine character that have been more or less recognised world-wide and
throughout History, women can also have a heroic side. The examples given
will not refer to the well known cases that adorn newspaper pages, of women
who confront peril for saving their beloved ones, and who may be badly hurt,
or perish, as the result of their devotion and love. The examples here will
deal with a comparatively less obvious aspect: women who chose to fight, to
kill, or to die, defending the Ideal in which they deeply believed. For it is
not only the gentleman who can be or become a man-at-arms, the lady can be or
become a woman-at-arms as well. It will be made clear, with ample historical
evidence, that the prowess of a woman can be as terrible as that of a man.
The difference is mainly quantitative, rather than qualitative. Statistically
speaking, there have been many more warrying men than warrying women in most
societies, exception made of a few ancient or primitive matriarchal societies,
or of some specific situations where the lack of men forced women to take the
defensive rôle. The intelligent reader may ask why this fact has been so.
The cause cannot be merely 'cultural', because the numerical predominance of
the fighting male and the comparative rarity of the fighting female has been
present everywhere and everywhen, save the few cases mentioned above. Thus,
the real cause is biological. In spite of all historical, statistical, or
other unmistakable evidence, modern liberal cranks tend to 'forget' that the
biological background has a tremendous weight in most individuals. It may be
later shaped by the cultural milieu, and in very few, outstanding individuals
of a philosophical disposition, by their own, unique internal thinking, but
the influence of biological factors such as species, race, age, health or sex
is evident to every intelligent observer, and it simply CANNOT be denied.
Genetical inheritance is one of the main causes
Although environmental influences are a major factor, biological ones are of
no lesser importance. Apart from those very few cases of philosophical genius,
the vast majority of individuals are a result of both, the pervading influence
of their age and country, and also their genetical inheritance. This is a fact
beyond any shadow of doubt. Species, race, age, sex, health or lack of it, and
a few other biological considerations, leave observable traits not only in the
physical or the physiological aspects, but in the mental and moral ones too.
Therefore, in general, the dog cannot behave like the cat, or the old like the
young, the woman like the man, the weak like the strong, or the nigger like the
white. They are 'Ellos y su circunstancia' (Themselves and their circumstance),
paraphrasing Spanish philosopher Don José Ortega y Gasset.
Individual exceptions exist, when considering one aspect or two in isolation,
but extremely rare they are when considering a whole set of characteristics.
It is illustrative to compare human societies of different times and places,
more to compare different races, and even more to compare different species.
A comparison of Homo sapiens sapiens with other animal species would take too
long here, although such comparisons have been made at different taxonomical
levels: inside Genus Homo, Family Hominidae, Order Primata, Class Mammalia,
or in relation to taxons to which Cromagnensis is more distanly related in
the generally accepted cladogramme. Much of this is available in Internet. As
for comparison of different races of the only surviving species of Genus Homo,
interested readers will have an excellent introduction with our page on racial
studies:
Aryan Race page
Finally, it remains the comparison of different human societies to one another.
This would fill entire books. Examples in this document refer only to women, not
because women be arguably 'inferior' and thus deserving a kind of protection
or compensation by mentioning only feminine exploits and not masculine ones
(which is a wrong attitude typical of stupid conservatives), and not because
women be supposedly 'superior' and thus the only ones really meriting focused
attention (which is a much worse attitude typical of dishonest liberals and
fact-distorting feminists). Examples refer only to women simply because, from
the statistical point of view, women soldiers have been a minority in most
places and times of History, when compared to their masculine counterparts.
This is to say that men and women are not necessarily inferior or superior to
each other. It all depends on what separate aspects we consider. Observed as
a whole, they are simply different and remarkably complementary. The wisdom of
Nature is at play in the characteristics of the two sexes. Men soldiers have
almost always been more numerous, and their feats fill books of History. On
the contrary, women at war have been very uncommon, and their feats (although
not inferior in importance) are rarely mentioned, or they are mentioned with
the patronising condescendence of conservatives, or with the defiant, fake,
offensive distortion of liberals and feminists. The reader will not see those
positions here, neither the conservative, nor the liberal or feminist ones.
By perusing the text, and by following hyper links or references, the serious
reader will get an accurate picture of the military side of women. Uncommon,
but not less military just because of being uncommon. Readers are invited to
send comments, or to indicate other relevant references in published books or
in Internet. Readers are strongly discouraged of indulging in stereotypical
conservative notions of the 'homely woman', or in the super-compensating and
blatantly false liberal-feminist notions of the 'liberated woman'. See men or
women as what they can be: women can be soldiers, and a few women can be good
soldiers. Also men can be soldiers, and only a few men can be good soldiers...
Second World War in Italy: Feminine Heroines
Battaglioni della Morte
This is the War Song of Fascist Italy par excellence. The Camicie Nere (Black
Shirts) of the Fascii Italiani di Combattimento (Italian Groups of Combat),
founded by Benito Mussolini in March 1919, fought against the Red militia in
Italy 1919-1922. With the Fascist State already in power in Italy since 30th
October 1922, the Black Shirts fought in Abyssinia 1935-1936, Spain 1936-1939,
during the Second World War in Albania 1939, France 1940, East and North Africa
1940-1943, Greece, Balkans, Ukraine and Russia 1940-1945, then again in Italy
1943-1945, defending with courage and enthusiasm the Fascist Ideal in which
they deeply believed, until death claimed those Roman Heroes, women or men,
young or old, to Eternal Glory.
Battaglioni della Morte, interpreted by Francesco Albanese
Battaglioni del Duce, battaglioni
Battaglioni della morte
Battaglioni della morte
Contro l'oro c'è il sangue e fa la storia
Contro Giuda e contro l'oro
Contro Giuda e contro l'oro
Heroic Ladies of Fascist Italy: historical background
During the Second World War Italy was part of the Axis Powers, together with
Germany, Japan, and various other nations in Europe and in Asia. Things were
not going well for Italy in mid 1943, which had already lost Eritrea, Italian
Somaliland and Abyssinia mainly to British Forces, and to Oromo, Somalian or
Ethyopian nationalist guerrillas. Later, Italy had lost Lybia and then Sicily
to British and United States Forces. Peninsular Italy was under threat.
In such difficulties, Dino Grandi and other Fascist leaders summoned the Gran
Consiglio del Fascismo (Grand Council of Fascism) for plenary session on 24th
July 1943. The Council was divided on what actions to take, but some members
boldly proposed the destitution of Duce Benito Mussolini. Speeches were made
in defence of the Duce or against him, and finally votes were cast during the
night from 24th to 25th July 1943. The votation gave a predominant result of
distrust. The Grand Council of Fascism declared the Duce deposed of power.
Mussolini thought that the Grand Council had gone too far. The institution
had been founded in 1923, and Mussolini rightly saw it as what it was: merely
a consulting organ, not invested of judicial, legislative or executive powers.
The Duce said that such a decision could not be taken by that assembly, that
the Grand Council could only recommend options, not give orders. That legal
self-assurance deceived the Duce. So, an unconcerned Mussolini went to sleep
for the night, believing that he would continue in the morning working for
Fascist Italy from his post as Chief of Government. It was a big blunder,
because the traitors made good use of those precious hours. They were not
worried about legal formalities.
King Vittorio Emmanuel saw things differently from Mussolini, or he said that
he did. His Majesty burst into action immediately, and during the night he
mustered his loyals and tried to secure the hesitating ones. In the morning,
25th July 1943, Mussolini arrived to his work place at the Government Palace,
as it was his daily habit. At once, a strong squad of the Police presented to
him a document with the Royal Seal, and informed the Duce that he was deposed
AND ALSO ARRESTED by order of the King. Mussolini was very quickly taken away
before any serious reaction could spring from his loyal Fascist Comrades.
His Majesty at once invested power in General Pietro Badoglio. In an official
communication, the new Government declared that Mussolini was under custody
'for his own safety'. The Fascist Party was outlawed, and some other members
were arrested or closely watched, but no move was initially made against the
military alliance with Germany and the other Axis Powers. In retrospect, it
is clear that the King already distrusted the Duce, and the meeting of the
Grand Council came very handy as only a pretext for getting rid of Mussolini.
Soon, King Vittorio Emmanuel and General Badoglio began approaching the
British Government and other Allied Powers by means of secret envoys, with
the intention of turning Italy against the Axis. For increased security in
their evil plans, Mussolini was taken from one fortress to another, as a
dangerous prisoner. From Roma he was taken to Ponza, then to Maddalena. He
was finally put in the Gran Sasso under strong guard of the Carabinieri.
But not strong enough for German military efficiency. On 12th September 1943
a dare German commando led by SS Major Otto Skorzeny performed an impressive
feat, landing by parachute on the spot (the top of a mountain) and liberating
Benito Mussolini in a matter of minutes. Shortly after his amazing liberation,
the Duce founded the Italian Social Republic and declared traitors those who
had acted against the Fascist State. Some of the traitors, known as the
'Vinticinqluglisti' ('Those of the 25th of July'), who included Count
Galeazzo Ciano, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs and related to the family of
Mussolini, received death punishment by decision of the Court of Verona.
Italian and German Forces, with some volunteers from other nations, for a
long time kept at bay the British, United States and other invaders who had
massed huge amounts of soldiers and military material onto Italian soil.
Many skirmishes and some major epic battles were fought.
The Feminine Auxiliary Service
On 18th April 1944 the Government of the Repubblica Social Italiana (Italian
Social Republic) led by Duce Benito Mussolini, organised in Torino the Corpo
Femminile Volontario per i Servizi Ausiliari delle Forze Armate Repubblicane
(Voluntary Feminine Corps for the Auxiliary Service of the Republican Armed
Forces), shortly known as Servizio Ausiliario Femminile (Feminine Auxiliary
Service), which became part of the Esercito Nazionale Repubblicano
(Republican National Army), itself part of the Forze Armate Repubblicane
(Republican Armed Forces) commanded by Maresciallo d'Italia (Marshall of
Italy) Rodolfo Graziani, Ministro della Guerra (Minister of War).
The Command was entrusted to Generale di Brigata (Brigadier General) Piera
Gatteschi Fondelli, the only woman in Italy with the military rank of General,
and who already was the National Inspectress of the Fasci di Combattimento
Femminili (Feminine Groups of Combat). The Headquarters of the Feminine
Auxiliary Service were first located in Venezia, and in 1945 in Como. The
enlisting and training of volunteer women began in Torino in 1944, under the
responsibility of the Partito Fascista Repubblicano (Republican Fascist Party)
commanded by Alessandro Pavolini. In total, about six thousand women helped
the war effort as part of this all-feminine corps.
For military operations the feminine auxiliaries served under the Forze
Armate Repubblicane (Republican Armed Forces) or under the Guardia Nazionale
Repubblicana (Republican National Guard). The Infermiere Ausiliarie (Auxiliary
Nurses, also known as 'Sorelline'), were ranked as Sergeants and were part of
the Croce Rossa Repubblicana (Republican Red Cross). Auxiliary Nurses wore
blue uniform (other Auxiliaries wore green, other Nurses wore white). All
these outstanding Auxiliary women formed many combat groups, twenty-two
provincial military units, and these six national military units:
-I Corso 'Italia' (Lido di Venezia, 1st May 1944)
The Feminine Auxiliary Service used military ranks equivalent to those of the
Republican Armed Forces of the Italian Social Republic:
-SAF Comandante Generale: Generale di Brigata (General Commander: Brigadier
General)
The Sorelline (Auxiliary Nurses) normally wore blue uniform, but they wore
green uniform (as the other Auxiliaries) when not being on medical duty. The
Auxiliary Nurses never wore white uniform, as other Nurses did.
The rank of Major does not appear listed, from Lieutenant Colonel the rank
goes down to Captain. Translations are literal, and of course approximate as
an indication of military rank, since hierarchical structures are different.
Thus, 'Maresciallo' has been translated as 'First Sergeant', but 'Maresciallo
d'Italia' as 'Marshall of Italy' (rank of Rodolfo Graziani, Minister of War).
The Italian title of 'Duce' for Benito Mussolini admits of no easy translation,
as neither the Romanian title of 'Conducatore' for Ion Antonescu, the Spanish
title of 'Caudillo' for Francisco Franco, or the German title of 'Führer'
for Adolf Hitler. They may be understood as 'Leader, Guide, Head', meaning Head
of Government (Antonescu, Hitler until the incapacitation and natural death of
Hindenburg in 1934, Mussolini until his arrest in July 1943), or Head of State
(Hitler from August 1934, Franco from October 1936, Mussolini from September 1943).
Condecorations
At least thirteen Italian women warriors received military condecorations,
among whom were these four examples of authentic Feminine Valour:
-Gold Medal: Auxiliary Franca Barbier (fallen at Champorcher on 25th July
1944)
The first Female Heroines of the Feminine Auxiliary Service fallen in action
were Rosa Annibali, Maria Centazzo, Santina Scapat, Teresa Mender and Rosina
Marchioli, who fell on 26th July 1944 (the day after the shameful execution
of Franca Barbier, see below). Their deaths resulted of the terrorist attack
against the Headquarters of the Republican Fascist Party in Venezia.
Canta Giovinezza
In the glorious days when those Roman Walkyries took hold of their weapons and
engaged in fierce struggle, their feminine voices inspired strong encouragement
to their masculine Comrades, with the singing of their Women's War March:
Canta Giovinezza
Canta, giovinezza, la canzon del cuore
presa dall'ebbrezza e da un comune ardore
è la Patria amata
che rinasce alata
la Patria che di luce splende ancora
noi ci recheremo in guerra
se la Patria lo vorrà
morirem su nostra terra
e se l'Italia vice
bello pur sarà
è nata dal dolore
nel cuore la fiamma ardente
che le ali ci darà
è la nostra prima guerra
lo giuriam, si vincerà !
Giovinezza
This is the National Anthem of Fascist Italy. It has had various versions, of
which the best known are the Original Version of 1922 (one of the oldest
Fascist songs, together with 'All'Armi'), the Version of the Arditi, and the
Version of the Italian Social Republic.
Giovinezza, Versione Originale del 1922
Su, compagni in forti schiere
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Non più ignava nè avvilita
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Nelle veglie di trincea
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Sorgi alfin lavoratore
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Giovinezza, Versione degli Arditi, interpreted by Benjamino Gigli, recorded in 1937
Salve o popolo di eroi
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Dell'Italia nei confini
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
I poeti e gli artigiani
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Giovinezza, Versione della Repubblica Sociale Italiana (dopo il tradimento dell 8 Settembre 1943)
Allorche dalla trincea
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Col pugnale e con la bomba
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
Del pugnale il fiero lampo
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
As of 18th April 1945 the Brave Females of the Feminine Auxiliary Service had
suffered twenty-five dead, eight seriously wounded, many with relatively less
serious injuries, and seven missing in action. After the dissolution of the
Italian Social Republic on 25th April 1945, a number of those Heroines fell
victim to the hatred and malevolence of Communist partisans, being abused
with violence, dishonour, or murder.
The number of those Martyrs has not been exactly documented, but it is
estimated to have been round three hundred. Only in the city of Torino there
were eighteen murdered in the first days after 25th April 1945. The sad and
shameful martyrdom of those Idealist Women can be read at the hyper links on
the Feminine Auxiliary Service listed below in this page.
Their legacy will for ever remain in our hearts. One of the most impressive
of those Aryan Goddesses was Franca Barbier, who received the Gold Medal to
Military Courage because of her exemplary heroism. This is her incredible
history, which inspires us to keep our struggle and not surrender in these
times of liberal 'equality' and racial mongrelism.
Franca Barbier, Servizio Ausiliario Femminile. Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare
The Republican Fascist Franca Barbier was the most distinguished Member of
the Feminine Auxiliary Service, in the National Army of the Italian Social
Republic. Because of her high intelligence, she was entrusted with difficult
and dangerous missions for the Secret Service. Having been captured by the
enemy, her intense Idealism made her prefer Death with Honour instead of life
with shame. She confronted her doom with unsurpassed Courage, and received in
Her Memory the Gold Medal to Military Valour. This is her incredible history
of devoted Abnegation and of exemplary Patriotism.
Franca Barbier had received the delicate mission of infiltrating bases of
Communist Partisans located in the high Alpine mountain passes. For a time
she provided valuable information to the Military Authorities of the Italian
Social Republic, but having gone in her enthusiastic zeal beyond the advice
of prudence and of the Call of Duty, she was recognised for what she really
was: a Fascist spy. In mid July 1944 she was made prisoner near Champorcher.
In those troubled days there was no such a thing as 'a trial'. When either of
the two sides captured an enemy, the fate of the unfortunate rested entirely
in the hands of the group commander. The decision was, nearly always, death.
Franca Barbier was a young woman of astonishing beauty and strong charm. At
only 21 years of age, she was gifted with a marked personality that must have
made her captors doubt as to what should be done in her case. After much talk
and little deliberation, the minions of Palmiro Togliatti and Josef Stalin
decided that she would be offered life in return for becoming double agent.
So, cheerfully they communicated the 'good news' to her. She would be spared,
and the only task she had to do was to continue passing 'information' to her
superiors, but from now on it would be filtered information, partly true and
partly false (true for minor details, so as to make the reports credible, but
false for valuable military data). They congratulated one another for having
been so 'intelligent' and having found a 'solution' that would preserve the
life of the impressive prisoner. Karl Marx would have been proud of them.
But those marionettes of Moscow did not count with the stern resolution of the
Courageous Italian Bella Donna. She looked at them with scorn, and she simply
said one word: 'NO'. Of open mouth the bastards were left. They endeavoured
to reason with her, they justified themselves and their difficult position,
they implored her, finally they begged her for her own life. Still the Roman
Walkyrie was unmoved. With Spartan decision, she briefly repeated her laconic
answer: 'NO'. Of course she knew that, once unmasked, she could not continue
reporting on Communist activities. Yet, she would not dishonour her Oath of
Allegiance to the Italian Social Republic and her deep belief in the Fascist
Cause. She made it clear that, whatever they did, she would not throw shame
upon her by forswearing herself. Death was preferable to violating her Oath.
The reader is invited to meditate about her unbreakable convictions. Most, in
even a less serious predicament, would have chosen to be traitors. Kings have
been known to break their word. For instance Juan Carlos de Bourbon, who had
sworn loyalty to the Fundamental Principles of the Patriotic Movement led in
Spain by General Franco, but who short time after the death of the gullible
Caudillo in 1975, threw his adoptive country into chaos. Every traitor finds
a pretext. That dishonourable 'king' fooled many stupids into thinking that
Spain 'needed' a representative 'democracy'. Franca Barbier could have fooled
her not-too-bright guardians. She might have 'self-justified' her conscience
into thinking that, extremely intelligent as she was, she would find means of
avoiding damage to her true beliefs. Instead, she chose clear-cut HONESTY.
The leader of the Partisan band, Cesare Olietti, saw no other choice but to
pronounce her condemnation to capital punishment. On 24th July 1944 the Brave
Roman Goddess was informed of her doom, and given pencil and paper for penning
her last words. She wrote to her mother, and it must be nobly said in honour
of those men without honour, that the precious letter arrived to the trembling
hands of the old woman, and through her, to the lasting Memory of Posterity.
The following morning the Summer skies of Italy contemplated the superior beauty,
the solemn countenance of that Daughter of Vesta... for the last time. Facing
the firing squad, her beautiful eyes looking squarely at her executors, she
had the Courage of extending her arm in Roman Salute, gazing now the Walhalla
that would soon receive her, and yelling in her feminine and strong voice:
Viva l'Italia ! Viva il Duce ! (Long live Italy ! Long live the Duce !)
The group leader ordered fire, but the outlaws of his Partisan band hesitated
and looked to one another in indecision. The son of a bitch insisted, but the
Red militia shook their heads in doubt. Fury and threats of the criminal leader,
but his minions still refused to kill the young woman. Mumbling insults to his
subordinates, the disobeyed gangster (an ex-First Sergeant of the Italian Army)
had himself to approach to the Saluting Walkyrie, and pointing his pistol to the
back of her lovely neck, nervous, unsure of himself... he finally pulled the
trigger. Deep consternation was the feeling of those who saw the epic scene.
Her Heroic Death is a source of inspiration. An excellent example of how a
True Woman prefers sacrifice instead of a life void of purpose. "La vida sólo
merece ser vivida en la lucha por un Ideal" (Life only deserves to be lived in
the fight for an Ideal), in the words of a man who also courageously faced the
firing squad, José Antonio Primo de Rivera, Founder of Falange Española.
The remnants of the Heroine Franca Barbier were exhumed over two years later,
in October 1946, and buried in the grave of her family, beside her beloved brother
Franco Barbier. A Legacy of History for every idealist.
The reader with a sense of justice may ask: What should have been done with
her, instead of provoking instant death by a pistol bullet ? It is a good
question, and one that it is difficult to answer honestly. Franca Barbier was
not in her Fascist uniform when captured, therefore she was not protected by
the generally accepted Laws of War. She was a spy, and consequently in that
ill-defined legal ground for which juridical praxis of Martial Law has no
clear provision. The execution, in itself, cannot be condemned. It was the
usual procedure, in practice by both sides. Hard as it may be, a spy accepted
his mission knowing that, if discovered, in all probability his life would be
finished. In some case he would be jailed until exchanged, rescued, escaped,
or released. Or he would die in prison. History has examples of all that.
What angers the sense of fairness is the offer of becoming a traitor as the
price to pay for her life, the proposal of commiting treason against her own
Ideals. This is pushing the temptation, provoking an internal struggle in the
prisoner. A prisoner without principles may 'volunteer' himself for turning
against his former masters (though the sincerity of his 'new disposition' is
very much to be doubted), but he must not be forced to such a grave decision.
A coward would have yielded, but Franca Barbier possessed a Strong Courage,
and she chose Loyalty to her Deep Beliefs over selfish personal interests.
This is what makes her immortal. Most people would have fallen to temptation,
but she was made of a high temper, an untamable pride, a marked conviction.
At least she was well treated during her imprisonment. Her personal dignity
was respected. We have to recognise that as a positive aspect of her captors,
all of whom must have felt her death weighing heavily over their consciences.
Below is the last letter that the Heroic Ausiliaria Franca Barbier wrote to
her mother, few hours before confronting death. Her original words have been
preserved verbatim. The text is to be pondered very slowly.
Translation and notes by P. A. Stonemann, CSS Dixieland, are inserted after
each paragraph.
24 Luglio 1944, Anno XXII
24th July 1944, Year XXII (the 22nd year of the Fascist Era, begun as Year I
in 1923, after the March on Rome of many thousands of Fascist Soldiers led by
Mussolini on 28th October 1922, when the Duce took power and reformed Italy)
Mamma mia adorata,
My beloved Mother,
Purtroppo è giunta la mia ultima ora. È stata decisa la mia
fucilazione che sarà eseguita domani, 25 luglio. Sii calma e rassegnata
a questa sorte che non è certo quella che avevo sognato. Non mi è
neppure concesso di riabbracciarti ancora una volta. Questo è il mio
unico, immenso dolore. Il mio pensiero sarà fino all'ultimo rivolto a te
e a Mirko. Digli che compia sempre il suo dovere di soldato e che si ricordi
sempre di me. Io il mio dovere non ho potuto compierlo ed ho fatto soltanto
sciocchezze, ma muoio per la nostra Causa e questo mi consola.
Very soon arrives my last hour. My execution has been decided for tomorrow,
25th July. Be calm and resigned to this fate, which certainly it is not that
of which we have dreamt. I have not a chance of holding thee in my arms one
last time. This is my only, immense pain. My thought will be at the last
instant for thee and for Mirko. Tell him to accomplish always his duty as a
soldier, and to remember me for ever. I have not been able to accomplish my
own duty, but I shall die for our Cause, and this is my consolation.
È terribile pensare che domani non sarò più; ancora non mi
riesce di capacitarmi. Non chiedo di essere vendicata, non ne vale la pena,
ma vorrei che la mia morte servisse di esempio a tutti quelli che si fanno
chiamare fascisti e che per la nostra Causa non sanno che sacrificare parole.
It is terrible to think that tomorrow I shall be no more. I do not wish to be
avenged, it is not the purpose, but I desire that my death be an example to
all those who call themselves Fascists and who for our Cause do not perform
more sacrifice than words.
Mi auguro che papà possa ritornare presso di te e che anche Mirko non ti
venga a mancare. Vorrei dirti ancora tante cose, ma tu puoi ben immaginare il
mio stato d'animo e come mi riesca difficile riunire i pensieri e le idee.
Ricordami a tutti quanti mi sono stati vicini. Scrivi anche ad Adolfo, che mi
attendeva proprio oggi da lui. La mia roba ti verrà recapitata ad Aosta.
Io sarò sepolta qui, perché neppure il mio corpo vogliono
restituire. Mamma, mia piccola Mucci adorata, non ti vedrò più, mai
più e neppure il conforto di una tua ultima parola, né della tua
immagine. Ho presso di me una piccola fotografia di Mirko: essa mi darà
il coraggio di affrontare il passo estremo, la terrò con me.
I wish that Father could return at thy side and that thou never miss the
support of Mirko. I should love to tell thee many things, but thou canst well
imagine my state of spirit and how it is difficult to put together thoughts
and ideas. Give my last farewell to all those who knew me. Write to Adolfo,
whom I remember today. My clothes will be sent to Aosta. I shall be buried
here, because they will not be able to transport my body. Mother, my little
beloved Mother, I shall not see thee again, I shall not have the support of
thy last words to me, nor of thy presence either. I have close to me a small
photograph of Mirko, which will give me courage for confronting the last
step. I shall keep (the photograph) with me.
Addio mamma mia, cara povera Mucci; addio Mirko mio. Fa sempre innanzitutto
il tuo dovere di soldato e di italiano. Vivete felici quando la felicità
sarà riconcessa agli uomini e non crucciatevi tanto per me; io non ho
sofferto in questa prigionia e domani tutto sarà finito per sempre.
Farewell my Mother, poor beloved Mother, farewell my Mirko. Perform always
thy duty of soldier and of Italian. Be happy, once happiness might return to
(the world of men) and do not weep in excess for me, I have not suffered in
this prison and tomorow everything will be finished for ever.
Della mia roba lascio te, Mucci, arbitra di decidere. Vorrei che la mia
piccola fede la portassi sempre tu per mio ricordo. Salutami Vittorio. A lui
mi rivolgo perché in certo qual modo mi sostituisca presso di te e ti
assista in questo momento tragico per noi. Addio per sempre, Mucci !
Of my things thou art, Mother, free to decide what to do. I prefer that my
little (relic of faith) be always carried by thee in my memory. My last
farewell to Vittorio. In him I trust for being at thy side and helping thee
in this hour so tragic for us. Farewell for ever, Mother !
Franca
After that impressive letter of Feminine Courage, a Roman Salute to our Brave
Italian Comrades, who do not surrender their Glory !
Le Donne non ci vogliono piú bene
Canto dei Soldati della Repubblica Sociale Italiana. Humourous song illustrating
the supposed relations of masculine Fascist soldiers with their feminine Comrades.
Le Donne non ci vogliono piú bene
Le donne non ci vogliono piú bene
L'amore coi fascisti non conviene
Ce ne freghiamo. La Signora Morte
Sotto ragazzi, Facciamole la corte !
Le Donne non vi vogliono piú bene
Canto delle Ausiliarie della Repubblica Sociale Italiana. Ladies, being as they
are, could not remain silent to a song like 'Le Donne non ci vogliono piú bene'.
Therefore they fancied on the same music an even more humourous answer song
illustrating the REAL relations of masculine Fascist soldiers with their feminine
Comrades, and entitled it 'Le Donne non vi vogliono piú bene'. In the answer song,
Fascist Ladies warn their Gentlemen for not becoming involved with women who
'have become renegades of the Fatherland', those who 'have given themselves to
the enemy', and who 'have straw in their heads and water in their veins'.
Excellent answer !
Le donne non vi vogliono piú bene
A voi fascisti, a voi, non si conviene
Voi che correte il Palio della Morte
Se un cuor di donna vi fará la corte
All'armi
Brigadier General Piera Gateschi Fondelli, General Commander of the Feminine
Auxiliary Service, loved this old Fascist song. She had been one of the Black
Shirt women that formed part of the March on Rome in October 1922, when many
thousands of soldiers of the Fascii Italiani di Combattimento put Mussolini
in command of Italy. They sang 'All'armi' at that time, and she often sang it
enthusiastically for the rest of her life. After 1945, General Fondelli was
part of the Movimento Sociale Italiano of Pino Romualdi and Giorgio Almirante.
All'armi (Siam fascisti, terror dei comunisti)
All'armi ! All'armi ! All'armi siam fascisti
E noi del Fascio siamo i componenti
Sempre inneggiando la Patria nostra
All'armi ! All'armi ! All'armi siam fascisti
Lo scopo nostro tutti lo sappiamo
I bolscevichi che combattiamo
All'armi ! All'armi ! All'armi siam fascisti
Vittoria in ogni parte porteremo
In guardia amici ! ché in ogni evento
All'armi ! All'armi ! All'armi siam fascisti
Del bolscevismo siamo gli avversari
Sempre gridando 'Viva l'Italia'
Other feminine soldiers of the Italian Social Republic
MAS Tenth Fleet
Some days before the formation of the Feminine Auxiliary Service (18th April
1944), the Command of the MAS Decima Flottiglia (MAS Tenth Fleet) had already
formed on 1st March 1944 its own Feminine Service. The women soldiers of MAS
were independent from the Feminine Auxiliary Service mentioned above. MAS
women were under command of Fede Arnaud Pocek, Inspectress of the Feminine
Sport Section of GUF. In four military units they were organised:
-I Corso 'Nettuno' (Salzano, later Grandola, 5th June 1944)
The last one mentioned, the IV Corso, was not completed due to the outcome of
the war. The number of volunteers of the MAS Tenth Fleet who also became part
of the Feminine Auxiliary Service was about three hundred.
Decima Flottiglia MAS
Of the MAS Tenth Fleet, the most remembered Heroine is Brunilde Tanzi. Her
strong feminine voice sang to Ancient Rome in her beautiful Anthem:
Quando pareva vinta Roma antica
Quando all'ignobil 8 di settembre
Decima Flottiglia nostra
Vittoriosa già sul mare
Navi d'Italia che ci foste tolte
Noi vi giuriamo che combatteremo
Decima Flottiglia nostra
Vittoriosa già sul mare
Balilla National Youth
The Opera Nazionale Balilla (girls and boys under sixteen years of age)
formed three feminine units with volunteers. These girls, known as the
'Balilline', were assigned mainly to the Republican National Guard and became
part of the Feminine Auxiliary Service. The 'Balilline' units were:
-I Corso 'Avanguardia' (Noventa Vicentina, April 1944)
Republican National Guard
At least two feminine units were organised directly from the Guardia
Nazionale Repubblicana:
-Guardia alla Frontiera (Moncalieri, 1944)
Black Brigades
Some Brigate Nere of the Partito Fascista Repubblicano, under Command of
Alessandro Pavolini, formed combat feminine units. They fought unsurpassingly
well, but mainly at local fronts or in defensive positions, and their
composition, characteristics or history is not always well known.
And for closing this historical view of Fascism, a powerful warning:
'Non siamo gli ultimi di ieri, ma i primi del domani'
Bibliography
On Women Soldiers of Fascist Italy:
Serious study of this interesting subject requires reading Italian language,
as the information published in other languages is scarce.
-Anna Lisa Carlotti: 'Italia 1939-1945'. Storia e memoria, Vita e Pensiero,
Milano 1996. ISBN 88-343-2458-7
Hyper links
Information in Internet on Feminine Fighters
There are in Internet free books in English language abut warrior women. A
very interesting one includes the feats of Queen Artemisia of Caria (which
included Halicarnassus, Cos, Nisiras and Calydne) at the Battle of Salamis:
'Famous Sea Fights', written by John Richard Hale in 1911. On women soldiers
throughout History, an excellent book is 'Female Warriors', parts I and II,
written by Ellen C. Clayton in 1879. Those books are available in electronic
format in at least two on-line collections: Project Gutenberg and Many Books,
hyper linked below.
Project Gutenberg
Many Books
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Their admirable Courage dispels the fallacy of the 'weak' sex
Strong inpiration for every Idealist to follow their example
Walkyrie who takes our dead heroes to Walhalla in Asgard.
Wagner Frost Illustration
Second World War in Italy: Feminine Heroines
Bibliography
Hyper links
Walkyrien who take our dead heroes to Walhalla in Asgard
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patriotic-italy-fascio-francesco_albanese-battaglioni_della_morte.mp3
della morte creati per la vita
a Primavera s'apre la partita
i continenti fanno fiamme e fior
per vincere ci vogliono i leoni
di Mussolini armati di valor
battaglioni della vita
ricomincia la partita
senza l'odio non c'è amor
'M' rossa uguale sorte
fiocco nero alla squadrista
noi la morte l'abbiam vista
con due bombe e in bocca un fior
battaglioni della vita
ricomincia la partita
senza l'odio non c'è amor
'M' rossa uguale sorte
fiocco nero alla squadrista
noi la morte l'abbiam vista
con due bombe e in bocca un fior
contro i ghetti profumano i giardini
sul mondo batte il cuor di Mussolini
a Marizai il buon seme germogliò
nel clima di battaglia e di vittoria
la fiamma nera a ottobre divampò
sarà il sangue a far la storia
ti daremo la vittoria, Duce
o l'ultimo respir
battaglioni del Lavoro
battaglioni della fede
vince sempre chi più crede
chi più a lungo sa patir
sarà il sangue a far la storia
ti daremo la vittoria, Duce
o l'ultimo respir
battaglioni del Lavoro
battaglioni della fede
vince sempre chi più crede
chi più a lungo sa patir
-II Corso 'Roma' (Lido di Venezia, 1st July 1944)
-III Corso 'Brigate Nere' (Lido di Venezia, later Como, 31st August 1944)
-IV Corso 'Giovinezza' (Como, 5th November 1944)
-V Corso 'Fiamma' (Como, 1st January 1945)
-VI Corso 'XVIII Aprile' (Como, 1st March 1945)
-SAF Vice-Comandante Generale: Colonnello (Vice-General Commander: Colonel)
-SAF Ispettrice: Tenente Colonnello (Inspectress: Lieutenant Colonel)
-SAF Comandante Provinciale: Capitano (Provincial Commander: Captain)
-SAF Vice-Comandante Provinciale: Tenente (Vice-Provincial Commander:
Lieutenant)
-SAF Comandante di Gruppo: Sottotenente (Group Commander: Sub-Lieutenant)
-SAF Vice-Comandante di Gruppo: Alferece (Vice-Group Commander: Ensign)
-SAF Capo Nucleo: Maresciallo (Chief of Nucleus: First Sergeant)
-SAF Vice-Capo Nucleo: Sergente (Vice-Chief of Nucleus: Sergeant)
-SAF Sorellina: Sergente (Auxiliary Nurse: Sergeant)
-SAF Ausiliaria Scelta: Caporale (Outstanding Auxiliary: Corporal)
-SAF Ausiliaria: Soldato (Auxiliary: Private)
Sharp-shooter soldier woman, Fascist Italy. Many of these heroines not only
took weapons to defend their Fatherland against invaders and traitors, they
also learnt how to use those weapons efficiently, which bears witness to the
fact that females are also to be feared in a resolute fight.
-Gold Medal: Auxiliary Angelina Milazzo (fallen at Garbagnate on 21st January
1945)
-Silver Medal: Auxiliary Silvia Polettini (fallen at Rovigo on 20th January
1945)
-Bronze Medal: Auxiliary Nurse Mariella Togna (for her exemplary conduct at
the war fronts of Central Italy from 12th May to 6th June 1944, and of North
Italy from August 1944 to March 1945)
Translated by P. A. Stonemann, CSS Dixieland
Sing, youth, the song of the heart
inspired by a common ardour and fierce heat
it is the beloved Fatherland
who is reborn with wings
the Fatherland who now shines with splendid light
we are fighting in the war
as it is the will of the Fatherland
we shall die on our own land
and if Italy be victorious
more beautiful it will have been
it is born out of pain
in the heart the ardent flame
that everything will give
we women are the first at war
our oath is to die, or to win !
marciam verso l'avvenire
siam falangi audaci e fiere
pronte a osare, pronte a ardire
trionfi alfine l'ideale
per cui tanto combattemmo
fratellanza nazionale
d'italiana civiltà
nel Fascismo è la salvezza della nostra libertà
resti ancor la nostra gente
si ridesti a nuova vita
di splendore più possente
su, leviamo alta la faccia
che c'illumini il cammino
nel lavoro e nella pace
sia la verà libertà
nel Fascismo è la salvezza della nostra libertà
cupo vento di mitraglia
ci ravvolse alla bandiera
che agitammo alla battaglia
vittoriosa al nuovo sole
stretti a lei dobbiam lottare
è l'Italia che lo vuole
per l'Italia vincerem
nel Fascismo è la salvezza della nostra libertà
giunto è il dì della riscossa
ti frodarono il sudore
con l'appello alla sommossa
giù le bende ai traditori
che ti strinsero a catena
alla gogna gl'impostori
delle asiatiche virtù
nel Fascismo è la salvezza della nostra libertà
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patriotic-italy-fascio-benjamino_gigli-giovinezza-1937.mp3
salve o Patria Immortale
son rinati i figli tuoi
con la fe' nell'ideale
il valor dei tuoi guerrieri
la virtù dei pionieri
la vision dell'Alighieri
oggi brilla in tutti i cuor
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
son rifatti gli Italiani
li ha rifatti Mussolini
per la guerra di domani
per la gloria del lavoro
per la pace e per l'alloro
per la gogna di coloro
che la Patria rinnegar
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
i signori e i contadini
con orgoglio di Italiani
giuran fede a Mussolini
non v'è povero quartiere
che non mandi le sue schiere
che non spieghi le bandiere
del Fascismo redentor
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
Giovinezza, Giovinezza, primavera di bellezza
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
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patriotic-italy-fascio-giovinezza_rsi.mp4
suona l'ora di battaglia
sempre prima e fiamma nera
che terribile si scaglia
col pugnale nella mano
con la fede dentro il cuore
che s'avanza e va lontano
con la gloria ed il valor
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
per Benito Mussolini eja eja alala
nella vita del terrore
quando l'obice rimbomba
non mi trema in petto il cuore
la mia splendida bandiera
de magnifico colore
e una fiamma tutta nera
che divampa in ogni cuor
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
per Benito Mussolini eja eja alala
della bomba il gran fragore
tutti avanti tutti al campo
qui si vince oppur si muore
sono giovane son forte
non mi trema in petto il cuore
che sorrida con la morte
nella strada del dolor
della vita nell'asprezza, il tuo canto squilla e va
per Benito Mussolini eja eja alala
Ausiliaria Franca Barbier
Gold Medal to Military Valour, Fascist Italy
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patriotic-italy-fascio-le_donne_non_ci_vogliono_piu_bene.mp3
perché portiamo la camicia nera
hanno detto che siamo da catene
hanno detto che siamo da galera
meglio un vigliacco che non ha bandiera
uno che non ha sangue nelle vene
uno che serberá la pelle intera
fa la civetta in mezzo alla battaglia
si fa baciare solo dai soldati
diamole un bacio sotto la mitraglia !
lasciamo l'altre donne agl'imboscati
perché portate la camicia nera
non vi crucciate, donne da galera
che tutti sanno avvinte da catene
chi rinnegó la patria e la bandiera
chi si donó al nemico tutta intera
chi ha stoppa in capo ed acqua nelle vene !
fra quattro mura intenti alla battaglia
che per sorteggio, arride a voi soldati
che vi ha seguito sotto la mitraglia
é un fuoco in meno in petto agli imboscati !
Italian women supported their soldiers during the whole War. This is the cover
of the First Book of the Fascist, where feminine as well as masculine writers warmly
encouraged their fighting Comrades. Especially in the last two years of War many
females decided to take weapons themselves, and plenty of feminine units engaged
in fierce combat.
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patriotic-italy-fascio-all_armi.mp3
la causa sosterrem fino alla morte
e lotteremo sempre forte forte
finchè terremo il nostro sangue in cuor
che tutti uniti difenderemo
contro avversari e traditori
che ad uno ad uno sterminerem
combatter con certezza di vittoria
e questo non sia mai sol per la gloria
ma per giusta ragion di libertà
noi saprem bene far dileguare
e al grido nostro quella canaglia
dovrà tremare, dovrà tremar
perchè il coraggio a noi non mancherà
e grideremo sempre forte forte
e sosterrem la nostra causa santa
noi sempre pronti tutti saremo
finchè la gloria di noi fascisti
in tutta Italia trionferà
perchè non voglion Patria nè Famiglia
perchè sono rifiuti e fanghiglia
che disprezzando noi dobbiam scacciare
e abbasso tutti i suoi rinnegatori
in alto, in alto il tricolore
che sarà sempre il nostro amor
Women soldiers of the various Fascist Armed Forces enthusiastically gave
their Oath of Allegiance to the Duce, and were very devoted in their fight.
This was the firm compromise of those brave feminine soldiers, of fighting
for the Cause of the Italian Social Republic in which they believed.
-II Corso 'Anzio' (Grandola, 8th September 1944)
-III Corso 'Fiumicino' (Col di Luna, December 1944)
-IV Corso (Venezia, March 1945)
sorse l'invitta Decima Legione
vinse sul campo il barbaro nemico
Roma riebbe pace con onore
abbandonò la Patria il traditore
sorse dal mar la Decima Flottiglia
e prese l'armi al grido 'Per l'onore'
che beffasti l'Inghilterra
vittoriosa ad Alessandria
Malta, Suda e Gibilterra
ora pure sulla terra
vincerai !
non in battaglia ma col tradimento
nostri fratelli prigionieri o morti
noi vi facciamo questo giuramento:
noi vi giuriamo che ritorneremo
là dove Dio volle il tricolore
fin quando avremo pace con onore !
che beffasti l'Inghilterra
vittoriosa ad Alessandria
Malta, Suda e Gibilterra
ora pure sulla terra
vincerai !
A very young Balilla Hero being condecorated by the Duce. Balilla soldiers of
both sexes also defended Fascist Italy. Supposedly they were only 'girls' and
'boys' by their age, but in reality they already were women and men, who knew
how to fight, to kill, or to die, for the Fascist Ideal in which they deeply
believed.
-II Corso 'Ardimento' (Castiglione Olona)
-III Corso 'Siro Gajani' (Milano, September 1944)
Soldier women in military training, Fascist Italy. Female fighters faced
the rigours of martial drills with abnegation and enthusiasm, and in fact,
they tended to be more disciplined and less complaining than some of their
masculine Comrades.
-Secondo Reggimento di Milizia di Difesa Territoriale (Pola, 1944)
Alessandro Pavolini, Commander of the Black Brigades, the Military Forces of
the Republican Fascist Party. There were feminine and masculine units, all example
of Devotion and Idealism, and frequently the most feared and hated by the enemy.
(We are not the last of yesterday, we are the first of tomorrow)
-Luciano Garibaldi: 'Le soldatesse di Mussolini'. Memoriale inedito di Piera
Gatteschi Fondelli, Mursia, Milano 1995. ISBN 978-88-425-2242-3
-Milena Franchini: 'Ausiliaria, vieni fuori !'. Il Fiorino 2001.
-Marino Perissinotto: 'Il Servizio Ausiliario Femminile della Decima
Flottiglia MAS'. Albertelli.
-Marino Viganò: 'Donne in grigioverde'. Settimo Sigillo 1995.
-Stefano Savino: 'La Fede è una come la Patria'. Settimo Sigillo 1992.
-Ulderico Munzi: 'Donne di Salò'. Sperling & Kupfer 1999.
-Annalisa Terranova: 'Camicette Nere'. Mursia 2007 ISBN 978-88-425-3705-2
-Antonia Setti Carraro: 'Carità e tormento' (Memorie di una crocerossina,
1940-1946). Mursia 1982 ISBN 978-88-425-8690-6
-'Servizio Ausiliario Femminile'. Novantico 2007.
-'Lettere dei caduti della Repubblica Sociale Italiana'. L'Ultima Crociata
Editrice 1990, Associazione Nazionale dei Caduti e Dispersi della RSI
-'La Ascenza e la Caduta della Italia Fascista'
-'Italia del Littorio'
Since 1971, the oldest collection of Internet books (over seventy thousand in 2023)
http://www.gutenberg.org/
All of the books from the Gutenberg collection, converted to mobile formats
http://manybooks.net/
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