CHAPTER 7.2
AGAINST
TERROR, HUNGER, DEPORTATIONS
Front cover of L’Unità newspaper
– 8 October 1944
Throughout occupied Italy, the
struggle of the working class and the working masses is continuing, to prevent
the Nazi Fascists from putting into practice their destructive plans; with this
struggle, the popular masses are preparing their decisive insurrectional battle
for the definitive liberation of our Country. Agitation and struggle is
becoming increasingly decisive; the SAPs [Squadre di Azione
Patriottica] are becoming stronger, and are extending
their activities, transforming the struggle of the armed vanguard into a
people’s struggle; strikes are taking on an increasingly clear political and
insurrectional content. The proof of this lies in the major struggle that the
railway workers are carrying forward against their armed German overseers, in
order that our railway heritage does not continue to be a weapon in the hands
of the Nazi warmongers.
The Great Strike in
The assassination of our 7
patriots on 22 October has already been answered by partisan detachments, who
have executed 35 Nazi-Fascist prisoners; they have also been answered by the “Gappisti” [Gruppi Armati Partigiani], by an intensification in the execution of their patriotic
justice activities, and by sabotage of the Nazi war machine.
The vanguard actions of our Garibaldian advance guard
has been followed by broad-ranging mass action by proletarian
At Mirafiori, a Communist
speaker addressed 14,000 workers staff and technicians of
The speaker, frequently
interrupted by thunderous applause, attacked the crimes of the Nazi-Fascists,
highlighted the activities of the Patriotic forces, and appealed for the united
action of all Italians: “Only insurrectional action by the mass of popular
forces will smash the terrorism of the enemies of humanity; only insurrectional
action by all our popular forces will save our lives and what remains of our
national heritage; only by insurrectional action will we win Italy her freedom,
and a place of honour among nations.”
At the end of this moving
speech many workers had tears in their eyes; representatives of all the major
parties flocked to compliment the speaker, while everyone present, in
particular the women, crowded round to embrace him.
The SAPs
were on a state of alert for any eventuality, but any Nazi-Fascist would have
had a hard time if he had dared to confront the enthusiastic Mirafiori masses
at that moment.
The Nazis only intervened at Lancia, after the stoppage, during the lunch-break, issuing
threats to the workers. But the workers continued their meal, totally ignoring
the speakers.
The working masses are
continuing, with their agitation and work stoppages, and their struggle for the
distribution of food; they are always on the alert, and prepared to react
decisively and extensively against Nazi attempts to suffocate and terrorise. The Piedmont Committee for National Liberation
gave expression to this desire in its directive of 27 September, declaring:
“For every Patriot killed, 5 Nazi-Fascists will die; for every village burned,
50 traitors will be executed. The courageous population of
[Translated
from L’Unità newspaper – 8 October 1944]
_______________________________________
Translated by Ed Emery
Extracted from: THE
BOOK OF
FIAT:
Insurrection, insubordination, occupation and revolutionary politics at the
FIAT motor company – 1907-1982
Published: Red Notes / May Day Rooms
First published in 2020