​​In the summer of 1944, the liberation of the Pistoia plain was imminent: the German forces were making preparations to retreat towards the Gothic Line (German and Italian defence line). The Pistoia branch of the National Liberation Committee (CLN) had long since deployed partisan units in anticipation of a joint operation to occupy the city. Thanks to the intervention of the regional committee, the XII Zone was established to create a single military command for the various communist, Actionist and Christian Democrat units. Command was entrusted to Vincenzo Nardi: the common aim was to occupy Pistoia before the arrival of the Allies.​In early September, the CLN ordered the concentration of partisan brigades at strategic points and in public buildings, so as to assume control and administration of the city. Large units from across the province occupied Pistoia on the night of 7 to8 September. On 8 September, the Liberation was complete, but the city was almost entirely devoid of its inhabitants, who had been displaced following the first Allied bombing on 24 October 1943. In the outskirts and on the hills, guerrilla warfare continued between the partisan patrols out on advanced reconnaissance and the German rearguards, who shelled the city for some twenty days.​On the evening of 8 September 1944, Radio London announced the liberation of Pistoia; four days later, the 6th South African Armoured Division arrived. The city lay in ruins following the war and the German occupation, with thousands of buildings demolished or damaged and various problems relating to supplies and services. There were over 1,250 partisan fighters operating in the province, and several hundred patriots. The victims of Nazi and Fascist massacres numbered at least 235 across 77 incidents, to which must be added the majority of the 174 victims of the Padule di Fucecchio massacre.​The anti-fascist political and military forces reorganised the public administration and reactivated the city’s main services, though not without friction with the Anglo-Americans. The partisan units continued their operations against the enemy until their disbandment at the end of September; some remained engaged against the German forces along the Gothic Line until April 1945.​On 21 April 1977, the Municipality of Pistoia was awarded the Silver Medal for Military Valour.​

Italy

A group of several armed men and women stand in a street beside a plastered wall, most holding rifles and one with a pistol; clothing includes skirts, blouses, a plaid shirt, glasses, and a beret.

From left: Israele Bemporad (at the back, wearing glasses and with his hands on his hips, a Jewish partisan), Liliana Cecchi (in the white shirt), Bumeliana Pisaneschi (in the centre, partially obscured by Liliana Cecchi), Marino ‘Mutolino’ Gabbani (with Liliana’s hand resting on his shoulder), Lina Cecchi (with a machine-gun belt around her neck). On the far right, Lea Cutini. Photograph taken by members of the US Army.

Partisans from Pistoia during the days of Liberation

Black-and-white photograph of a man standing in front of a parked vintage car with open hood, holding a rifle across his chest. He wears a light shirt, dark trousers, and boots. Behind them are a tree with leaves overhead and a flag mounted on a pole near the car.

Ardengo Sostegni fought in the Bozzi Brigade

Ardengo Sostegni, a partisan from Lamporecchio (PT)

Group photograph of about 20 men outdoors in front of tall trees. Several people hold long rifles and some hold small objects; two are seated near the front. One person stands at left wearing a light shirt. No readable text is visible.

A group of partisans from the Bozzi Brigade​ 

A group of partisans from the Bozzi Brigade

Black-and-white street scene with buildings lining both sides of a narrow road. Several people in mid-distance walk or move along the street, including one woman holding a bundle near the left foreground. The buildings have shuttered windows and doors, with shadows cast on the ground.

Photograph taken by members of the US Army.

De bevrijding van Pistoia

Foto's