Powderkeg

"Freedom is like air: you realize how precious it is once you start running out of it." – Piero Calamandrei The Armistice of Cassibile arguably marked the most dangerous turn of events for Italian Partisans. Fathers, brothers and sons that were destined to return home to their families after Italy's surrender were instead press-ganged into service or servitude under the Wehrmacht. Italy was not free - it was held hostage. Over 70,000 Partisans, ex-soldiers and civilians were killed in combat or reprisals - a harrowing toll for a nation under occupation by its former ally.