On the afternoon of 24 April 2024, at 6.30 pm, in compliance with the Anpi’s invitation to adopt a partisan memorial stone, the “Città di Piacenza” Democratic Party club and the Young Democrats will meet at the memorial stone in Piazzale Genova 1 to deposit a bouquet of flowers and commemorate the five young partisans who lost their lives at Barriera Genova on 26 April 1945. It will be an opportunity to perform some partisan songs together, accompanied by guitars.
“We are in an area of Piacenza that is fundamental for the Liberation War – explains the Piacenza Democratic Party in a note – on the wall surrounding the Military Hospital a plaque commemorates the sacrifice of soldiers and people from Piacenza who tried to oppose the Germans on 9 September 1943 Near the Scientific High School, the former headquarters of the Italian Youth of Littorio, five partisans who fell in the aftermath of 25 April 1945 are remembered. On this date the National Liberation Corps proclaimed the national insurrection against the Nazi-fascists, and on the same day they Allies broke through the Gothic Line. Columns of partisans from our valleys descended towards the city and some vanguards of the Piacenza Division, formerly the Justice and Freedom Division, coming from Val Tidone and Val Luretta, clashed bloodyly with the enemies in some areas of the city, in Via Farnesiana, in Barriera Turin, at Barriera Genova”.
On April 26th they fought and died here:
Giacomo Alberici, aged 21, from Bettola: XI “Montesanto” Brigade of the Piacenza Division;
Giorgio Gasparini, 18 years old, from Piacenza: VI “Fratelli Molinari” Brigade of the Piacenza Division;
Gian Battista Anguissola, aged 29, from Travo: III “Paolo” Brigade of the Piacenza Division;
Amedeo Silva, aged 20, from Perino: III “Paolo” Brigade, died two days later from his wounds;
Pierino Guasti, aged 20, from Perino: III “Paolo” Brigade, died a month later from his wounds.
Gian Battista Anguissola was awarded a silver medal for military valor; Giorgio Gasparini deserved the bronze medal.
“From 25 April the brigades of the Valnure Division, commanded by Pio Godoli known as Renato, and of the Val d’Arda Division, commanded by Giuseppe Prati, also descended the Val Trebbia and the Val Nure, passed along the Via Emilia, the Cremonesa and the Besides occupying towns and municipalities. On Saturday 28 April all the partisan units entered the city and took possession of it. On May 5, 1945, partisans and citizens paraded joyfully along the Corso and Piazza Cavalli, but not our five young men, who fought with many others on the right side and who made it possible, with their commitment and sacrifice, to re-establish a free and democratic and to provide it with a new republican Constitution based on values of justice and solidarity. They were two steps away…
Source: https://www.pietredellamemoria.it/pietre/cippo-dedicato-a-cinque-partigiani-caduti-piacenza/
The 3rd Brigade which attacked the city from the north-west sector (Genoa Barrier) found itself having to suffer very serious losses due to the crossfire of two heavy machine guns supported by machine guns all in fixed positions. Having received orders to push the attack to the end, Commander Anguissola and his men managed to get behind the positions and eliminate them. Surprised in turn by the arrival of an enemy armored vehicle, the five partisans fell with weapons in hand.”
