Interview with Benito Colonna

Interview with Benito Colonna

Benito Colonna reminisces about the bombings of Rimini and other wartime experiences. Benito was with his mother when he witnessed the 1 November 1943 bombing: he saw aircraft approaching and bombing the town, concentrating the attack on the railway station. People were caught unprepared, they were unaware of the danger, and many didn’t manage to reach a shelter. Recalls the noise of the explosions, smoke and fires everywhere - nearly sixty people died that day. Another subsequent strike involved nearly fifty aircraft but this time there were less casualties and more damage. Stresses the strategic importance of railway lines. Explains how they were forced to leave their home when Germans established a military zone. Reminisces about German troops searching his home, where his father and a friend were hiding.

2016-10-08

01:01:51 audio recording

IBCC Digital Archive

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