Dora Pieruccini

Dora, who was 29 in 1943, lived in Deccio di Brancoli, a small hamlet in the mountains of Lucca. She was part of a large family with six sisters (Maria, Paola, Leda, Beatricia, Genni, and Albertina) and three brothers (Nello, who died of pneumonia in 1941, and two others who were prisoners in Germany). 

After the Armistice, several PoWs arrived in the area looking for food and shelter. Dora and her family aided them in any way they could, providing them with food, clothes, and information. If they could not keep them at their home, the sisters sheltered them in nearby caves, bringing them what they needed. «When approaching the hiding place in the mountains of any group of the escapers, the sisters would sing, so that prisoners would know that friends were approaching».

On 13 January 1944, a group of five escaped prisoners whom the Pietruccini sisters had aided left to reach the Allied lines south and were ambushed by a Fascist squad. Some of them managed to escape despite their wounds and returned to Dora, who nursed them back to health. 

Dora was stopped several times by the Germans and the Fascists, who brought her to Lucca for questioning. Each time, they were forced to release her as they had no proof against her. 

Thanks to her bravery and dedication, Dora was nicknamed “Mother of the Prisoners of War”, and her fame grew. She and her family continued undeterred in their activities to help the escaped prisoners until the liberation of the province by the Allies, in September 1944.

Sergeants Humphries and Handley, the two PoWs who lived with the sisters for the longest period, left this testimony in June 1944, before departing:

We, the undersigned, write this letter of thanks, to try and express our gratitude for all the above mentioned family for all they have done for us and numerous other prisoners of war after our escape from the concentration camp on 8th September. We would like all to know that after being wounded by Fascists, five of us prisoners of war were given food, refuge and medical treatment in the house of the family, During the winter time, when our home was a capana [a shelter for animal fodder], this family always had an open door to prisoners of war regardless of the fact that the daughter of this family, Dora Pieruccini, had been taken several times to Lucca for cross-examination by Fascists. To this lady we have given the name: “The Mother of Prisoners of War”, and a host of thanks from us all.

Corporal Tom Redhead, Military Medal, also wrote, saying: «These people have willingly helped and risked all».

According to the Allied Commission, Dora and her family assisted roughly 30 escaped PoWs, providing them with food, clothes, medical treatment, shelter, and information. The Commission also awarded her a King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom, stating that:

All those with whom she came in touch, escapers and other helpers, speak in glowing terms of Signorina Pieruccini’s unfailing courage and resourcefulness. Signorina Pieruccini showed, at all times, complete disregard for personal danger. She worked untiringly for over a year, and it is due to her efforts that a large number of Allied service personnel were able to regain their freedom.