Helpers

Faustino Cavagna

Fausto was a young student living with his family. He encountered, on an unspecified date, the pilot S.M. Alexander, wounded in the head. The young man took care of him and, as soon as Alexander felt better, helped him get in touch with local partisans.

On 18 December 1944, perhaps due to a tip-off, Fausto was arrested by the local militia of the “Black Brigade”. He was found in possession of some “compromising” documents, perhaps a piece of paper left by Alexander as a token of gratitude, which were considered proof of his activity as a helper. According to what little information his father Anteo was able to gather, Fausto was at first sent to the Bolzano concentration camp and then to Mauthausen, where he died soon after his arrival. He was declared dead on 23 March 1945, because of “exhaustion due to torture”.

Data

Date of birth:
11/06/1921
Place:
Busseto
Province:
Parma
Region:
Emilia Romaga
Assistance provided:
Medical care
Prisoners helped:
English pilot S.M. Alexander (Br.)
Start date:
1944
End date:
23 March 1945 (died)
Bibliography:
B. G. Lett, Italy’s Outstanding courage. The Story of a Secret Civilian Army in World War Two, Independently published , 2020- The Gordon Lett Foundation (Register of Medals) - http://www.gordonlettfoundation.co.uk/register-of-medals.html
Archival sources:
NARA, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II Claim, Series (RG. 331): Approved Death Claims Claim “Cavagna Anteo” n° 39.424D.
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The story of Don Giuseppe Beotti

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