Nazareno Bardini

Nazareno’s assistance activity began in the days following the Armistice and is documented by numerous notes of testimony and gratitude left by the rescued soldiers, who described him as loyal to the Allied cause.

I contributed with everything I could, providing them with what they needed. […] I maintained communications between the various groups of prisoners, and during the round-ups, I guided them to safe places in the mountains. I did not receive any money from anyone, only some tobacco, which I then distributed to others passing through.

In April 1944, the prisoners he was caring for were recaptured. Nazareno himself, shut inside a hut, was struck multiple times by the Germans with the butt of a rifle. He was later released and continued his assistance work until the end of the war. His brother Umberto collaborated with him.

Nazareno and his brother Umberto did not ask the Allied Commission for any financial reward, but rather for a certificate highlighting their work as patriots. Nazareno also requested permission to return to live in Libya with his brother, where he had lived for ten years, since their home in Subiaco had been severely damaged.