Date of birth:

18/11/1943

Place:

Rossano, fraz. di Zeri

Province:

Massa Carrara

Region:

Toscana

Assistance provided:

Food and shelter, heped as a guide

Prisoners helped:

Maj. Gordon Lett and numerous other PoWs
Leggi la storia di Gordon Lett

Start date:

30 September 1943

End date:

1945

Description:

Tarquinio and his family helped many former prisoners. Among those who benefited from their assistance was Major Gordon Lett, who formed and led the "International Battalion," a band supporting the local Resistance comprising soldiers of various nationalities. The Deluchi family home was destroyed during a rastrellamento on 3 August 1944; despite this, Tarquinio and his family continued to provide assistance. Tarquinio also acted as a guide in the surrounding areas and collaborated with Allied missions. His sister Dina worked as a courier, maintaining contact between groups of former prisoners in the area and anti-fascist formations in Liguria.

Bibliography:

B.G. Lett, Italy’s Outstanding courage. The Story of a Secret Civilian Army in World War Two, Independently published , 2020.

Archival sources:

NARA, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II Claim, Series (RG. 331), Claim n° 49.630