Republic of Alba (1944)

Republic of Alba Repubblica di Alba
1944
Flag
Status	Unrecognized state
Capital	Alba
Common languages	Italian
Government	Partisan republic
Historical era	World War II
• Established	10 October 1944
• Conquered	2 November 1944
Currency	Italian lira
Preceded by Succeeded by Italian Social Republic Italian Social Republic

The Republic of Alba was a short-lived state that existed from 10 October to 2 November 1944 in Alba, northern Italy, as a local resistance against Italian fascism during World War II, and which was part of the so-called Italian Partisan Republics, the first of which was the Republic of Corniolo. It was named after the Napoleonic Republic of Alba that existed in 1796 in Piedmont.

Occupation of Alba

On 10 October 1944, c. 2000 partisans occupied the city almost without conflict since the fascist contingents under Ippolito Radaelli [it] had abandoned the city following negotiations with the partisans mediated by the Curia. The partisans were mostly from Alpini divisions led by Enrico Martini.

The partisan government

Command of the city was assumed by Carletto Morelli, while the civil administration continued under chosen local officials.

The fascist counterattack

Fascist troops gathered at Bra and Pollenzo with reinforcements from Turin. They attempted to ford the Tanaro after 24 October but were repulsed, suffering 11 casualties including their commanding officer.[1]

Quotes

Alba was conquered by two thousand people on the 10th of October
and two hundred lost it on the 2nd of November
of the year 1944

— Beppe Fenoglio, The Twenty-three Days of the City of Alba

See also

• Italian Partisan Republics
• Italian resistance movement

References

1. L.M. Grassi, "La Tortura di Alba e dell'albese", ed. Paoline, 1973