Thursday, September 4, 2014

Campobasso

Campobasso, Italy was the scene of heavy fighting during the Second World War. In the months of October and November 1943 a battle between the German and the Canadian troops for possession of the city caused the destruction of many public buildings, including the City Hall and the archives held there. Thirty eight civilians were killed in the action, including the bishop of the diocese, Bishop Secondo Bologna, and an unknown number of people were injured in the intensive bombardment. [Wikipedia]

These scenes of Campobasso were taken after the fighting there was over, in May 1944.

 A Graham and R J Richardson watch passing nuns on steps 
leading to Campobasso castle, Italy, 3 May 1944
  
 Front line troops on leave at Campobasso, Italy, talk with local children, 3 May 1944
  
 Impression of steep and narrow streets of old Campobasso, Italy, 3 May 1944
  
 Local women washing clothes in the old Roman 
washing place in Campobasso, Italy, 3 May 1944
  
 New Zealand front line troops on leave at Campobasso, Italy, walk with locals down an avenue of pine trees each of which was planted to commemorate an Italian soldier killed in the last war. 3 May 1944
  
 New Zealand soldier on leave in Campobasso attracts local children, Italy, 3 May 1944
  
 New Zealand troops on leave meet a gharri driver 
for sightseeing in Campobasso, Italy, 3 May 1944
  
 New Zealanders look over the scenery from the 
old castle hill at Campobasso, Italy, 3 May 1944
  
Women of Campobasso, Italy, still use the old Roman 
washing place for their laundry, 3 May 1944

1 comment:

  1. My father was a New Zealand soldier and my mother Italian. Our home town is Campobasso.

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