Mattarella pens letter to Santhià mayor, urging remembrance of Nazi atrocity

In a nod to the past, Italian President Sergio Mattarella penned a letter to Santhià's mayor, Angela Ariotti. The letter served as a poignant reminder of the grizzly Nazi atrocity that took place on April 29, 1945—a tragedy commemorated today, on Tuesday, April 29.

Mattarella's letter read, "On April 25, 1945, the uprising began, leading to the German troops' surrender the following week. As they retreated towards Germany, these forces left a bloody trail, including in Santhià and neighboring towns. The massacre on April 29 marked the region with unfortunate remnants from those trying days of Liberation."

The Tragic Events

The President's message proceeded to reveal that the 75th Army Corps of the Third Reich had broken the truce negotiated between the Partisan Command and German Command. As a chilling result, 48 lives were claimed, among partisans and civilians, who fell victim to Nazi brutality in Santhià and surrounding farms between April 29 and May 1, 1945. The brave intervention of the parish priest, Monsignor Giovanni Ravetti, managed to keep the death toll from climbing even higher.

Recognition and Commemoration

Recognizing the sacrifices made by Santhiá's citizens, the Republic honored the town with the Bronze Medal for Military Valor. In his conclusion, the Head of State expressed his deep appreciation for the Santhiá community, stating, "On this day, we gather to remember the victims, having witnessed the path towards freedom and democracy. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the town as they reflect on these difficult times."

The people of Santhiá come together every year on April 29 to honor the memory of the victims, serving as a testament to the strength of their community and the enduring impact of the Nazi crimes during the Italian Campaign.

The tragic events of April 29, 1945, in Santhià, were marked by a chilling massacre, resulting in the loss of 48 lives, a significant number engulfed by Nazi brutality.
The President's letter highlighted the breach of truce by the 75th Army Corps of the Third Reich, which led to this brutal massacre, a grim chapter in the history of war-and-conflicts.
The general news cycle frequently highlights such grim incidents of the past, such as the Santhià massacre, to emphasize the importance of remembering the atrocities committed during politics of war and conflicts.
Mediation efforts between the Partisan Command and German Command could have potentially prevented the Santhià massacre, a poignant example of how effective mediation can be in mitigating the average human toll of war and conflicts.