Those days of September '43
Rumours of th advance of the English-American troops reached the city and the Germans who had occupied it, while waiting to retreat to the north, kept the town in terror and organised the deportation of all those men fit for work. This measure was ready in September '43.
A spontaneous and uncontrolable desire to rebel spread among the people of Naples and, at dawn on 28th, the poopular insurrection whose first signs were evident the vening before began.
- A group of armed insurgents, September 1943 - Naples Municipal Historical Archives, photograph collection
Four days of bitter battle all over the city from the hills of the Vomero to the historical centre, from Capodimonte to the railway station. Wherever they were, the German troops were subjected to surprise attacks and with whatever weapons could be found.
The revolt could not be stopped in spite of the Germans trying to fight back by destroying houses, hotels, the headquarters of institutions and even ships anchored in the port.
At daybreak on 1st October, the occupying troops left the city, not hesitating to make last and useless acts of revenge. The price of the "Quattro Giornate" (Four Days) was 168 victims, all insurgents, 140 dead civilians, 19 unidentified victims, 162 wounded and 75 permanent invalids.
Naples was awarded the gold medal for valour in the field and other decorations for the insurgents: 4 gold medals for valour in memory, 6 silver medals and 3 bronze medals for valour in the field.
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