Allied Forces

The Allies are an external force in the novel’s account of the Italian Resistance: their nighttime supplies equip the Badoglio Brigades, whose relationship with the Garibaldi Brigades is marked by suspicion. Their support shapes the material and political balance among the partisans as they prepare to take Milan, but the brigades ultimately cooperate under a joint command.

Support for the Badoglio Brigades

The Badoglio Brigades receive generous nighttime parachute drops from the Allies. The supplies are presented in contrast with the improvised resources of the Garibaldi Brigades: the Badogliani wear khaki uniforms resembling British uniforms and carry new Sten guns, while the Garibaldini have varied makeshift uniforms, shotguns, and weapons taken from the enemy. The narrative also mentions a British reconnaissance plane, known as Pippetto, which passes at eleven every evening. Its purpose remains unclear to the partisans, since the ground below is dark for miles.

Political Tension and Cooperation

The Allies’ backing feeds the Garibaldini’s distrust of the Badogliani. The Garibaldi partisans accuse their rivals of having sold out to the British, and they mock the Badogliani’s reported cry of “Forward, Savoy!” during a battle. The account leaves open whether the cry reflects monarchist loyalties, but it records how the rival brigade interprets it and how the argument becomes part of their existing antagonism.

Despite this friction, the two forces reach a working accommodation. A joint command is necessary for the assault on the city, and the partisans select Mongo to lead it. His brigade is the best-equipped, and his experience in the First World War, reputation as a hero, seniority, and the Allies’ trust all support his appointment.

Narrative Significance

The Allies’ role is indirect but consequential: their supplies help distinguish the better-equipped Badoglio forces from the improvised Garibaldi Brigades, while their trust in Mongo contributes to the choice of a shared commander. The episode also places wartime cooperation beside unresolved political suspicion. The resistance can unite for an operation without erasing the disagreements that its members carry into that alliance.