The Wartime Chain of Violence

The Collini Case

The wartime bombing, reprisals, and destruction of Collini’s family create the historical chain that later drives the murder case.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A City Under Occupation A City Under Occupation from "The Collini Case". A City Under Occupation Rising pressure German authorities tighten control over Genoa, while strikes, partisan activity, and arrests shape daily life.

A City Under Occupation from "The Collini Case". A City Under Occupation Rising pressure German authorities tighten control over Genoa, while strikes, partisan activity, and arrests shape daily life.

A City Under Occupation Rising pressure German authorities tighten control over Genoa, while strikes, partisan activity, and arrests shape daily life. Nicola Collini secretly participates in resistance activity. The family at risk Fabrizio knows little of the political situation, but notices the fear and secrecy around him. The larger conflict reaches his family before he can understand its causes.

The Café Bombing The Café Bombing from "The Collini Case". The Café Bombing An attack A bomb detonates in Café Trento, killing two German soldiers and injuring others.

The Café Bombing from "The Collini Case". The Café Bombing An attack A bomb detonates in Café Trento, killing two German soldiers and injuring others.

The Café Bombing An attack A bomb detonates in Café Trento, killing two German soldiers and injuring others. The device is planted by a man who leaves before the explosion. Retaliation becomes imminent The German authorities treat the bombing as grounds for collective reprisal. The interpreter expects severe measures, though the prisoners later selected have no connection to the attack.

Twenty Prisoners Chosen Twenty Prisoners Chosen from "The Collini Case". Twenty Prisoners Chosen Numbers instead of names An interpreter is ordered to summon twenty prisoners at Marassi Prison.

Twenty Prisoners Chosen from "The Collini Case". Twenty Prisoners Chosen Numbers instead of names An interpreter is ordered to summon twenty prisoners at Marassi Prison.

Twenty Prisoners Chosen Numbers instead of names An interpreter is ordered to summon twenty prisoners at Marassi Prison. They are told they will be transferred, but understand that they are being taken to die. The logic of reprisal Meyer invokes a one-to-ten ratio, converting two German deaths into twenty executions. The arithmetic disguises the absence of individual responsibility.

Execution in the Ravine Execution in the Ravine from "The Collini Case". Execution in the Ravine A staged killing The prisoners are brought to a ravine, tied in pairs, and shot in groups beside a pit.

Execution in the Ravine from "The Collini Case". Execution in the Ravine A staged killing The prisoners are brought to a ravine, tied in pairs, and shot in groups beside a pit.

Execution in the Ravine A staged killing The prisoners are brought to a ravine, tied in pairs, and shot in groups beside a pit. Those still waiting can see the bodies and hear the gunfire. A voice of defiance One prisoner cries that Italy should live before he is shot. The operation is later reduced to a bland official notice, stripping the victims of their individual humanity.

The Report Reaches Collini The Report Reaches Collini from "The Collini Case". The Report Reaches Collini A name on paper The interpreter secretly preserves the prisoner list, whose first name is Nicola Collini.

The Report Reaches Collini from "The Collini Case". The Report Reaches Collini A name on paper The interpreter secretly preserves the prisoner list, whose first name is Nicola Collini.

The Report Reaches Collini A name on paper The interpreter secretly preserves the prisoner list, whose first name is Nicola Collini. News reaches the family that Nicola was among those executed. A delayed consequence The record gives Fabrizio the name of the man responsible for the prisoners’ fate. The child’s loss becomes a historical grievance that will remain unresolved for decades.

1943, after the German occupation of Genoa

16 May 1944, evening

The night after the bombing

The morning after the Café Trento bombing

Four days after the execution