Military Model Scene

Title: Brigate Rosse
Author: David Francois
Publisher: Helion & Company
ISBN: 978-1-914377-07-5

Far-Left guerrillas in Italy 1970-1988, number 15 in the Europe@War series from Helion & Co, this takes on the subject of Brigate Rosse, the 'Red Brigade'. A 76-page soft-cover book in the usual style for this series, with 4-pages of colour artwork and photos in the centre pages.
This tells the story of the rise and fall of a group of Communist guerrillas which started out amidst factory workers in Northern Italy, starting in Trento and expanding in both Milan and Turin, in Northern Italy. The Introduction and first section on the Cold War sets the scene before moving on to the main story and the group which really gained traction around 1970. As so often, there were differences of opinion amongst the group and moving on from just spreading propaganda, some moved on to more direct and violent actions. The 8 other sections which follow on from the Cold War opening, it covers the early years of their Urban Guerrilla Warfare, up to 1974, then their tactics changed. After deaths and arrests of some of the early members, the new leaders changed course. A number of murders were carried out to intimidate the state systems, leading to the kidnap and murder of Aldo Moro, an Italian statesman in 1978. Further murders and kidnappings are described which led to a loss of popular support for the movement. Increasing pressure and the arrest of the leader, Mario Moretti in 1981, until the group had been arrested, imprisoned or fled the country that they disappeared from the scene by 1988. A helpful conclusion to the Brigate Rosse rounds everything off.
The events recorded in this book took place up to over 50 years ago, so to anyone younger than that this is perhaps all they might know of these events. I am old enough to remember the news of these things taking place, the murder of Aldo Moro in particular. It was a disturbing time, and it is good that people in Italy can live there today without the fears that these actions generated. I still find it strange to read history books covering events I can remember.
Thanks to Helion & Co for our copy.

Robin