Giovanni Berta: Martyr of the Fascist Revolution

Giovanni Berta (August 24, 1894 – February 28, 1921)

Berta was born in Florence in 1894, participated in the Italo-Turkish war in 1911 and then in the First World War. After the conflict, he became a squadrista.

"On the afternoon of Monday, February 28, 1921, Giovanni Berta was at the well-known family Foundry, appearing nervous, restless, eager to run where the fight was blazing: his Comrades were there: his place was with them.

At 4 p.m. he broke all hesitation: he got on his bicycle and headed towards the city center.

— Where are you going? — shouted a voice while a hundred bloodshot eyes fiercely stared at Giovanni Berta's pale but determined handsome face.

— Wherever I want.

— Are you a fascist?

— Yes.

He could have kept silent or denied that he wore the fascist badge on his lapel, but Giovanni Berta did not want to renounce his faith. He knew that that "yes" would mean death: he pronounced it loudly and firmly against the cowardice of the shouting mob; he spat that yes into the eyes of his executioners and tried to draw his revolver but the attackers, strong in numbers, tore the weapon from him and violently struck him. After knocking the young man unconscious with punches, kicks, and blows from sticks, after stealing his wallet, they grabbed him and threw him into the river from the balustrade of the bridge."

Giovanni Berta, after his martyrdom, became a symbol of loyalty to the Idea. His death testifies to the communist barbarity of those years, always silenced or justified by modern historiography.

Murder of Giovanni Berta. Postcard realized by the Florentine squadristi in memory of Giovanni Berta

Giovanni Berta

Giovanni Berta, first fascist martyr, killed by communist hatred in Florence on February 28, 1921.