The first militant anti-Fascist organisation (1921–22), the Arditi del Popolo,had a troubled history, but managed to cobble together diverse groups in order to combat Fascism in the field. Not averse to combating the violence of the squadristi with violence of their own, they were forsaken by the official organsof the state (police, military, judiciary) and even the leaders of the Italian Socialist and Communist parties; consequently, they were left to fend for themselves. With hindsight, most now recognise that the Arditi del Popolo represented a ‘lost opportunity’ to confront – and perhaps defeat – Fascism in its earliest form.

#ClaudioPavone