Camp PG 49

From March to September 1943, this camp was used as a prison for Allied soldiers. Located a few kilometres from Via Emilia and halfway between Parma and Fidenza, it held around 700 soldiers in its first month of operation, mostly British officers, but also Americans, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans. The camp deteriorated after the Armistice of 8^th September 1943. However, before the arrival of German troops, the commander ordered prisoners to be freed and they were assisted by families in the surrounding area, which saved them from deportation to Germany. Suddenly, the local population realised that the British should no longer be considered enemies. This symbolically marked the beginning of the struggle for liberation in the province of Parma.

The structure, now home to the Cardinal Ferrari rehabilitation centre, is remembered with a plaque. The municipality of Fontanellato organised a day of commemoration, remembrance and historical reflection with the Historical Institute of the Resistance and Contemporary Age in Parma on the anniversary of the liberation of Camp PG 49 and the 70^th anniversary of the Resistance.

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