In Love and War: Kiwi Soldiers' Romantic Encounters in Wartime Italy
Category: Book
| Title | In Love and War: Kiwi Soldiers' Romantic Encounters in Wartime Italy |
|---|---|
| Author | Susan Jacobs |
| Year | 2012 |
| Publisher | Penguin UK |
| ISBN | 1742532489, 9781742532486 |
| Language | English |
| Format | paperback |
| Online resource | NO, but some chapter previews are available online |
| Topic | War brides, Italian Immigrants in New Zealand, Women Immigrants, Italian women in New Zealand |
When New Zealand forces arrived in Italy following the 1943 Armistice with the Allied forces, it was inevitable they would mingle with the local population. The Italians opened their homes and hearts to the New Zealand soldiers who delighted in finding young Italian signorinas everywhere. In Love and War, by Susan Jacobs tells of the liaisons and love affairs of New Zealand soldiers and their Italian sweethearts during World War Two. For some the result was marriage, leading to a new and often strained life for the Italian war brides on the other side of the world.
A preview of some of these stories is available online:
Mirella Forti, who met Hatol Hall in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1945 and moved to Auckland to marry him. Mirella was an active member and president of the Dante Alighieri Society of Auckland for many years, and on 4th June 2003 she received the Order of New Zealand Merit for services to the Italian community.
Dina Pepe, who married Allen Cassin after he came back to Italy in 1947. She then moved to New Zealand and the preview of her story includes a 1969 photo of Dina and Allen with 17 of their 18 grandchildren.
Two brides form Senigallia (Marche region): Alba Casagrande, who married Keith Kelly, and Rosa Piangerelli who married David McCombe (photos also available in this chapter).
The books also tells the stories of Antonietta Delmonte and Arthur Gladstone, Maria Pianina and Walter Willis, Alba Bertoli and Trevor Fox, and others.
Other resources about Italian war brides in this archive:
A war bride’s tale
Faces of Auckland: War bride loves kiwi life
La presenza italiana in Nuova Zelanda (1875-1950)
Memé
Interview with Meme Churton
'Mr Jones' wives': World War II war brides of New Zealand servicemen
Mirella Forti-Hall, MNZM, Cavaliere (1928-2023)
