In August 1944 the German LXXV Army Corps responsible for the protection of the western part of the Gothic Line experienced increased partisan activity in the Apuan Alps . On 18 August a German officer was killed by partisans . The 16th SS Panzergrenadier Division , commanded by Max Simon who was convicted after the war for his involvement in the Marzabotto massacre , was tasked with an anti-partisan operation to clear out the region of partisans . After meticulous planning , and with the help of the Italian Fascist collaborators Black Brigades , the '' SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 16 '' , under the command of Walter Reder , as well as other German SS and Wehrmacht support units , began the operation on 24 August
Marzabotto massacre
Marzabotto massacre
Vinca massacre