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Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 90, 17 April 1941, Page 7

ITALIAN'S BRAVERY FOR ADOPTED LAND British Official Wireless. Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, April 16. A STORY of the gallantry of the **■ Italian banquet manager of the Savoy Hotel, who was helping the country of his adoption, lies behind the death notice in "The Times" on Palm Sunday, 1941, of Fortunato Picchi, who sacrificed his life in the cause of free dom. Picchi, who had fired in London for over 20 years, was interned for a time on the Isle of Man. He volunteered for service with Britain in any capacity for which he might be found fit at the age of 44. He took part in the parachute raid on Italy. Since he knew the Calabrian region thoroughly, he was able to lead the British parachute troops to their objectives, but he was captured by Fascists, who recognised and denounced him. He was shot as a traitor at a place near Rome, said an Italian announcement, but the British nation honours the name of the man who knew he was risking everything for its sake.