Very rare pennant of the 6th Black Brigade AUGUSTO CRISTINA of Novara

The Black Brigade of Novara is named after a fascist mutilated executed by partisans on 18
December 1943 in Ornavasso on the road from Omegna to Valdossola.
Since its establishment, the Brigade has been involved in very tough clashes against partisan
 formations in the area, in the towns of Verbania, Arona, Gravellona Toce. In particular, it is worth 
remembering its participation in operations in the territory conquered by the partisans, namely 
the 'Partisan Republic of Ossola'. German and republican formations that had retreated to the
 southern part of the region, between Gravellona and Intra, reorganized and after
thirty days, on 10 October 1944, they began an offensive. War operation with two different
fronts that involved about twenty units: battalions of the German SS-Polizei, members of the
Italian SS, GNR, Black Brigades, paratroopers of the "Folgore" and marines of the Decima Mas.
The brigade was also used in search and reprisal tasks
until 25 April 1945 when, after having made contact with the General Command of the
Black Brigades, it abandoned the territory, heading, with difficulty and repeated firefights,
towards Como.

Some manage to cross over to the Lombard shore of the lake, while others are
in the meantime captured by partisan forces. A good part of these Black Brigades,
especially the "Cristina", manage to get out of the delicate situation at the last minute, crossing
over to the Lombard side of the lake.
Arriving in Milan after violent clashes with the partisans, the column composed of the
Black Brigade and a Battalion of the E. Muti Legion is blocked in Piazzale De Angeli-Frua:
after a long negotiation it was agreed that the units would disband on the condition
of leaving the men free and the officers would be left with their pistols.
The Commander of the Brigade was subsequently shot on Lake Maggiore in
May 1945.