ON 29 APRIL 1945, THE BODIES OF MUSSOLINI, PETACCI, AND THE OTHER EXECUTED FASCISTS WERE LOADED INTO A VAN AND MOVED SOUTH TO MILAN.

 On 29 April 1945, the bodies of Mussolini, Petacci, and the other executed Fascists were loaded into a van and moved south to Milan.

On 25 April 1945, allied troops were advancing into northern Italy, and the collapse of the Salò Republic was imminent. 

Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci set out for Switzerland, intending to board a plane and escape to Spain. 

Two days later on 27 April, they were stopped near the village of Dongo

 (Lake Como) by communist partisans Valerio and Bellini and identified by the Political Commissar of the partisans' 52nd Garibaldi Brigade, Urbano Lazzaro. 

During this time, Clara's brother posed as a Spanish consul. After several unsuccessful attempts to take them to Como they were brought to Mezzegra. 

They spent their last night in the house of the De Maria family.