Elio Martinis

Elio Martinis (Ampezzo, 26 October 1921 – Tolmezzo, 11 December 2013) was an Italian partisan and paleontologist who led the "Leone Nassivera" Battalion of the Brigata Garibaldi's Carnia branch alongside Mario Candotti and Ciro Nigris. He was significant in the history of the Republic of Carnia and the fall of Kosakenland (A Cossack-Caucasian led autonomous entity under Nazi supervision).

Biography

Early years Elio Martinis was born in Ampezzo, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, on 26 October 1921. His father was a mason, whilst his mother was a farmer. After primary school he dropped his studies.

On 24 June 1945, his battalion's leader Mansueto Nassivera (alias “Leone”) died. Thus, soon after, by July 1944, he had already assumed a leadership role within the Brigate Garibaldi's Carnia division, and performed various attack on German outposts.

When on 1 August 1944 the Republic of Carnia was proclaimed, Elio had become one of its main protectors, leading the Leone Nassivera Battalion in protection of the republic.

Activities after the war After the war, for over 3 years, he fought against tuberculosis, overcoming it only in 1948.

He would go on to die on 11 December 2013, in Tolmezzo.