They then divided up into columns: local partisans attacked the National Republican Guard, the partisans from Reggio struck the Blackshirt barracks and the partisans from Modena attacked the German units at the POW camp. The battle started around the German-held POW camp after a captured SS Captain raised the alarm. In the clash 15 Germans (including an SS Captain) were killed, alongside five Republican Guard soldiers and two partisans.