In November 1942, he left for occupied France as a medical second lieutenant. Here he distinguished himself and received a solemn commendation. During this period, he begins to write a diary.
On September 8th, 1943, the day of the armistice, Coatto found himself in the occupation zone and decided to return to Italy where, in Venice, he made contact with some old comrades of Fuci to give his contribution to the resistance movement.
In March 1944, his position worsened because he openly took sides in support of some medical colleagues threatened with deportation. He then moved to Pula to escape the police. Using his profession as a doctor as a cover, he dealt with anti-fascist propaganda until he joined a partisan band. In Pola, he held the position of manager of the neurological department of the civil hospital. Still, he continued to collaborate in the struggle of the Italian patriots against the Nazis.
Many testimonies have been collected which describe Dr. Coatto as a respected, popular and admirable person who knew how to give medical, moral, and material assistance to both ordinary people, and wounded partisans.
On September 16th, 1944, Angelo Coatto and one of his collaborators were arrested, tortured, and threatened by a German command. Forced, combative, and unscrupulous despite the danger, he does not reveal any information. Instead, he remains silent, even refusing to be saved in exchange for collaboration, proving extremely courageous and loyal.
On October 2nd, he was taken from prison together with twenty other hostages and taken to Gallesano, on the road that goes from Pula to Vodnjan. Here, in retaliation for the killing of three fascist bandits, Coatto and the other hostages were shot. The bodies were buried in a mass grave in the Gallesano cemetery.
Sources: https://biografieresistenti.isacem.it/biografie/coatto-angelo/