During World War II period, Foà and his wife managed to stay in Bologna but had to change their accommodation frequently, being hosted by friendly families. In October 1943, being warned by Dino Zanobetti about a raid of the police, he and his wife left their house and went to an apartment made available by Dante Piccioli, a wealthy engineer and friend of them. More than a month later, on 7 December, Bologna was bombed and the apartment where Foà and his wife resided was destroyed: being at home, Foà was severely wounded at the right leg and was brought to the Sant'Orsola Hospital.