This is the recounting and the diary of my life - Marino Mattei

15.

We traveled on this train for about three days, distancing ourselves approximately 120 kilometers from the front which effectively eliminated us from the danger of war. However, we still had the problem of finding a train that would take us to Italy. Our commanders knew nothing and the Germans not only didn't give us information but they didn't want us to board any of the trains. The temperature did not change [see part 13 and part 14] and I, like many others, waited for a train that was never arriving. When one did arrive we did not know if it was heading towards Italy or if it was going back to the front. Somehow, with God's help, we did not make a mistake.

From there, after a few days, we boarded another train that took us closer to Vienna; I don't recall the name of the city. We got off the train and, on foot, they guided us across town to a station where another train was said to be leaving for Italy. We stayed there an additional four days. We were frozen. We had to remain outside near the tracks because the train was supposed to be arriving at any moment. No one told us anything and, as a result, we were out there waiting day and night under the open sky. Finally, the train arrived. We boarded but were met by German soldiers who very angrily demanded we get off the train. However, there was an Italian colonel in the same car who spoke to the German commander after which they allowed us to stay on the train.

From there we arrived at another city that was fairly large. We disembarked and they gave us something to eat. Thousands of soldiers were in the town. There was a hospital train - so called, but in reality a cargo train car with a little hay on the floor on which we could sit. We were packed in like sardines but, as best I could, I found a place for myself. That night we departed and, finally, we arrived in Vienna. At this point the danger of war with the Russians ended.

We got off the train and the Germans took us to a large barracks. There was a big room with many German girls inside. They removed all our clothes; taking them away, along with everything else we had, to be disinfected. There, as naked as God had created us, we all showered together being that it had been seven months since we had washed. In Russia, there was no water for bathing. After having showered, they gave our clothes back to us and as soon as we were ready they fed us. That same day they put us on a train bound directly for Italy. At this point we knew that we would be going to Italy without again having to make another stop. For me, as for all the others, it didn't seem real that, after all our fears and hardships, we would make it.

We traveled for two nights and one day. I remember that we arrived at around 6:00 in the morning in Brennero; that is, on the Italian border. [Brennero is on the Italian/Austrian border.] Here, after seven months we once again heard the sound of bells which left a strong impression on us and there was a great celebration awaiting us. Fascist women [in support of the troops] along with many people greeted us with joy, giving us many presents: cigarettes, wine, chocolates and other things. For us, it seemed like we were in another world and I can't describe how happy I was. I never thought I would see Italy again.

We continued on the train and we went to a small town, not far from the border. The train stopped and they separated us according to what injury or ailment each of us had; assigning each soldier to a specific hospital suited to his injury. I was sent to Pavia [a village in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy] where I remained for 40 days. As I already stated, I left the Russian front on December 24 and I arrived in Pavia on February 22. It took approximately two months - two unforgettable months. A lot of fear, suffering hunger and the coldest temperatures imaginable. So cold, in fact, that it is hard to believe that a person can survive such conditions.

My ear was more or less healed [see part 13 and part 14] but I had to remain quarantined in the hospital. After the 40 days, they sent me home to recover for another 40 days. When we had left for Russia everything seemed to be going well [militarily]. The Germans and the Italians were advancing on all fronts. However, after 7 months, upon my return, things had changed considerably. In Russia, the Italian and German offensives were being defeated. In Africa we were retreating and the Americans had begun bombing Italy and Germany. Thousands and thousands of planes flew over our heads bombing us every day and also, each day that passed we awaited the Americans to be landing in Southern Italy. In fact, this is what soon happened.

As I said, from the hospital they sent me home to recuperate for 40 days. In Gromignana [his village in Tuscany] there was little danger of war or of being bombed. Unfortunately, because of rationing, we had little to eat and we couldn't rid ourselves of the hunger we suffered. The 40 days passed quickly and I had to return for a medical examination in Florence. My ear had healed and I was once again sent into the service; that being, the depot of mobilization in Castigliole di Saluzzo [see part 5 and part 6] where I was to be given another 30 days of rest.

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