February 1945

• February 3, 1945

  Today I was shocked when I came home from the factory. We realized 4 suitcases were missing from the shelter where we keep them. One was stolen from a Dutch man, one from a French man, and two from another French man. Plus a coat was stolen from a French man, and a pair of […]

• Sunday February 4, 1945

  The 5 of us robbery victims agreed to go to the police tomorrow and report these criminals, these swindlers who live with us, but I honestly think it’s a waste of time. This isn’t the first robbery in this shelter, within the course of a year there have been four thefts which were even reported […]

• February 5, 1945

  This morning we robbery victims went to the factory. We asked our boss if we could go to the police to report the theft. At first he was hesitant, but then he let us go. We went to the police, told them what happened, they told us to go home and await their arrival. At […]

• February 6, 1945

  Today the police came, they took notes but I’m certain I will not see my shoes again.

• February 8, 1945

  Lots of Italians are being repatriated due to illness. It seems they are being rather lenient about repatriation. Before, being repatriated was like a miracle, it was very difficult, whereas now, every day men are repatriated to Italy, and I’d like to attempt it. This morning I went to the doctor saying my leg hurt, […]

• February 11, 1945

  This morning, Manfrino Verrengia came by. He said he’s also trying to find a way back to Italy, and perhaps he’ll manage. Tomorrow I’ll go to the doctor again, I want to be sent back to Italy too. I can no longer bear being separated from my wife and children! I hope I can find […]

• February 12, 1945

  I worked till midday then I asked to go to the doctor. I had him give me a certificate declaring I’m ill and with this I hope to take the first steps toward being repatriated, like many others have. Giovanni Augone has already left, I gave him a note for my wife and I hope […]

• February 15, 1945

  As we were trying to sleep last night, the siren went off. We got dressed quickly and ran to the shelter. After an hour, it was over, we never even heard one shot. At 1:30, while we were deep in sleep, the siren went off again. We ran back to the shelter again. After 3-4 […]

• February 16, 1945

  Today I went to the doctor again in hopes of being repatriated. He gave me another certificate that I will use to be examined for repatriation. I asked my factory boss to issue a permit for me, but no luck. Despite the fact that I’ve explained the situation with my wife and children, he did […]

• Saint Blaise February 22, 1945

  Some friends told me that Manfrino Verrengia left for Italy. He didn’t even come to see me before leaving, but I’m not surprised since I knew him in Casale also. The siren went off again today also.

• February 23, 1945

  Siren again.

• February 24, 1945

  The siren went off again. Today, I had just returned from the factory when Domenico Minchella had come to visit, he’s going back to Italy also. I begged him to go to my home, if he manages to make it back soon, and assure my wife that I’m well and that I’ll be home soon […]

• February 25,1945

  At around 10:00 tonight, the siren went off. We raced to the shelter. After 15 minutes, bombs were dropped. We weren’t as frightened as we were during the January 7th bombing, but we were still scared. It was done after about 2 hours. The good Lord saved us this time too. People died in other […]

• February 27, 1945

  The siren went off again today. People frantically run to the shelters. It was over after 2 hours.

• February 28, 1945

  This morning at 10:00 the siren went off, it was over by midday, then the pre-raid siren went off a few times. At 8:00 at night the siren went off again, and again at 10:00, it was essentially a day full of sirens. But thanks to the attackers, there were no bombs… we just never […]