The first snow fell tonight, it’s very cold now. I can’t keep track of all the sirens anymore, there’s a pre-raid siren and siren at least three or four times a day, they usually happen at the same time.

Much to my disappointment, my wounded hand has healed so I had to go back to work this morning. It’s been snowing for five days, it’s unbearably cold, we have to walk through 25 centimeters of snow. We leave at 5:30 in the morning and do not get home until 6:30 at night. What a life!

It is no longer snowing but it’s still cold. This year feels much colder than last year, it’s mid-November and it has already snowed for 10 days, who knows what the next months will be like! The siren goes off every day at least four or fives times, I pray the good Lord will keep us safe from the danger which looms over us at all hours.

Today, after an entire week of work, I was on duty at the factory. Tomorrow, Monday, another workweek begins which is more suffering for us. Will this damned war ever end? Since November 1st, the bombings of Munich and its environs have increased, since November 1st we’ve only had two days of respite: November 13th and 14th. Every other day there has been a pre-raid siren and siren throughout the day. On November 16th, Munich was heavily bombed. It was almost midday when the siren went off, we went to the usual shelter. After 30 minutes we heard the roar of the artillery engines, the antiaircraft began shooting and a few seconds later, we heard bombs falling nearby. The shelter’s door was continuously shaking, as if it were about to detach from the wall. We were all huddled on the ground, praying God would keep us safe and allow us to return to our loved ones soon. Yesterday I found out that many men from Casale, who live in a camp called Baierbrunn, received letters from Casale. Why haven’t I received anything yet? Even Agostino LaTorre got a letter from his family, assuring him that everyone is well. I also hope to receive some news about my darling wife and kids soon.

Today at the black market, a meeting place for fellow townsmen from all over Munich, I ran into Achille Verrengia and Stefano Torrico. They told me they knew for a fact that Fortunato from San Donato, who was with Achille, had reached his home; he was sent back to Italy on June 11th because he was ill. I am certain he went to see my wife to give her news of me, I begged him to and he said he would, without a doubt. Lucky him! I too hope to be lucky enough to embrace my darling Carmosina and my dear children. It would be such a happy day for me! Will it ever come?!

The siren went off continuously all day. At night, Ciccillo D’Angelo, Agostino LaTorre, Fossio Di Bernardo from Frattamaggiore, and I went to a café in Marienplatz to drink some wine. Yesterday I bought pizza thanks to some of the acquaintances I’ve made after living in Munich for 14 months. But since my friends have always lived in Fasanerie-Nord, 12 km away, they are not able to find food and drinks like I can. If they want to buy a ration card for 1 kg of white bread at the black market, which can also be used to buy pizza, it would cost them 4 days of pay, whereas I would pay less. We ate pizza and drank wine, toasting the mayor of Carinola. Today Alberto DeCristofaro told me that Mattia Manera, an engineer, was elected the mayor of Carinola. This news greatly pleases me. They finally got rid of all those swindlers. We can finally say they’ve elected an honest and upright man whose only concern will be the people’s good. We wish our new town leader prosperity and health.

While we were sleeping, we heard the siren go off. We run down to the shelter and soon after the bombs start falling, one bomb even made our shelter tremble. The nuns are praying, I hope their prayers are heard so we’ll all survive and be able to return to our loved ones who await us with bated breath. After an hour and a half, we leave the shelter and we see fire everywhere outside, a nearby street is in flames. We get a coffee and walk to work. Along the way, people are sweeping up broken glass, not one window was left intact along this 400 meter route. We’re told that many parts of Munich were heavily bombed, the entire city is without water. We cannot even wash our faces.

Last night at 4:30, the siren went off again and we ran to the shelter, it was over by 6:00. We’re told they bombed the area around Munich.

The siren went off at 1:30 this afternoon, it was over by 2:45. They didn’t target the city, but the pre-raid siren was going off all day. I don’t feel well. I asked if I could see a doctor, at 5:00 the boss let me go.

Last night I had a fever and I still do, but it’s not a high fever. Tomorrow I’ll go to the doctor. I’d really like to run away, I’m going to try in the next few days. I cannot take this anymore!