by J. R. Sharp
“Hurry up, old man!” yelled Francisco.
“I am almost done with the grease, and then the soldiers can put the wheel on the axle,” answered Pietro. After a few more minutes he was done. The soldiers raised the wheel and then placed it onto the axle. Pietro then put the pin in the hole with his hammer. “Okay, the cart is ready to be lifted.” Then the soldiers, Pietro, and Bruno, who just arrived, lifted the cart back on its two wheels. It was pulled to the ditch so all the vehicles could get through to the driveway, but the troop transporter stayed out on the main road. That’s odd, thought Pietro as he made his way to the main house. Catherina was already outside with the beverages for Major Klein and Francisco.
The major got out of the car and greeted Anna and Catherina as he looked at Francisco with frustrated eyes. Francisco was noticeably nervous around the major, but more so than usual. Francisco grabbed a glass a wine from Catherina and began to sip it as he stared at her.
“Mr. Zucchet, I see that you are getting ready to make your run into town with this year’s crop,” Major Klein said.
“Why yes, I was about to get the first load ready to transport to town after I fixed the cart,” answered Pietro.
“So I see that we have already loaded one cart. Where are the other loads?” asked the major.
“On the other side of the barn, Herr Major,” answered Pietro. The major continued to sip his wine as Anna handed Pietro the Major Klein’s usual prize of bagged hazelnuts. Pietro started to hand the bag of treats to the major when Francisco stopped him. Francisco took the nuts from Pietro as the major turned to see the exchange. The major smiled to see that Pietro had remembered.
“I see that you have my usual dessert treats, Mr. Zucchet. We won’t be bothering you with the usual taking of the crops to the auction house this year. My men will load the grain onto the truck for transportation to the town’s train station to save time.”
The back gate of the truck opened and ten soldiers jumped out to load the sacks of grain. With Bruno’s help they were done in about twenty minutes. Pietro stayed with the major and Francisco without saying a word. He noticed Francisco eyeing his daughter, who was obviously pregnant. After the grain was loaded, a couple of soldiers grabbed two chickens.
“Major, we didn’t weight or count the crop like we have done since I was a farmer. How am I going to get paid for this crop?” asked Pietro.
“Your account has been updated at the bank based on the last two years of crops, Mr. Zucchet. This is much faster than the past, which allows us to feed our troops quicker.” Pietro was at a loss for words as the caravan made its way back to the main road for their next farm. Pietro was upset.
“Did you top off our pots with this year’s crops like I asked you, Bruno?” asked Pietro.
“I did it last night, just in case we had problems, but I didn’t expect this to happen,” answered Bruno. Anna approached and Pietro grabbed his wife’s hand and kissed it.
“Bruno, give me a hand with the cart, that wheel just doesn’t look right. We may have to put it back to work on it later.” Pietro laughed.
“Most of the soldiers looked very nervous and afraid,” Pietro told Anna. “For the first time I even noticed that Major Klein was a little shaken up. This means that the Germans are starting to feel the pain of this war for the first time. I saw this during the first war; let’s just hope this lasts and that we don’t feel too much pain from their defeats.”
Chapter 12
LORETTA ARRIVES
IN THE FALL OF 1942, the Italian Army had about one hundred thirty thousand troops in Russia. Mussolini had scaled up the Italian effort on the Eastern Front with the 8th Italian Army. Most of the troopers were there to support the Germans and other Axis Powers countries along the Don River. In November 1942, the Soviet Union launched Operation Uranus and was able to encircle the German forces in Stalingrad and turn the tide in favor of the Soviet Union. The causalities on the Italian forces during this period were light, but that would change in a few months.
***
Anna was minding her kitchen, taking care of her morning chores and wondering what her two sons and Catherina’s husband were doing in this frigid weather in the north. Chester was in Germany doing slave labor for the Germans and Bruno was off to work the railroads for another winter. He was getting sicker and weaker every time he came home before the planting season. She would take care of him during the summer and fall months, but just when he seemed to be back to full strength, winter set in and off he went to serve the Germans.
Gino was still in Rome doing his work for the city, but Catherina and her parents weren’t sure why he hadn’t been discharged. He had been a blessing this winter by somehow getting food, blankets, and other items to the farm. Pietro would take the extra items to town and sell them or barter. As the war in Europe continued, the flow of supplies to small towns dwindled to just about nothing.
Pietro never complained about how many people were living on the farm. “The more people we have living on the farm, the less work I have to do and the more we can plant,” he would say. Anna knew he was kidding, but in a way he was right. Catherina had her second child, Loretta, and Maria was two now and moving around like she owned the farm. She was always helping out in the kitchen or going outside to spend time with her grandfather and uncle. Anna had already showed her how to plant potatoes in the ground, which helped out a lot since Anna’s back wasn’t as strong as it was when she was younger.
Pietro was sitting at a table right next to the bar having some wine with Greg, discussing local issues and the war. There were rumors that the Italian forces in the Soviet Union had been defeated and the causalities were severe. Rumors of the Germans killing thousands of Jews and other folks in concentration camps were also pervasive. Nobody that left this region for temporary relocation had ever come back, not even for a visit. Most of the people living in this region were spared the harsh punishments because they provided much needed food, but if they got caught doing something that the Germans or Fascists felt was detrimental to their well being they would be punished harshly.
Pietro rolled up to the farmhouse after he dropped off Greg at his farm. It was getting late but the sun was still shining. Pietro moved the cart into the barn for fear of anybody seeing what was under the burlap cover and the compartment under his seat. Anna was already making her way to the barn with Maria, Valerie, and Velasco in tow to help unload the cart. As they entered the barn, Pietro was unhooking the horse.
“So, how did your trip into town fare this time?” asked Anna.
“It went well, the market was steaming with goods this week,” replied Pietro as he winked at his wife. “Where is Catharina?” asked Pietro.
“She hasn’t come home from the silk factory yet,” answered Anna. Pietro started to head towards his bike when Anna stopped him.
“She doesn’t like it when you go check on her, Pietro, give her more time. At least wait until the sun is almost down before you go looking for her.”
Not long afterward, Catharina arrived home looking sullen.
“What is wrong? Bad day at work?” asked Pietro.
Catharina turned to look at her father and replied, “No, I just saw something on the way home that was very sad. The Germans are getting very aggressive with everyone they stop.”
“What did you see?” asked Pietro as he stopped what he was doing to better hear his daughter’s answer.
“They are just searching everyone and taking everything they want,” replied Catharina.
“I am going to Greg’s house to tell him what Catharina just told me,” replied Pietro. As he grabbed his bike, Maria grabbed her grandfather’s hand and asked to go with him. He picked her up and rode off. About half way up Greg’s driveway he dismounted the bike with Maria in his arms to avoid the rocky driveway.
Just as Pietro was making the turn towards Greg’s barn he saw a motorcycle with a sidecar at the entrance. Pietro put his left hand over Maria’s mouth and whispered to her
to be quiet. He backed his way out so as not to be noticed by the German soldiers who were talking to Greg. Pietro quickly headed back to the bike for his escape, hoping they didn’t notice them leaving. Pietro didn’t even look back for fear he would be seen. It was the fastest trip back home he had ever done, even with an extra passenger.
Maria didn’t even say a word the whole way home, she just sat on his lap holding on for dear life as her grandfather pedaled very quickly. Pietro made the turn into his farm and could see Anna and Catharina looking in his direction, they both knew something was wrong. Catharina grabbed Maria off his lap with a quickness that he had never seen before.
“What is going on?” asked Anna.
“There are Germans at Greg’s place. Did you hide all the goods?” asked Pietro. Anna nodded her head as he passed her with his bike in tow heading towards the barn. Pietro entered the barn to see if everything looked normal and then headed back to the main house. Anna was in the house getting ready for the possible visitors when Pietro entered.
“I am going outside to have a smoke,” said Pietro as he poured himself some wine. As Pietro went by the main room heading towards the front porch he noticed that Catharina was getting all the children to their positions on the steps. He went outside and sat on his normal seat to wait for their visitors.
As Pietro settled into to his normal position, his thoughts drifted to his son Bruno. It was always a lot easier dealing with the Germans when Bruno was here on the farm. Bruno knew what to say and how to act around the Germans. He learned this from watching the other workers on the railroad yard.
Pietro finished his smoke and he could see the dust of a small vehicle coming towards his farm. “Get ready, here they come!” yelled Pietro. After about a minute or two, the motorcycle made its turn into the long driveway into the farm. A German shepherd was sitting on the lap of the soldier in the sidecar. They had never brought dogs to the farm before and Pietro wondered what the dog would do when he saw the chickens. Just as the motorcycle stopped the dog saw the chickens and took off after them, the soldier in the sidecar tried to hold him back but failed. The sidecar soldier chased the dog, but Pietro knew there wasn’t much he could do to prevent the demise of some of his chickens. Pietro moved his attention to the soldier on the motorcycle. He was a major of some type of intelligence branch of the army. What’s he doing here? thought Pietro.
“Can I help you, Herr Major,” Pietro said. The major finished taking off his goggles and gloves before he dismounted the bike. He reached into the side cart and pulled out a binder that had some German notation written on the front.
“Are you Mr. Pietro Zucchet, and is this your farm?” asked the German officer.
“Yes, I am Pietro and this is my farm.”
Anna arrived with a plate of wine, cheese, and sausage. The major’s eyes lit up. He went past Pietro towards Anna to accept their gifts of food and wine. Pietro smiled to himself and thought, This guy is new to the area; they never eat or drink before the locals they don’t know for fear of being poisoned.
As the major drank his wine Pietro reached for another glass and joined his guest.
“So, let’s talk about who lives on your farm to make sure our records match up,” said the major to Pietro. The German gestured as if they should go into the house because of the cold, but Pietro never invited the Germans inside the main house. Pietro had already walked over to his bench and sat down, waiting for the major to join him. After about ten minutes, the major was satisfied that his records matched what Pietro had told him.
“So your oldest son, Chester, is in Germany right now performing duties for our country and your other son Bruno is working the railroad detail, is that correct?” asked the major.
“That is right; everyone else is living here on the farm,” replied Pietro. The major was taking notes when the other soldier came around the corner with the German shepherd in tow. The dog had black and red feathers mixed with blood around its mouth and front paws, but he also had scratches on his front nose.
“So, what did the dog do to my chickens?” asked Pietro.
“Not much, since the rooster had its way with him. That is one tough rooster you have there, Mr. Zucchet. He is a little banged up but I was able to get the dog under control before he could get a good bite out of him,” replied the German soldier.
“Shall I take the dog into the house to look around, Herr Major?” asked the soldier who was visibility cold and tired.
“There will be no need for that. Let’s get going before it gets really cold. Thank you for your time, Mr. Zucchet.”
“It was nice meeting you, Major, and stay warm on your ride back to town,” replied Pietro.
“I do have one more question before I leave. Where is the father of your daughter’s two young children?” asked the major.
“He is a private in the Royal Italian Army. He was badly wounded overseas and is in Rome supporting your troops that are stationed in the city,” responded Pietro.
“That is very interesting. What is his name please?” asked the major.
“Private Gino Cartelli,” answered Pietro. The major wrote down everything that Pietro said.
“Does he come here and visit?” asked the major.
“No, we haven’t seen him in over a year or more,” answered Pietro.
“Very well, thank you for your time.” The major finished his wine while putting his goggles and gloves back on for the ride back to town.
Chapter 13
BRUNO ARRESTED
THE WEATHER WARMED AND the ground was getting soft on the Zucchet farm. There was a slight wind coming down from the mountains, which was perfect to keep bugs from bothering the farmers in the fields. Most of the trees were still barren, but a few were starting to show their early season blooms.
Catherina was out in the fields with her daughters and mother. Anna was showing Maria how to plant the potatoes and Loretta was frolicking. As Catherina looked around to see her daughter being taught by the same woman who taught her how to plant potatoes over twenty years ago, she smiled and switched her attention to Loretta who was picking up old pieces of hay. From the distance she could see Pietro cleaning out the barn.
Pietro was moving the horse out of the barn so he could do his spring-cleaning, but the horse wasn’t very thrilled about being moved from the comfort of the barn. Pietro finally got the horse out of the barn and moved on to the cow, but she wasn’t as temperamental as the horse. Next, all the gear associated with plowing, growing, and everyday farm usage was removed. As Pietro started to sweep, he noticed that the smaller animals that were hidden in the upper level of the barn were making the place even more unbearable than normal. Even the sacks that were placed to prevent droppings were in need of replacement.
The Germans had not dropped off the seed that he had received the previous years. He smiled at the thought, knowing that the Germans had bigger issues than distribution of farm seed. Pietro continued with his spring-cleaning with a devilish smile. He knew that the Germans were starting to loss their hold on Europe, just like they did in his war. He carefully moved the ladder in place to go on top of the barn to see what kind of mess was present with the hidden animals. This wasn’t going to be an easy clean up, and he would need someone to hand him some buckets of water to wash away the animal waste. As he worked his way down the ladder he looked out through the barn doors and could see the dust coming from the town. There would be no time to set up the house. Valerie and Velasco were in school and the rest of the family was in the fields planting potatoes. Pietro closed the barn doors and made his way towards the house.
Anna was watching her two grandchildren when she heard Pietro’s whistle. Her and Catherina looked towards Pietro and then shifted their attention towards the area where he was pointing. Anna saw the dust and grabbed Maria by the hand while Catherina went to scoop her youngest for the run back to the house.
The German sedan lead a troop transport vehicle with eight German soldiers. Sitting besid
e them was Bruno, who was on his way home from another winter with the Germans. Bruno was taken from the train station in Pordenone. Nothing was said to him. All he knew was that when the train stopped the Germans were waiting for him to get off. He was escorted to the vehicle and loaded up with the other German soldiers. He had no idea what was going on, but it wasn’t going to be good for the family.
As they made their way past Cimpello, Bruno knew the family would be outside doing some planting. The dirt road was extremely rough from the winter, which made the ride in the back of the transport very rocky. Bruno and the soldiers held the upper bars to keep them from being tossed around and possibly ejected from the transport. As they made their way towards the farm, Bruno could see his family out in the fields moving towards the main house. They won’t be ready for the Germans, he thought. Suddenly, the transport jolted up into the air from a huge hole in the road. Bruno seized this opportunity by letting go of the upper bar and falling out of the transport.
The German officer in charge of the transport was cranky from chasing rebel Italians. He looked in the side mirror and saw Bruno tumble out. He ordered the driver to stop.
The delay gave Pietro and the family enough time to get to the house and take their positions. He was already in front of the main house when the car and truck pulled up. He could tell that the German officer was in no mood for beverages or pleasantries.
“Go back inside and sit next to the children,” Pietro ordered Catherina, who had been standing ready to serve snacks and wine.
“Mr. Zucchet, is this your son?” asked the officer as Bruno was unloaded from the transport. He stepped down gingerly, having sprained his ankle when he fell off the truck.
“Yes it is,” answered Pietro as a soldier was escorting Bruno towards him.
“Where has your son been the last few months?” asked the officer.