Feeding the Enemy

by J. R. Sharp

  “He has been working for the German government fixing railroads like he has the past four years,” answered Pietro as he grabbed his son’s arm to help him keep his balance.

  “Where is your other son, Chester?” asked the officer.

  “He is in Germany supporting your country, just like I told the major who came here a few weeks ago,” remarked Pietro.

  “Where is Gino Cartelli?” asked the officer.

  “He is in Rome working for the German military as an electrician,” answered Pietro.

  As Pietro was being interrogated, three soldiers entered the house and two others went to the barn.

  “When was the last time you talked with Gino Cartelli?” asked the officer.

  “It has been at least four months since we have seen a letter from him, and we haven’t seen him in over a year,” answered Pietro.

  “Where is his wife?” asked the officer.

  “She is inside with her children,” answered Pietro.

  “Mr. Zucchet, go get your daughter and bring her here.” Pietro turned towards the front door, pulling Bruno with him so he could get him inside for safety.

  “Your son stays here with us,” ordered the officer. A soldier that had a hold of Bruno’s left arm pulled him away. Pietro made his way into the house to get Catherina, who was sitting next to the children.

  “Catherina, take the children to your mother and come outside so they can talk to you about Gino,” said Pietro.

  When Pietro went back outside, Bruno was on his knees in the middle of the driveway with his hands tied behind his back. Pietro knew this wasn’t good for his son, but he was helpless.

  “Herr Officer, may I ask you why you have my son in the middle of the driveway with his hands tied? Has he done something wrong?” asked Pietro.

  “You are asking too many questions, Mr. Zucchet. Go sit down on your bench while we speak to your daughter.” As Pietro did as he was told he looked out into the distance and could see more road dust being sent in the air, which meant they were going to have more visitors.

  Catherina emerged from the house to see her brother on his knees and her father sitting on his bench. She looked at the German officer who was standing next to Bruno looking over a pad of paper.

  “Mrs. Cartelli, when was the last time you heard from your husband, Gino?”

  “It’s been four months since we have gotten a letter from him,” yelled Pietro. The German officer was getting upset with Pietro and ordered one of the soldiers to stand guard over him.

  “Mr. Zucchet, you will shut up or your son will not be getting up from his current position,” said the German officer who pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Bruno’s head.

  “Wait, please, don’t shoot. I will answer your questions,” Catherina pleaded. “I received a letter from my husband about four months ago, and the last time I saw him it was over a year ago. He is stationed in Rome working for the German military as an electrician.” As Catherina finished talking, a sedan pulled into the stone driveway with two people inside. Pietro could see that it was Major Klein and Deputy Chief Francisco.

  “What is going on here!” yelled Major Klein to the other German officer.

  “This is not your matter, Herr Major. This is a Gestapo issue and we think they know where Private Gino Cartelli is located,” replied the German officer. Just as the Gestapo officer finished talking the soldiers from the barn and the house both came back to the front of the house. One of the soldiers that came from the direction of the barn went to the Gestapo officer and whispered something to him. The Gestapo officer pointed the gun at Bruno’s head.

  “Who lives in the room in the back of the main house?”

  “The person who lives in that room is on the other side of your pistol. Now put your weapon away and come here so we can talk!” yelled Major Klein. The Gestapo officer looked in the direction of Pietro and Catherina who were both nodding their heads in agreement with the Major Klein.

  “If anybody moves, shoot them!” yelled the Gestapo officer as he put his weapon away and headed in the direction of Major Klein. Both officers walked towards the main road and stopped about halfway towards the main road.

  “Herr Captain, do you know what you are doing to this family? Better yet, do you know what you are doing to one of our main sources of food?” asked Major Klein.

  “I don’t care. We are looking for a deserter,” replied the captain.

  “Did he tell you that he knew where the private was located?” asked Major Klein.

  “No, they all say they haven’t seen him in over a year, but I don’t believe these scum Italian farmers,” replied the captain. Major Klein looked in the direction of Pietro and Catherina before he replied to the captain’s remark.

  “Herr Captain, this farming community is the most productive in this region. Mr. Zucchet is the lead farmer of this area with just about every farmer in his back pocket. I have had three years of contact with him and have never had an issue with this family. If they say they haven’t seen Private Cartelli, then they are telling you the truth. If you hurt anybody from this family, I guarantee this man will make sure we don’t get our necessary crops this year,” Major Klein said.

  “Very well, Herr Major, but we will be watching them in the future just to make sure this rebel doesn’t pay them a visit,” replied the captain as he and the major headed towards the soldiers.

  “Herr Sergeant, stand down and load everyone up, we are heading back to town,” yelled the captain. Francisco was already in the sedan backing it out for the unwanted Gestapo captain and his crew to leave the farm. Major Klein walked up to the main house entrance and stood next to Pietro.

  “Would you like something to drink, Major Klein?” asked Pietro.

  Catherina had already gone to retrieve the beverages from the house.

  “Yes, that would be nice, my throat is very dry from the dirt road and talking with the Gestapo,” answered the major.

  As the convoy left the farm, there was silence between the two men as Bruno got up and walked into the house for some needed first aid from his mother and sister. Pietro dared not leave his spot next to the major for this would have shown fear and submissive actions during a time of needed corporation. Francisco pulled the sedan back into the driveway and stopped just short of the main entrance to the main house. He exited the car and moved to the right of the car just in front of the spot where the major and Pietro were.

  “Major, there hasn’t been any seed dropped off this year and no mention of what crop we will be growing,” remarked Pietro.

  The major finished his wine and turned to Pietro. “Mr. Zucchet, there will not be any seed for your farm this year; you will grow the same crop you did last year and have the same quota. Will there be any problems?”

  “There will be no problem with growing the same crop, Herr Major,” answered Pietro, who was looking out into his fields and finishing his wine.

  “Make sure you tell all the other farms that they will do the same,” replied the major, who handed Pietro his empty wine glass. Pietro watched as they pulled out of the driveway and headed towards town.

  ***

  As the day closed, Pietro was outside having his evening smoke and coffee when his son came around the corner looking better than the last time he saw him. He was walking better and without a limp.

  “I noticed that you are not as hurt as the Germans thought you were, in fact, your limp is gone,” said Pietro to his son, who had a smile on his face.

  “Always let them think you are hurt more than you are or they will work you harder. I learned that working on the railroad,” remarked Bruno as he started coughing into a handkerchief. Pietro noticed it had a bloodstain on it.

  “How long have you been coughing up blood, son?” asked Pietro.

  Bruno continued to cough and then looked up into the sky as planes moved across the sky.

  “So, whose planes are over us?” asked Bruno.

  “I really don’t know, but wha
t I do know is that they are going in the opposite direction, which means the Germans are going to get some visitors,” answered Pietro with a smile on his face. He put his arm around his son. “It’s good to have you home again,” said Pietro with a tear in his eye.

  Chapter 14

  THE SIGNAL

  IN THE SUMMER OF 1943, Italy was going through major changes throughout the country, which meant that their fortunes worsened. Benito Mussolini, who was arrested, and his Fascist government were put out of power by King Victor Emmanuel and replaced by Marshal Pietro Badoglio. The new government signed an armistice with the Allies, but there was still a very strong support for Mussolini, particular in northern Italy. The whole region was in turmoil, especially those parts that were run by the Fascists government. The Allied invasion of Sicily brought the war to the nation’s very doorstep. The Italian home front was also in bad shape as the Allied bombings were taking their toll. Factories all over Italy were brought to a virtual standstill due to a lack of raw materials, as well as coal and oil. Additionally, there was a chronic shortage of food, and what food was available was being sold at nearly tripled prices.

  ***

  Pietro and Bruno were again making more discoveries of raids on the farm’s crops, including his extra land that previously was never discovered by the Germans. Pietro never could understand why someone would chop crops down that were not ready for consumption, but if you’re desperate for food you’ll do anything. The farming area in this region was getting raided on a daily basis, and farmers were left to fend for themselves. Pietro decided that there needed to be more aggressive protection on the farmlands or they would be decimated before any of the crops could be harvested, not to mention their homes would be looted clean once the crops were gone. He knew that asking Francisco, who he had not seen since Mussolini was arrested, or the Germans was a waste of time. Bruno was sent out to the other farmers inviting them to a meeting at the auction house to discuss how to protect their lands from constant looting. Pietro had stopped having meetings at his barn for fear of being accused of being a rebel, plus the bombings were happening more frequently on meeting areas reported to the allies by local spies.

  The auction house was sitting idle, which made it the perfect meeting area. Most farmers were told that this was their annual meeting to discuss next year’s crop. On the day of the meeting, Pietro decided to ride his bike into town with Bruno staying behind to make sure the farm wasn’t being looted while he was gone.

  As he approached the outskirts of town he noticed a bright light in the distance. It was a signal being sent with a mirror reflecting the sun. Pietro stopped to take notice, then realized who was signaling him in the distance. He returned the signal with a mirror that he carried for such occasions. As he pulled up to the auction house, he could see that there were quite a few farmers outside waiting. Pietro knew just about all the farmers gathered.

  “Good afternoon everyone, how are we all doing this great day? Have we heard our bombings for the day yet?” asked Pietro as he made his way past everyone and into the auction house. Inside, it was apparent there were different ideas about how to go about saving their lands from the ongoing looting. Before convening the meeting, Pietro scanned the room to make sure there wasn’t a spy among them.

  “Everyone knows why we are here today. Our country is being pulled into two different directions right now and you could be for one direction or the other direction. None of that matters because all of our lands are being looted. We need to come up with a plan for some type of security or we will have nothing left when this war is resolved. So, let’s start out by listening to some of the ideas we have here.”

  There was a pause for about a minute and then someone stood to speak.

  “We are feeding the Germans with most of our crops, so they should be the ones protecting our lands,” remarked the farmer.

  Another added, “We are also feeding the Fascists, so they should be protecting our lands and homes, too.

  “We haven’t seen either of them in quite some time,” remarked another farmer.

  “How long do you think it will be before the Allies start bombing our lands? They have already taken out most of the factories and even the silk factory in town,” said another.

  After more debate, a consensus formed. The farmers were on their own and needed to protect themselves, perhaps with some help from local police who could be trusted. As Pietro was leaving the auction house, his old friend Greg was waiting for him at the entrance smoking a cigarette. Pietro decided to stop and take some time to be with his friend and watch all the farmers leave the area. As the last ones left this very familiar area, Pietro looked at his friend and said, “He is here, and we need to go meet him when it gets dark.”

  Pietro, Greg, and the other farmers looked out of place in their farm clothes. Others milling around the streets, bars, and hat stores that were open were better dressed. Pietro didn’t want to attract the attention of German and Italian soldiers in town.

  “It’s time for us to go and get this done. I want to get home sometime tonight,” Pietro said. As Greg and Pietro got on their bikes a couple of Germans pointed in their direction and started heading towards them. Pietro noticed them and turned his bike in the opposite direction to avoid any problems. A German soldier rushed towards Greg and grabbed at the back of the bike, but Greg peddled hard and escaped. Pietro slowed down to allow his friend to catch up and to make sure he was all right.

  “You okay?” asked Pietro.

  “Yes, I am fine. Now let’s get out of here before they catch us and take our bikes,” replied Greg.

  Pietro wanted to visit the apartment building where his mother had lived. He hadn’t been there in quite some time and wanted to check his stash of food.

  Pietro placed the key in the front door and could see movement inside the apartment. As he opened the door he saw a rather large man looking out the window. He then looked to his right and into the dining room and there was Gino.

  “What took you so long?” Gino said with a broad smile. “This is Giacomo, he is going with me to Yugoslavia. We needed a place to hide, so we came here. I remembered that it was empty and thought it would be safe.

  “So what is in Yugoslavia?” asked Pietro.

  “There are a lot of soldiers heading to the north to regroup and start fighting the Germans. Besides there is work in Yugoslavia if the rebellion doesn’t take hold and I need to go to work at the shipyards. We can hide out there and not be noticed with the other workers. How are Catherina and the girls doing?” asked Gino.

  “They are doing great, and Catherina misses you very much,” replied Pietro. Gino wanted to see his wife and daughters but knew it was too dangerous for them.

  “The Allies have already landed down south and are making their way up North. There are rumors that Mussolini has been arrested and that the royal family has made an agreement with the Allies to end this war,” Pietro said. “Is that true?”

  “Yes, but the Germans are still a problem. They’re arresting or killing defectors or anyone who is harboring them as well. That is why I won’t come to the farm anymore and you cannot tell anybody you have seen me. I want this war over, Pietro. I want to be with my wife and children. I want us all to be free of this madness.”

  Chapter 15

  TROOPS HARVEST CROPS

  MUSSOLINI WAS PLACED BACK into power in Northern Italy after the Germans rescued him. He established his Fascist government again, which brought Francisco out of hiding and back into the farmers’ lives. Things were different now and Francisco was more of a driver and interpreter who had no power. Most of his bodyguards were gone and so was his ambition to become royalty. He seemed to just want to survive the next day like everyone else.

  The Germans didn’t wait for Bruno to report for his usual railroad duties; they came early and got him this year. When Bruno asked about what timeframe he would be back one of the soldiers pointed a gun at him and told him to be quiet and get on the transp
ort truck. Bruno’s health hadn’t improved. He was just as thin as he was when he came back to the farm in the spring. Pietro and Anna were devastated to see their son hauled away like a prisoner.

  “Bruno is very sick and hasn’t gained any weight this time,” remarked Pietro.

  “I know that and it scares me,” Anna said.

  “I don’t think Bruno is going to last very long; that might be the last time we see our second son,” Pietro said, holding back tears.

  “I’m worried about Chester, too,” she said. “We haven’t seen or heard from him in over a year. The Germans are destroying this family!”

  Pietro just stood and looked at his wife as she continued to finish the dishes and then turned around and walked out of her kitchen crying and visibly shaking.

  ***

  Anna and Catherina helped out as much as they could, but the field work was very hard and with four small children running around it made matters more difficult. There wasn’t any work available for Anna and Catherina since the silk and leather factories were bombed and destroyed by the Allies. The time on the farm seemed to slow down, with every day being harder than the next. Even the farm’s hidden resources were dwindling with each passing day. The days of going to the markets in town were long gone and with the German and Italian soldiers raiding the farm on a regular basis meant that meals were reserved for the children. The weather was also getting ready to turn, which meant that the crops were getting ready to be harvested. Pietro had never harvested alone and decided to ask his longtime friend Greg for help. Greg was in the same situation because his sons were taken as well, so they both pooled their resources. Without their sons, it was two old men and a couple of worn-out horses.

  As Pietro was getting the horse ready for the harvest time, he looked out into the distance and could see the familiar dust cloud coming his way. It was very early in the morning, and he was the only one up and decided not to wake the whole house. He went towards the main house, passing the new pens of geese, hogs, and turkeys that he started this summer. He took his position in front of the main door as he waited for the cars to pull into his driveway. Just as the first car rolled into the driveway, Pietro could already see it was Major Klein and Francisco followed by a troop transport and an empty truck. There were a couple of German soldiers but most of the other soldiers were Italian, but they weren’t caring guns. In fact, they looked like they were more prisoners—not soldiers.