"The Piave whispered calm and warm to the passage of the first infantry May 24 ...."
I was about 10 years that Sunday afternoon when I arrived at my grandfather's house, running and singing.
- Grandpa, Grandpa! Did you hear that this beautiful song. They played in the square this morning the soldiers to celebrate the anniversary of the victory. Did you know already?
The grandfather could not hold back a laugh, exclaiming:
- Oh, blessed son, how long since I heard sing this song! Of course I know and as I could. Come, come, sit me tell you - and meanwhile had opened the cupboard to take a box of torcetti butter.
- Listen, then fall away, right here in the town square, people never missed an opportunity to sing and everyone seemed overjoyed at the recent end of the war and I heard them sing while sitting on a bench in front of the wall of the house I enjoyed the last rays of sun that season again granted. I was also recently returned from the war and the wound right forearm caused me more pain, even though it was a year old now and completely healed.
In those days everyone sang and even hear talk about the war seemed to have been quite strong, that it was just an adventure. Yes, the war had been won in the euphoria of victory and it seemed that everyone had forgotten the pain, massacres, the dead who had accompanied us in those years. The song was beautiful, but the wound was hurting and I came back to continue with the mind and soul of what I had experienced so much meat, so I complained.
- Grandpa, tell me how it went then? - Asked through a mouthful of tasty torcetti.
- I had to see Trieste! It seemed that she only had to fight in August of 1917 on the plateau of the Carso. Our commanders tried in every way to instill in his head a little more than fighting spirit that the continuous sight of the dead and the suffering they had caused the loss of everything.
- But this - we repeat - would have been the decisive effort, the final push that would have overwhelmed the Austrians and we would finally led to Trieste.
- It was somehow Trieste! We think of it as a fantastic city where the people there eagerly waiting to erupt when we arrived in a wonderful party, but honestly I do not believe it would be so easy and that we were finally overwhelmed the Austrians. I was in the army for three years and too many times I had heard similar phrases without ever seeing more young people sent to slaughter and that far too many lost friends. But the one thing seemed to be the loss of sense of the commanders who insisted on us to fight a war that seemed never to end. In those three years we had turned around like tops the Italian front in a continuous series of controlled movements that gave the impression that it has no logical dall'Isonzo Asiago, Pasubio from the Cadore, Gorizia allo Stelvio, all places had the same appearance as full of death and tragedy. Now it was up to the Carso. I
I was a kid but I saw the old man who could hardly speak and his eyes sparkled, even if it had been more than fifty years since that time. Then, as if to break the anxiety, he remembered a few funny episode.
- Do you think that once, during our wanderings we happened to meet even the king! Yes, because the king was moved to the front at the beginning of the war to closely monitor the operations and that day while we were on patrol, we did fix it a little ahead of us had stopped King for lunch.
- But it was on the horse? - I asked.
- useless, I was very impressed when I saw him: in the meadow and some blankets were spread over were placed with two baskets of food. Some men in uniform were to crown a middle-aged man sitting on a stool when he saw that he stood up.
- That's the king? - I thought. A little man appeared very little was Vittorio Emanuele III. Then he came and asked our names and where we came from. When I told my country lit up a moment and speaking in Piedmont asked if he would like something to eat: "It 's just bread and cheese" but I did not have the courage to say yes. So I persisted and led the way, the tablecloth was cheese, salami, eggs. I accepted a piece of cake with a little 'for the thrill of bread that I could not swallow. The king was summoned and walked away. In my fantasy I had imagined that kings were always solemn, wearing the crown and cloak and was deeply shaken, but also a little 'fun - his grandfather.
- Yeah that's funny - I said, adding:
- But how you get hurt you are, Grandpa?
- The month of May came the tragedy! The Italian High Command was preparing for yet another battle, now I know that it was then called the Tenth Battle of the Isonzo, the one that was meant to be conclusive. We were crammed like sardines in the trenches. I had never seen before so many troops together. There were so many that we could not even lie down on the ground and had to rest by sitting or leaning on the parapet of the trench. And with each passing hour, kept coming more and more and more. Before us was a small mountain but with a name that scary "the Hermada" We had to conquer at all costs to open the way to Trieste.
Even our name was terrible, "Lupi di Toscana" and for this reason we were entrusted with the most difficult tasks.
The battle began in the early hours of the morning, when, as usual artillery bombardment was unleashed: thousands of guns began to fire simultaneously on all fronts. The noise was terrible and we had to protect the ears with pieces rags. After some 'never seen anything so was the smoke that covered the hills that we were facing. Suddenly there was a strong wind and against and we were overwhelmed by the smoke of explosions. Even many of the guns grenades, diverted by the wind, began to fall into our seats as we feared that we would be affected sooner or later, unless we had already died of the poisonous smoke.
We expect that waiting and anxious I was wondering if I should ever come back or if I would have died that day. I knew that the battle would not have served for nothing, because it seemed impossible to break through the enemy lines just this once, because we had never previously failed. But most of all I did not understand why our leaders persist in sending them to slaughter knowing that against machine guns and barbed wire there was no way to go, trying and try assaults even when logic and experience were opposed. Have not had pity on us? Possible that there was no way to devise a different strategy to attack the Austrians? And as for us, how could we accept that the attack still going to die needlessly like thousands of other boys had already done before? There was no answer! I could not ever give me a reply. Meanwhile, I thought I drank a bit 'of brandy and tried to make me courage.
The trench was hot awful under the sun of May, the uniform of cloth did not breathe or was it fear, thirst tormented us, but there was no water to drink we were going to attack and we had a drop of water to drink!
Then it was time. The lieutenant leaned against the railing looking at his watch and suddenly shouted "Savoy" and we set off to cry out. Many children had not yet taken a step that was affected. I ran like a madman forward without knowing where I went. Everywhere you could hear screams and saw soldiers falling. It was terrible the incessant noise of machine guns: rat-ta-ta-ta, rat-ta-ta-ta. If I think I still feel now. But I do not know which Strange Case of fate I was not impressed. I ran and slipped between two networks with a few companions and I arrived, I do not know how, at the first enemy trench. Inside were the Austrians and we faced with the bayonet. Suddenly I felt a strong pain: an enemy soldier had defended himself slipping his bayonet right forearm.
Grandpa pulled up her sleeve and showed me the long scar on the inside of the forearm from the wrist started and ended at the elbow.
- Just then, a grenade exploded close to us and many men were killed by jumping in the air as if they were paper. I was buried by the corpses that I had fallen on him and that was probably my salvation. Tightening in some way sleeve of the jacket I was able to dab the wound. All around the battle continued. I thought that was really the hell I was there and fell in, just did not know what was my fault. I also believed that war would never end as long as even one man was left alive. Then I lost consciousness. I do not know how long I remained unconscious, but when I woke up the fight was over. Above me I felt an unbearable burden, the terrible smell of the dead was even more. My throat was burning with thirst, I was short of breath. With great effort, little by little I got rid of the soldiers died that crushed me and tried to get up. I looked out of the trench. The view was untenable thousands and thousands of dead soldiers, Italians and Austrians, lying on the ground in the most absurd, carbonized, limbs and body parts scattered everywhere and an acrid smoke that hung in the air. On all sides could be heard cries and moans. We won? We lost? But who could have won that tragedy? What sense could you win? There were thousands of broken lives, nothing else mattered. Mount Hermada was behind me, threatening as ever. I was thirsty, but the only thing I could drink were my tears.
- And how is it over? - I asked again, impressed by this story.
- At night I managed to fall into our lines and was sent to the military hospital. For me the war was over, even if it lasted more than a year, an enemy I had wounded but rescued. Then, fortunately, was peace. I tell you about these terrible things that they may serve as a warning, remember that we were not enough and we had to take another war to realize how wrong they were and how much harm they have caused. You guys never forget and never forget our suffering.
I was a bit 'thoughtful, then flashed a question in my little head.
- Grandpa, but tell me one thing: Trieste is beautiful?
The grandfather lovingly looked at me and stroking my head told me
- I do not know dear, there never was!
I was about 10 years that Sunday afternoon when I arrived at my grandfather's house, running and singing.
- Grandpa, Grandpa! Did you hear that this beautiful song. They played in the square this morning the soldiers to celebrate the anniversary of the victory. Did you know already?
The grandfather could not hold back a laugh, exclaiming:
- Oh, blessed son, how long since I heard sing this song! Of course I know and as I could. Come, come, sit me tell you - and meanwhile had opened the cupboard to take a box of torcetti butter.
- Listen, then fall away, right here in the town square, people never missed an opportunity to sing and everyone seemed overjoyed at the recent end of the war and I heard them sing while sitting on a bench in front of the wall of the house I enjoyed the last rays of sun that season again granted. I was also recently returned from the war and the wound right forearm caused me more pain, even though it was a year old now and completely healed.
In those days everyone sang and even hear talk about the war seemed to have been quite strong, that it was just an adventure. Yes, the war had been won in the euphoria of victory and it seemed that everyone had forgotten the pain, massacres, the dead who had accompanied us in those years. The song was beautiful, but the wound was hurting and I came back to continue with the mind and soul of what I had experienced so much meat, so I complained.
- Grandpa, tell me how it went then? - Asked through a mouthful of tasty torcetti.
- I had to see Trieste! It seemed that she only had to fight in August of 1917 on the plateau of the Carso. Our commanders tried in every way to instill in his head a little more than fighting spirit that the continuous sight of the dead and the suffering they had caused the loss of everything.
- But this - we repeat - would have been the decisive effort, the final push that would have overwhelmed the Austrians and we would finally led to Trieste.
- It was somehow Trieste! We think of it as a fantastic city where the people there eagerly waiting to erupt when we arrived in a wonderful party, but honestly I do not believe it would be so easy and that we were finally overwhelmed the Austrians. I was in the army for three years and too many times I had heard similar phrases without ever seeing more young people sent to slaughter and that far too many lost friends. But the one thing seemed to be the loss of sense of the commanders who insisted on us to fight a war that seemed never to end. In those three years we had turned around like tops the Italian front in a continuous series of controlled movements that gave the impression that it has no logical dall'Isonzo Asiago, Pasubio from the Cadore, Gorizia allo Stelvio, all places had the same appearance as full of death and tragedy. Now it was up to the Carso. I
I was a kid but I saw the old man who could hardly speak and his eyes sparkled, even if it had been more than fifty years since that time. Then, as if to break the anxiety, he remembered a few funny episode.
- Do you think that once, during our wanderings we happened to meet even the king! Yes, because the king was moved to the front at the beginning of the war to closely monitor the operations and that day while we were on patrol, we did fix it a little ahead of us had stopped King for lunch.
- But it was on the horse? - I asked.
- useless, I was very impressed when I saw him: in the meadow and some blankets were spread over were placed with two baskets of food. Some men in uniform were to crown a middle-aged man sitting on a stool when he saw that he stood up.
- That's the king? - I thought. A little man appeared very little was Vittorio Emanuele III. Then he came and asked our names and where we came from. When I told my country lit up a moment and speaking in Piedmont asked if he would like something to eat: "It 's just bread and cheese" but I did not have the courage to say yes. So I persisted and led the way, the tablecloth was cheese, salami, eggs. I accepted a piece of cake with a little 'for the thrill of bread that I could not swallow. The king was summoned and walked away. In my fantasy I had imagined that kings were always solemn, wearing the crown and cloak and was deeply shaken, but also a little 'fun - his grandfather.
- Yeah that's funny - I said, adding:
- But how you get hurt you are, Grandpa?
- The month of May came the tragedy! The Italian High Command was preparing for yet another battle, now I know that it was then called the Tenth Battle of the Isonzo, the one that was meant to be conclusive. We were crammed like sardines in the trenches. I had never seen before so many troops together. There were so many that we could not even lie down on the ground and had to rest by sitting or leaning on the parapet of the trench. And with each passing hour, kept coming more and more and more. Before us was a small mountain but with a name that scary "the Hermada" We had to conquer at all costs to open the way to Trieste.
Even our name was terrible, "Lupi di Toscana" and for this reason we were entrusted with the most difficult tasks.
The battle began in the early hours of the morning, when, as usual artillery bombardment was unleashed: thousands of guns began to fire simultaneously on all fronts. The noise was terrible and we had to protect the ears with pieces rags. After some 'never seen anything so was the smoke that covered the hills that we were facing. Suddenly there was a strong wind and against and we were overwhelmed by the smoke of explosions. Even many of the guns grenades, diverted by the wind, began to fall into our seats as we feared that we would be affected sooner or later, unless we had already died of the poisonous smoke.
We expect that waiting and anxious I was wondering if I should ever come back or if I would have died that day. I knew that the battle would not have served for nothing, because it seemed impossible to break through the enemy lines just this once, because we had never previously failed. But most of all I did not understand why our leaders persist in sending them to slaughter knowing that against machine guns and barbed wire there was no way to go, trying and try assaults even when logic and experience were opposed. Have not had pity on us? Possible that there was no way to devise a different strategy to attack the Austrians? And as for us, how could we accept that the attack still going to die needlessly like thousands of other boys had already done before? There was no answer! I could not ever give me a reply. Meanwhile, I thought I drank a bit 'of brandy and tried to make me courage.
The trench was hot awful under the sun of May, the uniform of cloth did not breathe or was it fear, thirst tormented us, but there was no water to drink we were going to attack and we had a drop of water to drink!
Then it was time. The lieutenant leaned against the railing looking at his watch and suddenly shouted "Savoy" and we set off to cry out. Many children had not yet taken a step that was affected. I ran like a madman forward without knowing where I went. Everywhere you could hear screams and saw soldiers falling. It was terrible the incessant noise of machine guns: rat-ta-ta-ta, rat-ta-ta-ta. If I think I still feel now. But I do not know which Strange Case of fate I was not impressed. I ran and slipped between two networks with a few companions and I arrived, I do not know how, at the first enemy trench. Inside were the Austrians and we faced with the bayonet. Suddenly I felt a strong pain: an enemy soldier had defended himself slipping his bayonet right forearm.
Grandpa pulled up her sleeve and showed me the long scar on the inside of the forearm from the wrist started and ended at the elbow.
- Just then, a grenade exploded close to us and many men were killed by jumping in the air as if they were paper. I was buried by the corpses that I had fallen on him and that was probably my salvation. Tightening in some way sleeve of the jacket I was able to dab the wound. All around the battle continued. I thought that was really the hell I was there and fell in, just did not know what was my fault. I also believed that war would never end as long as even one man was left alive. Then I lost consciousness. I do not know how long I remained unconscious, but when I woke up the fight was over. Above me I felt an unbearable burden, the terrible smell of the dead was even more. My throat was burning with thirst, I was short of breath. With great effort, little by little I got rid of the soldiers died that crushed me and tried to get up. I looked out of the trench. The view was untenable thousands and thousands of dead soldiers, Italians and Austrians, lying on the ground in the most absurd, carbonized, limbs and body parts scattered everywhere and an acrid smoke that hung in the air. On all sides could be heard cries and moans. We won? We lost? But who could have won that tragedy? What sense could you win? There were thousands of broken lives, nothing else mattered. Mount Hermada was behind me, threatening as ever. I was thirsty, but the only thing I could drink were my tears.
- And how is it over? - I asked again, impressed by this story.
- At night I managed to fall into our lines and was sent to the military hospital. For me the war was over, even if it lasted more than a year, an enemy I had wounded but rescued. Then, fortunately, was peace. I tell you about these terrible things that they may serve as a warning, remember that we were not enough and we had to take another war to realize how wrong they were and how much harm they have caused. You guys never forget and never forget our suffering.
I was a bit 'thoughtful, then flashed a question in my little head.
- Grandpa, but tell me one thing: Trieste is beautiful?
The grandfather lovingly looked at me and stroking my head told me
- I do not know dear, there never was!
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