Life and Rations of Italian Soldiers in World War II

During World War II, Italian soldiers faced one of the harshest experiences, particularly towards the end of the conflict. Their rations were meagre and often lacked variety, leading to widespread hunger, illness, and even death.

The Harsh Reality

Over 600,000 Italian soldiers endured the last two years of the war on a diet that could only be described as famine rations. Their daily meals primarily consisted of a bowl of ersatz coffee, which was essentially a mix of coffee grounds and roasted barley or chicory, and a piece of black bread extended with sawdust. This bread was served with a bowl of boiled potatoes, which were often already boiled in the same water used during the cooking process. For dinner, they received another slice of the same bread, accompanied by a teaspoon of jam or a small amount of reconstituted cheese, if any was available.

These rations were not merely inadequate but lethal. Approximately one in ten of these soldiers perished due to starvation, overwork, cold exposure, and disease. The conditions in the camps were dire, and many Italian soldiers, along with Jews and other prisoners, faced a stark choice: join a reconstituted army of Mussolini or risk their lives in the concentration camps.

The Awakening After Five Years

One such soldier, my grandfather's brother Gigi, suffered under these conditions for over a year and a half before he was finally able to escape. After months in the camp, Gigi managed to return home in September, though his journey was predominantly on foot. Although his diet finally returned to a more normal one, his weight still only marginally improved to 43 kilograms, or 95 pounds, despite his height of 1.80 meters (5 feet and 11 inches).

Upon his return, his mother barely recognized him, a testament to the profound physical and emotional toll of the experience. This story is not unique; thousands of Italian soldiers endured similar ordeals, many of whom lost substantial portions of their lives and well-being.

Differences in Rations

While the Italian soldiers' rations were among the most harrowing, they were not entirely different from those of other Allied and Axis forces. Similar to the rations provided to American soldiers, the Italians received a basic meal that included bread, meat, chocolate, and cheese. However, a notable difference was the inclusion of a canned pork and beans sausage that many soldiers disliked due to its taste and texture.

Conclusion

The experiences of Italian soldiers during World War II serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of war. Their rations, though often compared to that of Allied forces, were far from sufficient to sustain them, leading to devastating effects on their health and well-being. This historical account is a crucial part of the broader narrative of World War II and the challenges faced by soldiers on both sides.

Keywords: Italian soldiers, WWII rations, Nazi concentration camps