Barry Hoffman Nazi Postcard Collection
Accession Number: 2022.02.13.7
Date: 13-12-42
Postmark: Top right, “Ansiero Vicenza, 2-143”
Historical Background: Mussolini declared war on the USSR on June 22, 1941. He promptly sent a unit of the Italian army on a campaign in Russia the following year, where they fought and suffered until 1943. Over 200,000 soldiers made the journey, and the treacherous cold proved deadly to almost half of the poorly prepared men.
“Ogni vittoria e frutto di silenziosi e costanti sacrifici” on left hand side, meaning “Every win the result of silent and constant sacrifices.” The top right corner reads “Cartolina Postale Forze Armate; Esente da tassa per l’Italia e svecolonie,” meaning “Armed Forces Postcard; Tax exempt for Italy and Sweden.”
The sender of the postcard, Corporal Armando Borgo, was a member of the 9th Alpini Regiment, Alpini Battalion “L’Aquila”, 143rd Company. In July 1942, the Italian units were sent to the Soviet Union to form the Italian Army in Russia (ARMIR) and fight alongside the German Wehrmacht against the Red Army. The Italian units covered part of the left flank of the German Sixth Army, which spearheaded the German summer offensive of 1942 into the city of Stalingrad.
After successfully encircling the German Sixth army in Stalingrad, the Red Army’s attention turned to the Italian units along the Don River. On 14 January 1943, the Soviet Operation Little Saturn began and the three alpine division found themselves quickly encircled by rapidly advancing armored Soviet Forces. The Alpini held the front on the Don, but within three days the Soviets had advanced 200 km to the left and right of the Alpini. On the evening of 17 January the commanding officer of the Italian Mountain Corps General Gabriele Nasci ordered a full retreat. On the morning of January 28th, 1943, the survivors of the regiment reached German lines. By then the men of the 9th Alpini Regiment had walked 200 km, fought in 20 battles and spent 11 nights camped out in the middle of the Steppe. Temperatures during the nights were between -30 °C and -40 °C. The L’Aquila was the worst affected battalion and returned with just three officers and 159 Alpini out more than 1,500 deployed. (Source: Wikipedia)
Corporal Borgo is writing to his uncles in Arsiero a town in the province of Vicenza, Italy. The postcard reads:
Dear Uncles,
I’m writing this letter because I want you to know I’m fine. I wish it’s the same for you. Here it’s too cold, but I’m going on as well as possible. I hope it will not (get) colder then now. I will end this letter wishing you Happy Holidays.
Best regards,
Armando
(Translation thanks to the Italian Central State Archive)
