Eyewitness Testimony Agostino Cingolani

Mr. Agostino Cingolani reports the following: It happened during a surprise raid in Matelia (Macerata) on 02.05.1944, when I was working in the field. I was taken to the collection camp near Macerata and on 15.05.1944 transported by truck to Florence. At night we left Florence in a cattle car, heading to Kahla with a one-day stop in Austria and various towns in Germany. The assignment to different jobs was done without any selection, but rather in groups of equal numbers. The "Kapos" behaved according to their mood. The accommodation was in relatively good barracks, which, however, were located in the middle of mud. The treatment during illness was poor and became increasingly worse. The occupational safety measures were good. In the first months money was still paid, but later no longer. The clothing was very inadequate. The food was poor and meager. At work we were supervised by "Kapos" from the company, who, however, ran to the SS when necessary. Later I fled into the forests.