Silvio Lazarić

"It was getting dark and I saw lights on Italian coast. But, we were, still far away from Italy in a rowing boat. The wind was blowing in opposite direction. We were exhausted. Luckily, an Italian fishing boat came and saved us. Fishermen lifted us up, gave us food and place to sleep till next morning. When next morning came we were in Italy. The owner of the ship invited us to his home, he called the police and informed them about us. We spoke Italian with them. There we spent a day, took a bath and … shave and … they gave us a food. The next day fishermen took us to Bologna’s prison. I didn´t care about the prison as long as I was having food and was purely staying alive. In prison there were interesting people, most of them stole a bike so they have been punished for a week or two. We spent two weeks in Bologna prison. From Bologna prison we have been transferred to Fraschette, a small place close to Rome. There we found ustaše (profascist collaborator), četnike and Germans who have been in this camp since the war. During the night, the guards were at the gate watching, if someone wanted to go out to take a fresh air, but stuffed air, but we constantly had to be in closed area. And so the life has gone away."

"While working in shipyard, we had to make notes for all projects we have done, wether we needed to repair the ship, or constructing it. For every project we needed to report the exact number of day and hours spent at work. All the details were required. If you know what I mean. - Yes, yes. - If you wish I can speak in English. - No, it is ok. - I stayed there till my escape in 1951. I have always been thinking of going away somewhere in the World. I was not satisfied with my way of life at home. An officer found out all about my comments on leaving the country. This officer came to me at work and asked me to go with him to the headquarters for interrogation. Then he started with accusations:” You were saying.. this and that.. we all fought for freedom, isn´t that right?” After interrogation the same officer decided on my sentence, he wanted to send me to Raša, to work in a coal mine. At the end I told him: „ I didn´t do anything;“ and I asked the officer for a permission to let me go home only for a few hours. I wanted to tell my parents where I´ll be sent and to take some clothes. And he did, he let me go. The next day I was gone. - For this and only reason. - How did you decide? - It was a sparkle of the moment, I am going, what happens, happens…"