Early next morning we set off, not taking the main road to Foggia but a minor one to Lucera where the Regiment had trained with units of 1st Canadian Corps. Not locating exactly where, despite asking for information from one of the locals, we gave up looking for the training area deciding we had better be on our way.

Rejoining the main road (E-56) at Foggia we set off following the route we had taken in May, however, this time in daylight. Driving on the winding road, up and over the mountains, we wondered how it was possible that 8th Army had managed to follow the same route the previous May, without being detected by the enemy.

Eventually arriving in Benevento it was time to set about the business in hand - how many bottles of the golden ambrosia could we persuade the Strega folks to sell to further the noble cause of keeping two NIH messes happy? On locating the premises of the family Alberti (not the imposing modern facility that it is today) negotiations commenced which turned out to be really easy and no doubt helped by L/Cpl Miller (he was the smoker) offering cigarettes all around coupled with the owner's command of the English language. I cannot remember how many bottles were purchased - it was a goodly number - the "purchase order," so carefully constructed, was only glanced at. Once the deal was consummated and a bill of sale received (I had to account for every lira spent on my return) it was time to sit down to enjoy walnuts washed down with a glass of "Witches Brew."

Signore Alberti was a most interesting chap. He told us that the family had been in business since 1860 producing their product from an old secret family recipe. The name Strega, which translated means "witch," was chosen as Benevento, according to an old legend, is the place where an annual coven is held attracting witches from all over the world.

The time had come for us to be on our way, as I was anxious to get through Caserta before dark. Uppermost in my mind was always the possibility of being stopped, by an inquisitive MP wanting to know what was stowed under the 15-cwt's tarpaulin. Reluctantly, we bade farewell to Signore Alberti, after offering thanks for his hospitality we gave him a few tins of cigarettes which at first he declined to accept.

We drove through Caserta without any untoward incident, then northwards on Highway 6. I was overwhelmed by a profound sense of déjà vu when passing through towns with scenes of much devastation. First, Capua on the river Volturno, then Cassino (the road through the town had been reopened) through Frosinone to Valmontone a few miles north of which we decided to call it a day. Somewhere en route we managed to fill up at a POL without any questions being asked!