3 ms·

My grandpa fought the WWII in the Italian Army. He told me that during war, they had to drink coffee with anise every day, and they were forced to do so. Of cou

My grandpa fought the WWII in the Italian Army. He told me that during war, they had to drink coffee with anise every day, and they were forced to do so. Of course it wasn't really just "coffee with anise", but it contained some kind of drug. He remembers that, after drinking that "coffee", he could see a dying fellow soldier calling for help, and just don't care about that. He was sent to war after a quick training lasted just a few weeks, and I guess that without taking some kind of drugs, the average 20 years old guy wouldn't be able to fight a war without going crazy.

stinos 12y ago
he could see a dying fellow soldier calling for help, and just don't care about that. Could be side effect of 'plain' amphetamines, which were used heavily by all sides in that war. Wouldn't be surprised at all if that or similar substances are still being used today: when not considering the disadvantages, it will make a person better at certain war-related tasks.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
justin66 12y ago
Sambuca's an eighty proof, anise-flavored liquor that's often used to make "caffè corretto." It's kind of a traditional Italian thing among some guys, although better made with espresso. Worth trying if you've never had it. I doubt he was being dosed with anything more exotic than that. (not to trivialize it: I wouldn't want to handle a gun after drinking that kind of alcohol) What your grandfather described, starting to not care about the suffering surrounding him, is a very natural and human thing.
- bbzealot 12y ago
  I don't think so. First of all, I'm quite sure sambuca was nowhere as popular as today back in the 40s. And I really doubt they would have been forced to drink coffee if it was just plain coffee (and I wouldn't see the point in forcing someone to drink coffee with... sambuca?). Finally, I don't think I could not care about a friend dying and calling for help near me, even if it was during war. I know my grandpa is not a 100% reliable source, after all we're talking about facts that happened 70 years ago, but I'm pretty sure this can be a true story.
  - justin66 12y ago
    I didn't read forced as force fed, or compelled, in your message. That is strange! no doubt enough anise would cover the flavor of a tranquilizer or something. Regarding the psychological thing, you or I wouldn't ignore a friend's extreme suffering the first time. The fifth or sixth? I believe this is referred to as loss of affect. I understand it as an imperfect defense mechanism against some of the even more horrible things that can happen to a person's psyche in those conditions. In any case, I'm happy your grandpa made it through the war ok.

stinos 12y ago

he could see a dying fellow soldier calling for help, and just don't care about that. Could be side effect of 'plain' amphetamines, which were used heavily by all sides in that war. Wouldn't be surprised at all if that or similar substances are still being used today: when not considering the disadvantages, it will make a person better at certain war-related tasks.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]

justin66 12y ago

Sambuca's an eighty proof, anise-flavored liquor that's often used to make "caffè corretto." It's kind of a traditional Italian thing among some guys, although better made with espresso. Worth trying if you've never had it. I doubt he was being dosed with anything more exotic than that. (not to trivialize it: I wouldn't want to handle a gun after drinking that kind of alcohol) What your grandfather described, starting to not care about the suffering surrounding him, is a very natural and human thing.

bbzealot 12y ago
I don't think so. First of all, I'm quite sure sambuca was nowhere as popular as today back in the 40s. And I really doubt they would have been forced to drink coffee if it was just plain coffee (and I wouldn't see the point in forcing someone to drink coffee with... sambuca?). Finally, I don't think I could not care about a friend dying and calling for help near me, even if it was during war. I know my grandpa is not a 100% reliable source, after all we're talking about facts that happened 70 years ago, but I'm pretty sure this can be a true story.
- justin66 12y ago
  I didn't read forced as force fed, or compelled, in your message. That is strange! no doubt enough anise would cover the flavor of a tranquilizer or something. Regarding the psychological thing, you or I wouldn't ignore a friend's extreme suffering the first time. The fifth or sixth? I believe this is referred to as loss of affect. I understand it as an imperfect defense mechanism against some of the even more horrible things that can happen to a person's psyche in those conditions. In any case, I'm happy your grandpa made it through the war ok.