The detachment of German soldiers under Colonel Anselm Bernhard, however, remained in Altamura, although they had heard the news of the uprising in nearby Matera. They had long feared for their lives, and now they had ample reason to worry about the Italians possibly turning on them. Their commander"s search for the treasure had become a burden that they no longer wanted to bear.
“What if he does find it?” asked one soldier. “Is he going to share it with us?”
Before anyone could answer, another man said, “I don"t give a damn about the treasure. I want to get out of here before the Allies bomb us to hell.”
“He"s just digging around in the caves, the dirt, and the desert of this god-forsaken place,” said the first. “There"s nothing here. Bernhard"s dragged us through this wasteland for –
