Arthur T. Sayler

“My father was an American who escaped from Camp 59 when the Italians surrendered,” Susie Wickman wrote to me from her home in Colorado last November.

“He lived in a cave with help from the Italian people, until he was approached by an Italian man who offered to take him and his partner back behind Allied lines. I am trying to find information about this man who helped my dad and “Buck” Vanous. [See “Elwyn “Buck” Vanous—P.G. 59 Escapee.”]
 
“I recall my dad said this man approached them and told them his story.

“He had been living in America, when he was overheard to say on the phone, ‘I’ve got the package’ during the time of the Lindbergh kidnapping. He didn’t have anything to do with that, but he was deported. He told my dad that he loved America and was helping the Allies all he could so he could get back to America.

“He asked my dad to sign something like a petition at the time, but my dad was suspicious and did not. I don’t know if he was a member of the Italian resistance, or what.

“I would like to thank this man, or his family, as well as to accurately capture the story. If anyone has any knowledge of him, would they let me know?

“I have my father’s POW disability statement where he mentions Camp 59 by name.

“We know the name of the family in Italy that helped him—the Catalano family. The Catalanos were from Le Piane, Abbateggio [Pescara]. They had twin boys who eventually emigrated to America, and my dad was friends with them his whole life.

“I am still in touch with one of them, Romolo Catalano.”

Arthur Sayler’s Story

 
The following account of Arthur’s experience is derived from the disability application Arthur filed after the war.

ARTHUR T. SAYLER
Peoria, Arizona
Army Serial Number 37025925

On April 11, 1941, at age 23, Arthur Sayler of Wishek, North Dakota, was inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. He was assigned to Infantry Company A, 135th Infantry First Battalion, 34th Infantry Division.

From there, he was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, where the Louisiana Maneuvers of the Red and Blue Armies were conducted.

Arthur wrote that for six weeks the men lived in mud and rain, slept on wet ground, seldom had dry feet, and never got a full night’s sleep.

The training continued until Pearl Harbor was attacked in December. Then, Arthur’s unit performed two weeks of coastal duty at Pensacola, Florida, before returning to Claiborne to be outfitted for shipment overseas.

On January 1, 1942, Arthur’s ship was the first to leave America, from Fort Dix, New Jersey. The ship, a British vessel returning from Australia, had been converted into a troop ship equipped to transfer 3,000 troops. Although the men had American rations, they were required to eat the remaining English rations aboard the ship—mutton, fish, potatoes, and bread infested with cockroaches.

The troops were soon made aware of German submarines along the American shores. Depth charges were dropped as the ship zigzagged through the stormy North Atlantic. Many of the troops suffered severely from seasickness. Living conditions were terrible, Arthur explained, with sleeping men crowding the floors and hanging in hammocks from every available inch of ceiling.

After 14 days, the ship arrived in Ireland, which Arthur described as breathtakingly beautiful as the ship approached harbor.

During intensive training, the men took 10, 14, 20, and 50 mile hikes in the Irish countryside. Training continued until late in 1942, when Arthur and many others were transferred to Company C, 133rd Infantry, in order to fill that unit to battle strength. The company was then sent to Liverpool, England, for further preparation for the North African invasion.

The invasion convoy left England. As they passed through the Straits of Gibraltar an order was given for the convoy to “close in.” In the dark—as it was night and blackout conditions were being observed—another Allied ship plowed into the side of the ship Arthur was on, knocking a hole large enough for a semi-truck to pass through. Doors below deck were locked automatically to prevent the flooding of the entire ship. Arthur was corporal of the guard that night and one of his guards was in the damaged room. He requested that the captain open the door so the man could get out. All the men and baggage were moved to one side of the ship in order to tilt the ship and bring the hole above the waterline.

Tilted in that way, the ship proceeded through the Mediterranean and docked at the port of Oran, Algeria.

Christmas and New Year’s Day 1943 were spent aboard the ship. Then, after bivouacking for several days, Arthur’s group began a “back-shattering” road trip to Tunisia. Their unit was sent to the front lines to relieve French and Australian troops. Arthur’s unit, essentially foot soldiers poorly equipped with WWI rifles, faced Rommel’s modern 42nd Panzer Division.

Arthur’s group was charged with taking and holding Kasserine and Kef-el-Amar Passes near Tunis. They engaged the enemy several times, but on March 10, 1943 Company C, 133rd Infantry, was surrounded by German forces. Although they were under heavy artillery fire and advancing forces, most of the men were evacuated. Those who were covering for the escaping soldiers—the commanding officer, three other officers, and most of the non-commissioned officers of the three platoons—including Arthur—were captured.

The 59 who were captured were loaded onto tanks, weapons carriers, and other vehicles, and transported to Tunis.

The men were kept in a makeshift prison, formerly a schoolhouse and schoolyard, sleeping on the floor on lice- and bedbug-infested straw. They were guarded by German troops.

Early in the day, the men were served bread and “coffee” made from roasted grain. They saved half of the bread for noon meal. In the evening, they were served a soup made from rice, macaroni, or a type of lima bean. The rice and beans were infested with worms, which floated to the top of the soup and were skimmed off. The broth was made from the meat of horses or donkeys that had been used to transport ammunition in the mountains. The meat, hung out in the African sun, was covered with flies.

As a result, the men were stricken with bleeding colons and dysentery.

During the first week in this place, they were taken to the airport to be flow to another location. American planes bombed the runway. The men were returned to the camp. The following week another attempt was made at moving them, and this time their Junkers Ju 88 planes managed to take off. The planes, which flew close to the water to avoid detection, took the prisoners to Palermo, Sicily. Then, the men were moved to a tent camp. There the slept on straw-covered mattresses.

[Arthur’s statement listed this camp as Camp 90, but it likely was Camp 98—Susie said they her dad had sent a postcard home from Camp 98.]

Conditions in this camp were deplorable. The food was as bad or worse than what they had been served in Tunis. Latrines were inadequate, there were no bathing facilities, and the men’s clothing was severely infested with white lice.

After about a month, Arthur was among prisoners who were moved to P.G. 59.

The prisoners’ hair was shaved off, they were given soap to bathe, their clothing was put through a delousing process, and they were assigned to barracks. Bunks were of wood, and there were four men to a bunk. Again, mattresses were straw filled and it was apparent the first night that they were heavily infested with bedbugs.

Arthur said the bedbugs were a nightly nightmare, and when scratched the bites became infected and turned to open sores.

After a week in the camp, Arthur and about 12 other men were taken to central Rome for special interrogation. The treatment in Rome was very good. Each man received a Red Cross parcel of food twice a week. The American’s uniforms were taken from them, and they were issued new British uniforms.

The men found that the sleeping quarters were more than adequate. However, they suspected, given their good treatment, that the place was bugged with microphones, so they were careful what they said.

During the two weeks stay, each man was taken into a room for interrogation.

When Arthur gave only his name, rank, and serial number, the interrogating officer who was sitting opposite him became irritated, pulled a pistol from his holster, and placed it on the table as a threat. When Arthur continued to refuse his questions, the officer said, “Now let me tell you some things,” and he recounted in detail almost every move Arthur’s unit had made since leaving the U.S. He knew places, dates, and times.

He spoke English very well, and told Arthur he had a degree from Yale University.

After two weeks, the prisoners were returned to P.G. 59. They remained there until Italy capitulated. At that time, Arthur said, the Italian guards did not want to be picked up by the Germans and so they opened the camp gates and took off for the hills.

The early September weather was pleasant enough that Arthur and the other prisoners were able to live off the land and hid during the day. The broke into small groups and headed in different directions. Finally, Walter was alone with only Elwyn “Buck” Vanous from Steele, North Dakota. The two headed south, hoping to reach the Allied forces, which they assumed were moving northward.

Then they learned that the troops had been ordered not to move forward because the Allies had also invaded Anzio beachhead.

Arthur and Buck realized winter was coming. Sympathetic Italian families fed them and told them which routes to follow and which to avoid. Early in December, a woman landowner offered to help them. Her husband and son had gone to America to earn money, intending in time to bring the family to the States. This woman allowed Arthur and Buck to stay in a cave that she and her family had prepared for themselves, should they ever need to hid from the Germans. She arranged for local families to bring food to them in turns. She treated them when they were sick.

At one point, Arthur had a terrible side ache, as if he might have appendicitis. The woman brought him rags to heat on the rocks surrounding the small fire they kept in the cave. These Arthur applied continuously to his side, and eventually the pain went away.

They lived in the cave for four months. They had no way to bathe and no toilet facilities. The two men moved about the hills, plotting a way to return to the Allied lines.

In March 1944, a sympathetic Italian offered to take them through the lines. He said he had done that numerous times for others. One morning, at around one o’clock, they met him at a barn and started for the lines. They passed through accordion barbed wire, and followed gullies and river beds. They arrived at a British outpost, where they identified themselves. They were fed and sent to an American unit.

They were interrogated, allowed to fully clean up, and were issued new uniforms. They were given orders to return to the States on the fastest available transportation.

Arthur arrived home on furlough in time for the Easter holiday.

He was reassigned to a training unit at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, where he was involved in the intensive training of new troops. He received an honorable discharge on September 29, 1944.

In 1947, Arthur helped to organize a National Guard unit in Wishek, North Dakota. He was promoted to captain and appointed commanding officer of the unit by the governor of North Dakota.

After discharge from the National Guard, Arthur went into his own independent business.

After Elwyn “Buck” Vanous passed away on January 7, 2011, his obituary in the Bismarck [North Dakota] Tribune began, “Today we remember a true American hero and a North Dakota Cowboy.”

Like many soldiers of his generation, Buck Vanous identified first and foremost with his service to country and his roots.

Buck was born in 1916 and grew up on his family farm near the small town of Driscoll, North Dakota. He was drafted into the Army in 1941, and he served in combat during World War II.

The obituary says Buck was captured in North Africa and was a POW in three prison camps for a total of one year and one day. He then escaped and walked across Italy, traveling at night, until he reached friendly lines. He received medical care and was sent home.

At war’s end, he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.

Buck returned to North Dakota and married Helen Attletweedt in 1946. For years they farmed in the Driscoll area. The family lived in California for a while, but eventually returned home to North Dakota. Over the years, Buck worked in construction and cattle ranching. Buck and Helen had five children together before Helen passed away in 1966.

In 1969, Buck married Helen Jenner.

The obituary had this to say about Buck’s interests:

“Elwyn was a true cowboy and had a passion for working with horses and a passion for the fun they provided to others. [He was] known for the hundreds of hay rides he gave over the years to numerous church groups. Elwyn enjoyed trail rides around the state, and riding the Pikes Peak Fur Trapping Expedition in Colorado as Honorary member of the Colorado Territory Regulators. He enjoyed all rodeo events, and was a former rodeo pickup man, a founding member of the Steele Rodeo Association in the 1950’s.

“He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and neighbors, playing cards, dancing, and all the memories made with his family.”

See also “Arthur T. Sayler—Capture and Escape.”

Steele vet gets late war honors

Frederic Smith
Bismarck Tribune
Sunday, June 23, 1996

Photo caption: Elwyn Vanous escaped from a prison camp in Italy as World War II nears an end.

“STEELE—The rest of Elwyn Vanous’ World War II medals caught up with him Saturday—and how.

“In a presentation witnessed by family from around the country and local friends, the 80-year-old ‘semi-retired’ farmer-rancher received about 16 decorations, including the bronze star.

“‘Were you ever an Eagle Scout?’ joked master of ceremonies Dennis Berg, veterans services officer for Burleigh County.

“Berg and a Vanous daughter-in-law, Cindy Vanous of Bismarck, collaborated on this day for the veteran, who “knew he was going to get some medals” but not the scope of the presentation, Cindy Vanous said.

“A daughter was already visiting from Colorado, but the arrival of two sons (also from Colorado) on the day itself was part of the surprise. The event was scheduled to coincide with Steele’s all-class high school reunion, which brought several of his brothers and sisters to town, as well.

“There were congratulatory letters from Gov. Ed Schafer and Sen. Kent Conrad. Berg credited Conrad with unsticking red tape encountered in the quest for Vanous’ medals.

“That quest began three years ago, when Vanous decided he wanted the prisoner of war medal authorized by Congress in 1991. ‘In the course of applying for the POW medal, we noticed he was due these other medals, as well,’ Berg said.

“Drafted into the Army in May 1941, Vanous wound up with Company D of the 2nd Regiment Cavalry, seeing most of his duty in North Africa. Captured late in the war, he was imprisoned first in Algeria, then Sicily , then northern Italy.

“At the last stop, ‘The whole camp broke out one night,’ Vanous recalled Saturday. “‘We only heard only one shot fired and nobody stopped to see what had happened.’

“That began a dangerous, several-months journey of 700 miles to Allied territory, the prisoners splitting up into small bands, hiding out by day and living off the land. Occasionally, really hard up, they would take a chance and stop at a house.

“Vanous developed a rule of thumb. ‘If they acted glad to see you, you got out of there, because they were probably going to notify the authorities. If they didn’t want you around’—out of fear of the authorities—‘they were probably safe, if you could prevail on them,’ he said.

“Vanous made the whole journey with a Wishek [North Dakota] man, Arthur Sayler—now of California—with whom he is still in touch.

“The decorations received by Vanous:

“The bronze star (for heroism or meritorious service); combat infantry badge; good conduct medal; three overseas service bars; American defense service medal; European-African-Middle Eastern campaign medal; World War II victory medal; honorable service lapel button; four discharge emblems.”

Elwyn “Buck” Vanous

Possibly from The Wishek [North Dakota] Star
Circa April 1944

“Somewhere in Italy for five months, between October, 1943, and March, 1944, a North Dakota man, Sgt. Arthur T. Sayler of Wishek had been fighting his way back to Allied forces after being a prisoner in Italian camp 59 since his capture at Tunisia March 10, 1943.

“His parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Sayler of Wishek, had received no word since getting a letter written July 28, 1943, until word came from the war department April 8, informing them their son had reported back for duty March 25.

“No authentic details of his escape are known here.

“Sgt. Sayler entered the army April 10, 1941. He received basic training at Camp Claiborne, La. [Louisiana], and before going overseas in January, 1942, was stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. [New Jersey]. Northern Ireland was his first station overseas. From there he was sent to North Africa, and participated in the battle for Tunisia at which time he was captured. He is assigned with the infantry.”

See also “See also “Arthur T. Sayler—Capture and Escape.”

Arthur T. Sayler

Ancona War Cemetery
Image—Wikimedia Commons

The following graveside rededication service announcement is from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

A rededication service for three soldiers who were killed in Italy in the Second World War will take place on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Ancona War Cemetery, Italy. Private Lionel Brown of the Parachute Regiment and Privates Daniel Hollingsworth and Thomas White of The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) were Prisoners of War and whilst being transported with Sergeant Mario Mottes (an Italian soldier) were shot on March 10, 1944 at Ponte Del Diabolo [Ponte Dragone]. They were originally all buried as unknowns in Montedinove Cemetery. However, the soldiers were later transferred to Ancona War Cemetery and now have individual named headstones.

The service has been organised by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre and will be attended by family of Privates Brown and Hollingsworth. The Parachute and Princess of Wales Regiments will provide support.

Mario Mottes was an I.S.9 agent who was working with Allied forces in the rescue of escaped prisoners when he lost his life. See “Honor Recommended for Mario Mottes.”

Identification of the British soldiers who were shot at Ponte Del Diabolo [Ponte Dragone], as well as work on confirming the identity of Mario Mottes, seems to have been due to the work of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Huggan, OBE.

A news story by Mariella Falduto on tarmassia.it, dated 2005 (originally published in l’Arena), relates Thomas Huggan’s ongoing research into confirmation of Mario Mottes’ identity.

Here is that story, translated into English:

ISOLA DELLA SCALA. Eighty-year-old English Colonel Thomas Huggan tries to give an identity to a soldier killed in ’44, who might be Mario Mottes, the son of two original emigrants from Pellegrina

A name for the Italian who was shot

l´Arena—May 28, 2005

Isola della Scala. Who is the soldier shot by the Germans on March 10, 1944 and buried in Mondragone, in the province of Caserta? Is he really Mario Mottes, son of Belgian emigrants from Pellegrina?

Octogenarian Thomas Huggan, an English colonel of the British Embassy in Rome, has worked with patience and passion for years to confirm the story of the young man, about whose identity there is doubt and about whose history there are still many unanswered questions. “I want to give him a decent burial,” he says, “but we cannot do it without ascertaining his identity. For this I seek help.” His research has taken place between Belgium and Italy, and he now has arrived in Isola della Scala.

Huggan says, from what he has been able to reconstruct, Mario Mottes was born in Belgium, on November 18, 1919, to parents who had emigrated 20 years earlier, and that he returned to Italy at the beginning of the war to serve in the military. As a sergeant paratrooper, he was sent by the Italian authorities on a British plane on a mission to help IDPs (internally displaced persons) after September 8, 1943; he was perhaps forced to bail out, and was wounded along with three British soldiers. They were helped by a family that hid them. His presence, and the presence of the enemy soldiers, however, was reported to the Germans and the four young men were shot and buried in Ponte Dragone in the cemetery at Mondragone. Their bodies have now been retrieved for transferral to the Ancona War Cemetery; but while the three English were identified with certainty and it was possible to reconstruct their history, regarding the history of Italian soldier there remain gaps and uncertainties, starting with with his identity.

“The only sure trace of [the identity of] this man,” continues Huggan, “is the witness of the family who helped him when he was injured. He told them that his family had emigrated to Belgium from a little village called Pellegrina of Isola della Scala in Veneto. When he was captured and interrogated by the Germans, he declared himself to be Belgian, but its traces [the ability to confirm what was said] are lost.” The Colonel’s search through consulates and embassies has not yielded great results to this point, so he thought perhaps he could find useful information here [in Isola della Scala]. For this he turned to the library, and research is now directed to the archives of the local comune and to the Pellegrina parish archives for what little, if any, testimony may exist.

Huggan adds that, to complicate matters, he has found in some related documents the young sergeant with the surname of Mootis, perhaps due to a clerical error, or perhaps linked to the pronunciation of the name through different languages. “Do not forget,” he continues, “that in southern Italy sixty years ago there were Italians, Germans, British, and Americans.”

An initial search of the comune registry produced neither the name Mottes nor Mootis. Officials, however, explained the name might also have been translated, and that we must keep in mind that not all those who emigrated in the late nineteenth century were registered, because the fact [that they were emigrants] was not always pointed out. Also, part of municipal archive was destroyed in fire caused by shelling on January 28, 1944.

In anticipation of confirmation [of his identity], the sergeant’s remains are waiting in Mondragone, a reminder of the fact that although wars end officially with the signing of peace treaties, they continue to leave their mark. And for the longest time.

Mariella Falduto

The River Aso between Petritoli and Ortezzano, in Fermo Province—a few miles downstream from Ponte Dragone, where three ex-prisoners of war and an Italian I.S.9 agent were executed in March 1944
Image—Wikimedia Commons

In dark of night on March 10, 1944, three escaped British POWs and an I.S.9 agent involved in Ratline evacuations of POWs to Allied territory were executed on the Dragone Bridge. Ponte Dragone is three miles from the village of Montedinove. Earlier that day, the four men had been captured and interrogated by officers of the Montalto Marche branch of the German S.S. Brandenburg Regiment.

One year later, members of the Allied Forces’ Special Investigation Branch (SIB) conducted an investigation into the matter.

According to Italy: Imperial Prisoners of War Alphabetical List, Section 1, British Army, the POWs who were killed had been interned in two camps:

Gunner Lionel H. J. Brown (Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps) had been interned in P.G. 70–Monteurano, near Fermo, Ascoli Piceno.

Private Daniel R. Hollingsworth (The Buffs, Royal East Kent Regiment) and Private Thomas White (also of The Buffs) had been interned in P.G. 53–Sforzacosta, Macerata.

These killings are referenced in the recent “Service in Italy for Three Soldiers” post on this site. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission announcement refers to the killings as having occurred at Ponte Del Diavolo. However, the official account references Ponte Dragone as the site of the killings.

In 2014, researcher Brian Sims shared the SIB files for this case with me. He had found and photographed the files at the British National Archives, Kew.

Presented in this post is the final report that resulted from the SIB investigation. Dr. Luigi Donfrancesco has translated the full report into Italian, which follows the transcript in English below.

Luigi—whose uncle, I.S.9 agent Andrea Scattini, was killed in action during the war—provides this overview of area rescue operations at the time:

“Lieutenant Uguccione Ranieri ‘di Sorbello’ (cover name ‘Ugo’ or ‘Hugh’ or ‘Hugo’), from his post at Villa Vinci, Cupramarittima, headed a group of Italian agents who managed rescue operations and the organization of the Ratline in the months of November and December 1943.

“Virgilio Giovannetti (cover name ‘Nanni’), from his post in Porchia (at Francesco Vecchiarelli’s house) was responsible for operations in the months of January and February, 1944, until March 10, 1944, when the German S.S. Brandenburgers discovered and raided Vecchiarelli’s house, which afterward was kept under surveillance.

“Diego Vecchiarelli was seriously wounded, Mario Mottes was arrested and later shot, and ‘Nanni’ Giovannetti was wanted by Germans and Fascists. Therefore, ‘Nanni’ crossed the lines to reach the Allies in the south.

“After March 10, 1944, the responsibility for Ratline rescue operations and related activities passed to Captain Luigi Stipa, from his post at Villa Stipa, Appignano del Tronto, near Offida. He managed operations until liberation by Allied troops on June 6, 1944.”

Biographic information and a photograph of Lionel H. J. Brown is available on the Airborn Assault website.

Luigi comments, “POW Lionel Herbert John Brown’s third name of John explains why he said to Luzi Bruno in Ortezzano that his name was ‘Giacomo.’ His 1st Parachute Battalion was called ‘The Red Devils’ by Germans in North Africa.

“The 1st Parachute Battalion was dropped in Sicily in the night of July 13, 1943, to conquer the ‘Primosole’ (First Sun) Bridge, the main access to the Catania plain, and probably he was captured then.”

Regarding POW Ernst Chauntry, who remained uncaptured, Luigi suggests, “he was probably more cautious and less adventurous than the other three, and may have disapproved stopping at various farms for food and wine and/or walking to Porchia as a group of four, because they could easily be spotted by Fascists, Germans, or spies.

“Perhaps he did not wish to try and cross the lines with land then covered by snow, and preferred to wait in his safe shelter until spring time. Maybe the discussion at one of the farms was about these matters, and that was why he returned to the farm of Veroli, where he remained until the liberation.”

The Official SIB War Crimes Report

SECRET

H.Q., ‘A’ Group, 60 Section, Special Investigation Branch, c/o A.P.M’s Office, 61 Area, Central Mediterranean Forces.

SUBJECT : –

Alleged War Crime against three British ex-Prisoners of War and another believed an ‘A’ Force Agent, who were shot at MONTEDINOVE, on 10–11 March, 1944.

Deceased presumed to be :-

(A) L.H.J. BROWN.
(B) Daniel HOLLINGSWORTH,
(C) Thomas WHITE,
(D) Mario MOOTIS, Belgian Subject.

To :-
D.A.P.M. [Deputy Assistant Provost Marshall],
60 Section, S.I.B. [Special Investigation Branch]

Sir,

Correspondence from D.A.P.M., 68 Section, S.I.B., ref. SIB68/A/44/350, containing the results of preliminary inquiries into the above matter, together with a report by the MONTEDINOVE Liberation Committee dated 25-7-44, and a statement by an ex-prisoner of war J. MYERS dated 31-8-44, were passed to this Group for investigation. Photographs of the victims in this case, taken after death, were also obtained from the initial file.

The information as a whole was contradictory, but briefly the SIB source suggested that an ‘A’ Force agent named MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario, together with three British ex-prisoners of war, had been shot on or about the 10th March, 1944, near DRAGONE BRIDGE, MONTEDINOVE, after having been arrested and taken to the German Command Post at MONTALTO. The Liberation Committee alleged that VANNOZZI Vinicio and VANNOZZI Arturo were implicated in the crime, and also gave the names of likely witnesses. MYERS the ex-prisoner of war, states he saw a man named ROSCIOLI and other Fascists placing two English prisoners and two Italians against the wall of the Bridge, and a short time later the four dead men were photographed lying side by side. When this was done ROSCIOLI and three others were alleged to have thrown the two English prisoners into the stream below the Bridge.

From inquiries made and statements obtained the facts of this case would appear to be as follows.

Soon after the 8th September, 1943, a British ex-prisoner of war arrived at the home of LUZI Bruno of ORTEZZANO, and became known to the family as ‘GIACOMO’. He later gave LUZI some particulars which showed him to be L.H.J. BROWN, of 64 Ormonde Drive, Hampton, Middx. [Middlesex], England.

From the 28 January, 1944, two British ex-prisoners of war were sheltered by ROSSI Nazzareno, also of ORTEZZANO, and were known as ‘DANIELE’ and ‘TOMMASO’. The particulars left by these two men with ROSSI are as follows :-

1. Daniel R. HOLLINGSWORTH,
59 Weston Road, Canning Town,
London, E.16.

2. T. WHITE
189 Coopers Lane,
Leyton, London, E.10.

On the 5th March, 1944, HOLLINGSWORTH and WHITE visited LUZI’s house and on leaving they were accompanied by BROWN. They did not return to the house and nothing was heard of them until the 9th March, 1944, when they visited the farm of VEROLI Angelo, near ORTEZZANO, where a further ex-prisoner of war, known as “ERNESTO” was residing. The four men left the farm together and walked across the ASO valley in the direction of PORCHIA, stopping at various farmsteads for food and wine.

In the early evening of the same day, 9th March, a dispute arose at one of the farms, and as a result ‘ERNESTO’ returned to the home of VEROLI where he remained until the liberation. The VEROLI family have received a letter from ‘ERNESTO’ since his repatriation and his particulars are :-

Ernest CHAUNTRY,
36 Victoria Street, Hucknall
Notts [Nottinghamshire], England

HOLLINGSWORTH, WHITE and BROWN made their way to the village of PORCHIA and during this time, met another ex-prisoner of war known as ‘ADRIANO’. The four then called at the house of VECCHIARELLI Francesco who, with his family, were actively assisting Allied ex-prisoners of war and ‘A’ Force personnel. They asked for particulars of the next expedition crossing to their own lines, but no information was available at that time. They then left this house and went to the farm of CARLINI Camillo, where ‘ADRIANO’, who was known to CARLINI as an ex-P.O.W., asked permission, for the other three to stay that night at the farm. This request was granted but ‘ADRIANO’ left the farm stating that he was going to sleep elsewhere.

About 5 a.m. on the 10th March, 1944, a party of German soldiers visited the farm of CARLINI, arrested HOLLINGSWORTH, WHITE and BROWN and took them to PORCHIA. According to CARLINI, the actions of the Germans suggested previous knowledge of the whereabouts of the prisoners, and the layout of the farm.

The Germans then went to the house of VECCHIARELLI Francesco at PORCHIA, where they arrested his son GIUSEPPE, a boy named CORSALETTI Vittorio, and a Belgian, MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario. The latter was known to the VECCHIARELLI family as a member of ‘A’ Force, and had been residing at their house for some months, whilst he was recovering from injuries sustained on landing, from a parachute descent. A second son, DIEGO, was shot through the face and left for dead. [Diego was admitted to Offida Hospital later that day and survived.]

VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe, MOOTIS, and CORSALETTI were taken from the house, and in the street they met ‘ADRIANO’ (who was accompanied by the three prisoners arrested at the house of CARLINI), surrounded by German soldiers.

They were all then marched to MONTALTO, where they were taken to the COLLEGIO SISTO V, home of the SALVATORIANI FATHERS, which was at this time being used as the German Command Post. There they were detained under guard with the exception of ‘ADRIANO’ who was apparently released upon arrival at the Command Post and was afterwards seen in MONTALTO by CARLINI.

During that afternoon the boy CORSALETTI, who had been arrested for suspected pro-allied activities, was escorted from the room where the prisoners were being held. He was apparently questioned, but was able to give a satisfactory account of himself and he was released. The interrogation of MOOTIS [MOTTES] then followed. When VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe was taken away for the purpose, he met MOOTIS [MOTTES] on a stairway and the latter said that he had told everything and that they were to be shot. MOOTIS [MOTTES] complained of being ill and believed that a cigarette, given to him earlier in the day by a German soldier, was the reason for his condition and for his divulging the knowledge he possessed. [Journalists and historians have attested to Nazi employment of “truth serum” and mind-altering drugs such as psychedelic mescaline in interrogations, sometimes administered through food or cigarettes.] VECCHIARELLI was taken before a German officer, known as Lieutenant FISCHER, who unsuccessfully attempted by means of a bribe of 600,000 lire and by threats of shooting, to obtain information regarding the whereabouts of ex-prisoners of war and the activities of ‘A’ Force. One of the SALVATORIANI FATHERS, LEIGHT Stephen, was then questioned by Lieut. FISCHER regarding the character of VECCHIARELLI, and afterwards the latter was allowed to return home.

Between 11 p.m. and midnight that day (10th March) a motor vehicle passed along the VAL D’ASO road in a westerly direction, stopping at the DRAGONE BRIDGE in the valley ASO. This bridge is about three miles from MONTEDINOVE and five miles from MONTALTO. Bursts of firing from an automatic weapon then followed, after which the vehicle was driven away eastwards.

The following morning, the 11th March, 1944, four bodies were found on the banks of the stream which flows beneath the DRAGONE BRIDGE. In the middle of the roadway, at the east end of the bridge there was a large pool of blood. In and around the blood there were some partly smoked cigarettes and many empty cartridge cases. Trails led from the pool of blood to either side of the bridge.

During the afternoon of the 11th March, the bodies were conveyed to the cemetery at MONTEDINOVE where a post mortem examination was conducted by Doctor MIRZABEK Nikola [Nicola]. This was not a detailed autopsy, as a bullet lodged in the head of one of the deceased was not removed, but it establishes that death was due in three cases to bullets penetrating the base of the skull, and in the fourth case, to the severance of arteries by bullets entering the back, near the spine. The deceased were buried in the cemetery at MONTEDINOVE on the 15th March, 1944, in graves numbered 241, 243, 271 and 275.

On Monday 12th February, 1945, I commenced enquiries into this War Crime accompanied by Sergeant GRAINGER of this Section and Official Interpreter PANICCIA Claudio, who acted in this capacity throughout the investigation.

I first visited MONTALTO where I interviewed CRIMI Filippo, who was Maresciallo of Carabinieri at the time the offence was committed. This official, now serving in ROME, professed to having no knowledge of the deceased apart from the disposal of the bodies, and gave no assistance with regard to the identification of the German unit stationed in the locality during that period. It is obvious that in his official capacity he must have been in possession of some relevant information and later inquiries shewed that Lt. FISCHER was billeted in CRIMI’s house. Throughout this investigation, I have received little or no assistance from the Carabinieri at MONTALTO.

Enquiries were continued at the farm of BENIGNI Pietro, which is situated about 200 yards west of DRAGONE BRIDGE. Statements were taken from BENIGNI Pietro and members of his family, setting out details of the date and time of the shooting, and of the finding and transportation of the bodies to MONTEDINOVE.

On the 7th March, 1945, I visited LUZI Bruno at ORTEZZANO, and the farm of VEROLI. They were shown the photographic exhibits but failed to identify among the deceased, the three prisoners who had left VEROLI’s farm on the 9th March, 1944, in company with ‘ERNESTO’ (CHAUNTRY), although they gave the names of these prisoners as ‘DANIELE’, ‘TOMMASO’ and ‘GIACOMO’. I was not satisfied with the interview with LUZI, but decided to leave the matter in abeyance pending further enquiries.

I next interviewed VALENTINI Tommaso, who gave a statement to the effect that on the night of the 10th March, 1944, he had heard bursts of automatic fire coming from the direction of DRAGONE BRIDGE and that on the following morning he had seen the four deceased men. He recognized Exhibits A1-6 as being photographs of the bodies he saw at the time. VALENTINI then produced two empty cartridge cases and a spent bullet which he testifies to having picked up on DRAGONE BRIDGE, the scene of the shooting. I took possession of these and marked them with the witness’s initials, ‘V.T.’, in his presence. These are Exhibits “C.2” in the case and were submitted for examination. The expert’s report, Exhibit “C.3”, shows them to be German origin and to have been fired from a German 9 mm automatic firearm P.38.

On the 15th March, 1945, I interviewed BISSELLI Adamo, who stated that on the night of the crime he was at a farmhouse about 125 yards from the VAL D’ASO road and about 500 yards East, (but out of sight) of DRAGONE BRIDGE. He saw a 15 TER Italian Army lorry being driven Westwards in the direction of the Bridge and was sure that the occupants were speaking Italian. He heard the vehicle stop, and shortly afterwards heard the sound of firing from an automatic weapon. The vehicle then returned and again BISSELLI heard voices from the lorry speaking Italian, but he was unable to distinguish any actual words. To clarify this point, it is known that in the detachment of MONTALTO were some persons of Italian origin and some who spoke fluent Italian, and further that the Unit had possession of many different types of vehicles. From the evidence to hand it would appear that the deceased persons were grouped together at the East end of the Bridge and killed by shots from an automatic weapon fired from behind. The bodies were then dragged to each wall of the bridge and dropped over the parapet two at either side.

The same day (15th March) I decided to make a detailed examination of the scene of the crime, and about 30 feet from the north side of the bridge, an about 20 feet from the parapet, I found a civilian cap, Exhibit “C1”. In it were holes which appear to have been made by the passage of bullets. Inside the cap was the maker’s trade mark, that of an eagle with outstretched wings, and under it was the word “ROMA”. There is some discrepancy in the statements as to which particular prisoner was the owner of this cap but it has been definitively identified as being the property of one of them.

Further statements were taken from the farms in the vicinity, and BENIGNI Pietro refers to a certain ROSCIOLI as being one of those responsible for the shooting. Whilst this man, ROSCIOLI Settimio, has been mentioned in several instances during the inquiry as being an extreme Fascist and most brutal in his dealings with ex-prisoners of war, there is no evidence to show that he was in any way connected with this particular crime.

In the statement obtained from VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe is set out the circumstances of his (VECCHIARELLI’s) arrest and subsequent detention with MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario and the three prisoners. He gives valuable information respecting the identity of the German officers in charge of the MONTALTO Detachment and states that their names were FISCHER and ROMMEL, both Lieutenants.

A statement taken from Father LEIGHT of the SALVATORIANI FATHERS, corroborates that of VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe with regard to the identification of FISCHER and ROMMEL, and refers to the latter as a nephew of the late Field Marshal ROMMEL. The names of two Sergeants of this Detachment are also given – Sergt. GRILLE and Sergt. OLDENBURG. Father LEIGHT, who is of German nationality, states that the detachment was known as the ‘BRANDENBURGHERS’, but is of the opinion that they were not S.S. troops. It is apparent from various inquiries I have made, that the difficulty in this respect is probably due to the fact that these troops were a detachment of an S.S. mechanized division, which differs slightly in dress from the ordinary S.S. troops, and also that they were of mixed nationalities. This witness’s identification of the officers was positive, and it was doubtlessly due to LEIGHT’s intervention on behalf of VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe that the latter’s life was spared.

Having thus far taken all possible measures to identify the authors of the offence, efforts were then directed towards establishing the identity of the deceased. In the case of MOOTIS [MOTTES], no difficulty was encountered as he was well known to the VECCHIARELLI family and had given his particulars as being MOOTIS Mario, a member of ‘A’ Force, of Belgian nationality, and resident for a number of years in PERGINE, Northern Italy. This man is shown on Exhibit ‘A.5’ and is third from the left on Exhibit ‘A.6’.

During the interrogation of VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe, I was informed that the three deceased British Prisoners of War had visited his home in January, 1944, and had been conducted on the same day to the house of STIPA Luigi, at OFFIDA for the purpose of joining an expedition crossing to their own lines, but apparently this had failed. I therefore paid a visit to STIPA, who placed at my disposal certain documents disclosing Operations of an organization for assisting escaped prisoners of war to rejoin Allied territory. These documents showed that on the 20th January, 1944, an expedition left STIPA’s house to cross the line but was unsuccessful through lack of guides. Among this party were No. 6292081 Daniel R. HOLLINGSWORTH and No. 864044 Thomas WHITE. It will be seen that the Italian equivalents of these names correspond to those given by various witnesses of two of three British ex-prisoners of war in this case.

CARLINI Camillo, at whose farm three of the deceased were arrested, recognised the bodies shown on the photographs, and gave their names as ‘DANIELE’, ‘TOMMASO’ and ‘GIACOMO’. His denunciation of ‘ADRIANO’ as a spy was emphatic and it appears to be justified. The fact of his being present at the arrest of the others and his immediate release upon their arrival at the German Command Post, leaves little doubt that ‘Adriano’ did collaborate with the Germans, and that his object in leaving the farm of CARLINI was to betray the whereabouts of the arrested Prisoners of War. In doing so, he was one of the primary causes of the arrest and subsequent deaths of the four men. A description of ‘ADRIANO’ is embodied in CARLINI’s statement. This matter was to some extent confusing as the statement of VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe was to the effect that he thought the name of one of the deceased was ‘ADRIANO’. He later informed me however, that whilst he was confined with the British prisoners at the German Command Post, they mentioned ‘ADRIANO’ so often that he understood one of them to be of that name. It was probable, however, that this man was discussed by the ex-prisoners of war as having caused their arrest.

Enquiries were continued at farms in the vicinity of PORCHIA and it became increasingly clear that three of the deceased were identical with the prisoners who had left the house of VEROLI at ORTEZZANO in company of CHAUNTRY. In consequence of this, I again visited LUZI Bruno, and after questioning him with regard to the ‘GIACOMO’ who had resided with him, he recognised the body on the right of photograph ‘A.6’ as being this Prisoner of War. LUZI then handed ‘GIACOMO’s particulars to me and his name was given as L.H.J. BROWN. To render identification more positive, I included a description of ‘GIACOMO’ in LUZI’s statement.

On the same day I visited the farm of ROSSI Nazzareno, ORTEZZANO, who immediately recognised the two bodies shown on the left of the photograph marked ‘A.6’ and also on photograph ‘A.3’ as being those two prisoners, ‘DANIELE’ and ‘TOMMASO’ who had resided at his farm from 28 January until 5th March, 1944. I obtained the men’s particulars from ROSSI, and their names were given as Daniel R. HOLLINGSWORTH and T. WHITE respectively. Thus the identification of all four deceased was completed as far as possible.

From this and other inquiries in this district, it is evident that during the period 9th to the 12th March, 1944, a series of punitive expeditions took place through out the area directed against bands of ex-prisoners of war and patriots, and that the S.S. BRANDENBURGH Regt., under the command of a Captain KESTRING with Headquarters at ASCOLI PICENO, was the Unit responsible. Posters were exhibited offering a reward for information regarding the whereabouts of escaped prisoners and patriots, and forbidding anyone to assist or harbour them. The penalty for contravention was death. These orders were authorised by the commander of the German troops and appear to have been acted on literally by the officer commanding the German troops in the ASCOLI PICENO area and by his subordinates. That the officer or officers in charge of the detachment at MONTALTO seem to have been invested with full powers is apparent from the fact that VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe and CORSALETTI Vittorio were given their freedom, and any action taken by these officers must have been approved by the officer commanding in ASCOLI.

Since the commission of the offence, the DRAGONE BRIDGE was almost completely destroyed before the retreat of the Germans, but as a verbal picture of the scene of the crime would have left much to be desired, photographs were taken and these are numbered Exhibits ‘B.1’, ‘B.2’, ‘B.3’, and ‘B.4’ in this case.

The reports of the ex-Prisoners of War, W. MYERS [likely J. MYERS] and the MONTEDINOVE Liberation Committee, whilst providing a basis for this inquiry, are so divergent in detail from the true facts that they can be entirely discounted.

Should further proof of the identities of the deceased be required, I would respectfully suggest that Edward [Ernest] CHAUNTRY be contacted.

In conclusion I would point out that Lieutenant FISCHER was responsible for the release of VACCHIARELLI Giuseppe, and CORSALETTI Vittorio, and therefore it would appear that he was the officer in charge of the MONTALTO Detachment at the time when the crime was committed.

(signed)
W. MOTTRAM. Sergeant.
60 Section, Special Investigation Branch.

16 May, 1945.

Read and submitted.

(signed)
D.A. THORN. Lieut.
DAT/GBG.
60 Section, Special Investigation Branch.

In Italian:

SEGRETO

Quartier Generale, Gruppo “A”, Sezione 60,
Branca Speciale Investigativa,
c/o Ufficio A.P.M., Area 61,
Forze del Mediterraneo Centrale

OGGETTO: Presunto Crimine di Guerra contro 3 ex-Prigionieri di Guerra Britannici e un altro ritenuto Agente dell’ “A” Force, fucilati a MONTEDINOVE (Ascoli Piceno) il 10-11 Marzo 1944.

Si presume che gli uccisi siano:

(A) L.H.J. BROWN,
(B) Daniel HOLLINGWORTH,
(C) Thomas W. WHITE,
(D) Mario MOTTES, Cittadino Belga.

A:
D.A.P.M. [Deputy Assistant Provost Marshall]
Sezione 60, S.I.B. (Special Investigation Branch).

Signore,

Corrispondenza da D.A.P.M., Sezione 68, S.I.B. rif. SIB68/A/44/350, contenente i risultati di inchieste preliminari sull’argomento in oggetto, insieme a un rapporto dal Comitato di Liberazione di MONTEDINOVE del 25-7-44 e una dichiarazione da parte di un ex-prigioniero di guerra J. MYERS del 31-8-44, furono passate a questo Gruppo per investigazione. Fotografie delle vittime, prese dopo la morte, furono anche ottenute dal fascicolo iniziale.

Le informazioni sono state nel complesso contraddittorie, ma in breve la fonte del SIB ha suggerito che un Agente dell’ “A” Force di nome MOTTES Mario, insieme a 3 ex-prigionieri di guerra Britannici, vennero fucilati il /o attorno al/ 10 marzo 1944, presso il PONTE DRAGONE, MONTEDINOVE (AP), dopo essere stati arrestati e condotti alla sede del Comando Tedesco di MONTALTO. Il Comitato di Liberazione affermò che VANNOZZI Vinicio e VANNOZZI Arturo erano implicati in questo crimine, fornendo anche i nomi di probabili testimoni. MYERS, l’ex-prigioniero di guerra, afferma di aver visto un uomo di nome ROSCIOLI e altri Fascisti piazzare 2 prigionieri Inglesi e 2 Italiani contro il muro del ponte. Poco più tardi furono fotografati i 4 uomini morti che giacevano l’uno accanto all’altro. E’ stato asserito che dopo l’esecuzione ROSCIOLI e altri 3 abbiano gettato i 2 prigionieri Inglesi nel torrente sotto il Ponte.

Dalle inchieste fatte e dalle dichiarazioni ottenute i fatti di questo caso sembrano essere i seguenti.

Subito dopo l’8 settembre 1943, un ex-prigioniero di guerra Inglese arrivò alla casa di LUZI Bruno di ORTEZZANO (AP) e fu conosciuto dalla famiglia come “GIACOMO”. In seguito egli diede a LUZI alcuni dettagli che lo rivelavano essere L.H.J. BROWN, di 64 Ormond Drive, Hampton, Middlesex, Inghilterra.

[Lionel Herbert John BROWN, 1° Battaglione Paracadutisti. Nato il 18 Ottobre 1908 da John William e Louisa Blanche Brown. Preso prigioniero probabilmente in Sicilia dopo il 13 Luglio 1943, durante un’operazione di paracadutisti per conquistare il Ponte “Primosole” (sul fiume Simeto), principale via di accesso alla pianura di Catania. In seguito internato nel Campo di prigionia n. 70 di Monte Urano, Fermo, Marche].

Dal 28 Gennaio 1944, ROSSI Nazzareno, anche lui di ORTEZZANO, diede asilo a 2 ex-prigionieri di guerra Britannici, conosciuti come “DANIELE” e “TOMMASO”. I dettagli lasciati da questi due uomini sono i seguenti:

1. Daniel H. HOLLINGSWORTH.
50 Weston Road, Canning Town,
Londra, E.16., Inghilterra

2. T. WHITE [Thomas William WHITE].
189 Coopers Lane
Leyton, Londra, E.10., Inghilterra

[Ambedue del 1° Battaglione, The Buffs (Reggimento Royal East Kent)].
Il 5 Marzo 1944, HOLLINGTON e WHITE fecero visita alla casa di LUZI e uscendo furono accompagnati da BROWN. Non tornarono a casa e non si ebbero loro notizie fino al 9 Marzo 1944, quando visitarono la fattoria di VEROLI Angelo, vicino ORTEZZANO, dove risiedeva un altro ex-prigioniero di guerra, conosciuto come “ERNESTO”. I quattro uomini si allontanarono insieme dalla fattoria e s’incamminarono attraverso la valle dell’ASO in direzione di PORCHIA, fermandosi in varie case coloniche per cibo e vino.

In prima serata dello stesso giorno, 9 Marzo, sorse una controversia in una delle fattorie, e il risultato fu che “ERNESTO” ritornò a casa di VEROLI e vi rimase fino alla liberazione. La famiglia VEROLI ha ricevuto una lettera da “ERNESTO” dopo il suo rimpatrio e i suoi dettagli sono:

Ernest CHAUNTRY
36 Victoria Street, Hucknall
Notts [Nottinghamshire], Inghilterra.

HOLLINGWORTH, WHITE e BROWN arrivarono fino a PORCHIA e lungo il percorso incontrarono un altro ex-prigioniero di guerra conosciuto come “ADRIANO”. Poi i quattro andarono a casa di VECCHIARELLI Francesco, il quale, insieme alla sua famiglia, stava attivamente assistendo ex-prigionieri di guerra Alleati e personale dell’ “A” Force. Essi chiesero dettagli sulla prossima spedizione attraverso il fronte verso le proprie linee, ma al momento non vi erano informazioni al riguardo. Poi lasciarono questa casa e andarono alla fattoria di CARLINI Camillo, dove “ADRIANO”, che era noto a CARLINI come ex-prigioniero di guerra, chiese il permesso che gli altri tre si trattenessero per quella notte alla fattoria. Questa richiesta fu accolta ma “ADRIANO” lasciò la fattoria dicendo che sarebbe andato a dormire altrove.

Attorno alle 5 del mattino del 10 Marzo 1944, un gruppo di soldati Tedeschi visitarono la fattoria di CARLINI, arrestarono HOLLINGSWORTH, WHITE e BROWN e li portarono a PORCHIA. Secondo CARLINI, le azioni dei Tedeschi suggerivano precedente conoscenza del luogo dove si trovavano i prigionieri e della disposizione della fattoria.

I Tedeschi poi andarono a casa di VECCHIARELLI Francesco a PORCHIA, dove arrestarono suo figlio GIUSEPPE, un ragazzo di nome CORSALETTI Vittorio e un Belga, MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario. Quest’ultimo era noto alla famiglia VECCHIARELLI come membro dell’ “A” Force, ed abitava nella loro casa da quasi due mesi, mentre si riprendeva da ferite subìte atterrando dopo lancio con paracadute [il 14 Gennaio 1944]. A un secondo figlio, DIEGO, spararono attraverso la faccia e lo lasciarono lì per morto.

VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe, MOOTIS [MOTTES], e CORSALETTI furono portati via dalla casa, e per la strada incontrarono “ADRIANO” (che era accompagnato dai 3 prigionieri arrestati a casa di CARLINI), circondato da soldati Tedeschi.

Poi tutti furono fatti marciare fino a MONTALTO, dove furono condotti al COLLEGIO SISTO V, casa dei PADRI SALVATORIANI, che all’epoca era usata come Postazione del Comando Tedesco. Là furono detenuti sotto scorta con l’eccezione di “ADRIANO”, che fu apparentemente rilasciato all’arrivo alla sede del Comando e fu in seguito visto a MONTALTO da CARLINI.

Durante quel pomeriggio il ragazzo CORSALETTI, che era stato arrestato per sospetta attività pro-alleati, fu scortato fuori dalla stanza dove erano tenuti i prigionieri. A quanto pare fu interrogato, ma fu in grado di dare un soddisfacente resoconto di sé stesso e fu rilasciato. Poi seguì l’interrogatorio di MOOTIS [MOTTES]. Quando VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe fu portato via per lo stesso motivo, incontrò per le scale MOOTIS [MOTTES], che gli disse di aver detto tutto e che sarebbero stati fucilati. MOOTIS [MOTTES] lamentò di sentirsi male e ritenne che una sigaretta [drogata] datagli nel corso della giornata da un soldato Tedesco, fosse stata la causa del suo malore e della sua rivelazione di quello che sapeva. VECCHIARELLI fu portato davanti a un ufficiale Tedesco, conosciuto come Tenente FISCHER, che inutilmente tentò con offerte di una bustarella di 600.000 Lire e con minacce e colpi di pistola sparatigli vicino, di ottenere informazioni su dov’erano gli ex-prigionieri di guerra e sulle attività dell’ “A” Force. Poi uno dei PADRI SALVATORIANI, LEIGHT Stephen, fu interrogato dal Tenente FISCHER sul carattere di VECCHIARELLI, dopo di che a quest’ultimo fu permesso di tornare a casa.

Fra le 23 e mezzanotte dello stesso giorno (10 Marzo) un veicolo a motore passò lungo la strada della VAL D’ASO in direzione ovest, fermandosi a PONTE DRAGONE nella vallata dell’ASO. Questo ponte è a circa 3 miglia da MONTEDINOVE e 5 miglia da MONTALTO. Seguirono poi raffiche di spari da un’arma automatica, dopo di che il veicolo andò via verso est.

Il mattino seguente, 11 Marzo 1944, furono trovati quattro corpi sulle rive del torrente [ASO] che scorre sotto il PONTE DRAGONE. In mezzo alla strada, all’estremità est del ponte c’era una larga chiazza di sangue. Dentro e intorno alla pozza di sangue c’erano alcune sigarette parzialmente fumate e molti bossoli vuoti. Tracce conducevano dalla pozza di sangue ad ambedue i lati del ponte.

Durante il pomeriggio dell’11 Marzo, i corpi furono trasportati al cimitero di MONTEDINOVE, dove un esame post mortem fu effettuato dal Dottor MIRZABEK Nikolla [Nicola]. Questa non fu un’autopsia dettagliata, dal momento che un proiettile nella testa di uno dei deceduti non fu rimosso, ma stabilì che la morte fu dovuta in tre casi a proiettili penetrati nella base del cranio, e nel quarto caso, alla rottura di arterie da proiettili entrati da dietro, vicino alla colonna vertebrale. I morti furono sepolti nel cimitero di MONTEDINOVE il 15 Marzo 1944, nelle tombe numero 241, 243, 271 e 275.

Lunedì 12 Febbraio 1945, ho iniziato le indagini su questo Crimine di Guerra accompagnato dal Sergente GRAINGER di questa Sezione e dall’Interprete Ufficiale PANICCIA Claudio, che ha agito in questa capacità per tutta la durata dell’inchiesta.

Ho visitato prima MONTALTO dove ho intervistato CRIMI Filippo, che era Maresciallo dei Carabinieri quando fu commesso il delitto. Questo ufficiale, che ora presta servizio a ROMA, ha dichiarato di non avere alcuna conoscenza dei defunti salvo lo smaltimento dei corpi, e non fornì assistenza sull’identificazione dell’unità Tedesca all’epoca stazionata in quella località. E’ ovvio che nella sua veste ufficiale deve essere stato in possesso di qualche informazione rilevante e indagini successive hanno rivelato che il Ten. FISCHER era alloggiato nella casa di CRIMI. Durante l’inchiesta ho ricevuto poca o nessuna assistenza dai Carabinieri di MONTALTO.

Le indagini furono continuate alla fattoria di BENIGNI Pietro, che è situata a circa 200 iarde dal PONTE DRAGONE. Furono ottenute dichiarazioni da BENIGNI Pietro e dai membri della sua famiglia, definendo i dettagli della data e dell’ora della sparatoria, e del ritrovamento e trasporto dei corpi a MONTEDINOVE.

Il 7 Marzo 1945, visitai LUZI Bruno a ORTEZZANO, e la fattoria di VEROLI. Ad essi furono mostrati i reperti fotografici ma non riuscirono a identificare fra i morti, i 3 prigionieri che avevano lasciato la fattoria di VEROLI il 9 Marzo 1944 in compagnia di “ERNESTO” (CHAUNTRY), benché avessero dato i nomi di questi prigionieri come “DANIELE”, “TOMMASO” e “GIACOMO”. Non fui soddisfatto dell’intervista con LUZI, ma decisi di lasciare la questione in sospeso in attesa di ulteriori indagini.

Intervistai poi VALENTINI Tommaso, che fornì una dichiarazione sul fatto che nella notte del 10 Marzo 1944, aveva udito raffiche di fuoco automatico provenienti dalla direzione di PONTE DRAGONE e che al mattino seguente aveva visto i 4 uomini morti. Egli riconobbe i Reperti A1-6 come fotografie dei corpi che vide allora. VALENTINI poi mostrò 2 bossoli vuoti e un proiettile usato che lui dichiara di aver raccolto sul PONTE DRAGONE, scena della sparatoria. Li presi e li contraddistinsi con le iniziali del testimone, “V.T.”, in sua presenza. Sono i Reperti “C.2” di questo caso, che sono stati sottoposti a esame. Il rapporto del perito, Reperto “C.3”, dimostra che sono di origine Tedesca e che sono stati sparati da un’arma da fuoco automatica Tedesca P.38, calibro 9 mm.

Il 15 Marzo 1945, Intervistai BISSELLI Adamo, il quale affermò che nella notte del crimine lui era in una fattoria a circa 125 iarde dalla strada della VAL D’ASO e circa 500 iarde a Est (ma fuori vista) del PONTE DRAGONE. Egli vide un camion 15 TER dell’Esercito Italiano che procedeva verso Ovest in direzione del Ponte ed era sicuro che gli occupanti del camion stessero parlando in Italiano. Udì il veicolo fermarsi, e poco dopo udì il rumore della sparatoria da un’arma automatica. Il veicolo poi tornò indietro e di nuovo BISSELLI udì voci dal camion parlare in Italiano, ma non riuscì a distinguere alcuna parola. Per chiarire questo punto, è noto che nel distaccamento [Tedesco] di MONTALTO c’erano alcune persone di origine Italiana e alcune che parlavano un Italiano fluente, e inoltre che l’Unità era in possesso di molti diversi tipi di veicoli. Dalle prove a portata di mano sembrerebbe che le persone decedute furono raggruppate insieme all’estremità Est del Ponte e uccise da colpi da un’arma automatica sparati da dietro. I corpi furono poi trascinati fino alle due spallette del ponte e lasciati cadere da sopra il parapetto, due da ciascun lato.

Lo stesso giorno, 15 Marzo, decisi di fare un dettagliato esame della scena del crimine, e a circa 30 piedi dal lato nord del ponte, e a circa 20 piedi dal parapetto, trovai un berretto civile, Reperto “C.1”. In esso c’erano buchi che apparivano essere stati fatti dal passaggio di proiettili. Dentro il berretto c’era il marchio del produttore, quello di un’aquila con ali spiegate, e sotto di essa la parola “ROMA”. C’è qualche discrepanza su quale particolare prigioniero fosse il proprietario di questo berretto ma è stato definitivamente identificato come proprietà di uno di essi.

Ulteriori dichiarazioni furono ottenute dalle fattorie nelle vicinanze, e BENIGNI Pietro riferisce che un certo ROSCIOLI è uno di quelli responsabili della sparatoria. Sebbene quest’uomo, ROSCIOLI Settimio, sia stato menzionato in molti casi come un Fascista estremo e molto brutale nei suoi rapporti con i prigionieri di guerra, non ci sono prove per dimostrare che egli sia in qualche modo connesso con questo particolare crimine.

Nella dichiarazione ottenuta da VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe sono indicate le circostanze del suo arresto e della successiva detenzione con Mario MOOTIS [MOTTES] e i tre prigionieri. Egli dà preziose informazioni sull’identità degli ufficiali Tedeschi responsabili del Distaccamento di MONTALTO e afferma che i loro nomi erano FISCHER e ROMMEL, ambedue Tenenti.

Una dichiarazione ottenuta da Padre LEIGHT dei PADRI SALVATORIANI corrobora quella di VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe riguardo all’identificazione di FISCHER e ROMMEL, e si riferisce a quest’ultimo come nipote del defunto Feldmaresciallo ROMMEL. Vengono forniti anche i nomi di due Sergenti di questo distaccamento – Serg. GRILLE e Serg. OLDENBURG. Padre LEIGHT, che è di nazionalità Tedesca, afferma che il Distaccamento era noto come i “BRANDENBURGHERS” – BRANDEBURGHESI, ma è dell’opinione che non fossero truppe S.S. E’ evidente da varie indagini che ho fatto, che la difficoltà a questo riguardo è probabilmente dovuta al fatto che queste truppe erano un distaccamento di una divisione S.S. motorizzata, che differisce leggermente nell’uniforme dalle ordinarie truppe S.S., e anche al fatto che essi erano di varie nazionalità. L’identificazione degli ufficiali da parte di questo testimone è stata certa, ed è stato senza dubbio a causa dell’intervento di LEIGHT a favore di VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe che la vita di quest’ultimo è stata risparmiata.

Avendo fin ora adottato tutte le possibili misure per individuare gli autori del delitto, gli sforzi sono stati poi diretti a stabilire l’identità dei defunti. Nel caso di MOOTIS [MOTTES], non c’è stata difficoltà dal momento che egli era ben noto alla famiglia VECCHIARELLI e aveva dato indicazioni di essere MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario, membro dell’ “A” Force, di nazionalità Belga, e residente per vari anni a PERGINE, Italia del Nord [Pergine Valsugana, Trento]. Quest’uomo è mostrato nel Reperto “A.5” ed è il terzo da sinistra nel Reperto “A.6”.

Durante l’interrogatorio di VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe, fui informato che i tre Prigionieri di Guerra Britannici defunti erano venuti a casa sua nel Gennaio 1944, ed erano stati condotti nello stesso giorno alla casa di STIPA Luigi, a OFFIDA allo scopo di unirsi a una spedizione di attraversamento fino alle linee Alleate, ma apparentemente la cosa non riuscì. Perciò andai a fare visita a STIPA, che mise a mia disposizione certi documenti che svelavano le Operazioni di un’organizzazione per aiutare i prigionieri di guerra evasi a ricongiungersi al territorio Alleato. Questi documenti mostrarono che il 20 Gennaio 1944, una spedizione lasciò la casa di STIPA per attraversare la linea ma non ebbe successo per mancanza di guide. In questo gruppo c’erano Daniel R. HOLLINGSWORTH, matricola 6292081, e Thomas WHITE, matricola 864044. Si vedrà che gli equivalenti Italiani di questi nomi corrispondono a quelli, indicati da vari testimoni, di due dei tre ex-prigionieri di guerra Britannici di questo caso.

CARLINI Camillo, presso la cui fattoria tre dei defunti furono arrestati, riconobbe i corpi mostrati nelle fotografie, e li indicò per nome come “DANIELE”, “TOMMASO” e “GIACOMO”. La sua denuncia di “ADRIANO” come spia fu enfatica e appare giustificata. Il fatto che fosse presente all’arresto degli altri e il suo immediato rilascio al loro arrivo al Posto di Comando Tedesco, lascia pochi dubbi sul fatto che “ADRIANO” collaborò con i Tedeschi, e che il suo obiettivo nel lasciare la fattoria di CARLINI era quello di denunciare il luogo dove si trovavano i Prigionieri di Guerra arrestati. Facendo ciò, egli fu una delle cause principali dell’arresto e successiva morte dei quattro uomini. Una descrizione di “ADRIANO” è inclusa nella dichiarazione di CARLINI. La questione fu in qualche modo confusa perché la dichiarazione di VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe fu che lui riteneva che il nome di uno dei defunti fosse “ADRIANO”. Comunque in seguito m’informò che mentre lui era confinato con i prigionieri Britannici nel Posto di Comando Tedesco, essi menzionarono “ADRIANO” così spesso che lui fraintese che uno di essi avesse quel nome. Era probabile invece che quest’uomo [ADRIANO] fosse oggetto della discussione degli ex-prigionieri quale responsabile del loro arresto.

Le indagini sono continuate nelle fattorie nelle vicinanze di PORCHIA e divenne sempre più chiaro che tre defunti erano identici ai prigionieri che avevano lasciato la casa di VEROLI a ORTEZZANO in compagnia di CHAUNTRY. Di conseguenza, ho fatto visita di nuovo a LUZI Bruno, e dopo averlo interrogato riguardo al “GIACOMO” che aveva abitato con lui, ha riconosciuto il corpo sulla destra della fotografia “A.6” come quello di questo Prigioniero di Guerra. LUZI mi ha poi consegnato i dettagli di “GIACOMO” che aveva dato il suo nome come L.H.J. BROWN. Per rendere l’identificazione di “GIACOMO” più certa, ho incluso una descrizione di “GIACOMO” nella dichiarazione di LUZI.

Lo stesso giorno ho visitato la fattoria di ROSSI Nazzareno a ORTEZZANO, il quale ha immediatamente riconosciuto i due corpi mostrati sulla sinistra della fotografia contrassegnata “A.3” come quelli dei due prigionieri, “DANIELE” e “TOMMASO”, che avevano abitato nella sua fattoria dal 28 Gennaio fino al 5 Marzo 1944. Ho ottenuto i loro dettagli da ROSSI, e i loro nomi erano stati dati rispettivamente come Daniel R. HOLLINGSWORTH e T. WHITE.

Quindi l’identificazione di tutti e quattro i defunti è stata completata per quanto possibile.

Da questa e altre indagini in questo distretto, è evidente che durante il periodo dal 9 al 12 Marzo 1944, ebbe luogo in tutta l’area una serie di spedizioni punitive dirette contro bande di ex-prigionieri di guerra e patrioti, e che il Reggimento S.S. BRANDEBURGO, al comando del Capitano KESTRING con Quartiere Generale ad ASCOLI PICENO, fu l’Unità responsabile. Furono esposti manifesti con l’offerta di una ricompensa per informazioni riguardo ai luoghi dove si trovavano prigionieri evasi e patrioti, e con il divieto per tutti di assisterli od ospitarli. La punizione per chi trasgrediva era la morte. Questi ordini furono autorizzati dal comandante delle truppe Tedesche e a quanto pare furono eseguiti alla lettera dall’ufficiale comandante delle truppe Tedesche nell’area di ASCOLI PICENO e dai suoi subordinati. Che l’ufficiale o gli ufficiali responsabili del distaccamento di MONTALTO sembrassero essere stati investiti di pieni poteri è evidente dal fatto che VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe e CORSALETTI Vittorio furono liberati, e qualsiasi azione intrapresa da questi ufficiali deve essere stata approvata dall’ufficiale comandante in ASCOLI.

Da quando fu commesso il delitto, il PONTE DRAGONE è stato distrutto quasi completamente prima della ritirata dei Tedeschi, ma dal momento che un quadro verbale della scena del crimine avrebbe lasciato molto da desiderare, sono state fatte fotografie che sono state numerate come Reperti “B.1”, “B.2”, “B.3”, e “B.4” di questo caso.

I rapporti dell’ex-Prigioniero di Guerra J. MYERS e del Comitato di Liberazione di MONTEDINOVE, mentre forniscono una base per questa indagine, sono così divergenti nei dettagli dai fatti veri da poter essere completamente ridimensionati.

Se fosse richiesta ulteriore prova dell’identità dei defunti, suggerirei rispettosamente di contattare Ernest CHAUNTRY.

In conclusione vorrei sottolineare che il Tenente FISCHER fu responsabile del rilascio di VECCHIARELLI Giuseppe e di CORSALETTI Vittorio, perciò sembrerebbe che lui fosse l’ufficiale responsabile del Distaccamento di MONTALTO quando il crimine fu commesso.

16 Maggio 1945
(Firma) W. MOTTRAM. Sergente.
Sezione 60, Speciale Branca Investigativa
Letto e inviato. (Firma)
(Firma) D.A. THORN. Tenente.
DAT/GBG
Sezione 60, Branca Speciale Investigativa.

A page from the Ponte Dragone Special Investigation Branch (SIB) file

On May 16, 1945, Sergeant W. Mottram filed a formal report on investigations into the Dragone Bridge execution of three British soldiers and an I.S.9 agent (see “War Crime—the Ponte Dragone Executions”).

Twenty-two days later, SIB Captain E. Lister issued a memo concerning the event that is more concise, but offers additional details and clarifications.

Lieutenants Fischer and Rommel were identified as officers of the Montalto Marche detachment of the “Brandenburgers,” the group implicated in the crime. Fischer was officer in charge, and Rommel was his second in command.

A possible close family connection of young Lieutenant Rommel to Erwin Rommel was clearly of interest to the investigators, as twice in the report the lieutenant was referenced as a nephew of the late field marshal.

Decades later, this connection is just as intriguing. In 2001, a day after the release of the secret war crime file for this incident, the Guardian did a story entitled “Rommel’s nephew linked to war crime.”

A page from the crime file, entitled “Personnel of the Brandenburg Division” (above), offers information about a Lieutenant Theodore Fischer and Lieutenant Rommel.

However, a later S.I.B. document—from 1948—indicated that the Lieutenant Fischer in command at Montalto at the time of the executions was not to be confused with Lieutenant Theodore Fischer who served in a different detachment.

I believe the description below for Lieutenent Fischer is correct for the Montalto-based commander, but that he is was simply incorrectly called Theodore Fischer here.

FISCHER Theodore Lieut 16171/5 16171/51

Mar 44 OC [officer in charge] Montalto Det 3 Regt.
2 Bn 3 Regt. Aosta
Nov 44 SS Jagdeinsatz Italien Val Martello
Jan/Feb 45 SS Jagdkommando Fischer (“M” Bn on sabotage training) Brescia
Mar 45 Vienna Hospital TB [tuberculosis]
Apr/May 45 Val Martello (SOELDER OC) and Avelango (POW)
Sep 45 Merano – Goppingen – hospital train

Age 30-35, 1.66m [5’5″], Black chestnut hair, thin face, broad build, large shoulders, big eyebrows, dark eyes, friendly, spectacles, ? saurian accent.

ROMMEL Lieut 16171/33 – 5

Mar 44 MONTALTO and PETRITOLI (Armd Cars)
Aug/Sept 44 IVREA (Armd Cars)
10 Mar 44, BROWN, WHITE, HOLLINGSWORTH & MOOTIS [MOTTES]

6’2″ tall [1.880m], blonde, law student, good latin, some French, fair reddish hair, young & strong, big ears, approx. 24 yrs.

Home address:
Eva Maria ROMMEL (Wife)
CELLE/HANNOVER
SPORCKENSTR 16

This was the 1948 status for this crime, as previously reported in “The Brandenburgers—War Crimes Investigations“:

SEE/72.

The killing of BROWN, WHITE, HOLLINGSWORTH, and MOOTIS [MOTTES] near MONTALTO on 10 March 1944.

This is a good case and can definitely be brought home to Leut. FISCHER commander of the company of 2nd Bn. Stationed at MONTALTO. This FISCHER should not be confused with the Leut. Theo FISCHER of HETTINGER’s Group. Of the four victims, three were British Ps.W. and one an Allied parachutist agent in civilian clothes. Presumably the Germans would have some justification for shooting him, but none for shooting the Ps.W.

There is evidence to show that

The three Ps.W. were unarmed.

That they were captured early in the morning of 10 March in a different house to that in which MOOTIS [MOTTES], the agent was living.

That all four, together with an Italian boy, were taken to FISCHER’s HQ at MONTALTO.

That they were interrogated by FISCHER and his 2 i/c Leut. ROMMEL.

That they were sentenced to death at this HQ, for one of them on leaving FISCHER’s room announced that they were to die.

That all with the exception of the Italian boy who was released, were shot on the same night on a bridge, near MONTALTO, and their bodies thrown into the river bed.

There is no evidence to show who actually carried out the execution, although the ammunition used was German.

It would appear therefore that FISCHER gave the order for the shooting and that there is a case against him. Also to a lesser extent against Leut. ROMMEL.

My colleague Luigi Donfrancesco has generously translated Captain Lester’s memo into Italian. The Italian version immediately follows the memo in English below.

Once again, I am grateful to the late Brian Sims for our access to these S.I.B. files from the British National Archives.

Captain Lister’s Memo

60 Section,
H.Q. Special Investigation Branch,
Corps of Military Police,
c/o Provost Marshal’s (British),
Allied Forces Headquarters. CMF.

SUBJECT : –

ALLEGED WAR CRIME AGAINST THREE BRITISH EX PRISONERS OF WAR AND ANOTHER, BELIEVED AN ‘A’ FORCE AGENT, WHO WERE SHOT AT MONTEDINOVE, ON THE 10/11 MARCH, 1944.

DECEASED PRESUMED TO BE :-

A. L.H.J. BROWN [Lionel Herbert John Brown].
B. DANIEL HOLLINGSWORTH.
C. THOMAS WHITE [Thomas William White]
and
D. MARIO MOOTIS [MOTTES], (BELGIAN SUBJECT.)

HEREWITH a Precis of War Crime, Reference No. S.I.B. HQ./X/44/25, commenced by this Section on the 12th February, 1945, completed the 16th May, 1945.

The initial inquiry was instituted by the No 60 Section S.I.B. and the following is briefly the case as it appeared when first received.

An ‘A’ Force Agent, named MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario together with three British ex-Prisoners of War, had been arrested by the Germans and Fascists on or about, the 10th March, 1944, and taken to the German Command Post at MONTALTO where after interrogation, [they] were transported to a place in MONTEDINOVE, Province of ASCOLI PICENO and murdered.

The suspects in this case were stated to be, the German Unit stationed at MONTALTO, the Maresciallo of Carabinieri named CRIMI [Filippo], same area (in office at the time of the offence) and a notorious fascist, named ROSCIOLI Settimio.

Information was also contained in a report from the National Liberation Committee and from a statement made by a Sign. [Signalman] MYERS, ex-Prisoner of War, however the facts in both cases were so distorted, as will be seen by subsequent inquiries, that they had to be entirely disregarded.

The true facts of the case appear to be as follows :-

Shortly after the Italian Armistice on the 8th September, 1943, a British ex-Prisoner of War arrived at the home of LUZI Bruno of ORTEZZANO, and was known to them as GIACOMO, his real name being L.H.T. Brown, of Hampton, Middlesex, England.

About the end of January, 1944, a further two ex-Prisoners of War arrived in the same district, and the home of the witness, ROSSI Nazzareno. They were known to the family as DANIELE and TOMMASO, their full particulars being Daniel HOLLINGSWORTH, 59 Weston Road, CANNING TOWN, London, E.16, and Thomas WHITE, 189 Cooper’s Lane, LEYTON – LONDON, E.10, respectively.

On the 14th February, 1944, a parachutist dressed in civilian clothes landed in the area of PORCHIA but owing to the failure of his parachute to open he sustained injuries to his ribs. He was found by a Patriot who took him to the house of the witness where he was cared for by the family, because of his condition. He stated that his name was MOOTIS [MOTTES] Mario, a Belgium subject, native of PERGINE [Pergine Valsugana, Province of Trento], Northern Italy and that he was a member of ‘A’ Force. He remained in the house in PORCHIA until the time of his arrest, the details of which are shown later in this report. It will be noted that VECCHIARELLI with whom he was residing was pro-Allied and that with his family was active in assisting ex-Prisoners of War to return to their own lines and expeditions were organised to that end.

On the 5th March, 1944, HOLLINGSWORTH and WHITE visited the house of LUZI and when they left the P.O.W. BROWN, went with them. LUZI was not informed of their intentions and did not hear of them again until four days later, the 9th March, when they visited the farm of the witness VEROLI who had staying with him a P.O.W. named ERNESTO, Ernest CHAUNTRY. (Not subject to this report and since repatriated to ENGLAND.) [Ernest Chauntry survived the war, married in 1945, and went on to have seven children.]

After conversation the four prisoners left the farm together, but for reasons unknown, CHAUNTRY returned to the home of VEROLI and the remaining three prisoners of war continued on their way to PORCHIA, finally arriving at the house of the witness, VECCHIARELLI, accompanied by another P.O.W. they met en-route, who was known to them only by the name of ADRIANO.

Here they asked for particulars respecting the next expedition through the enemy lines but no information was available to them at that time so they left the house and went to the farm of CARLINI Camillo where ADRIANO (whom it was believed, was a P.O.W.) asked permission for the other three men to spend the night. This request was granted and ADRIANO left the farm stating that he was going to sleep at another farm near-by. (later inquiries proved this to be untrue, and there is little doubt that he was a soldier of the Branden-Burg Regiment.)

About 5 a.m. the following [day,] 10th March, 1944, a party of German soldiers numbering about 30 visited the home of CARLINI and arrested HOLLINGSWORTH, WHITE and BROWN. They immediately went from there, surrounded the house of VECCHIARELLI, whom they arrested, together with the ‘A’ Force Agent, MOOTIS [MOTTES].

Arriving in the street it was observed that ADRIANO was in company with the Germans and that he was not under arrest. The prisoners were then marched to MONTALTO, the German Command Post where they were questioned by the Officers there, Lieutenant[s] FISHER [FISCHER] and ROMMEL, and finally placed under guard. From that time (it then being late afternoon nothing more is known of them until 11 p.m. when a motor vehicle believed to contain the Prisoners, passed along the VAL D’ASO road finally stopping at the DRAGONE Bridge, 3 miles from MONTEDINOVE. Bursts of machine-gun fire were heard and then the noise of the vehicle starting up and returning along the route it had first come.

The following morning the 11th March, 1944, four bodies were found on the banks of the stream which flows beneath DRAGONE Bridge (subsequent identifications proved these bodies to be the four Prisoners of War arrested by the Germans the previous day.) The middle of the road-way, on the top of the bridge, showed pools of blood, cigarette ends and spent cartridge cases.

That same afternoon the bodies were conveyed to the Cemetery at MONTEDINOVE and placed in the Church there. Two days later, the 13th March, the bodies were photographed by a photographer, named BAFFONI, (not traced) in presence of the witness, PORLETTI. [Carlo Baffoni, who was from San Benedetto del Tronto, was called to take pictures of the four bodies by Ferdinando Vecchiarelli, Francesco’s brother, as stated in the handwritten report by the latter.] On the 14th March, a Post mortem examination was conducted by the witness, Dr MIRZABEK and the bodies were finally buried on the 15th March, 1944, at MONTEDINOVE in the graves numbered 241-243-271 and 275.

The identification of the deceased persons was greatly assisted by the photographs (Ex. A1 to A6) but much more difficulty was encountered attempting to identify the Germans and the names of others, of that Unit, held responsible.

Father LEIGHT and VECCHIARELLI give valuable information in this direction and both furnish the names of the German Officers at the MONTALTO Detachment as being Lieutenant FISCHER and Lieutenant ROMMEL (Nephew of the late Field Marshal ROMMEL) and that the officer in charge of the Head-Quarters of ASCOLI PICENO was Captain KESTRING or KESTING. Sergeants GRILLE and ONDENBERG were also referred to, as being from the same regiment which was stated to be the BRANDEN-BURGH Regiment, however information obtained from G2 Section OI/CS (W&C MED.) gives the following. Captain KESTING, Lieutenant ROMMEL (nephew of the late field Marshal Rommel) and Lieutenant FISHER [FISCHER] are all listed as belonging to the Second Battalion, 3rd Brandenburgh Regiment, all known to have been operating in that part of the country at that specific time. This regiment has since been reported disbanded and incorporated into the 5th Mountain Division. However the Department concerned is endeavoring to obtain further details through 5th Army Channels which on completion will be circulated for their arrest when they will be interviewed by this Section. The other Ranks are not listed and only by arresting the Officers can we hope to trace the other suspected persons and obtain their particulars.

Additional information was obtained from G2, C.I. respecting Captain KESTING, who it was again verified, belonged to the Branden-Burgh Regiment and an additional description of him was obtained. (See descriptive form).

Recent information from G2, C.I. (2) states that their records show the Fascist ROSCIOLI Settimio as being still at large. Immediately he is interned, arrangements will be made for his interrogation.

(signed)
Captain E. Lister, D.A.P.M. [Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal]
60 Section, Special Investigation Branch.

7 June 1945.

In Italian:

Sezione 60, Quartier Generale Branca Speciale Investigativa,
Corpi di Polizia Militare
c/o Capo della Polizia Militare (Britannico)
Quartieri Generali delle Forze Alleate. Forze del Mediterraneo Centrale.

OGGETTO:
PRESUNTO CRIMINE DI GUERRA CONTRO TRE EX PRIGIONIERI DI GUERRA BRITANNICI E UN ALTRO, RITENUTO UN AGENTE DELL’ “A” FORCE, CHE VENNERO FUCILATI A MONTEDINOVE [Ascoli Piceno] IL 10/11 MARZO, 1944.

SI PRESUME CHE I MORTI SIANO:
A. L.H.J. BROWN [ Lionel Herbert John BROWN ]
B. DANIEL HOLLINGSWORTH
C. THOMAS WHITE [ Thomas William WHITE ] e:
D. MARIO MOOTIS [ Mario MOTTES ], (SUDDITO BELGA).

Con la presente un Sommario di un Crimine di Guerra, Riferimento N. S.I.B. H.Q./X/44/25, avviato da questa Sezione il 12 Febbraio 1945, concluso il 16 Maggio 1945.

L’inchiesta iniziale fu istituita dalla Sezione 60 della S.I.B. [ Special Investigation Branch ] e quanto segue è in breve il caso come è apparso quando inizialmente ricevuto.

Un Agente dell’ “A” Force , di nome MOOTIS Mario [ MOTTES Mario ] e tre ex-Prigionieri di Guerra Britannici furono arrestati dai Tedeschi e Fascisti il o attorno al 10 Marzo, 1944, e portati al Posto di Comando Tedesco a MONTALTO [ Montalto Marche, AP ] dove dopo interrogatorio furono trasportati in un luogo a MONTEDINOVE, Provincia di ASCOLI PICENO e assassinati.

Fu affermato che i sospettati in questo caso fossero, l’Unità Tedesca di stanza a MONTALTO, il Maresciallo dei Carabinieri di nome CRIMI [ CRIMI Filippo ], dello stesso luogo ( in carica al tempo del reato ) e anche un famigerato fascista, di nome ROSCIOLI Settimio.

Informazioni erano anche contenute in un rapporto dal Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale e in una dichiarazione fatta dal Segnalatore MYERS, ex-Prigioniero di Guerra, comunque i fatti in ambedue i casi furono così distorti, come si vedrà nelle successive inchieste, che dovettero essere del tutto ignorati.

I veri fatti di questo caso sembrano essere i seguenti:

Poco dopo l’Armistizio Italiano dell’8 Settembre 1943, un ex-Prigioniero di Guerra Britannico arrivò a casa di LUZI Bruno di ORTEZZANO [ AP ], e fu da essi conosciuto come GIACOMO, e il suo vero nome era L.H.T BROWN [ Lionel Herbert John BROWN ], di Hampton, Middlesex, Inghilterra.

Verso la fine di Gennaio 1944, altri due ex-Prigionieri di Guerra arrivarono nella stessa zona, a casa del testimone, ROSSI Nazzareno. Essi furono conosciuti dalla sua famiglia come DANIELE e TOMMASO, e i loro dati completi erano Daniel HOLLINGSWORTH, 59 Weston Road, CANNING TOWN, Londra, E.16, e Thomas [ William ] WHITE, 189 Cooper’s Lane, LEYTON – LONDRA, E.10, rispettivamente.

Il 14 Febbraio 1944, un paracadutista vestito in abiti civili atterrò nell’area di PORCHIA, ma a causa della mancata apertura del paracadute riportò lesioni alle costole. Fu trovato da un Patriota che lo portò a casa del testimone [ VECCHIARELLI ] dove fu curato dalla famiglia, a causa delle sue condizioni. Egli dichiarò che il suo nome era MOOTIS Mario [ MOTTES Mario ], suddito Belga, di “PERGRINI”, Nord Italia [ PERGINE Valsugana, Trento ] e che era un membro dell’ “A” Force. E’ rimasto in quella casa a PORCHIA fino al momento del suo arresto, i cui dettagli sono descritti più tardi in questo rapporto. Si noterà che VECCHIARELLI con il quale stava abitando era pro-Alleati e che la sua famiglia era attiva nell’assistere ex-Prigionieri di Guerra a ritornare alle loro linee e spedizioni venivano organizzate a tal fine.

Il 5 Marzo 1944, HOLLINGSWORTH e WHITE visitarono la casa di LUZI e quando andarono via il P.O.W. [ Prigioniero di Guerra ] BROWN andò con loro. LUZI non fu informato delle loro intenzioni e non ebbe loro notizie fino a quattro giorni dopo, il 9 Marzo 1944, quando essi visitarono la fattoria del testimone VEROLI che aveva ad abitare con lui un P.O.W. di nome ERNESTO, Ernest CHAUNTRY. (Non oggetto di questo rapporto e da allora rimpatriato in Inghilterra). [ Melvyn Pack ci ha informati che CHAUNTRY si è sposato nel 1945 ed ha avuto 7 figli ].

Dopo una conversazione i quattro prigionieri lasciarono la fattoria insieme, ma per ignoti motivi, CHAUNTRY ritornò a casa di VEROLI e gli altri tre prigionieri proseguirono nel loro cammino verso PORCHIA, arrivando finalmente a casa del testimone, VECCHIARELLI, accompagnati da un altro P.O.W. [ Prigioniero di Guerra ] che avevano incontrato durante il tragitto, che era noto solo a loro con il nome di ADRIANO.

Qui chiesero dettagli sulla prossima spedizione attraverso le linee nemiche ma non vi erano informazioni disponibili in quel momento così lasciarono la casa e andarono alla fattoria di CARLINI Camillo dove ADRIANO ( che veniva ritenuto essere un Prigioniero di Guerra ) chiese il permesso per gli altri tre uomini di rimanere per la notte. Questa richiesta fu accolta e ADRIANO lasciò la fattoria affermando che andava a dormire in un’altra fattoria vicina. ( Successive indagini hanno provato che questo non era vero, e non v’è dubbio che lui era un soldato del Reggimento [ S.S. ] Brandeburgo. )

Verso le 5 del mattino seguente, 10 Marzo 1944, un gruppo di circa trenta soldati Tedeschi, visitarono la fattoria di CARLINI e arrestarono HOLLINGSWORTH, WHITE e BROWN. Poi andarono subito via da lì, circondarono la casa di VECCHIARELLI, che arrestarono, insieme all’Agente dell’ “A” Force MOOTIS [ MOTTES ].

Arrivando in strada fu notato che ADRIANO era in compagnia dei Tedeschi e non era in arresto. I prigionieri furono poi fatti marciare fino a MONTALTO, al Posto di Comando Tedesco dove furono interrogati dagli ufficiali di lì, Tenenti FISCHER e ROMMEL, e finalmente posti sotto custodia. Da quel momento ( era tardo pomeriggio ) non si sa più niente di loro fino alle ore 23, quando un veicolo a motore ritenuto contenere i Prigionieri, passò lungo strada della VAL D’ASO fermandosi finalmente al PONTE DRAGONE, 3 miglia da MONTEDINOVE. Furono udite raffiche di mitra e poi il rumore del veicolo che veniva riavviato e che ritornava per la strada dalla quale era venuto.

Il seguente mattino dell’11 Marzo 1944, quattro corpi furono trovati sulle rive del torrente [ ASO ] che scorre sotto il PONTE DRAGONE ( La successiva identificazione ha provato questi quattro corpi essere i quattro Prigionieri di Guerra arrestati dai Tedeschi il giorno prima. ) Il centro della carreggiata, sopra il ponte, mostrava pozze di sangue, mozziconi di sigarette e bossoli vuoti.

Quello stesso pomeriggio i corpi furono portati al Cimitero di MONTEDINOVE e ivi posti nella Chiesa. Due giorni dopo, il 13 Marzo, i corpi furono fotografati da un fotografo, di nome BAFFONI ( non rintracciato ) in presenza del testimone PORLETTI [il fotografo era BAFFONI Carlo di San Benedetto del Tronto ]. Il 14 Marzo un esame Post Mortem fu eseguito dal testimone Dr. MIRZABEK e i corpi furono infine sepolti il 15 Marzo 1944, a MONTEDINOVE nelle tombe numero 241-243-271 e 275.

L’identificazione delle persone defunte fu molto aiutata dalle fotografie ( Reperti da A1 a A6 ) ma s’incontrò molta più difficoltà nel cercare di identificare i Tedeschi e i nomi di altri, di quell’Unità, ritenuti responsabili.

Padre LEIGHT e VECCHIARELLI danno preziose informazioni in quella direzione e ambedue forniscono i nomi degli Ufficiali Tedeschi al Distaccamento di MONTALTO che erano Tenente FISCHER e Tenente ROMMEL ( Nipote del defunto Feldmaresciallo ROMMEL ) e che l’Ufficiale responsabile del Quartiere Generale di ASCOLI PICENO era un Capitano KESTRING o KESTING. Fu riferito che anche i Sergenti GRILLE e ONDENBERG erano dello stesso Reggimento che fu affermato essere il Reggimento BRANDEBURGO, comunque l’informazione ottenuta dal G2 Sezione 01/CS (W&C MED.) riferisce quanto segue. Il Capitano KESTING, il Tenente ROMMEL ( nipote del defunto Feldmaresciallo ROMMEL ) e il Tenente FISHER [ FISCHER ] sono tutti elencati come appartenenti al 2° Battaglione del 3° Reggimento [ S.S. ] BRANDEBURGO, tutti noti per aver operato in quella parte del paese in quel momento specifico. Questo Reggimento è stato riferito da allora sciolto e incorporato nella 5^ Divisione di Montagna. Comunque il Dipartimento interessato si sta adoperando per ottenere ulteriori dettagli attraverso i Canali della 5^ Armata che al termine verranno diffusi per il loro arresto, allorché essi verranno intervistati da questa Sezione. Gli Altri Ranghi non sono elencati e solo arrestando gli Ufficiali possiamo sperare di rintracciare le altre persone sospettate e ottenere i loro dati.

Informazioni aggiuntive furono ottenute da G2 sul Capitano KESTING, ed è stato di nuovo verificato che apparteneva al Reggimento [S.S.] BRANDEBURGO e fu ottenuta anche una sua descrizione. ( Vedi modulo descrittivo ).

Recente informativa dal G2.CI. (2) afferma che i loro documenti dimostrano che il Fascista ROSCIOLI Settimio è ancora in libertà. Appena viene arrestato, verrà disposto il suo interrogatorio. (Firma)

7 Giugno 1945. Capitano E. LISTER, D.A.P.M. Sezione 60, Branca Speciale Investigativa.

A rededication service for Private Lionel Brown, 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, and Privates Daniel Hollingsworth and Thomas White, 1st Battalion The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) took place this past week. The three, having escaped from Italian prisoner of war camps during WW2, were shot along with I.S.9 agent Mario Mottes, near the village of Montedinove, Italy.

Read an official Ministry of Defence news story about the event, “Bravery of 3 World War 2 soldiers shot for escaping from a POW camp finally recognised after nearly 75 years.”

Read also “Heros Honored” by The Sun.

On this site, read “War Crime—the Ponte Dragone Executions” and “Ponte Dragone Deaths—A Second Report” for the details on the Special Investigation Branch war crime investigation into the soldiers’ capture and execution.

Private Lionel Herbert John Brown was born on October 18, 1908 in Hornsey, London. He enlisted on October 20, 1926, aged 18, and his trade prior to enlistment was porter. He was single.

Private Daniel Hollingsworth was born April 15, 1920 in Tidal Basin, London. He enlisted on June 24, 1940, aged 20 years, and his trade prior to enlistment was labourer. He was married with one daughter.

Private Thomas William White was born on February 26, 1921 in Leyton, London. He enlisted on April 27, 1938, aged 17 years, and his trade prior to enlistment was leather worker. He was single.

A bugler from The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment performs the Last Post during the rededication service / Crown copyright

Captain Andrew G. Robb, Commander of No. 5 Field Section, I.S.9 or “A” Force

This resumé was prepared by Luigi Donfrancesco, nephew of Andrea Scattini, an agent of No. 5 Field Section, “A” Force.

The post is based on the following documents:

• Captain Robb’s No. 5 Field Section Progress Reports, Final Periodic Report, and other I.S.9 documents provided by the late British researcher Brian Sims.
• Captain Robb’s military records and vital records, which were kindly provided by Beverly Robb, wife of Murray Robb, Andrew’s nephew (son of Andrew’s elder brother, Alexander Robb).
• Capt. Robb is mentioned at pages 81–82 of the 2004 book Scritti scelti di Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello, by Elena Dundovich and Ruggero Ranieri (Uguccione’s son).
• He is also mentioned in the 2007 book I Diari di Babka, by Alessandro Perini, and in the 2012 book San Vito e la Guerra, by Pietro Cupido.
• Additionally, the “A” Force rescue operations organized by Capt. Robb (although he is not mentioned by name) are present in the 2010 book Il Memoriale di Don Carlo, l’eroe sconosciuto, by Giancarlo Giannotti.
• Capt. Robb is in the list of British Army Officers 1939–1945 at unithistories.com.

Andrew George Robb was born 20 March 1901 in Dunedin, New Zealand. He was the second of four sons born to Alexander Robb (a tailor by profession) and Isabella Simpson.

Education:
1915–1918 – West Christchurch District High School, New Zealand. Matriculation
University – Canterbury University College, New Zealand

Employed in 1928, age 27, as Registered Surveyor (in Italian, Topografo), New Zealand, Land Survey (Rilevamento Topografico)

Member of Town Planning Institute, New Zealand

In his 1945 Application for Registration in the Army Officers’ Emergency Reserve, Item 25, Andrew states he resided in Malaya from 1928 to 1942. His photo provided by Beverly Robb (above) was most likely taken before he left for Malaya.

Andrew was employed by the Colonial Office and served in Malaya from 1932 to 1942, age 31–41.

Beverly Robb found a 1933 article in a New Zealand newspaper stating Andrew had just completed a trip around the world while on furlough from his position with the Colonial Service in Malaya. The article originally appeared in a London paper.

Antonina “Nina” Schmit, born 10 June 1906, was a “White Russian” refugee from Estonia who had embarked in Vladivostok to escape the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and somehow had reached Hong Kong.

Andrew and Nina were married in Singapore on 15 April 1937. At marriage Andrew was 36 and Nina was 30. They had no children.

The couple probably traveled together to the United States in 1933, 1938, and 1945.

In his above mentioned 1945 Application for Emergency Commission, Andrew states that in 1940 he resided in Brunei Town and Seria (Borneo Island). Nina may have left Singapore to join him there.

December 1941–January 1942. Andrew was attached to a commando unit, Independent Corp of AIF (Australian Imperial Forces) in Malaya.

5 January 1942. While operating in the jungle, Andrew suffered a gunshot wound in his upper left arm, and a minor injury to his right leg, by a Japanese sniper. He recovered, but was left with a minor, lifelong disability in his left hand.

6 April 1942. Only three months later, Andrew was mobilized for war service at Caulfield (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia).

At medical examination, he was judged temporarily unfit for Class I and assigned to Class II. On 15 February 1943, after a three-month sick leave, his medical status was changed to “B.”

He was enlisted in the Australian Military Forces (Army No. V147996), and assigned to the Australian Intelligence Corps.

Mobilization Attestation Form

Here is information from Andrew’s Mobilization Attestation Form:

Place of birth: Dunedin, New Zealand
NBBS (National Born British Subject)
Age: 41
Date of birth: 20 March 1901
Normal trade or occupation: Colonial Survey Service
Present occupation: same
Married: 1937

Previous military service either in peace or war:

1st Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand, 1918–1920
Johore Voluntary Engineers, 1932–1938
Federated Malay States Volunteers, 1939–1942

Reason for discharge: termination of service

Next of kin: Antonina Robb (wife)
Her address: c/o Thomas Cook & Co., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Your [Andrew’s] permanent address: as above
Religious denomination: Presbyterian
Educational Qualifications: Matriculation of High School
Other Diplomas: M.N.Z.I.S., M.T. 1 (New Zealand)
Never convicted by a Civil Court

10 April 1942. Four days after enlistment, Andrew Robb was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to General Headquarters “G” Branch Directorate of Military Intelligence, “in appointment as Intelligence Officer with pay and allowance of Lieutenant.”

30 April 1942. Transferred to Australian Intelligence Corps Land Headquarters.

Andrew Robb served as Lieutenant, “G” Branch, Australian Intelligence Corps, from 10 April 1942 to 1 February 1944.

We are unsure if, during that time, he served in the North African Campaign (which seems likely) or elsewhere. However, we know that, at least from autumn 1943 to late January 1944, he was in Italy with the British 8th Army, serving as Intelligence Officer of I.S.9 (Intelligence School 9), called “A” Force on that front.

In Italy, he had the temporary rank of captain, under Major John Francis Fillingham, and his job was to organize escape and evasion operations from enemy-occupied territory.

His main base of operations was Termoli, an eastern coastal town in the province of Campobasso (region of Molise). As the front advanced, he moved to Casoli and Lanciano (province of Chieti, in the region of Abruzzo).

In October and early November 1943, he was commander of Team “Ratberry Section A” (of “A” Force, No. 5 Field Section), a newly formed group of six carefully selected Italian agents, so named as they were going to operate from Post “A” Villa Vinci “Boccabianca” at Cupra Marittima (Ascoli Piceno, Marche), property of Count Zeno Vinci. The count’s wife, “Babka,” wrote the above mentioned “Diaries 1943–1944,” published in the 2007 book by Alessandro Perini, containing interesting information about daily activities of “Post A.”

The six agents of Team Ratberry Section “A” under Capt. Robb were:

Uguccione (“Ugo,” “Hugo,” or “Hugh”) Ranieri (Count of Sorbello–Bourbon del Monte), head of the team;
Catholic priest “Don Carlo” Domenico Orlandini;
Ermanno Finocchi;
Andrea Scattini (Luigi Donfrancesco’s uncle);
Fausto Simonetti;
“Guido” – full name unknown.

See “I.S.9 Captain Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello,” “’Don Carlo’—The Unknown Hero,” “Andrea Scattini—Youthful I.S.9 Agent,” and “A Letter of Tribute to Andrea Scattini.”

One year later, in October 1944, in a letter to Princess Ruffo di Calabria describing the circumstances of the death of her 18-year-old son Augusto, Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello wrote this about Capt. Robb:

“There was Captain Robb (now Major), our Commander, always talented and full of brilliant ideas, a type of artist who had nothing of military, but who was able to inspire [in] the boys the pleasure of going to risk their necks.”

The text of this letter was published on pages 80–93 of the above-mentioned Scritti scelti di Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello.

22 October 1943. From Termoli, Capt. Robb landed agents Fausto Simonetti and “Guido” near Cupra Marittima.

2 November 1943. From Termoli, he landed in the same place the other four agents of Team Ratberry “A” (Uguccione Ranieri, “Don Carlo” Orlandini, Ermanno Finocchi, and Andrea Scattini).

At 2:30 a.m. on November 3, they reached Post “A” (Villa Vinci “Boccabianca” at Cupramarittima) where they joined agent Fausto Simonetti who was waiting for them. (Their arrival was described by “Babka” in her “Diaries.” See pages 83–84 of Alessandro Perini’s book).

Priest “Don Carlo” Orlandini traveled north by train to his area at Poiano, Villa Minozzo (Reggio Emilia). He then returned by Christmas with 11 prisoners of war. On 6 January 1944, he embarked with them at Martinsicuro (Teramo, Abruzzo) and on the next day they arrived at Termoli.

The other four agents (Uguccione Ranieri, Ermanno Finocchi, Andrea Scattini, and Fausto Simonetti) remaining in the Marche, gathered as many POWs as possible, and organized the transport of four successful boatloads from San Benedetto del Tronto to Termoli.

On 2 November 1943, about half an hour before departure of the LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) with Capt. Robb and the four agents, a Torpedo Motorboat, or “Moto-Silurante,” (MS 33 No. 74) had left from Termoli for Silvi (north of Pescara). On arrival, it was spotted by a German coastal patrol and fired upon by machinegun. The MS caught fire, exploded, and sunk.

Eighteen-year-old Augusto Ruffo “di Calabria” (elder brother of Paula, later Queen of Belgium), who was sitting in the boat’s lower deck, talking to U.S. Air Force Intelligence Captain Richard W. B. Lewis, in mid-sentence dropped dead on the floor in front of him. A bullet had perforated the boat’s wall and entered his back—as later reported by Capt. Lewis. Others were able to jump into the water and swim ashore. Many were captured by Germans.

French, naturalized British, Capt. Raymond “Lee” Couraud, commander of the “French Squad” of 2nd S.A.S. (Special Air Service) had a bullet embedded in each shoulder. Despite the injury, he was able to swim ashore, avoid capture, and return with others to Termoli 10 days later, on November 12, where he was hospitalized.

Capt. Lewis jumped into the water, swam obliquely to the beach, and avoided capture. He was helped by Italian families, and returned to the Allied lines six weeks later, on December 17.

Years later, Capt. Lewis described details of this episode, and of his adventure and survival in enemy territory, in a chapter of his memoir, The City of Florence.

Read “I.S.9 Captain R. W. B. Lewis.”

Other documents

“A” Force Situation Report, November 1943

SITREP [Situation Report] “A” FORCE HEADQUARTERS, TERMOLI
by Major John F. FILLINGHAM

NOV. 3 [1943]
10:30 – Capt ROBB returned [to TERMOLI] in LCI [Landing Craft Infantry] having landed party of 4 Agents [Uguccione RANIERI, “Don Carlo” ORLANDINI, Ermanno FINOCCHI and Andrea SCATTINI].

12:00 – Report received that MS boat [“Moto-Silurante” – Torpedo Motor Boat] with Capt. LEWIS and RAYMOND LEE [COURAUD] party who sailed evening 2 Nov. for SILVI was off TERMOLI in sinking condition and that help had been sent.

NOV. 4
06:30 – On return [of] MS [“Moto-Silurante”, Torpedo Motorboat] put into SILVI to investigate disappearance of MS which kept r.v. [“rendez-vous” – appointment] [on the] night of 2 Nov. and attempt to contact Capt. LEWIS and Capt. RAYMOND LEE [COURAUD] – no signals seen, weather and heavy sea prevented any landing in recce [reconnaissance] area.

[On same day arrived at TERMOLI the 1st boatload of Prisoners of War rescued by Agents of Team RATBERRY “A” – see Progress Report by Capt. ROBB below].

NOV. 12 [1943].
18:30 – The following party arrived by road, having been landed from fishing schooner 10 miles up the coast from TERMOLI. They had embarked on the previous night at SILVI [north of Pescara].

Capt. Raymond LEE [COURAUD] 2 SAS [2nd Special Air Service] (wounded in both shoulders and now in hospital).
POW [Prisoners of War] 3 South African and 2 USA.
Sgt [Sergeant] SCOTT, POW re-employed by “A” FORCE, 1st SAS [Special Air Service].
3 ITALIANS, evacuated by AMGOT.

NOV 13 [1943].

08:00 – [2nd boatload of POWs] “HUGO” [Uguccione RANIERI “di Sorbello”] and agent [who?] landed by Capt. ROBB and the Senior Member of the “RATLINE” [Lieut. Virgilio “Nanni” GIOVANNETTI, in charge of Post in PORCHIA, Montalto Marche] arrived at TERMOLI in the fishing schooner MARIA which he had commandeered at S. BENEDETTO and sailed on to TERMOLI with the following:

15 POW [names omitted, most from Camp 59]
Pte. [Private] MAYBURY Rommel, 2nd SAS [Special Air Service]

Pte. MAYBURY has been returned to his Unit and the POW evacuated to the Sub-Commission, BARI.

In addition to the above “HUGO” gave a lift to 7 ITALIANS who had been evacuated as refugees.

The skipper of the MARIA has been rewarded with 1000 lire per head in full settlement.

“HUGO” is returning on another expedition immediately.

Signed: John. F. FILLINGHAM
Major G II (N).

In the Field
13 Nov 43.

“N” Section Situation Report, December 1943

SITREP [Situation Report] – MOST SECRET. “N” SECTION TERMOLI.

17 Dec 43.
17:00 hrs – Arrival of Capt. LEWIS on return through the lines after wreck of MS 74.

18 Dec 43.
9:30 hrs – Capt. LEWIS leaves for BARI.

Signed: PETER S. FOWLER, Capt. “A” FORCE

No. 5 Field Section Progress Reports, November 1943

PROGRESS REPORTS FROM No. 5 FIELD SECTION
by Capt. ROBB

NOV. 4, 1943 – [1st boatload]. A sailing boat, bringing 5 ex-P/Ws [ex-Prisoners of War] arrived at TERMOLI from SAN BENEDETTO [del Tronto]. This “coup” had been successfully organized by Agent FAUSTO [SIMONETTI] of this Section [No. 5], originally landed Oct. 22, one of the 6 Agents who were working as a team (see Plan RATBERRY Section “A”). They were guided by FAUSTO and accompanied by 2 helpers. They brought a letter from FAUSTO assuring me that all had arrived safely, arranged r.v.s. [“Rendez-Vous”, appointments] had been kept, and the Plan was going ahead. Good prospects are assured. The 2 helpers will be returned to FAUSTO as soon as possible.

[Two days later, Captain Robb became commander of the whole of No. 5 Field Section. See note below.]

NOV. 6. I took over officially from Col. WHYTE, and Section 5 now covers a 2 Division Front, 8th Indian Division and 78th Division; moved to SAN FELICE [DEL MOLISE].

[No. 5 Section operated east along the Adriatic coast, with the purpose of rescuing Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and other escapers and evaders, such as paratroopers and downed air pilots, from enemy occupied territory in the Marche and Abruzzi regions. Infiltrated agents gathered and rescued POWs and others, taking them south by boat to Termoli, or by land to the Allied lines, along the so called “Ratberry Lines” or “Ratlines.” Such missions were very dangerous and agents, if captured by Germans or Fascists, faced severe interrogations, torture and death. However, despite difficulties, No. 5 Section was very successful and rescued the highest number of POWs, when compared to other sections].

NOV. 13. Returned to TERMOLI.

My chief Agent HUGH [Uguccione RANIERI di Sorbello], head of the original Six put in at CUPRAMARITTIMA, reported back with full account of activities, Plan RATBERRY Section “A” and bringing with him 18 ex-P/Ws [ex Prisoners of War], 3 Helpers [his younger brother Lodovico RANIERI, Lieut. Virgilio “NANNI” GIOVANNETTI, Senior Member of the “RAT-LINE”, in charge of PORCHIA-MONTALTO MARCHE Post, and Agent ? landed by Capt. ROBB – see above report by Major FILLINGHAM], and the following story:

“Following successful get-away of the 5 ex-P/Ws on Nov. 4 [1st boatload organized by Agent FAUSTO SIMONETTI, see above] it was decided to try it again. To keep 2 sailing vessels, which were about to sail, ERMANNO [FINOCCHI], one of my original 6, circulated the rumor that fishing vessels arriving at British Occupied Ports without some British P/W, were suspect. This had the desired result, and a promise was extracted to wait until the night of Nov. 8. FAUSTO [SIMONETTI], another of my 6, set off to round up the ex-P/Ws. HUGH [RANIERI] and ERMANNO [FINOCCHI] also set off, with HUGH’s brother [Lodovico RANIERI] and a friend [Gianni DA CAMPO] to round up some more.

In spite of the usual difficulties; local persuasion; distrust etc., 11 more were got on the move. A march of 45 miles was successfully accomplished and a hide-out found; here the “Brother” [Lodovico RANIERI] arrived with 9 more. Agent FAUSTO [SIMONETTI] never turned up. The group came to SAN BENEDETTO [del Tronto] by night and conducted to the beach in order to be sent to the harbor in small groups. Unfortunately firing broke out just at the moment. Panic among the ex P/W was avoided but the boat crew had vanished. The get-away therefore was abandoned for that night.

Next day another group of ex P/W arrived, sent by ANDREA [SCATTINI] [one] of the original six [Agents], from further up the coast, the number was now 27; no word came from FAUSTO [SIMONETTI].

Then followed days of anxiety. On Nov. 11 five discouraged ex P/Ws left to attempt crossing the lines. Finally HUGH contacted an Italian Naval Captain, and together they finally persuaded a skeleton crew to attempt the get-away. Meantime a few more ex P/Ws had disappeared. The town was entered at dusk greatly aided by the fact that British planes were overhead and all the townspeople had taken cover. The motor fishing boat was boarded, the anchor was abandoned, as hauling it in would be too noisy, and the exit from the harbor was made in absolute quiet. The rest of the journey was uneventful, except for the jubilation of the ex P/Ws, and they arrived safely at TERMOLI. The course was approx. 14 miles from the coast.

FUTURE INTENTIONS.

This operation, carried out by the RATBERRY SECTION “A” of No. 5 Field Section, proves that the “putting in” of a complete working team into an area known to them, is fully justified. Similar “coups” will be attempted, but the main plan of land evacuation will be pushed. To further this, HUGH will return Nov. 15 to his area and continue working with the other five and their helpers. The Naval Captain (Italian) who assisted this last coup, will, as he is well known to many local fishermen on the coast, continue to organize boats and conduct the ex P/Ws to TERMOLI.

NOV. 14/15. Following arrival of the 2nd boatload of ex P/Ws on 13th Nov, HUGH [Uguccione RANIERI di Sorbello] gave me the picture of what is happening inside my area. 2 of the original 6 agents put in have lost contact. From Oct. 22 nothing has been heard of GUIDO, but HUGH is of the opinion that he will turn up eventually. The other missing agent FAUSTO [SIMONETTI], also will put in an appearance sooner or later. We have recent reports regarding his activities. The original idea, following HUGH’s arrival, was that he [HUGH] should return immediately, but it was decided to wait 24 hours, to tighten up at this end.

NOV. 16. Beach Party [Hugh, the Naval Captain and 2 others] left TERMOLI to be “put in” at CUPRA [MARITTIMA], the weather being considered suitable. With the arrival of McGIBBON LEWIS from ALGIERS, the RATBERRY PLAN was re-opened. It was decided, as I already had agents operating in my area, it would be better if I remained at this end of the RATLINE, W/T [Wireless Telecommunication] being limited to two sets, and this side of the front being already short of personnel. In fact that I should continue working on the 2 Divisions front [8th Indian Division and 78th Division]. The original RATBERRY [Plan] to go on.

NOV. 17. Beach party returned, unable to land due to bad weather. This at the time seemed fortunate, as all interested could discuss furthering RATBERRY [organization by Agents of escape lines called RATBERRY LINES (“RAT-LINES”), followed by land evacuation of POWs]. All sections would now be “put in” together.

NOV. 19. The 3rd boatload of ex P/W [ex Prisoners of War] arrived at TERMOLI in all numbering 21 persons, including 2 paratroopers. This boat load had been collected and dispatched by Agent ERMANNO [FINOCCHI], from SAN BENEDETTO [del Tronto]. Full list of ex P/W has been sent on from TERMOLI by Capt. FOWLER. The plan and route were the same as the 2 previous boatloads, and there was absolutely no hitch. Food and rest provided for all of the ex P/Ws en route, and they were in high spirits on arrival.

Got the story from the ex P/Ws, also some helpful devices for gaining the trust and confidence of others still remaining behind in the area (e.g. the torn prison chit, which when presented will fit the other half retained by remaining P/Ws). This sort of thing is being fully exploited where possible.

NOV. 20. The 4th boat load arrived with ex P/Ws numbering 11. The guide GIANNI [DA CAMPO, from Venice], supplied by ERMANNO [FINOCCHI], arrived but went at once to hospital. The M.O. [Medical Officer] in the party (an ex P/W) said that GIANNI had a temperature of 102 [about 39 centigrade] when they started across country. He brought them to the beach, but by that time was already in a bad state muttering in delirium “I must get them down now, I must get them down now”. He is in a B/M [British Military] Hospital with jaundice and suspected malaria. I mention this to give you some idea of the help we are getting.

The ex P/W on this boat were full of praise for the way everything worked. It took only 8 and a half hours with one break, food and rest, from their last hideout en route to boat sailing. They also brought with them a marked map of the coastal defences of interest to “G” Operators. A list of names of this party has already been sent on. RATBERRY Party still await permission to sail.

NOV. 21. RATBERRY still postponed. TERMOLI, Papers, Reports and Jeep trouble.

ROBB, Captain
No. 5 Field Section.

Further Developments

About November 30, “Hugh” was finally landed above Pedaso (north of Cupramarittima) with Lieut. Virgilio “Nanni” Giovannetti (senior member of the Ratline, in charge of Post in Porchia/Montalto Marche), two British officers (Capt. Bridges George “Bunny” McGibbon Lewis and Capt. “Jock” Mckee), and two British sergeants.

In her “Diaries” [see page 94 of Alessandro Perini’s book], “Babka” explains that the group arrived at Villa Vinci “Boccabianca” (Post “A” in Cupramarittima) on 1 December 1943. Then the two British officers “in perfect uniform, armed to the teeth and accompanied by 2 Sergeants equally armed, left in direction of Umbria to look for POWs. Only Englishmen can have the chutzpah to do such a thing, in a country infested with Fascists and Germans!”

See “I.S.9 Officers—Biography.”

Also, read four reports written by Capt. Robb as Commander of No. 5 Field Section: “I.S.9 Progress Reports for November 4–21, 1943,” “I.S.9 Progress Reports for November 4–21, 1943,” “I.S.9 War Diary—December 16–29, 1943,” and “I.S.9—Periodic Report for January 15–25, 1944.”

Unfortunately, three of the original six Italian agents of Team Ratberry Section “A” lost their lives while on duty in enemy territory: Andrea Scattini, Fausto Simonetti, and Ermanno Finocchi.

Andrea Scattini was shot on the cold, snowy evening of 8 March 1944 in Force (Ascoli Piceno, Marche) by a young and nervous partisan from a nearby village.

On 18 September 1943, 10 days after the September 8th Armistice, Andrea, age 26, a medical student serving in the Medical Corps of the Italian Army at Celio Military Hospital in Rome, while transporting in an ambulance to the hospital a wounded patient, was stopped and captured by Germans, and slated to be taken to Germany, to either agree to fight on the Germans’ side, or be harshly detained in a concentration camp. Two days later, during transfer northward, Andrea evaded; as he fled, the Germans shot at him from behind but, luckily, they did not hit him.

Andrea went east to Porto San Giorgio (Marche, on the Adriatic coast) to contact his wife and, from Marina San Vito Chietino (his birthplace), by boat he went south beyond the front lines and reached the Allies in just-liberated Termoli.

In Termoli, Andrea was enrolled as an agent of “A” Force, No. 5 Field Section, Team Ratberry “A” under Capt. Andrew Robb.

In his March 21, 1945 report, Uguccione “Hugh” Ranieri states:

“Before leaving [by boat on 2 November 1943, see above] for the main mission, SCATTINI was entrusted with a short mission, which he carried out brilliantly behind the lines in 3 days and 3 nights of sleepless walk, with help of [a] high dose of Benzedrine.”

He probably refers to the mid-October 1943 rescue by Andrea Scattini, in German occupied Lanciano, of Polish Jewish Physician Dr. Herman/Hermann Datyner, Professor of Urology at Warsaw University Hospital, who had escaped to Italy after invasion of Poland by the German Army. Details of the rescue are described at pages 50–55 of above mentioned book San Vito e la Guerra by Pietro Cupido.

On 2 November 1943, Andrea and three other agents of Team Ratberry “A” were landed by Capt. Robb near Cupramarittima, Marche (see above). They reached Post “A” (Villa Vinci “Boccabianca”), where they joined Agent Fausto Simonetti, previously landed with “Guido” by Capt. Robb on October 22.

Then, Andrea and fellow agents of Team Ratberry “A” looked for POWs hiding in the area and rescued them, organizing four boatloads from San Benedetto Del Tronto to Termoli. (See reports by Capt. Robb and Major Fillingham.)

On 15 November 1943, Andrea was present at the birth of his first and only son, Ettore, in Force (Ascoli Piceno).

Incoming winter and rough sea made difficult rescue of POWs by sea with rather small and open fishing boats. It was decided to continue the rescue by land, and Andrea was entrusted with the mission to organize a “Ratberry Line,” or Ratline, from Marche southbound, across the German lines, to the Allied lines.

On the second half of November, he left (see reports by Capt. Luigi Stipa and Sergeant Donato Fantacuzzi “il Calabrese,” both in the “Stipa papers”) and successfully accomplished his mission.

The following report by Capt. Robb states he arrived at the Allied lines of the New Zealand Division about one month later, on 21 December 1943:

Progress Report for December 16–29, 1943

MOST SECRET
PROGRESS REPORT – No. 5 “A” FORCE FIELD SECTION
16 DECEMBER – 29 DECEMBER, 1943

Dec. 17: LANCIANO: Sgt. Gillespie brought the news that [U.S.] Capt. [Richard W. B.] LEWIS had come through.

Dec. 21: Left TERMOLI on urgent call from New Zealand Division. Meanwhile Sgt. Gillespie had contacted New Zealand Division and picked up ANDREA [SCATTINI] and ex P/W [prisoner of war] L/Cpl. [Lance Corporal] SPIRO. They were brought to LANCIANO and kept for interrogation on my arrival.

Dec. 22: ANDREA [SCATTINI] and Lance Corporal SPIRO gave full story as directed by HUGH [Uguccione RANIERI di Sorbello]. The facts were told to HUGH by FRANCO [SCOLETTA, collaborator of] Capt. McGIBBON LEWIS. Signals and reports sent to Headquarters BARI.]

Concerning Franco Scoletta, read “Courage of the Very Highest Order.”

In the seventh and last page of his 28 January 44 final Periodic Report of No. 5 Field Section, Capt. Robb states:

Ratberry Agents on This Side [of the front lines]:

ANDREA [SCATTINI]
returned from HUGO [Uguccione Ranieri di Sorbello]; presently acting as Intelligence officer for briefing etc. One of the original planners of MILKY WAY [Plan to extend RATBERRY Line north and possibly east, in order to take Prisoners of War to Switzerland and/or Yugoslavia].

ERMANNO [FINOCCHI]
same as above.

FAUSTO [SIMONETTI]
awaiting immediate return to Ratberry.

[SPARTACO] PERINI
returning with Faust.

Signed: Capt. Andrew ROBB, No. 5 Field Section.

Plan “Milky Way”

Andrea Scattini and Ermanno Finocchi were entrusted by “A” Force Command in Lanciano with the mission to go respectively to Bologna and Milano and organize another “Ratline” extending northbound from Marche to Switzerland.

Priest “Don Carlo” Orlandini was going to take care of the southern part of it, from Villa Stipa (Capt. Stipa’s post in Appignano del Tronto/Offida, Ascoli Piceno) to Sassoferrato (Ancona).

Andrea Scattini was going to take care of the middle part.

Ermanno Finocchi was going to take care of the northern part.

“Don Carlo” Orlandini was convoked at the 8th Army Command in Bari, to confer about his work and to receive further instructions.

On 4 February 1944, he was air dropped with parachute near Porchia/Montalto Marche, the post of Lieut. Virgilio “Nanni” Giovannetti.

On 20 February 1944, he stopped at Villa Stipa, Appignano del Tronto/Offida, the post of Capt. Luigi Stipa, who wrote in his report:

“Il 20 Febbraio 1944 è arrivato Don ‘Carlo’ [Domenico] ORLANDINI, che procedeva per recarsi a SASSOFERRATO [Ancona] per costituire una linea da allacciarsi al mio caposaldo passando per FORCE [Ascoli Piceno]. La linea doveva servire per far rientrare circa 25 persone ma non prigionieri.
Diedi a Don ‘Carlo’ lire 2000 (duemila) (vedi allegato) e con la ricevuta mi lasciò un biglietto da dare a Ermanno [Finocchi]”.

From Lanciano, Ermanno Finocchi and Andrea Scattini together crossed the German lines, bound northward—while passing, they had to resist a gunfight with a German patrol—and about 7 March 1944 arrived at Villa Stipa. (See report by Capt. Stipa.)

Lieut. Virgilio “Nanni” Giovannetti was called for briefing, and promptly arrived from his Porchia/Montalto Marche Post. Incidentally, that saved his life. On March 10, while he was away from his post, it was raided by German Gestapo and S.S.; his collaborator Diego Vecchiarelli was seriously wounded, and Paratrooper Mario Mottes was arrested and shot the next day with three English POWs.

For more on Mario Mottes, read “Honor Recommended for Mario Mottes.”

While waiting for the arrival of Lieut. Uguccione “Hugo” Ranieri from Post “A” (Villa Vinci at Cupramarittima), Ermanno Finocchi and “Nanni” Giovannetti remained at Villa Stipa, while Andrea Scattini went to Force to see his wife and the newborn son he had never seen, and had no news of, for about three-and-a-half months.

Circumstances of Andrea Scattini’s death

On the evening of 8 March 1944, a group of young rascals from nearby villages, attached to the partisan band headed by Lieutenant Paolini, had arrived to Force and was sacking houses. Andrea was called to intervene and stop them. He interrupted his supper and, with his brother-in-law, walked rapidly to the center of Force. He met the group in front of Villa Verrucci, described himself as a partisan captain who knew their commander, and disapproved of their actions, saying that partisans should act as patriots, not as thieves. They got nervous and hostile (they probably thought they had been discovered and were going to be reported to their commander) and, at arm point, ordered him to say the password of their partisan band.

Their new password for that day was “Asburgo”, but Andrea, who had just arrived through the front lines after a long absence and had not had contact yet with members of the “Paolini” band, obviously could not know it and answered with an old password (“Stella Rossa,” or “Red Star”). At this point, a young partisan suddenly shot him with his submachine gun. A bullet went through Andrea’s neck and lacerated his carotid artery, with subsequent hemorrhage and death.

The killer was later arrested and tried for murder. He tried to justify himself by saying he mistook Andrea for a Fascist and, as Andrea kept his hands inside the pockets of his parka (it was a cold and snowy night), he thought he was holding a pistol inside his pocket and could use it to shoot them. He asked to be graced, considering his young age—it seems at the time he was 18—and the war time, and begged Andrea’s parents not to pursue his punishment.

He was not executed, as Andrea’s mother (Luigi Donfrancesco’s grandmother), after a sleepless night of weeping and prayers, conceded him the grace, saying his death would not give her back her son, and another mother would have suffered the same pain and anguish she was suffering.

After Andrea Scattini’s death, the message by Ermanno Finocchi to “Don Carlo” Orlandini indicates that the latter, after completing his southern part of the new Ratberry Line (from Marche to Switzerland, Plan “Milky Way”), was going to take over from Andrea the organization of the middle part as well.

Read “Ermanno Finocchi to ‘Carlo’ Orlandini.”

Fausto Simonetti (age 23 and a medical student) was captured on 10 March 1944 near Ponte Maglio (between Force and Montalto Marche) and imprisoned in Fort Malatesta, Ascoli Piceno. After three months of severe interrogations and awful torture, he was shot on 6 June 1994—the same day as the “D” Day invasion of Normandy.

Ermanno Finocchi was killed in late August 1944, in just liberated Fiesole (on the outskirts of Florence) by a mine left by the retreating Germans.

See “Monument to Valiant Rescuers.”

Request of Discharge

Capt. Robb ceased his service in the Intelligence Corps of the Australian Military Forces on 1 February 1944.

He was replaced at command of No. 5 Field Section in Italy by Capt. Richard W. B. Lewis, Intelligence Officer of the United States Army Air Force.

On 28 January 1944, before departing from Italy, Capt. Robb:

Completed and signed his final comprehensive and very interesting Periodic Report for January 15–25, 1944.
Read “I.S.9—Periodic Report for January 15–25, 1944.”

And he filed memo 13087 of 28 January 1944—a Request of Discharge and Placement in the Retired List—which was approved by Land Headquarters and forwarded to the headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.

Soon after, Andrew Robb must have left for Australia by plane, as his Discharge Form says that only three days later, on 31 January 1944, “ROBB, Andrew George, No. V147996, Rank: LIEUTENANT, Unit: LAND HEADQUARTERS INTELLIGENGE CORPS, underwent [Chest] X-Ray and Examination by the Medical Board at CAULFIELD, suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA.”

Medical Particulars of Discharge, compiled by the Examining Medical Officer, were:

Age: 43, Height: 5 ft 11 [180-181 cm], Eyes: Grey, Hair: Brown, Complexion: Medium, Distinctive Marks: Appendical Scar and 2 Gunshot wounds in Upper Left Arm and Right Leg.

Discharged in CAULFIELD [Melbourne, Australia] on 1 February 1944.
Reason for Discharge: TERM OF APPOINTMENT.

Intended place of residence after Discharge, to which D/C [Discharge Certificate] may be posted:

Flat 8, 135 Grey Street, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia, or:

Union Bank, 351 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Destination Area: White Cliffs [Whitecliffs], Canterbury, New Zealand [where his parents and elder brother Alexander lived].

Document No. 19742 of 2 February 1944 by Australian Military Forces issued to V.147966 Lieut. A. G. ROBB – AUSTRALIAN INTELLIGENCE CORPS, states:

“Approval is given in L.H.Q. [Land Headquarters] [of] memo 13087 of 28 Jan. ’44 for the placement of the above named officer on the Retired List.”

Andrew Robb was placed on the Retired List on 2 February 1944.

On 15 April 1946 he was issued the following Certificate No. 37453. It was mailed on 17 April 46 from Lieut. A. Firth, for Lt-COL. Officer-in-charge, Victoria Echelon & Records, 339 Swanston Street, MELBOURNE. C.1.

To: Mr. A. G. Robb, (Ex-V147996),
Flat 8, 135 Grey St.
ST KILDA [Melbourne, Australia]

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES, CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE OF AN OFFICER

This is to Certify that V147996 Lieutenant Andrew George ROBB – Australian Army Intelligence Corps – Served on Continuous Full Time War Service in the Citizen Military Forces from 10 Apr. 1942 to 1 Feb. 1944 –

Honours, Decorations and Awards during that Service
— NIL — (??)
War Badge (??)
Full Time War Service as an Officer in the Citizen Military Forces ceased on 1 February 1944
Place: Melbourne

(Signed) A. Firth, Lieut.
Date: 15 Apr. 1946
for Officer in Charge Southern Comd. Ech. & Rec. [Southern Commander Echelon & Records]

Description of Officer on Completion of Service
Height: 5 ft. 11 ins. Eyes: Grey, Complexion: Medium, Hair: Brown
Marks or Scars: GSW (Gunshot wound) left upper arm and right leg, appendical scar.

After Discharge from Australian Army on Feb. 1944, Andrew and Nina probably spent some time in New Zealand with his relatives. Andrew had left New Zealand in 1928 or 1932]. Beverly says that Andrew and his wife sailed to New York from New Zealand in 1945. Then they moved to London, England, U.K.

On May 1945, at the Recruiting Center of CROYDON [South LONDON, U.K.], Andrew ROBB applied for Registration in the Army Officers’ Emergency Reserve for re-employment in or appointment to an Emergency Commission in his Majesty’s Land Forces. Answering various questions in the application, Andrew states:

Rank on leaving the Army: LIEUTENANT (AUSTRALIA)
Personal Number: V157996
Permanent Address: c/o 98 Downton Ave, Streatham Hill, SW2 [London]

“I am a British subject by birth”
“I am of pure European descent”
Father at date of applicant’s birth: “Alex. Robb”, Nationality: “British”
Mother at date of her birth: “Isabella Simpson”, Nationality: “British”.

Present occupation: “Colonial Survey Service”

PREVIOUS SERVICE IN H.M. [His Majesty] FORCES:

“Johore Voluntary Engineers, from 1932 to 1938”;
“Fed. Malay State Volunteers, 1st Perak Battalion, from 1939 to 1942”;
“Australian Intelligence Corps, from Apr. 1942 to Jan. 1944”.

Other useful information concerning your military service:

“Attached to Commando Unit Malaya (Independent Corp of A.I.F) Dec. 1941 and Jan. 1942”.

Schools:
“1915-1918: West Christchurch District High School (N.Z.) Matriculation”.
University: “Canterbury University College”.

Are you a member of any recognized Technical Institution:

“Registered Surveyor (N.Z.) 1928”;
“Member of Town Planning Institute (N.Z.)”
Knowledge of Foreign Languages:
MALAY (Romanized), Fair.

Have you an intimate knowledge of any parts of the British Empire other than Great Britain, and/or Foreign Countries? Give dates and places of residence:

MALAYA (except a few areas), 1928-1942.
BRUNEI TOWN and SERIA, 1940.

“Slight Disability in Left Hand result of War wound. Condition improving”.

Each applicant must give below the names of two referees who can vouch for his moral and professional integrity and who have known the applicant for the past 4 years. Andrew wrote:

Lieutenant Colonel M.C. Hay
Major P.C. Bonnett.

Andrew Robb was judged “SUITABLE” by the War Office Selection Board.

4 July 1945. In EASTBOURNE, he signed Army Form B199A, completed with the following information:

Personal Number: 348222
Regiment or Corps: General List
Surname: ROBB
Christian Names: ANDREW GEORGE
Recorded Address: c/o Union Bank of Australia, 71 Cornhill, London EC.3

Where Educated:
Schools: West Christchurch District High School (New Zealand).
University: Canterbury University College (New Zealand).

Religious Denomination: Presbyterian.

Nationality of:
Officer: British
Officer’s Father: British
Officer’s Mother: British

If married, Wife’s Name and Wartime address:
ANTONINA ROBB, c/o Union Bank of Australia, 71 Cornhill, London EC3.

Date of marriage: 15 Apr. 1937. No children.

Name and Address of relative or other person for use in emergency (additional to wife in case of married officers):
A.[ALEXANDER] W. ROBB, Whitecliffs, Canterbury, New Zealand – [elder] Brother.

Name and Address of Officer’s Bankers or Agents:
Union Bank of Australia 71 Cornhill, London EC3

Army Schools and Courses of Instruction:
CASC, Place: Wimbledon [south-west suburb of London], from May to June 1945.

Foreign Languages:
MALAY. Degree of proficiency, speak: Fair, read: Fair.

Knowledge of Foreign Countries:
MALAYA – except Kelantan and Trengganu – BRUNEI.

Business Qualifications:
REGISTERED SURVEYOR (New Zealand) LAND SURVEY, employed by Colonial Office.

Professional qualifications or Membership, etc.:
MEMBER OF NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS.

Wounds and Nature: Gunshot Wound Left Arm.
Place and Date: Malaya, 5 Jan. 42

Pension or Gratuity: Nil.

CERTIFICATE
I do hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief the statements of particulars contained in my record of service are in all respects correct and true,

Place: EASTBOURNE, Date 4 July 45, Signature: A. G. Robb
Countersigned by: W. M. Raffe, Major.

Item 10. PARTICULARS OF SERVICE.
Units, Movements, Appointments, Etc. [notes difficult to read and understand]:

14 May 1945: Granted W.E. Commission. Station: EASTBOURNE
[on the coast south of London, on the “English Channel” – in Italian: “Stretto della Manica”].

14 May 45. Posted No. 3 C.A. Pool. Station: same.

6 Aug 45. S.O.S. No. 3 C.A Pool on emplaning U.K. for Malaya.

7 Aug 45. Posted from ex U.K. to H.Q. [Headquarters] B.M.A. [British Malayan Army?] (Malaya) S.E.A.C. c. affairs staff. – P.II o 151/ALFSEA 14.11.45 [?]

7 Aug 45. To be S.C.C.A. an op Gp C: affairs Staff [Burmer]+returns or retains [?] act. [active?] roster [?]

20 Aug 45. To be S.o. III CA Survey Dept. [Department] in new appt. [appointment] gtd [granted?] A/maj [Adjunct Major?]

2 Nov 45. To be S.o. II CA Survey Dept. [Department] in new appt [appointment] gtd [granted?] A/maj [Adjunct Major?]

26 May 1946: Relinquished Commission. [Age 45].

Seal: War Service Reckons From 14 May 45.

Item 12. Rank during this Service ranged from Lieutenant to Major.

Item 13. Medical Category “A” on May 45 by Recruiting Centre Croydon [South London].

[From above notes is not clear if Andrew’s Commission Service was entirely in Eastbourne, England, U.K. or if he also went to Malaya].

Postwar life

“I am fairly sure that Andrew did not stay in England past 1945,” Beverly Robb wrote, “but went back to Malaya while still in the British Army, as he talks [in letters] about Nina not being allowed to be there with him. He also describes the looting going on and taking relatives of Allied soldiers into the jungle to where their loved ones had been murdered by the Japanese soldiers after capture. He mentions [on] 29th March 1946 that there is no word of Nina coming to join him as Commanding Officer General Hone had given an order that no wives of Colonial Office persons are allowed in. Last letter, written 21st Sept 1947, Nina is now with him but he also talks of Bandits and Gangs.”

In 1957 they moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, where Andrew, then age 56, worked for the New Zealand Lands and Survey Department.

After Andrew returned to Christchurch, his nephew Murray spent several weekends helping him surveying his land, in preparation for the building of his house.

Murray always talked warmly of him to family members.

Beverly said, “When Andrew built his new house 1957, he included a special room where he used to teach young scholars. As we understand, some were young surveyors and also commerce students. He excelled at mathematics.”

On 5 December 1974, at age 73, Andrew died at Princess Margaret Public Hospital, Cashmere, Christchurch, New Zealand, of septicemia, as a complication of surgery, pancreatic duodenectomy for cancer of the pancreas.

He was survived by his widow, Antonina “Nina,” aged 68 at the time of his death.

Nina never remarried, and she died in Brisbane, Australia, on 19 December 1997 at age 91.

I.S.9 agent Mario Raoul Mottes

Belgian-born Mario Mottes served as a parachutist and radio operator agent for Allied I.S.9 operations. His task was to locate escaped Allied POWs in enemy-occupied Italy and guide them across the lines—a mission known as Ratline evacuation.

However, on March 10, 1944, while performing his duty, he was arrested by the Germans and executed with three escaped Allied prisoners of war.

The two photos of Mario Mottes in this post were given to my colleague Luigi Donfrancesco by Dr. Lino Beber, a retired physician and historian from Pergine Valsugana (in the province of Trento, Northern Italy), the hometown of Mario Mottes’ mother, Pia Paoli.

The photos were provided to Lino by the the daughters of Mario’s cousin Gina Paoli, daughter of a brother of Mario’s mother. Today Gina Paoli is nearly 100 years old.

Mario Mottes with his cousin Gina Paoli at Lake Caldonazzo, near Pergine Valsugana, Italy.

For more on Mario Mottes, see “War Crime—the Ponte Dragone Executions,” “Ponte Dragone Deaths—A Second Report,” and “Honor Recommended for Mario Mottes.”

Robert A. Newton’s biography of his uncle, Corporal Robert Alvey Newton, Soldiers of the Strange Night, is now available in a Kindle edition through Amazon.

Here is the Amazon description of the book:

“During the night of September 14, 1943, an estimated 3,000 Allied prisoners of war escaped from Camp 59, Servigliano, Italy, under the mistaken impression that friendly forces were only days away. In reality, the Allied armies did not reach that region of Italy for nine harrowing months. With the German army and Fascists feverishly sweeping the countryside for the escapees, they were fed and sheltered by courageous Italian farmers who risked their own lives and property to rescue desperate strangers. The author’s own uncle and namesake was among those who escaped from Camp 59 and evaded recapture until March 9, 1944, when he was betrayed by a turncoat to an elite German commando unit, caught and immediately executed.

“Drawing on interviews, letters, and accounts written by the survivors, as well as war crimes files, Soldiers of the Strange Night vividly re-creates not only one American soldier’s journey into war, imprisonment, evasion and murder, but also the aftermath of the escape as seen through the eyes of his fellow warriors and the valiant Italian family that sustained him during the final days of his life. Soldiers of the Strange Night is a tribute to these remarkably heroic and resilient men who did their duty while facing impossible adversity. It is also a testament to the gracious humanity of the Italian people who dared to protect them, even under penalty of death.”

To learn more about Corporal Newton, read “The Story of Robert Alvey Newton,” “Cesare Viozzi on Sheltering Robert A. Newton,” “Robert A. Newton—Further Details,” and “Soldiers of the Strange Night.”

The “Scheda Personale P.G.” Italian personal identification card for my father, Sgt. Armie S. Hill. Greg Bradsher describes these prisoner of war cards, now held at the U.S. National Archives, in his research below.

Last month, I received an excellent paper written by historian Greg Bradsher of Silver Spring, Maryland.

He has generously allowed me to share his research on this site:

Stories of American Escapers from Prisoner of War Camp 59, Servigliano

Greg Bradsher, Ph.D.

At the time of the Italian Armistice on September 8, 1943, there were almost 80,000 Allied prisoners of war in Italian prisoner of war camps. Among these prisoners of war were 1,310 Americans; many were soldiers captured in North Africa and airmen shot down over Italy. (1)

Most of the American prisoners of war were confined at Camp 59, at Servigliano. This camp, 15 miles north of Ascoli, in the foothills of the Apennines, held perhaps as many as 3,000 prisoners, mostly Allied enlisted personnel. Although the camp was well-guarded and thorough searches were frequent, numerous tunneling projects were continually in progress. There were quite a few escapes, but most of the prisoners were recaptured. (2)

When the Allied prisoners of war learned of the Armistice, most were in a quandary as to what action to take. Under orders received earlier in the summer, most remained in their camps under the mistaken impression Allied forces would soon liberate them. Italian camp authorities also faced their own quandaries. Without clear orders as to what to do, many simply opened the gates to allow the prisoners to leave their camps. During the first days after the Armistice, perhaps as many as 50,000 prisoners remained in their camps and quickly became prisoners of the Germans. Another 30,000 left their camps. Some 16,000 were recaptured and 4,000 found safety in Switzerland. The remaining 10,000 found safety in hiding with the help of Italians, and many found their way back to Allied lines.

The Camp 59 Commandant, apparently a hard-core Fascist, at the Armistice placed his guards around the walls of the camp, ostensibly to “protect” the prisoners from the Germans but, in reality to detain them until the arrival of the Germans. (3) On September 14, it was rumored in the camp that the Germans were close by and at 10pm the Senior British Officer (SBO) gave the order to evacuate the camp. As the prisoners started towards the gate the guards opened fire, so the SBO went to the Commandant and asked (or perhaps threatened) that the guards be ordered to cease fire. The order was given over the loudspeaker system and the gates were opened. (4)

With the gates opened, the prisoners took off to get as far away as possible before the Germans arrived in the area. What follows are stories of some of the American soldiers and airmen who escaped from Camp 59 on September 14. All of them made it to the Allied lines, some in 1943 and others in 1944. During the process, some were recaptured, but escaped again to reach the Allied lines. As will be noticed, all of them received help from Italians. Without this help many of the escapers would have been recaptured and most likely ended up in a German prisoner of war camp for the duration of the war.

Private Anthony N. Proto

Private Anthony N. Proto, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, was captured near Tunis on December 23, 1942, when his unit was cut off without ammunition.

He escaped from Camp 59 on September 14 by climbing over the wall with Charles J. Stewart, Co. A, 15th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Stewart, like Proto, had been captured near Tunis on December 23, 1942, when his unit was cut off without ammunition.

Walking south they reached a small town near Ascoli on September 17, where they were hidden and fed by the inhabitants who also dyed their uniforms and told them that there was a partisan band on Monte Fiore just south of Ascoli. Proto and Stewart joined this band on September 25, but left again about five days later when German troops moved into Ascoli and the partisans disbanded.

Three or four nights later they contacted an American parachutist [undoubtedly an Office of Strategic Services member of the SIMCOL operation undertaken by the Allies in October during the dark moon periods to assist escapers’ return to the Allied lines] who had been dropped behind the lines to assist escapers. He told them of a scheme for evacuating them by boat from the coast near Giulianova so they set off in that direction and reached the coast on October 6. Here they found about 60 other escapers waiting for evacuation. A large number of these were evacuated two days later, but there was no room for Proto and Stewart.

They stayed in the neighborhood and after a few days Proto, who could speak Italian, persuaded an Italian fisherman to take them and three other escapers to the Allied lines in his boat. The 13 hour journey was accomplished without event, and Proto and his companions reached Termoli (which had been liberated on October 3) on October 16. (5)

First Sergeant Karl Huddleston

First Sergeant Karl Huddleston, Co. A, 81st Reconnaissance Bn., 1st Armored Division, was captured at Sidi Bou Zid in Tunisia on about February 21, 1943, and eventually ended up at Camp 59.

On September 8, 1943, as soon as the news of the Armistice reached the camp, Huddleston took part in planning for the evacuation and dispersal of the camp and the collection of food for this purpose. Early in September, an Italian officer from Ancona got in touch with the Italian interpreter of the camp, unknown to the Camp Commandant, and asked for two prisoners of war to accompany him through the German lines to make contact with the British Forces.

Huddleston was one of the two chosen and on September 11, with Capt. Matheson of the British Army, scaled the wall during the confusion caused by an attempt on the part of the remaining prisoners to storm the gates. Guards fired on them as they left but failed to hit either of them. As arranged, they met the Italian officer who procured civilian clothes and set off on their journey south.

Travelling on foot and by train their route was via Montegiorgio, Porto San Giorgio, Pescara, Ortona, San Vito, Santa Cruce, and Istonio, which they reached on the morning of September 16. Here the Germans machine-gunned the train in order to compel the occupants to evacuate it, but the escapers were not injured and continued their journey by boat and on foot to Termoli where they procured a boat to take them to Bari and reported to Headquarters 15th Army Group. (6)

PFC Richard A. Wombacher

PFC Richard A. Wombacher, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, had been captured on December 1, 1942, when taking part in a landing near Bizerte behind the German lines in an attempt to cut the main road. Before reaching the road, they were attacked and surrounded by the enemy and forced to surrender after a few hours fighting.

On September 14 Wombacher left Camp 59 in company with five other American soldiers. The party walked south until they reached Falerone, where they stayed with Italian families until November 27. During this time truckloads of German SS troops combed the countryside for escaped POWs, but Wombacher and his companions managed to evade them. On November 27 the party set out again and walked for four days until they reached Santa Vittoria and here they stayed for a month due to bad weather and fatigue. At the end of this time, in spite of continued bad weather, Womacher, accompanied by T/4 John Ford, managed his way to Corvara. Here they were snowbound for 21 days in nine feet of snow. They stayed in a hay barn on the outskirts of the village and were given food by the townspeople.

On January 22 Wombacher and Ford left Corvara, walking eight or nine days to Gagliano going cross-country and avoiding villages. They spent from February 3 to March 23 in caves near this town and received food from the villagers. One day Ford and a South African who had joined them, went to Sulmona and contacted an escape organization. They were provided with clothes, shoes, maps and a compass and returned to Gagliano. After resting for a day and a half, they and Womabacher returned to Sulmona and spent two nights there at the headquarters of the organization.

Meanwhile, another group of escapers arrived and on March 23 Wombacher, Ford, and a party of 29 others left with a guide. They walked part of the evening and all that night, taking a route over Monte Maiella. The going was extremely difficult through deep snow and, being too weak to continue, Wombacher had to drop out. He and an American Air Force officer, 2nd Lt. Ellis A. Ruppelt (a pilot of a B-25 that had been shot down on August 27, 1943, and who had escaped by parachute from his burning aircraft over Benevento, Italy), made their way to Campo di Giove and remained there four days and nights in an abandoned church. The weather then improved and they again attempted to cross the Maiella Mountains.

They walked all night and at dawn found themselves overlooking Palena, which was occupied by the Germans. They hid in a cave all day and at 4pm on March 30 started down the road but almost immediately encountered a patrol of three Germans. They skirted back to the side of the mountain and walked four miles through an abandoned aqueduct, arriving at dusk at a point above the village of Torricella Peligna. After dark, they followed a road into Lama dei Peligni and encountered a British outpost. (7)

Private Daniel J. McNally

Nineteen-year-old Private Daniel J. McNally, Co. A, 6th Armored Infantry, 1st Armored Division, was captured about eight miles from Tunis on December 6, 1942, and eventually ended up at Camp 59.

On September 14 he left the camp. Walking south alone he was able, after a few days, to exchange his uniform for civilian clothes and grew a mustache for further disguise. Continuing in the direction of the Allied Lines, McNally avoided all towns and highways and received food and shelter from friendly Italian farmers who also gave him news of the Allied advance. His journey was made without event until, as he neared the battle front, he unexpectedly came upon a German camp but was successful in making his way through it.

On October 18 he made his way through the enemy lines at Campobasso and joined British troops. (8)

Private Lawrence Danich

Private Lawrence Danich, Co. D, 2nd Bn., 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, was captured on February 15, 1943, during the fighting in the Kasserine Pass, Tunisia, after all four tanks of his company had been hit and put out of action by enemy fire and he himself had been wounded in the leg by shrapnel. He was taken to a hospital at Bari, Italy.

On April 1, 1943, Danich was moved to Camp 75 near Bari and remained there until the end of May when he was taken to Camp 59. During his stay in this camp Danich was punished for starting to dig an escape tunnel.

Danich left Camp 59 on September 14 in company with a Private Ellsworth. They decided to go towards Rome and walked in a southwesterly direction but on the third morning were advised by civilians to make for Pescara as it was expected that it would very shortly be taken by the Allies. Accordingly Danich and Ellsworth started off in the direction of Pescara, stopping at various small villages on the way to obtain shelter and food.

On September 21 they changed their uniforms for civilian clothes at a farmhouse and next day started the crossing of the Gran Sasso Mountains. It had been raining very heavily and on September 23 Danich became ill, running a high fever. An Italian doctor gave him medicine and hot packs but would not allow him to continue his journey with Ellsworth, who left alone.

The next day, September 24, the Germans searched the village and Danich was taken to a cave in the hills. While there he met Squadron Leader Nathaniel Nye, a RAF Chaplain from Camp 59, who stayed with him for a week. At the end of the week Danich left alone. Headed for Pescara, he stopped at villages for a day or two en route. On the way he was told by another escaper that the area was dangerous owing to the presence of many German troops in the vicinity. The next day he met a group of five Yugoslav escapers and joined up with them and stayed in the Ville of Carpineto for two days.

Then the Germans came to the town and Danich and his companions retreated into the mountains where they stayed in a shack from late October until March 3, 1944. During the latter part of their stay, from January onwards, the villagers were afraid to help them. The escapers were short of food and owing to the extreme cold suffered considerable hardship. Towards the end of February they heard rumors of a method of escape so on March 3 a party of about 20 formed and started off. They made a big semi-circle through the mountains and in five days got to within 10 miles of Chieti. Here they were told to proceed to Guardiagrele, in the foothills of the Maiella Mountains, where they would find a guide to take them through the lines.

Arriving at Guardiagrele they were unable to find the guide so split up and walked to a town just behind the lines. At a farmhouse on March 9, Danich met two British escapers who were going to attempt the crossing. He joined them and the three set out that night. Danich was now walking on his bare feet, as his shoes had fallen to pieces at Guardiagrele, and he was suffering considerable pain. The party passed through the first German outpost in the midst of a group of Italians and got by unnoticed. At the next outpost they were halted by a German sentry, but darkness enabled them to break away and run for it. Going through some barbed wire they sneaked past a third German outpost and were picked up by a British patrol early on the morning of March 10.

Danich was then taken to a British aid station for treatment before being sent back to join his own forces. (9)

Sgt. Theodore D. Drazkowski

Sgt. Theodore D. Drazkowski, 514th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group was captured when he bailed out of his crippled plane on the evening of January 11, 1943. He was taken on January 12 to Naples and on February 1, to Camp 59. Drazkowski, with seven others left the camp, through a breach in the wall. They proceeded on foot to Montefalcone and stayed with a friendly farmer for two days.

On September 28 he and three others left for Ascoli Piceno, reaching there on October 1 and contacting a partisan band who sheltered them for two days. Continuing south they met five American paratroopers [Office of Strategic Services members of the SIMCOL operation] near Penne who advised them of a projected boat evacuation between Pescara and Francavilla on the night of October 10. Drazkowski and his companion met another American escaper and the three of them proceeded on foot to Pescara were they obtained civilian clothes. That day they saw German troops searching the houses so retreated to the hills.

On the morning of October 10 two more American soldiers joined the party and all five walked to the rendezvous area. They waited there until 2am in the morning without result, so continued along the coast until they contacted a partisan band who fed and sheltered them for two days. After an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a boat, Drazkowski and one of his party left together to walk to the Allied Lines. They crossed the Maiella Mountains and walked south for 12 more days, reaching Torella on October 25 and staying there until October 31. On that date they passed through the enemy lines and contacted advanced Canadian troops on the morning of November 1, 1943, near Campobasso. (10)

PFC Harold S. Arneson

PFC Harold S. Arneson, Co. I, 181st Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division was captured in Tunisia while on daylight patrol with nine others when they ran into a German ambush of about 45 men and were forced to surrender. Arneson was taken to Tunis by train and from there he was flown to Palermo, handed over to the Italians and placed in Camp 98. On May 17, 1943, he was transferred to Camp 59.

Arneson, with PFC Arnold L. Anderson, escaped from Camp 59 on September 14. Anderson, 151st Field Artillery Battalion, 34th Infantry Division, had been captured by the Germans on March 10, 1943, in North Africa. On March 30 he was taken by plane to Palermo and handed over to the Italians who took him to Camp 98 where he remained for two days and was then transferred to Camp 59.

Arneson and Anderson walked about 10 miles until they came to a house where they were well received by an Italian family. They stayed here for a week, but seeing that the Italians were apprehensive about the treatment they might receive at the hands of the Germans should they be found sheltering escapers, they moved on. They travelled all that night on foot and the next day they came to another family who kept them for about three weeks. However here they could not get any news of Allied positions so they decided to move on.

They started off walking towards the front lines obtaining food and shelter wherever they could. They followed along the foothills of the mountains, crossing the Gran Sasso and the Maiella ranges. After making their way down to Pescara, they spent about a month trying to get through the German lines. Finally with the help of a guide they passed through the lines and succeeded in contacting British forces on December 26, 1943, near the town of Guardiagrele. (11)

Private Hilbert H. Balk

Private Hilbert H. Balk, No. 1 Commando, detached from 168th Infantry Regiment, was captured by the Germans in Tunisia on December 1, 1942, while on a mission to harass enemy transport and troops behind the lines at Biserto. He and nine other prisoners were flown to Palermo on December 2, 1942, and from there to Camp 66 at Capua.

On January 13, 1943, he was taken to Camp 59 where he remained until the time of the Armistice. On September 14 Balk left Camp 59 and, with two American companions, walked southwest to a town about 20 miles from camp. At this point his companions left him and he continued alone walking for two days to the town of Portella. Here he met two more American escapers and spent four days hiding with them in a dry river bed after which the party continued south, avoiding main roads and walking at night until they reached the vicinity of Ascoli.

At this point they were contacted by four paratroopers [members of the SIMCOL operation] who had been dropped behind the lines to aid escapers and told of a scheme to evacuate escapers from a beach one mile north of Giulianova. Guided by these paratroops they reached the rendezvous area on October 6. They gave the prearranged signals on the nights of October 7, 9, and 11 without result so Balk and other members of the party decided to work out their own evacuation.

One of the party persuaded an Italian fisherman to take them to Termoli and, in spite of the presence of German troops in the town, Balk and his companions successfully evaded them and boarded the boat on night of October 11 and reached Termoli on the morning of October 12, where they reported to Allied troops. (12)

Private Roland B. Light

Private Roland B. Light, Co. C, 18th infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division while attempting, with 30 other men of his regiment, to take a hill position near Medjez El Bab, in late December 1942, was captured by the Germans. They were removed to Tunis where they remained for four days, after which Light was removed to Sicily and placed in Camp 98. He remained at this camp for one month and in the early part of February was taken to Italy by boat and then by train to Camp 59.

On September 14 Light with four other prisoners escaped from the camp and set out for the woods where they remained in hiding for three weeks. At the end of this period the party separated and Light and a companion set out on foot and worked their way to Pescara. They crossed the Pescara River without incident in a small boat and travelled on until they reached Chieti. While in Chieti they had their British battle-dress uniform dyed black and received help from an American citizen living in the town. On learning that the Fascist Headquarters was in Chieti, they lost no time in leaving and heading southwest. He and his companion reached a point north of Ortona, where they were picked up by the Germans, who mistook them for Italians and put them to work.

That night the two men slipped away from their guards and headed for Allied Lines. On December 29, 1943, they met an advance party of Canadians in the vicinity of Tollo. (13)

Private Lawrence J Rizzo

Private Lawrence J Ruzzo, 2nd Bn, 509th Parachute Regiment, at the time of the Italian Armistice was a POW in Camp 59, having been captured on December 28, 1942, while trying to get back to the Allied lines after an attack on a bridge at El Djem, Tunisia.

On September 14 Ruzzo with 30 other Americans travelled south until 3am, when the party split up to facilitate travel and Ruzzo with Sgt. Russell Jobusch (formerly of Co. A, 168th Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, attached at time of capture to No. 1 Commando (British), had been captured on December 1, 1942, during a raid on an enemy strong point near Bizerta) and Private John Savageau (509th Parachute Regiment, who had been captured December 27, 1942, during an attack on a bridge behind enemy lines at El Djem, Tunisia) set off in a southeasterly direction.

Travelling always by night and hiding in the daytime, the party bypassed Ascoli and passed west of Chieti resting three days at a small village. The party then walked to a village west of Orta Nova, where they were shown a track which took them to the advancing British troops. (14)

T/Sgt. William A. Madunich

T/Sgt. William A. Madunich, 513th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, had been captured by Italian soldiers when he was forced to bail out of a crippled bomber near Santa Maria, Italy on July 18, 1943.

On September 14 Madunich, accompanied by two other Americans left Camp 59 and walked south to Santa Vittoria, where they were fed and sheltered by friendly Italian peasants. While here he heard of a plan to evacuate escapers by boat from the coast near the mouth of the Menocchia River, but when he reached the rendezvous area the plan had been discovered and no boats arrived. Madunich then returned to Montelpero, where he met another American escaper and after two weeks they decided to set out for the Allied lines.

Reaching Sant’Elpidio, they were taken in by a friendly Italian family and stayed with them for three months. On February 1, 1944 Fascists entered the house and took Madunich to the civil prison at Ascoli Piceno, where he was kept for 23 days before being moved, on February 23, to a POW Camp at Aquila.

On the night of March 1 approximately 400 prisoners were loaded into box cars, to be taken north by rail. That night several prisoners were shot for attempting to escape through the floor of the car. The next night another attempt to escape was made and one American prisoner was killed and his body dragged in full view of the prisoners before being buried alongside the track. That same night Madunich and several others escaped through a vent in the roof of the car. He travelled with two other American soldiers, but on March 8 separated from them as he was barefooted and unable to continue in the snow at their pace.

Travelling alone he went through Umbertide and Gubbio to Fabriano, where a priest gave him a pair of shoes and took him to a partisan band. He stayed with the band and took part in several raids against the Germans before the band was forced to scatter. Madunich set out for Sant’Elpidio where he remained in hiding until June 26. On that date, after being informed that the Allies had taken Porto San Giorgio, Madunich walked south to contact them, arriving on June 28. (15)

Private Edward M. Greenberg

Private Edward M. Greenberg, HQ Co., 1st Bn., 18th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, was captured on December 23, 1942 at Medjez el Bab, Tunisia.

On September 14 he took part in the mass exodus from Camp 59. With two companies he walked across country to a village a few miles southwest of Ascoli Piceno. While hiding in a civilian home for eight days, he received information that all escapers were heading for Monte dei Fiori and an Italian captain told him that several thousand escapers had joined the partisans in the hills.

Greenberg spent a week with the partisans who were then ordered to retreat, so he and his companions headed in a southeasterly direction. Some civilians told the party of four paratroopers [members of the SIMCOL operation] who had been dropped behind the lines to aid escapers. Greenberg and his companions were conducted to these paratroopers who told them of a scheme to evacuate them from a beach just north of Giulianova. Guided by the paratroopers the party reached the rendezvous area on the night of October 6. They gave the pre-arranged signals on the nights of October 7, 9, and 11 without result, so Greenberg and other escapers of the party decided to work out their own evacuation.

One of the party persuaded an Italian fisherman to take them to Termoli and, in spite of the presence of German troops in the town, Greenberg and his companions successfully evaded them and boarded the boat on the night of October 11 and reached Termoli on the morning of October 12, where they reported to Allied troops. (16)

Sgt. William P. Hancock, Jr.

Sgt. William P. Hancock, Jr., 441st Bombardment Squadron, 320th Bombardment Group, was tail gunner on a B-26 which had as its mission the bombing of the marshalling yards at Villa Littorio. During the mission Hancock was forced to bail out from his crippled aircraft.

After remaining in hiding for two days, some civilians picked him up and took him to the local police. They took him to Camp 66 at Capua and later to Camp 59. On September 14 Hancock and three others left Camp 59 and started south, but were recaptured by the Germans when one of their party became ill. As the Germans were taking them to a prison camp, a P-51 strafed the column wounding Hancock who was then taken to an Italian hospital. On October 24 they were advised by Fascist guards that they were going to be taken to Germany.

One American and one South African tried to escape. On being discovered they raised their hands in token of surrender, but the Fascist shot the American soldier who died the next day. He attempted to shoot the South African but his pistol jammed. On December 28 the Germans loaded the POWs into a freight car. When the train started up Hancock and two others managed to force open a window and tear off the barbed wire, jump from the moving train and make their way into the woods. They met a former American who sheltered them and supplied them with maps.

On April 6, 1944, Hancock and two others were captured by Germans. They were taken to a POW Camp where they remained for a month and then moved to Camp 82 at Laterina. On June 17 the Allied push forced the Germans to evacuate the camp and Hancock, taking advantage of the confusion of moving, remained behind although the area was swept with machine gun fire and hard grenades thrown in. That night they moved into the hills where a partisan band took them in until July 5, when they contacted Allied forces near Siena. (17)

S/Sgt. George H. Tucker

S/Sgt. George H. Tucker, 96th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, on July 14, 1943, was forced to bail out over the Straits of Messina when his plane was hit by flak. He was captured by Italians who took him to PW Camp 66 at Capua where he remained for one month, and then removed to Camp 59.

On September 14 Tucker left Camp 59 in the company of S/Sgt. Kingsland. They headed for the hills and an Italian who told them to stay in his home until the Allies reached that area. They agreed and stayed with this family until October 15, when they again headed towards the lines at Cassino. They arrived in the Germans lines near Cassino, but were captured at the Volturno on December 3 and returned to a prison at Spoleto. They stayed here for six weeks. Once here Tucker escaped and again attempted to pass thru the German lines, but was again captured at Sulmona on April 6. He was returned to a prison camp at Laterina (Camp 82) where he remained until June 18. He and his friend escaped once more and took to the hills and headed once more for the front. On July 5 they made contact with Allied Troops at Pelasola, just south of Florence. (18)

Additional Resources

Additional information about the airmen mentioned above can be located at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland, in the Missing Air Crew Reports (MACRs), 1942–1947 (National Archives Identifier: 30526), in the Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Record Group 92. Typically, a MACR gives some or all of the following kinds of information about each crew member: Name, Rank, Service number, Crew position, and, name and address of next of kin. The report also usually indicates the following: Army Air Forces organization to which the aircraft was assigned, place of departure and destination of the flight plan, weather conditions and visibility at the time of loss, cause of crash, type, model, and serial number of the aircraft and its engines, and kinds of weapons installed and their serial numbers. Some MACR case files include the names of persons with some knowledge of the aircraft’s last flight. In some cases these are rescued or returned crew members. Most reports do not contain all of the above information, especially those prepared in 1943 and 1947.

Also useful for biographical information about the American soldiers and airmen mentioned above is the series of records, at the National Archives, entitled Identity Cards for American Prisoners of Italian Army (Entry UD 1024), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, Record Group 331. These records were created in 1942 and 1943 and acquired from the Italian Government by the Allied Screening Commission (Italy). The series consists of preprinted 5” x 8” cards labeled “Scheda Personale P.G.” The “P.G.” denotes Prigione di Guerra (Prison of War) and Scheda Personale translates as Personal Card. The cards pertain to American prisoners of war of the Italians. The cards have places for information about the prisoner of war. The information provided, in most instances, is the name, name of father and mother, Army serial number, branch of service, date of birth, birthplace, nationality, marital status, religion, profession, address, and, date and place of capture. On the reverse side, prisoner of war camp information is provided. The American prisoners of war were captured during 1942 and 1943 in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.

Footnotes

(1) Memo, H. J. Byrnes, Maj., Officer Commanding, Allied Screening Commission (Italy) to G-2 (P/W), AFHQ, CMF, Subject: Allied prisoners of war held in Italian Concentration Camps prior to September 8th, 1943, January 15, 1945, File 2-5 Correspondence with G-2 (PW) AFHQ CMF File July 1944–March 1945, General Correspondence, Entry UD 1004, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, Record Group 331.

(2) Lt. Edwin R. Korth, 2nd Lt., A.C., Prisoner of War Camp Conditions Report-Italy, MIS-X Section, POW Branch, July 23, 1943, File: Italy-6950, “Regional File,” 1922–1944, Entry 77, Military Intelligence Division, Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, Record Group 165.

(3) Memo, P. V. Holder, Maj., A. C., Comdg. Headquarters, 2621 Platoon (Special) (Overhead) to Commanding General, North African Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [First Sergeant Karl Huddleston, US Army], October 25, 1944, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944-June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331; [ ], Black List No. 1, n.d., ca. August, 1944, File 3-5 Black Lists, Entry UD 1004, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(4) Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Lawrence J. Ruzzo], December 3, 1944, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331; Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Anthony N. Proto], December 3, 1944, ibid.; [ ], Black List No. 2, September [ ], 1944, File 3-5 Black Lists, Entry UD 1004, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(5) The SIMCOL operation was commanded by Lt. Col. A. C. (Tony) Simonds, head of the Cairo office of M.I.9 (technically, “N” Section of “A” Force). The operation to help escapers was set in motion in the beginning of October 1943. The plan was to drop uniformed parties by parachute along the Italian coast where they would contact ex-prisoners of war and escort or direct them to four preselected rendezvous points on the coast. At those points they would be met at prearranged times by parties coming by sea who would embark them to Allied territory. The troops forming the operational parties were drawn from the First Airborne Division (British), the 2 Special Air Service Regiment, the Office of Strategic Services (part of an Operational Group, consisting of Italian-Americans), and No. 1 Special Force of Special Operations Executive (SOE). The SOE personnel would be involved in the SIMCOL seaborne operations, under the Senior Naval Officer Landing Adriatic.

(6) Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Anthony N. Proto], December 3, 1944, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331; Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Charles J. Stewart], December 3, 1944, ibid.

(7) Memo, P. V. Holder, Maj., A. C., Comdg. Headquarters, 2621 Platoon (Special) (Overhead) to Commanding General, North African Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [First Sergeant Karl Huddleston, US Army], October 25, 1944, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(8) Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [PFC Richard A. Wombacher], January 5, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(9) Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Daniel J. McNally], December 3, 1944, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(10) Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Lawrence Danich], February 15, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(11) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Sgt. Theodore D. Drazkowski], May 29, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(12) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [PFC Harold S. Arneson], May 29, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331; Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [PFC Arnold L. Anderson], May 31, 1945, ibid.

(13) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Hilbert H. Balk], June 2, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(14) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Roland B. Light], May 28, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(15) Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Lawrence J. Ruzzo], December 3, 1944, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331; Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private John Savageau], December 3, 1944, ibid.; Memo, Richard N. Tandler, Lt. Col., A.C. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal Sergeant Russell Jobusch], December 3, 1944, ibid.

(16) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [T/Sgt. William A. Madunich], June 3, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(17) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Private Edward M. Greenberg], June 3, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(18) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [Sgt. William P. Hancock, Jr.], June 24, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

(19) Memo, Philip V. Holder, Lt. Col., GSC. G-2 (P/W) Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 to Commanding General, Mediterranean Theater of Operations, Subject: Recommendation for Award of Bronze Star Medal [S/Sgt. George H. Tucker], June 27, 1945, Bronze Star Medal Recommendations Oct. 1944–June 1945, Entry UD 1021C, Allied Screening Commission (Italy), Records of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and Prisoner of War Claims Screening Commission, Records of Allied Operational and Occupation Headquarters, World War II, RG 331.

I would like to draw readers’ attention to an interesting article that appeared last week on The Text Message Blog, on online publication of the U.S. National Archives.

“‘Let’s Make a Movie:’ The Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and the documentary Onore al Merito (To Whom Honor is Due), 1946″ was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park.

The story is intriguing. As early as April 1944, an idea was proposed for a film to recognize and honor the scores of Italians who helped Allied evaders and escapees from prisoner-of-war camps. The film concept quickly drew interest and support, and the work came to fruition in the summer of 1946, a joint effort of the Allied Screening Commission (Italy) and the British Embassy in Rome.

Entitled Onore al Merito (To Whom Honor is Due), the film was about 25 minutes in length. Both Italian and English language versions were produced.

The Italian version of the film premiered in the village of Camarda, Italy, where much of the film was shot. It was later shown both formally and privately in Rome. It’s doubtful the film was ever shown in the United Kingdom.

Greg Bradsher writes in his post that neither the U.S. nor British National Archives possesses a copy of the film.

“Perhaps a reader knows where a copy might reside,” he writes. “My guess is that it will be in Italy.”

If any readers of this post have knowledge of the film, please contact me at hilld@iu.edu. I will gladly pass along any information.

A page from the register of the Partisan Hospital of Santa Lucia

I received valuable information from Italian researcher Michele Becchi several days ago.

He wrote, “I’m sending to you a page from the register of the Partisan Hospital of Santa Lucia, in the village of Fontanaluccia, not far from Montefiorino (the partisan republic).

“There are names of British ex-POWs that may be interest you.

“In the register are also some names of Allied pilots, Russians, and Germans.”

“The word ‘ospizio’ means hospital but also nursing home. Don Mario Prandi, the parish priest of Fontanaluccia, opened it in the ’30s and during the war, with the help of some antifascist doctors, it became one of the four or five partisan health centers of the mountains open to partisans, prisoners, civilians, and anyone needing help. The acronym ‘S. Lucia V.M.’ is a religious abbreviation for ‘Santa Lucia, Virgin and Martyr.’”

Michele kindly offered me a complete translation of the page:

HOSPICE OF S. LUCIA V.M.
Fontanaluccia
List of the inmates and assisted belonging to the belligerent armed forces: from October 1943

October 10, 1943 – R. D. Smith – Castle House [an east London district] London C.4 – England
Prisoner escaped from the POW camp of Fontanellato. Patient because suffering from osteoarthritis in the tibio-tarsus articulation of the left leg. Treated by Dr. Pisani and Professor Marconi. Discharged/healed on December 21, 1943.

October 10, 1943 – W. J. Bishop – Durcot [Durcott Lane] Camerton – Bath, Somerset, England. Prisoner as above suffering from general exhaustion and organic emaciation. Dr. Marconi and Dr. Pisani. Discharged/healed on December 2, 1943.

“I don’t know if both of these British came from Fontanellato,” Michele wrote. “Only for R. D. Smith is the POW camp mentioned.”

“I have also some other names,” he added, “taken from notes belonging to Don Vasco Casotti, the priest of Febbio, a village few miles west of Fontanaluccia. Don Vasco was a strong antifascist. He hosted many Allied airmen, escapers and partisans.

“I don’t know if these British and Commonweath soldiers escaped from Fontanellato.”

Their names are:

Sidney Petrie
Diamond Square
Hexham, Northumberland, England

Hugh Douglas
c/o Surveyor General, Pretoria, South Africa

Mr. Clifford Ingleson Jwr.
21, Miles Hill View, Leeds 7, Yorkshire, England

Denis N. Oakley,
Royder, 109039, Wetton Road, Wynberg, Cape Town, South Africa

I inquired about the airmen Michele had mentioned in his first email.

He answered, “I had omitted airmen’s names from the register and Don Vasco’s list because your blog is focused mainly about ex-pows, but here they are.”

Airmen from the hospital register:

“5 August 1944 – Aviation Lieutenant Douglas (American), suffering from a large hematoma of the right leg and scrotal-perineum area, due to crushing caused by chute harness while falling from a burning plane in Frassinoro area. Treated by Dr. Andreoli – Dr. De Toffoli, released/healed on August 28, 1944.”

and

“Lieutenant D. G. Boast, nr. 542757V. Fallen with his plane in Magliatica. Transferred to the Allied Military Hospital of Modena on April 27, 1945″

“Douglas was Lt. Douglas V. Neale, who belonged to the 86th Fighter Bomber Group,” Michele wrote, “With some friends, this summer we found the remains of his Republic P-47 fighter. Douglas died in the ’80s. We are in touch with his relatives from Burbank, California.

“The other pilot was a South African. He crash-landed with his P-40 fighter near Magliatica, and was rescued by a partisan patrol, and carried first to a safe area, and then to the hospital.”

Here are three Americans from the Don Vasco List:

Sgt. Leo J. Martin
37 Melrose Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts

William Wiley
1315 Hagood Avenue, Columbia, South Carolina
or 307 Winding Way, Merion Station, Pennsylvania

George D. Merrill
204 Jackson Avenue, Highland Park, New Jersey

Of the three, Michele explains, “These men are part of the crew of a B-25 belonging to the 57th Bomb Group. Also, Wiley was the only survivor of a German attack against the partisan unit he belonged to. He gave his statement to the British War Criminal Branch after the war.

Here are other English and Scottish names from Don Vasco’s list (note serviceman Smith’s name appears here also, but with a different middle initial and with a variation of his address):

R. W. Smith, Castle House, London E.C.Q. [England]

C. Barrat, 41 Dunkeld Road, Ilford, Essex, England (first name Charlie, he was a S.O.E. Radio Operator, belonging to a British Mission in the area)

Edward Everitt, 13 Redcar Rd. (W.), South Bank, Middlesborough, Yorks, England

G. M. Corry, 97 Costons Lane, Greenford, Middlesex Gerald [England]

R. Weir, 11 Coltness Av[enue], Shotts, Lanarkshire (Bonnie) Scotland

Parachutist F. Mulvey (Paddy), 5892465, 2nd SAS, Ward /, 104 B. G. Hospital, Central Med. [Mediterranean] Forces

Michele wrote, “This last man, a member of the 2nd Squadron of the British Special Air Service, was wounded in a knee during the “Operation Tombola”, the attack against the German LI Corps headquarters in Albinea, near Reggio, Italy. I’m in touch with his relatives in England.”

At left, Stanley Thomas Dunn, 5th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment; at right, James (Jimmy) Peters, Royal Army Medical Corps. Photo taken in Camp 59, Servigliano.

My friend Anne Copley met Vanda Jessopp and her husband Peter last November at the 2017 Fontanellato–Monte San Martino Trust Luncheon in London. They have since exchanged information about Vanda’s father, Stanley Dunn, that they are allowing me to share here.

Stanley Thomas Dunn (Trooper 7908395, 5th Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment), was captured in North Africa on April 8, 1941.

He was born November 6, 1919. He died February 22, 2003.

Here is the apparent chronology of his internments:

From Africa, Stanley was transported to Sicily (where the POWs built a road). From Sicily he was sent to Servigliano (P.G. 59), then Fontanellato (P.G. 49), and finally Sforzesca (P.G. 146/18). He escaped from Sforzesca and in time was able to make his way to Switzerland, where he lived in Camp d’Eoades in Arosa, Switzerland, until his repatriation.

It’s somewhat of a mystery why Stanley would have been sent from Servigliano, which was an “other ranks” camp to Fontanellato, which was an officers’ camp before being transferred to Sforzesca.

After his escape in Italy, Stanley was helped by Eric Newby’s wife-to-be Wanda Skof.

British travel writer Eric Newby, who during the Second World War served in the Black Watch and Special Boat Section, was captured in August 1942. He escaped from Fontanellato POW camp after the Italian Armistice and was befriended by Wanda Skof, a Slovenian woman living with her family nearby. Eric married Wanda after the war.

In writing to Anne, Vanda explained how she was named:

“I am sure you know of Eric Newby, who wrote the book Love and War in the Apennines. You may also know of his wife, Wanda. My Dad was at one time in the same POW camp as Eric Newby, in Fontanellato. They both escaped and were helped on their way by Wanda’s family. Eric went back after the war and married her, and I was named after her but my name was spelt the English way.”

Concerning the specifics, Vanda writes, “I have no idea really how Wanda helped my Dad. When I was a teenager he gave me Love and War in the Apennines to read, telling me that the Wanda in the book was who I was named after, as she had helped him after he had escaped during the war.”

Among her father’s wartime documents, Vanda has a document dated “Christmas evening 24th Dec 1943 8 o’clock at the Sonne Wolvertswid” and addressed to “Swiss Soldiers and British Internees.” See “Christmas 1943 Address.”

This remarkable three-page “letter” was likely the script of a speech delivered by Herr Hofstetter at a Christmas gathering at his restaurant.

Anne suggested the Sonne Wolvertswid may refer to the Sonne Wolfertswil—the Sonne Restaurant—in Flawil, a municipality in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. “I am guessing that your Dad was put up there along with other Allied POWs.”

Vanda responded to Anne, “It was interesting to learn that the Sonne is a restaurant. I have tried to find out more about Loser Hofstetter, with no luck.”

Regarding the speech, Anne suggested, “Perhaps your Dad wrote it for him?”

Vanda replied, “I have no idea why Dad was in possession of the letter—maybe he was the only one that wanted to keep it. It certainly is not Dad’s handwriting, so that Dad may have written it is probably not feasible. I know that when he was in Switzerland he was not confined in Arosa. He was out and about a lot and he had many photographs of people in the snow and ice skaters, etc. If the Sonne was a restaurant back then, it would not be surprising if he went there for a meal!”

Vanda also has newspaper cuttings about Private James (Jimmy) Peters, Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). See “British Captives Drank Champagne.”

According to Vanda, Jimmy was held in the same camps in Italy as her father, but was repatriated before the 1943 armistice.

Vanda wrote, “Jimmy and my Dad became good friends during their time in POW camps. They stayed in touch after the war and Jimmy was my godfather at my christening in 1949. After that I have no idea what happened to him—he could well have gone to Australia.”

We can be confident Stanley was in the camp at Servigliano, as he is listed as such in “The Alphabetical List-British Soldiers C-F.”

Additionally, Private J. G. W. Peters (R.A.M.C.) listed in “The Alphabetical List-British Soldiers N-Z” might well be Jimmy. Although I cannot confirm his presence there by his service number—as we can for Stanley—that J. G. W. Peters is identified as Royal Army Medical Corps is encouraging.

Vanda continues, “Regarding the photograph of my Dad and Jimmy Peters, on the back of it is written, in my Dad’s handwriting:

To:
Mr + Mrs S Dunn
86 Arne House, Tyers Street,
Vauxhall,
London S.E.11
England

From:
7908395
Trooper Stanley T. Dunn
Campo P.G.59 P.M.3300
(Italia)

“There are two rubber stamps: One is a circle containing the figures 220 and underneath a capital I. The other is the number 635.

“Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were my grandparents and that is the address they lived at as I was growing up.”

This photo is similar to one of Robert Smith and a friend, also seeming to have been taken in P.G. 59. See “British Rifleman Robert Smith.”

“Regarding Dad’s internments,” Vanda explained, “his final camp was at Sforzesca, which is near Vigevano, near Milan (not to be confused with Sforzacosta). I myself visited Sforzesca with my Dad nearly 30 years ago, taken there by the family of a young girl, Lina Cordara, who lived just up the road from the camp at the time of his escape. She had taken him home with her and when her parents came home from work they were happy to keep him hidden for a few days. She was around 16 at the time and is now 93—and is someone my Dad kept in touch with all his life. Indeed, I still receive a Christmas card from her every year.

“Lina never married and still lives in Vigevano. She is in good health and still living in her own home. She does not speak a word of English.

“My parents went to Vigevano for their honeymoon and I can remember Dad going to Italy in the 1950s to a funeral.

“In the late 1980s, Lina came to stay with Dad, accompanied by a young girl called Alessandra who acted as interpreter. Several years later we went to Alessandra’s wedding and were treated as VIPs.

“Another young girl, Sandra, stayed with Dad and later he went to her wedding—the bride and groom took him with them on their honeymoon.

“A young man, Giancarlo, stayed with Dad several times—believe he may be related to Lina.

“And there is Antonella Ferrari from Trezzano and Daniella from Parma.

“All these young people—probably now in their 40s—still keep in touch with me. Obviously, the Italians became very special people to Dad—he often said he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. His friendship with them continued throughout his life.”

The following address from among Stanley Thomas Dunn’s papers from the war appears to be remarks given before a Christmas evening dinner at the Sonne Wolfertswil—the Sonne Restaurant—in Flawil, a municipality in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

See “Stanley Thomas Dunn” for more details.

A Christmas Address

Christmas Evening 24th Dec 1943 8 o’clock at the Sonne Wolvertswid.

Dear Swiss Soldiers and British Internees,

Already for the 5th time since the beginning of the war we celebrate the Christmas Feast in our Switzerland that lies like an Island of Peace surrounded by all these horrors. Who would have once thought that the destruction of mankind and the laying waste of towns & villages would have continued for so long; or that so many foreigners would have to take refuge in our country, and even into Wolvertswid itself. Here we do our best to give you a simple home and to take care of you. We all have great sacrifices to bear, soldiers in service on our frontiers just as we have at home.

Your thoughts will naturally be at home with your dear ones; your fathers, mothers & sweethearts and children which we quite understand. When will they see you again and embrace you with the desire “For no more war in all the world.” So let us celebrate Christmas in my family circle simply & modestly. This little celebration will bring us nearer to one another until the star of peace shines brighter and you will be at your own fireside. We hope and pray that this desire will bring the reality “Peace be unto men of good will”.

So only take courage brothers; tomorrow cares and troubles will be swept away and the sun will shine again on our native land. Above all we thank you especially for your excellent behavior and chivalry.

We wish you luck and a very Merry Christmas.

from Loser Hofstetter his family and children.

The following two newspaper articles were provided by Vanda Jessopp, daughter of Stanley Thomas Dunn, a POW was interned with Jimmy Peters in Camp 59. (See “Stanley Thomas Dunn.”)

The Germans Got Merely Rice-Stew
Their British Captives Drank Champagne

After being held in an Italian camp for two years Private J. Peters, R.A.M.C. has arrived back at his Halchard-road (Upper Halloway) home after travelling through Turkey, Egypt and South Africa. He said to-day:

“The Germans made us work 17 hours a day for seven days a week in a working party in Tripoli, but as it was on a food dump we enjoyed it. When the Jerries were lining up for rice stew we were lying in the shade drinking sherry and champagne and eating 7 lb. tins of ham. It was nothing to eat a whole tin of pears at a time.”

He is to marry Miss Joan Lines, Falkland-road, Honsey.

Caption for two photos:
Pte. James Peters and Miss Joan Lines.

They Want Polish

“Razor blades and good boot polish are what British war prisoners want most,” Private Jimmy Peters told a Hornsey British Legion meeting. Recently repatriated, he was in eight camps in Italy and Germany.

The letter shown here and an accompanying list of Allied servicemen referred to in the letter are among many documents from the British National Archives that Brian Sims shared with me during our brief two-year friendship at the end of his life.

According to this communication, 51 ex-POWs were assisted by Domenico Mancini of “Monte Falcone” (presumably Montefalcone Appennino in the province of Fermo, in the Italian Marche).

There are two versions of the list, the first a carbon copy and the second a typed copy with some discrepancies and errors. Fortunately, it contains many service numbers that are useful in confirming some of the men’s identities.

The letter makes mention of the murder of prisoners at Comunanza (see “An Execution at Comunanza.”)

Here is the text of the letter, followed by the list of names:

SECRET
Ref: No.
SIB60/A-Gp/WC/45/9a.

H.Q., ‘A’ Group, 60 Section,
Special Investigation Branch,
c/o A.P.M’s Office, 61 Area,
Central Mediterranean Forces.

SUBJECT :- Ex-Prisoners of War.

To :-
D.A.P.M.
60 Section, S.I.B.

1. Herewith a list of 51 ex-prisoners of war mostly members of the United States Army. The names may come in useful at some later date as the list was commenced on 2nd October, 1943. MANCINI, now residing at MONTE FALCONE (Italy, 1:200,000. Sheet 14. MR. X(B)5687), lived for over 20 years in America. Some of the names on the original document, which was obtained by Sergeant HOWARTH and BURGESS., are difficult to decipher and other possible interpretations have been included. I am retaining the original as it may be required as an exhibit in file 9A.

2. Reference Progress Report No. 2. on file 9A, paragraph 3, LOUIS LYCKA’s personal number would appear to be 38028716 from the enclosed list (No. 10), and possibly the American authorities can trace him from this and let us have some information regarding his activities.

Check of the other names may reveal some relevant information as it is believed that the British ex-prisoners in this case were exhumed and transferred to another cemetery in August 1944, and that the bodies of the Americans at COMUNANZA have been searched by American personnel. If this is correct the respective Second Echelons may have the names of these people.

D. A. THORN. Lieut.
60 Section, S.I.B.

29 Mar ’45.

Copy to :- File.

DAT/GBG.

Copy.
October 2, 1943
We the undersigned vouch that Domenico Mancini had helped American and British prisoners in every way possible after their departure from POW camps by giving them food and shelter.

Sgt. Ernest Ellis – U.S. Army – 37003120
Pvt. Arthur Roberts – U.S. Army – 37157173
Pfc. Walter Frick – U.S. Army – 37026306
Pvt. Warren G. Myers – U.S. Army – 69922070
Sgt. John J. Procko – U.S. Army – 36107952
Cpl. Fiolka Frank – ? Army – 754
Cpl. Juszcrak Aufori – ? Army – 7265
Sgt. Taraseti W. L. – ? Army – 1538
Pte. Pateula V. – ? Army – 7806
Pfc. Lycka L. – USA – 38028716
Pvt. Mello H. – USA – 31034656
Sgt. Athol B. Gray – USA – 36052038
Pvt. Foulen T. – USA – 34350417
Pvt. Luther O. Shields – USA – 38009720
Pfc. Clifford Beam – USA – 37101648
Sgt. Paul Wakeland – USA – 6669758
Pvt. Faustino O. Sanchez – USA – 38159025
Pvt. Kirschner M. – USA – 32295989
Cpl. Louis Van Slooten – USA – 36151602
Pvt. Aloysius F. Starck – USA – 32057074
Pfc. Wilbur T. Guest – USA – 32057151
Pvt. Samuel R. Smith – USA – 34571402
Sgt. Herbert U. Millward – USA – 6947204
Pfc. Wally Largent – USA – 13023021
Pfc. John O. Everett – USA -34138090
Pvt. Raymond E. Cox – USA – 35261625 or 675
Cpl. Kenneth C. Robertson – USA – 39163898
Pte. Samuel Achibald – Scotland – 3191121
L/Cpl. James Wilson Tannock – Scotland – 3191222
Drv. Joseph Scofield – England – 4690241
William A. Duperreault – USA – Mass[achusetts] 6153246
Frank B. Le Ragin – Brooklyn, New York- Street 1778
Steve D. Stanton – USA – 32002702
Harry Hanman – USA -Penn[sylvania]
George Maddock – USA – Washington
Edward Mura – USA – New Jersey
Elmer M. Eckman – Kittanning, Pennsylvania – 33088486
Charles H. Ebright – USA – South Bend, Indiana 35254694
Pvt. Zeulah D. Ray or Roy – USA – 37130067
Charlie Dimmick – 98436774
Richard Sache – USA – 6805933
Jack Eisner – England – 2574260
Bdr. Prince C. W. – England -1438995
Cpl. L. Worthington – Australia – WX4449
Pte. R. E. A. Edwards – Australia – WX17234
Cpl. G. H. J. Harmer – England – 7895762
Sgt. Charles Gallo – U.S. Army – 6136765
Cpl. Charlie W. Smith – U.S. Army – 38060738
Pvt. Walter L. Kidd – U.S. Army – 35200125
Pfc. Alden P. Freeman – U.S. Army – 39376341
John D. Vaughn – U.S. Army – 38060793 or 0193
N. T. or N. C. Hill – W/O P65295 R.C.A.F. [Royal Canadian Air Force

Further Details

The stories of several men in this list are documented in posts on this website:

We know that Willis “Wally” Largent escaped from Camp 59 with John O. Everett. They were protected by Nazareno Lupi and his wife for nine months. The Lupi family lived near the town of Force in the province of Ascoli Piceno.

Luther Shields and Louis VanSlooten were sheltered by Luigi and Iginia Palmoni of Montefalcone Appennino.

Several Italian families assisted Raymond Cox after his escape from Camp 59, most notably Primo Mecossi who, with his wife and daughters, hid him in a cave and fed him.

Les Worthington and Robert E. A. Edwards traveled together behind enemy lines after their escape. They are two of nine Australians who escaped from Camp 59 during the September 1943 outbreak.

Charles Webster Smith—on this list—writes in his memoirs Wine, Bread, & Cheese: A POW’s Story of Survival in Italy that he and Charles Gallo of New Haven, Connecticut; Everett Kidd from Virginia; Raymond Johnson from Missouri; and William F. “Bill” Tschoerner from Jarrell, Texas, left Camp 59 together. Charles Gallo and Everett Kidd are on this list.

Travis L. Fowler, an American serviceman from Ohio, is listed as having died as a POW. This could mean that he died in captivity or died while on the run in enemy-occupied territory. Perhaps he was one of the Americans murdered in the Comunanza cemetery.

The names and addresses of many men in this document were written on individual cards in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards.”

Here are details on some of the men:

Sgt. Ernest Ellis – U.S. Army – 37003120

Ernest C. Ellis
Serial Number-37003120
Sergeant
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-Kansas
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 21 Chieti Italy 42-14)

Ernest Ellis’ name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Pvt. Arthur Roberts – U.S. Army – 37157173

Arthur R. Roberts
Serial Number-37157173
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Kansas
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated but no camp listed)

Arthur Roberts’ name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Pfc. Walter Frick – U.S. Army – 37026306

Walter P. Frick
Serial Number-37026306
Private
U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers-Engineer
State of Residence-Minnesota
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Pvt. Warren G. Myers – U.S. Army – 69922070

Warren G. Myers
Serial Number-6992070
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-none listed
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Sgt. John J. Procko – U.S. Army – 36107952

John J. Procko, Jr.
Serial Number-36104952
Corporal
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-Michigan
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

John Procko’s name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Cpl. Fiolka Frank – ? Army – 754

No further information

Cpl. Juszcrak Aufori – ? Army – 7265

No further information

Sgt. Taraseti W. L. – ? Army – 1538

No further information

Pte. Pateula V. – ? Army – 7806

No further information

Pfc. Lycka L. – USA – 38028716

Louis Lycka
Serial Number-38028716
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Forces
State of Residence-Texas
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 – Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11)

Pvt. Mello H. – USA – 31034656

Herman J. Mello
Serial Number-31034656
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Massachusetts
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Sgt. Athol B. Gray – USA – 36052038

Athol B. Gray
Serial Number-36052038
Sergeant
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-Illinois
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Athol Gray’s name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Pvt. Foulen T. – USA – 34350417

Travis L. Fowler
Serial Number-34350417
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-Ohio
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Died as Prisoner of War, but no camp is listed)

Pvt. Luther O. Shields – USA – 38009720

Luther C. Shields
Serial Number-38009720
Private
U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers-Armored (Divisional)
State of Residence-not listed
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Pfc. Clifford Beam – USA – 37101648

Clifford Beam
Serial Number-37101648
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-no state listed
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Sgt. Paul Wakeland – USA – 6669758

Paul I. Wakefield
Serial Number-6669758
Sergeant
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armed Forces
State of Residence-Kentucky
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Paul Wakeland’s name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Pvt. Faustino O. Sanchez – USA – 38159025

Faustino Sanchez
Serial Number-38159025
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Texas
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Pvt. Kirschner M. – USA – 32295989

Morris Kirschner
Serial Number-32295989
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-New York
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)
Cpl. Louis Van Slooten – USA – 36151602

Cpl. Louis Van Slooten – USA – 36151602

Louis J. VanSlooten
Serial Number-36151602
Corporal
U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers-Armored (Divisional)
State of Residence-Illinois
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Louis VanSlooten’s name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Pvt. Aloysius F. Starck – USA – 32057074

Aloysius F. Starck
Serial Number-32057074
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-no state listed
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Stalag 2B Hammerstein (99 work camps in vicinity of Koslin & Stolp) West Prussia 53-17)

Pfc. Wilbur T. Guest – USA – 32057151

Wilbur T. Guest
Serial Number-32057151
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-New Jersey
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia (Also KDOS [USA] #1-5; ARB BTNS 225-255) 52-14)

Pvt. Samuel R. Smith – USA – 34571402

Samuel R. Smith
Serial Number-34571402
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry
State of Residence-Georgia
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Sgt. Herbert U. Millward – USA – 6947204

Herbert U. Millward
Serial Number-6947204
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry
State of Residence-At Sea
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Pfc. Wally Largent – USA – 13023021

Willis Largent
Serial Number-13023021
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Tennessee
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Pfc. John O. Everett – USA -34138090

John O. Everett
Serial Number-34138090
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Military Police
State of Residence-Mississippi
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Pvt. Raymond E. Cox – USA – 35261625 or 675

Raymond E. Cox
Serial Number-35261675
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-West Virginia
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Cpl. Kenneth C. Robertson – USA – 39163898

Kenneth C. Robertson
Serial Number-39163898
Corporal
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-California
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Pte. Samuel Achibald – Scotland – 3191121

No further information

L/Cpl. James Wilson Tannock – Scotland – 3191222

No further information

Drv. Joseph Scofield – England – 4690241

No further information

William A. Duperreault – USA – Mass[achusetts] 6153246

William A. Duperreault
Serial Number-6153246
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry
State of Residence-No state listed
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Frank B. Le Ragin – Brooklyn, New York- Street 1778

No prisoners with the surname of le Ragin, Leragin, or Ragin are listed in the National Archives database. However, this serviceman might be be a match:

Frank B. Cragin
Serial Number-32197789
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-New York
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Hospital Caserta Caserta Italy 41-14)

Steve D. Stanton – USA – 32002702

No Steve Stanton with a middle initial of D. is listed in the National Archives database, and there is no match to the serial number, but this Steve G. Stanton match has a serial number that varied by one digit and so is a likely match:

Steve G. Stanton
Serial Number-32002732
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-New York
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Hospital Caserta Caserta Italy 41-14)

Harry Hanman – USA -Penn[sylvania]

In the National Archives database there is no listing for anyone with the surname Hanman.

George Maddock – USA – Washington

George W. Maddock
Serial Number-39193058
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Washington
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Edward Mura – USA – New Jersey

Edward Mura
Serial Number-32303781
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-New Jersey
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Elmer M. Eckman – Kittanning, Pennsylvania – 33088486

Elmer M. Eckman
Serial Number-33088486
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Pennsylvania
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Charles H. Ebright – USA – South Bend, Indiana 35254694

Charles H. Ebright
Serial Number-35254694
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Indiana
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Pvt. Zeulah D. Ray or Roy – USA – 37130067

Zulah D. Ray
Serial Number-37130067
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-Missouri
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

Charlie Dimmick – 98436774

The only Dimmick listed in the National Archives database is Carl Dimmick. He has a serial number that is completely different that the one recorded for Charlie Dimmick.

Richard Sache – USA – 6805933

In the National Archives database there is no listing for anyone with the surname of Sache or Sach, or this serial number listed for Richard Sache.

Jack Eisner – England – 2574260

No further information

Bdr. Prince C. W. – England – 1438995

No further information

Cpl. L. Worthington – Australia – WX4449

Leslie Worthington
WX4449
Lance Corporal, Australian Army Corps-2nd/28th Batallion

Pte. R. E. A. Edwards – Australia – WX17234

Was with Leslie Worthington on the run

Cpl. G. H. J. Harmer – England – 7895762

No further information

Sgt. Charles Gallo – U.S. Army – 6136765

Charles Gallo
Serial Number-6136465
Sergeant
U.S. Army, Infantry-Rifle
State of Residence-Connecticut
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Cpl. Charlie W. Smith – U.S. Army – 38060738

Charlie W. Smith
Serial Number-38060738
Corporal
U.S. Army, Medical Department-Armored Force
State of Residence-Texas
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated-no camp listed)

Charlie W. Smith’s name and address (above) were written on a card in Luther Shields’ deck of playing cards. See post “Dual Purpose Deck of Cards,” January 5, 2009.

Pvt. Walter L. Kidd – U.S. Army – 35200125

Everette L. Kidd
Serial Number-35200125
Private
U.S. Army, Medical Department-Armored Infantry
State of Residence-West Virginia
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated from CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13)

Pfc. Alden P. Freeman – U.S. Army – 39376341

Alden P. Freeman
Serial Number-39376341
Private First Class
U.S. Army, Infantry-Parachute Infantry
State of Residence-no state listed
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (CC 66 Capua Italy 41-14)

John D. Vaughn – U.S. Army – 38060793 or 0193

John D. Vaughn
Serial Number-38060793
Private
U.S. Army, Infantry-Armored Force
State of Residence-Texas
Source: U.S. National Archives, World War II Prisoners of War Data Files, documenting the period December 7, 1941-November 19, 1946 (Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, but no camp is listed)

N. T. or N. C. Hill – W/O P65295 R.C.A.F. [Royal Canadian Air Force]

No further information

Tomorrow is my father’s birthday. He died in 2000, but had he lived, he would have been 100 years old. He was born on February 9, 1918, to Finnish immigrants in a lumber camp in Michigan’s heavily forested Upper Peninsula.

I’m dedicating this post to his memory.

The document pictured above, issued by the U.S. War Department, entitled “Amended Instructions Concerning Publicity in Connection with Escaped Prisoners of War, to Include Evaders of Capture in Enemy or Enemy-Occupied Territory and Internees in Neutral Countries,” is dated August 6, 1943.

The document stresses the need for secrecy about information relating to the POW experience, and it lays down guidelines.

It states, “Information about your escape or your evasion from capture would be useful to the enemy and a danger to your friends. It is therefore SECRET.”

Former prisoners, on their repatriation, were required to sign the form.

The poor condition of this copy suggests my dad carried it folded in his pocket or wallet for some time after his return to freedom.

The form instructs servicemen to not disclose, except to certain military personnel, the following information:

(1) The names of those who helped you.
(2) The method by which you escaped for evaded.
(3) The route you followed.
(4) Any other facts concerning your experience.

“You must be particularly on your guard with persons representing the press,” it says, and “give no account of your experiences in books, newspapers, periodicals, or in broadcasts or in lectures.”

Furthermore, the men were instructed to “give no information in anyone, irrespective of nationality, in letters or in conversation.”

The British Armed Forces issued a similar document that repatriated POWs were required to sign (see below).

Although some newspaper clippings from wartime that are posted to this site show that some men did talk to the press, others kept a tight lip about their experiences—even keeping their experiences from spouses and children.

In 2007, Ethel Stafford, wrote to me that her father “did not talk much about his war experience until his later years, except for Primo and his family. Primo and his family sheltered and hid my Dad in the Apennine Mountains. Dad kept everything all bottled inside. When he did talk, it was just the bare minimum of what happened to him, or better yet—an outline.”

Andrew Stockton shared the following reminiscence of his grandfather, Brayno Reome, with me:

“I was young when my grandfather passed away, it is my understanding that he was very troubled and bothered to talk about his time in the war and being a prisoner. However, as a curious child I was fascinated by the war and him having escaped, so I constantly asked him and he would answer all my questions—accounts of his time in war and as a prisoner, which I remember like yesterday but were dulled down for obvious reasons. I learned more of his time in the war and prisoner from his son, my mother and his other two daughters since the time he has passed away. One thing that will always stick in my mind was when he received his medals during a ceremony at the Cortland [New York], VFW. He was so happy and honored, but I also saw later on in a television interview, of which we have a taped copy, how sad and hurt he was that the military had forgotten about him and his fellow soldiers who had to live through an unpleasant experience….”

Wayne Houben wrote about his father, “He wouldn’t talk about the time he was in the war, but he did leave some records.” Many families, like Wayne’s, are left with only clues to what happened.

In 2010, Ed Cronin wrote to me of his father, Clarence T. Cronin, who went by the name of Tom Cronin, “My father, like many of the survivors of WWII and prisoners of war, never talked much about his experience. What I can tell you about him is that he had full blown PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], but in those days it just was not recognized. He was a man with a good heart underneath it all, but he had an explosive temper through most of his life. He was typical in that he would jump out of bed in the middle of the night and get under his bed to cover himself from ‘attack.'”

Paul Green learned of his father’s experiences in this way:

“My father was a POW in Camp 59, and another escapee. The youngest of his three sons, I knew very little of my father’s experiences during the war. He remained tight-lipped about it, until one day I discovered his Silver Star and other military papers while fetching some insurance information for him from his office desk. He found me, a half-hour later, staring at his medal. That was the first time he spoke of the war, but thankfully not the last.”

My friend Neil Torssell, who passed away in 2016, told me when I interviewed him over the phone:

“I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think of something in regards to the service. I don’t go around talking to people about it. It just goes through my mind, that’s all. It’s just one of those things. Once you’ve been through what I’ve been through you never forget it.

“A lot of men won’t talk at all—they just can’t. I may have mentioned to you, I never told my wife about service too much—just the good times. We were at a meeting in Rochester [New York] one time and the speaker didn’t show up.

“The commander of that group said, ‘We’ll do it different today. Will each of you tell us something of what you went through?’

“When it came to my turn, I gave a very brief resumé. I think it shocked the daylights out of my wife because I hadn’t told her that before.

“After that, I could talk freely to her.”

When I was a child, my dad said little about his POW experience.

But when I was in college, the year-long U.S. bicentennial celebration of 1976 was an inspiration for local and family history projects, and I asked my dad then if I could tape his full war story.

He agreed to do it.

The following year, at a reunion of the 19th Engineers Combat Regiment, Dad spoke with Edgar F. Pohlmann, formerly a captain who, like my dad, was at the disastrous Kasserine Pass encounter with the Germans in February 1943. My dad asked Ed if he felt it was OK for him to tell his story.

Later, Ed wrote to him, “I did some checking with the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington, D.C., regarding any possible clearances, etc. which might be required connection with writing a personal book or account of war experiences. They advised me that none is required.”

Years later, in 1987, Dad and I had another recording session, in which he shared additional details of his POW story.

Shortly after my dad’s death, my mother said to me, “When you interviewed Dad about his war experiences years ago—that really allowed him to heal. It allowed him to get those nightmares out of his head and into the open. He was so much calmer after that.”

For links to my dad’s interviews, see “A Kid’s Perspective.”

British version of the “Warning Against Giving Information about Your Escaper or How You Evaded Capture.”
From the British National Archives, courtesy Brian Sims.

This British document warns of the proscription against publishing or communicating by means of:

“(a) publication or accounts of your experiences in Books, NEWSPAPERS or periodicals (including Regimental Journals), WIRELESS broadcasts or lectures

“and (b) giving information to friends and acquaintances either male or female, in private letters, in casual conversations or discussions, even if those friends or acquaintances are in H.M’s or Allied Forces and how ever ‘safe’ you may consider them to be.”

Charles Herbert Ebright

On January 28, I posted on this site a list of 51 escapees who were helped by Domenico Mancini, an Italian. (See “Domenico Mancini—A Key Italian Assister.”)

According to Allied military records, Domenico Mancini “had helped American and British prisoners in every way possible after their departure from POW camps by giving them food and shelter.”

One name in particular on this list stood out to me—Charles H. Ebright of South Bend, Indiana.

I live in southern Indiana, and South Bend is about 200 miles north of my home.

I searched online for any mention of Charlie, and quickly discovered his obituary on the Palmer Funeral Home—Guisinger Chapel website.

Charlie had passed away just 12 months earlier, in January 2017. Staff at the funeral home kindly put me in touch with Charlie’s niece, Angie Brechtel.

Angie and I exchanged several emails, through which she shared the following memories of Charlie with me:

“I came into Charlie’s family 15 years ago when I married his nephew Craig. Charlie was a fixture then. Everyone said he attached to me because I was a lot like his first love and wife, Viv.

“He did not have children, so we were the only family he had. When he became ill, I stepped in. I saw him several times a week, took care of all his finances, which led to my becoming his power of attorney, healthcare representative, and all that goes with it, for a little over 10 years.

“As his health declined, my visits and responsibilities increased.

“I grew up military, so I am in tune to those who have served. That may have been why Charlie said as much as he did to me. My dad was on a battleship in Korea and an aircraft carrier in Vietnam. I lost friends in Vietnam. I am also huge on military, respect for our flag, honor for our veterans and all the respect that goes with it. I put Charlie’s POW/MIA flag on a pole on one side of his room door with the American flag on the other. I framed his Purple Heart and placed it where anyone could see it as they came in. I thought by having those out in the open he would talk about his experiences—but he never did.

“Craig said that Charlie would not speak about his POW experience. His brother tells me the same. I did not know until last night that I was the only one who knew most of his story, which is still very little.

“He did not talk about the camp at all, or any others who were there. He never spoke of any abuses.

“He was just all matter of fact about it all. He was in Africa, he was a prisoner, someone opened the gate of the camp before the Germans came, he escaped with others and walked with another soldier for a long time, they came upon a farm, worked the farm, slept in the barn, and then someone came and said Allied forces were coming and he could catch up to them and go home.

“And, boom, he was back. He married Viv Brechtel—the love of his life—and all went back to normal, like the past two years never happened. He did not mention any names. He did say he had communication with the family in Italy for a couple of years, but he did not say who they were or even where they lived.

“He was wounded, but he didn’t say how. He walked with a slight limp that over the years became more pronounced, to the point he could not walk at all.

“Before Charlie passed, a member of our local veteran’s group came in to present Charlie with a flag lapel pin, some sort of medal, and a certificate of honor. He also said a prayer and shook his hand.

“I made sure several members of our family were in attendance as well. Hopefully, Charlie was present enough to realize the honor and thanks that was being given to him.

“My stepson has tried to impress his respect for military service on his own children. Since everything military about Charlie means so much to him, I gave him the certificate and medal. I also gave him the flag that was presented to me, along with the bullet casings from the honor guard salute. Having that flag presented to you is an honor, and yet stirs earthshaking grief at the same time—doubly so since that flag was wrapped around someone you loved so much before it was reverently folded and given to you.

“Taps rips my heart out every time I hear it. On base it was played as the flag was lowered each evening. You heard it, you stopped and faced wherever you thought that flag would be, you put your hand over your heart, and did not move until the song had ended.

“Then, as I got older, taps became the final salute for the soldier.

“I wish I had more to offer. What was in his obituary was all there is. I tried to honor Charlie in the best way I could and laid him to rest beside his first love and wife, Viv.

“I like that some of the history has remained and the site of the old POW camp has become a place of peace. We need our history in tact—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“I wish Charlie could have seen your hard work in honoring these soldiers. He would have liked that his name is mentioned on your site.”

Charlie’s obituary was published in the South Bend Tribune on January 12, 2017:

Charles Herbert Ebright

June 25, 1920 – Jan. 7, 2017

SOUTH BEND – Charles Herbert Ebright, 96, passed this life on January 7, 2017. He was born in South Bend, IN on June 25, 1920, to Frank and Augusta (Hinz) Ebright. After graduating in 1939 from Central High School, he majored in business at the South Bend Commercial College. Before he could graduate, he was inducted into the Army on January 31, 1942 as a PFC in the 8th Infantry Training.

After training, he was sent as part of the first wave in the WWII battle for Tunis, Tunisia, Africa. In a foxhole, Charlie was wounded and carried a piece of shrapnel in his thigh the rest of his life. Wounded soldiers were removed to the rear lines and treated. He and other “walking wounded” were reassigned to take bed rolls and supplies to the troops in the front lines but had no weapons. Not knowing their troops had fallen back they walked into a German camp. Captured, the Germans turned them over to an Italian Army Prisoner of War Camp outside of Monfalcone [Montefalcone Appennino], Italy where they stayed for 10 months. Though a POW, all Allied Prisoners in the custody of the Italians were treated well.

When Italy surrendered to the Germans in September 1943, the Italians opened the prison gates and told the soldiers to scatter before the Germans invaded. Charlie came across a woman who offered him food and shelter with her family. For 8 months he worked in their fields and helped out where he could. In 1944, the family connected him with the British Army, who returned him to the U.S. Army in Oran, North Africa. Once there, he was shipped back to Boston, given a 21-day leave, where he came home and married his sweetheart, Vivian Brechtel. Before his discharge in October 5, 1945, he was an honor guard for the funeral of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. For his service, he received EAMETO ribbons, WWII Bronze Battle Star, Good Conduct Medal, and a Purple Heart Medal.

After his discharge, Charlie worked at the U.S. Post Office, Singer Sewing Machine Company, then Wheelabrator-Frye. When Wheelabrator closed their doors, Charlie retired. He was a member of St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ. Vivian predeceased him in 1981. He remarried in 1995 to Dorothy Wilson, who predeceased him in 1998. There were no children through either marriage.

Charlie has been a resident of Southfield Village in South Bend, IN since 2007, where he participated in talent shows, the Kazoo Band, WII Bowling League, Bingo caller, a member of the Resident Council, and assistant to anyone who needed help. He was also the “Class Clown and Teacher’s Pet” among the staff. Charlie’s love for the Cubs was evident by his Cubs hat and jacket and memorabilia in his room. He was able to watch their World Series win—his life-long wish.

Though he did not have children, he leaves behind nephews and niece, Paul Brechtel and Craig and Angie Brechtel. He was a “bonus grandfather” to Craig R. Brechtel (Christina), Cari Sanders (Kyle), and Jennafer Higgins (Pat). He has friends and extended family too many to mention and was loved and honored by all.

A memorial service will be held at Southfield Village, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, IN on Saturday, January 14, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers and in honor for Charlie’s service, donations to the Semper Fi Fund will be appreciated. Their information can be found on their website: semperfifund.org.

Palmer Funeral Home–Guisinger Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Ray Worthington (son of P.G. 59 escapee Les Worthington) and Linda Veness (daughter of escapee Jim McMahon) discovered and shared this 1944 news article with me this week.

Kalgoorlie Soldier Escaped Twice

Sunday Times (Perth, Western Australia)
Sunday, 24 September 1944

Welcomed home to Kalgoorlie during the week was A.I.F. Pte. Tom Alman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Les Alman, of Egan-street. Tom Alman has put up an unique record for he escaped from Italian P.O.W. camps on two occasions.

Prior to joining up in 1941, Tom had his own carrying business here. He served right though the Middle East and was unlucky to be captured by the Germans at El Alamein, in July, 1942, and taken to Benghazi, Lybia [sic] where he remained five months.

Then taken to Italy, he remained in a p.o.w. camp until December 14, 1943, when in company with four other prisoners of war, all Western Australians—Jack Allen, formerly employed at Masseys, Kalgoorlie; Jim McMahon, from Reedys; L/C L. [Leslie] Worthington, of Wiluna; and J. [Jimmy] Feehan, of Geraldton—he escaped and hid in the Italian mountains. Tom and Jim McMahon joined up with a band of rebels, and stayed with them three months.

Things began to get too hot then, so we disbanded and went back to the mountains,” he added. “However, spies gave me away, and I was recaptured a month later.”

Dressed in civilian clothes, he again escaped and by-passed the Italian lines by going though big mountainous country. A week later, he succeeded in reaching the Allied lines, “but for some time English troops in this sector were sceptical, and could not make me out, dressed as a civilian and speaking English. My treatment by the Italians when I was first captured was very bad. Later, when they realized they were beaten, their attitude seemed to change overnight, as they wanted to be on the winning side. Actually very few Australians managed to escape from Italy. The big camp all Australians and New Zealanders occupied was commanded by Fascists, definitely pro-German. Fortunately I escaped prior to the Germans taking over when Italy capitulated.”

Pte. Tom Alman concluded: “It’s great to be back home again. There’s only one place in life really worth while, and that’s home. The big thing we are all looking forward to now is for the war to finish and all of us are able to live a decent life once again.”

More Information

There is discrepancy in individual accounts as to when the escape occurred and how many men left together.

In his service record, Les Worthington wrote, “On the 10th September 1943, we heard that Italy was out of the war and our guards changed their uniforms for civilian clothes and went off, so on the 14th nine of us decided to escape if possible. The civilians gave us clothes and old hats and we waited until nightfall and all hid in the fields for two hours and then got moving south.”

In an autobiography written when he was 70 years old, R. J. McMahon explained, “I suggested to my mates, one Scot and five other Aussies, that instead of digging our way out we should try going over the top. We nutted this plan out and thought there would be enough time while the guards, patrolling the wall, were having their halfway talk and smoke, giving us about five minutes. … It was just a matter of climbing to the top of the wall using a ladder and diving over, doing a tumble to break the fall. … On a Sunday night in October 1943, we built the ladder and made our escape around 1 a.m. Things did not go quite to plan, as only four of us were over the top before we were spotted. I was the tail-end Charlie, and by the time I got over the wall there were machine gun bullets flying everywhere.”

It seems most likely the escape occurred on September 14—or between September 10 and 14—as the mass exodus of prisoners from P.G. 59 occurred on the night of September 14. September 14, 1943 was a Tuesday night. If the escape occurred on a Sunday night, as Jim McMahon suggested, perhaps it was on Sunday, September 12—two days after the men learned Italy had signed the armistice and two days before the mass departure.

See also “Jimmy Feehan and Thomas Penman,” “A Timeline of Les Worthington’s Service,” “Les Worthington—an Australian’s Adventure,” “Tom Kelly—Escapee from P.G. 59,” “Scottish Escapee Thomas Penman,” “R. J. McMahon, Part 1—Battle and Captivity,” “R. J. McMahon, Part 2—Escape and Beyond, and “R. J. McMahon—Case for A Campaign Star.”