Hello, I was recently asked by a collegue as to whether I could help with an email enquiry from a woman in the USA who is transcribing the memoirs of her father Her father was a Fleet Air Arm Sub-Lieutenant called Thomas Chapman who was captured by the Italians after being adrift in a dinghy for several days. She has come across a reference to an interrogation centre north of Rome He apparently wrote She is at loss as to where this camp was located and asked The Second World War Experience Centre for help. I was able to find out the following about her father on the FAA archive website using archive.org https://web.archive.org/web/20040312021640/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/rollofhonour/POW/T.html I have also struggled to find any reference to Camp PG18 and I'm unsure if Piaggio Martete even exists Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks Jonathan Fenny SWWEC Volunteer
Hello, He was held in a monastery at POGGIO MIRTETO north of Rome - this small interrogation camp was used to house USAAF airmen. Regards, Vitellino
Hello, it's me again, Vitellino. I knew I had something on Poggio Mirteto. It comes from Chapter 7 in a book called 'Aircraft Down. Evading Capture in WWII Europe' by Philip D. Caine, pub. Brossey's. Washington & London 1997. The interrogation camp had been set up in the convent of St. Valentino.
Vitellino thanks a lot for your information and help.The enquirer was most pleased to learn more about this camp and its whereabouts. Apparently the author of Von Ryan's Express was imprisoned in Poggio Mirtete
Hello, it's me again. I should have said that the interrogation camp for American airmen in the convent 'San Valentino' at Poggio Mirteto should not be confused with the Fascist concentration camp for civilian internees which was also located at Poggio Mirteto. Vitellino
Hi vitellino Hope you do not mind but I was corresponding with Tricky Dicky over a Rimini camp question and he suggested I pose my question to you. I am having problems locating my late father's home town/village in Ukraine, which is hindering other investigations I am conducting. His name Wolodymyr Fedeczko born 13/8/1913 was held in Rimini 1944 and was moved to Langar Nottingham UK 1946/7. All roads so far lead nowhere regarding his birth place even the most event lead to the Red Cross. Can you help? Michael
Hi vitellino Hope you do not mind but I was corresponding with Tricky Dicky over a Rimini camp question and he suggested I pose my question to you. I am having problems locating my late father's home town/village in Ukraine, which is hindering other investigations I am conducting. His name Wolodymyr Fedeczko born 13/8/1913 was held in Rimini 1944 and was moved to Langar Nottingham UK 1946/7. All roads so far lead nowhere regarding his birth place even the most event lead to the Red Cross. Can you help? Michael
Hello Michael, What was your father's rank and military unit? I don't have anything on Russian prisoners, unfortunately, but will try to find out ssomething about the camp, Regards, Vitellino
Michael, There's already a thread on the Rimini camp on this site - I've had a quick glance and it may help you. Vitellino
Back to Poggio MIrteto. My website is now up and running: poggiomirtetoairmen.weebly.com. Regards Vitellino
Hi Vitellino Thanks for taking the time to replay. My fathers rank was grenadier 14th Waffen SS (volunteer), served and survived the massacre in the battle of Brody.