PG 82, POW Jones

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Lizard10, May 11, 2015.

  1. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Hello 2nd SAS Italy,

    Unfortunately a fair number of E & E reports for men who crossed the lines in Italy seem not to have survived ( or are they somehwere in the NA needing to be catalogued? I have heard/read this somewhere).

    In case you don't have it, you can download Frank's recommendation for the MM from the National Archives:

    Recommendation for Award for Cook, Frank Thomas Rank: Sapper Service No: ... | The National Archives

    I have now found the reference to him in the Maple Driftwood Report (it's on this forum) in case you haven't seen it:

    Pct. COOK, 2nd S.A.S., while escaping, met Captain GUNSTON near FERMO at the beginning of February 1944. Captain GUNSTON told COOK that he still had a further task to complete and then would evacuate his party by sea.

    Regards,

    Vitellino
     
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  2. 2nd SAS Italy

    2nd SAS Italy Member

    Vitellino,

    Thanks for the information. Yes i have copies of both the award and recommendation documents.
     
  3. 2nd SAS Italy

    2nd SAS Italy Member

    Vitellino,

    I wondered if you can help.

    As mentioned previously my father-in- law was on Operation JONQUIL where he was captured near Grottemare by a German Unit that had been ordered to search for the SAS units or partisans that were directing POW to the coast. I also understand the German Military Intelligence knew about both operations right down to the drop zones and landing locations. Was there a spy in the British High Command?

    Do you know how i could obtain the Italian or German Military Action reports to find which unit was sent or their war diaries to look for the SAS teams near the coast.

    Interestingly after he was captured initially in October 1943 he was handed over to the fascist military, and then again after he escaped near Communanza. Would they have kept records?

    Regards.
     
  4. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Hello 2nd SAS.

    I do not know where any records kept by the Italian Republic (Repubblica Sociale Italiana) are held but can try to find out. I have an idea as to which unit was in Comunanza (one m) but need to check before I post anything here.

    As to spies, your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps you should pose this question on the Special Operations forum of ww2 Talk.

    The German war diaries are in their National Archives at Freiburg (click on this link).

    Best wishes,

    Vitellino

    Edited:
    The Fascist militia was probably the 109 Legione D'Assalto ''Filippo Corridoni'' (Macerata), or alternatively the 110 Legione Ordinaria ''Picena''(Ascoli Piceno).

    The German unit operating in that area would seem to have been the 3 Brandenburg Divsion.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2021
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  5. 2nd SAS Italy

    2nd SAS Italy Member

    Vitellino,

    Thanks for the prompt response and the information provided.

    I am in the process of arranging a family holiday for next year , subject to lifting of the lockdown restrictions to travel along the route that he took from Grottermare to Monte San Savino.
    I find it amazing their stories and exploits that they endured to reach safety that would not have been possible without the help and sacrifice of the Italian people.

    Many Thanks once again.
     
  6. 2nd SAS Italy

    2nd SAS Italy Member

    Vitellino,

    Do you know of a local historian that i could approach to assist with some research that knows the area. I have been able to convince my family to visit and stay in San Benedetto del Tronto.

    I have been able to ascertain that my father in law was staying in a friendly house with a SSM MARSHALL & Pct FITZGERALD between Montefiore d Aso & River Menocchia.
    (They could see the hill top town of Ripatransone to their left.)

    Regards
     
  7. tedfromscrubs

    tedfromscrubs Junior Member

    Hi 2nd SAS
    I am a Trustee of the Monte San Martino Trust with reps in the Marche area. Vitellino has alerted me to your posts. I will pm you.
     
  8. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Hello 2nd SAS,

    Good to know that you and Anne are in contact.

    Out of interest, where did you get the information about Marshall and Fitzgerald from?

    Regards,

    Vitellino
     
  9. 2nd SAS Italy

    2nd SAS Italy Member

    Vatellino ,

    Thank for asking.

    I used these publications to try and piece together their movements along the River Menocchia.

    OP JONQUIL ,The after Action Report and the report made by SSM MARSHALL,
    Escape from Italy 1943 - 45 published by Malcom Tudor.
    SAS in Italy 1943-1945: Raiders in Enemy Territory, Malcolm Tudor.
    Monte San Martino Trust - Four from Forty Nine - Geoffrey Stavert.

    I am trying to gather information on the events that took place after Cook and Fitzpatrick along with a number of POW were captured.

    Regards
     
  10. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Thanks.

    I have read JONQUIL but will have another look at it.

    When you mention 'a number of POW' are we stilll talking about members of the 2SAS?

    Regards,

    Vitellino
     
  11. 2nd SAS Italy

    2nd SAS Italy Member

    Vitellino,

    No these were in addition to the 2SAS members

    I found it eventually on the 2nd page, 2nd paragraph of the After Action Report by SSM Marshall in the OP JONQUIL Report.

    "On the 22nd Of October, I saw one of the prisoners who had helped us, he took me to Capt POWER; who told me that PCT TONG had tried to contact COOK and had run
    into the same party of Germans, who flung grenades at him. TONG managed to get away and warned Capt POWER and SGT MARINO.
    PCT FITZGERALD was taken prisoner and according to information received from civilians COOK was also taken prisoner along with 5 escaped prisoners. "

    Regards
     
  12. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Thank you.
     

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