Awards MiDs Gnrs Hiscocks & Sackman, Royal Artillery (Escape & Evasion, Italy)

ESCAPES FROM CAMP 53 (MACERATA), ITALY​

(1) After the Armistice with Italy, P/W in this camp were ordered by the Italian Commandant and the Senior British Officer to remain. The guard was doubled and sentries told to shoot at any P/W trying to escape.

On 14th September 1943 all Italian guards vanished and conditions became confused. Some P/W escaped with Red Cross parcels which the Senior British Officer had issued, but a cordon of British guards was posted round the camp and most of the P/W remained.

On 16th September 1943 the Germans arrived and took over the cam and about six-sevenths of the original number of PW. Some P/W escaped from trains in transit to Germany.

Award Mentioned in Despatches ​

1648031 Gnr. Leonard Maurice Hiscocks, 5 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery

1709080 Gnr. Leonard Sackman, 1 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery 5 Indian Division

WO 373/63/237

WO 373/63/238