Field Security in Naples, 1943-45

I'm sure most people interested in the Italian front will have come across Norman Lewis's memoir Naples 44, which describes his experiences with 312 Field Security Section in Naples. Lewis says that the section consisted of only four sergeants and a captain - the other six members being away on detachment - and they worked out of the Palazzo Satriano on the seafront, which had the American Counter Intelligence Corps based upstairs.

At no point does Lewis mention any other FS sections working in the city; he more or less implies that it was just the five men covering the whole of Naples. In various online places, however, I've across mentions of other FSS units who appear to have been in or around the city during this period - Nick Van Der Bijl's book Sharing the Secret mentions 31 FSS, 35 FF, and 276 FSS as being there, with the latter apparently only leaving in April 1944.

Does anyone know anything about these other Field Security sections, when and for how long they were in Naples, and where they might have been based? I do know that Lewis's memoir was fictionalised in some places and rather evasive in others, so he may simply have left out the activities of other FS sections perhaps present in the city.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

(I've checked the PRO catalogue, and they have partial war diaries for 31 and 35 FSS, but all records say Closed for 29 years - does this mean they're still closed now, does anyone know?)

 

I recommend that you get hold of Gary Tankard on this site and ask him to look up those two files when he is next at Kew and copy them if they are available. If anyone knows his way around Kew, Gary does.

Regards

Frank

 

So I thought - but 29 years is rather a random stretch of time, so I wondered whether these files might still be under a Government Security Classification of up to 100 years, and the file listing was perhaps updated in 2016?... Just a guess, but it would seem rather superfluous to mention their having been closed previously.

Meanwhile, I've discovered that both 31 and 35 FSS were attached to divisions of X Corps - 46th and 56th respectively - so presumably moved directly up to the front or the lines of communication rather than remaining in Naples. 276 appear to have been stationed in Salerno, while 97 FSS were up with Allied headquarters at Caserta. So 312 FSS could indeed have been the only unit in the city itself - unless anyone knows something different?

 

So it has! Good to know - thanks.

 

I'm in Kew at the moment. The couple I've looked at all seem open.

The WDs for 31 and 35 FSS are all there from 43-45 but as you mention these were part of divisions. I would have thought they may have been in the Naples area from Oct - Dec 43, possibly to March 44. However, their main responsibility was the divisional area so unlikely to be based in Naples after November.

 

Thanks Gary! I'll take a look the next time I'm over at the National Archives myself. I suspect things were as you suggest though.

 

I had a look at the late Tony Clayton’s ‘Forearmed’ to see if it specifically mentioned any Naples based FS/Port Security sections, but regrettably not. It did mention that the HQ of the INT CORPS/CMF FS staff was at Castellamari di Stabia, a little further south on the Bay of Naples, controlling 41, ultimately 47 sections on mainland Italy - although if you tot up the number attributed to have operated there, the total comes to at least 49.

Some years ago, not long after reading Norman Lewis’s books, I came across some recollections of “a day in the life of an FSO” in late 43 by a chap called Donald Garvey or Gurvey. The HQ had asked section OCs to submit these for training purposes. Some submitted Kafkaesque offerings, others more quirky. Old notes suggest a sample may still be available at WO204/824/A, if interested. Hopefully of use.

 

Thanks! I've only seen snippets of Clayton's book so far, but I can get a copy so I'll certainly check up on it. Lewis, as you might recall, mentions that Intelligence HQ was based at the castle at Castallamare, and at some point local hoods scaled the walls and stole the wheels off all the military vehicles...

I appears that the US 803rd Military Police Battalion arrived at Naples from Oran on 6 October 1943, specifically to do port security (not that they did much of a good job, if we can believe Lewis!). So there was possibly no need for additional FS sections in the city after that date.

That sounds very useful - I'll have a look for that as well when I'm next in Kew. I believe a book called FSS, Field Security Section by Robin Steers contains a similar selection of anecdotes. Thanks again!

 

A possible piece for your jigsaw:


Naples 1943 - Capt AS Watt, OC 35 FSS, understood to be reading the report on a noted black market case. No other details, but hope to read more on this thread in due course.

 

Amazing - thanks! Where did you find the picture? It would be good to know where in Naples Captain Watts might have been when it was taken; I shall certainly have to take a look at the 35 FSS war diary when I get the chance, and see if there's a location mentioned.

Interesting that Watts is reading a report on the black market - Lewis in his book claims that his own CO (whom he calls 'Clayton', presumably a pseudonym) tells him that 'the black market is none of our business'. But apparently the author had a very bad time with his real CO, who tried to get him demoted to Unpaid Lance Corporal.

 

My father after 6 months convalescence due to his serious injury was posted to Italy. He was at Castellamare Di Stabbia in charge of the GHQ2nd Echelon officers Mess in the Albergo Di Stabbia . He was there when Vesuvius erupted so the date would be March 17th 1944.
Dad also did guard duties (he writes in his account) near the American HQ.I would be interested if there would be anything in the War Diaries for these dates..
I went to see the hotel in Castellamare about 5 years ago. It was interesting seeing where dad was .Thank you.