I am researching a soldier from the 1st Worcestershire Regiment who was captured at Tobruk. He was shipped to Italy in November 1942 which seems awhile after his capture on June 21st. Does anyone know of any POW camps in North Africa where POWs would be housed until they were sent to Italy or any reason why he remained in North Africa for over four months before moving to Italy. Any help will be appreciated. Terry
PoWs captured in Africa were often held in holding camps for some time before being shipped in horrific conditions over to Italy. I recommend Ray Ellis's "Once a Hussar" for a description of what people went through. Many didn't make it. Do you know what camp your chap ended up in in italy? Anne
Hi Anne Many thanks for the reply. He arrived a Camp 70 on November 21st 1942 and he was then moved to Camp 75 in December and finished up in Camp 91 in June 1943. He was later sent to Germany and he was in Stalag IVB and then moved to Stalag IVA. Terry
Hi Terry He certainly got moved up and down Italy. There are a couple of books written about Monte Urano (PG 70) but I don't know of any for Avezzano (PG91) There's Solvitur Ambulando by ERic Moss and Escape from Ascoli by Ken de Souza Anne
Hello Terry, Here's an extact from Bill Blewitt's unpublished memoirs which I think answers your question. After leaving Tmimi, travelling now in huge diesel trucks with trailers, we passed through such famous places as Derna, Benghazi, Homs and Tarhuna among others, eventually arriving at Suani Ben Adem. This was situated, I think, not far from Castel Benito, and was just a compound in the desert. There were no amenities whatsoever, despite the promises of the Italians. Very soon we discovered that the place was swarming with lice and fleas. (There had, I think, been previous occupants). For most of us, this was to be our 'home' for the next five months, and many were to die in Suani. No tears were shed on leaving Suani, except for those who had died there. In November 1942, after five months in Suani Ben Adem, we sailed from Tripoli en route to Naples. Regards, Vitellino
Vitellino Many thanks for the information it looks like this could explain why he was not in Italy until November Terry
Terry,Ow bin yo our kid, not tew far away bin yo then Dad was in PG70 Fermo/Monte Urano from the Nov 1942 till the April 1943 and I was talking yesterday to a 100 year old veteran who was in the same camp at the same time who was in the Express and Star last week, however I am personally more interested in his last camp that they both were in,including dad when the armistice was declared from which they both made the Swiss border. Trust that that you have obtained his Liberation report and if not I am sure there are people who will help you on the site. Trevor
