Val d'Isère Tragedy - Allied POWs died at the Colle Galisia in 1944

Bonjour à tous, cette tragédie a profondément marqué tous les habitants du village et des environs de Borgiallo en Italie, ainsi que leurs descendants, et de nombreux habitants de Val d 'Isère et leurs descendants, dont moi, la fille du Docteur Petri qui a soigné Carlo Diffurville et Guiseppe Mina les deux Italiens qui avait réussi à rejoindre Val d 'Isère le 12 novembre en laissant Alfred Southon et Walter Rattue sous leur rocher à quelques mètres seulement du refuge qui aurait peut être pu leur sauver la vie. Désormais, de part et d'autre de la frontière marquée par le col de la Galise, nous nous devons de toujours garder la mémoire de ce terrible évènement . Les partisans Italiens et les anglais qui ont perit le 09 novembre ont très probablement été dans un premier temps balayés par une coulée de neige, puis certains d'entres eux ont peut être essayé de franchir les gorges du Malpasset en s'aventurant sur les ponts de neige formés sur l'Isère, qui malheureusement se sont effondrés sous leur poids. Déjà frigorifiés, gelés, affamés, tous sont rapidement morts de froids à l'entrée de la gorge. Il y a surement des descendants des soldats anglais, qui se sont toujours interrogés sur ce qui était arrivé à leur père et grand père ? Outre le livre qui raconte l'histoire à travers Alfred Southon (Livre de Vivian Milroy) il y a un autre livre écrit en italien : A un Passo Dalla Liberta (1944 Odissea Sul Colle Galisia) - Guido NOVARIA et Giampiero PAVIOLO. Et une BD italienne : CHIAMA ANCORA - Novembre 1944 in marcia per la liberta sul Colle Galisia - Corrado Bianchetti - Sur le site de Vald 'Isère il y a aussi le document que j'ai moi-même écrit à la suite de toutes mes recherches. Le 28 aout, pour la commémoration du 80ème anniversaire, nous étions tous là : Annunzia Diffurville, la fille de Carlo Diffurville, et son fils Aldo, Anthony Southon et son fils Gary, Guido Blanchetti et sa belle fille Laura Ronchetto et moi même, ainsi que de nombreux descendants des habitants de Borgialo. Pour ne pas oublier ! Bonne soirée à tous et bien amicalement, Christel

 

Formidable Christel, et bravo!

Une mille mercis pour votre travaille, pour votre souvenirs, toujours.

Jim.

 

Many thanks Vitellino, you help is much appreciated

Going slightly off topic, I was somewhat angered at the state of affairs regarding ICRC records of POWs. Not blaming the Red Cross, as I'm sure they're doing all they can with the money they have. It was surprising to read they can only deal with 250 requests for POW information each time they open their web site, so 750 per year. I believe this is correct? I'll be at work on the Monday morning when they open the website for requests this month. I'll leave all the information with my daughters who have agreed to try to make a request. It all sounds so disappointing, when the records are lying somewhere in an office.

Surely the least that governments should be doing is funding this procedure, after all, these soldiers gave their lives for their country- whatever side they fought on. It reminded me of my reaction when I read my grandmother was expected to pay part of the costs when she went to see the memorial for her husband, Harry Richardson in Italy.

 

Translated by Google
Hello everyone, this tragedy has deeply affected all the inhabitants of the village and surroundings of Borgiallo in Italy, as well as their descendants, and many inhabitants of Val d'Isère and their descendants, including me, the daughter of Doctor Petri who treated Carlo Diffurville and Guiseppe Mina, the two Italians who had managed to reach Val d'Isère on November 12, leaving Alfred Southon and Walter Rattue under their rock just a few meters from the refuge that could have saved their lives. From now on, on both sides of the border marked by the Col de la Galise, we must always keep the memory of this terrible event. The Italian partisans and the English who died on November 9 were most likely first swept away by a snow slide, then some of them may have tried to cross the Malpasset gorges by venturing onto the snow bridges formed on the Isère, which unfortunately collapsed under their weight. Already frozen, frozen, starving, they all died quickly of cold at the entrance to the gorge. There are surely descendants of the English soldiers, who have always wondered what happened to their father and grandfather? In addition to the book that tells the story through Alfred Southon (Book by Vivian Milroy) there is another book written in Italian: A un Passo Dalla Liberta (1944 Odissea Sul Colle Galisia) - Guido NOVARIA and Giampiero PAVIOLO. And an Italian comic strip: CHIAMA ANCORA - November 1944 in marcia per la liberta sul Colle Galisia - Corrado Bianchetti - On the Vald'Isère website there is also the document that I myself wrote following all my research. On August 28th, for the commemoration of the 80th anniversary, we were all there: Annunzia Diffurville, Carlo Diffurville's daughter, and her son Aldo, Anthony Southon and his son Gary, Guido Blanchetti and his daughter-in-law Laura Ronchetto and myself, as well as many descendants of the inhabitants of Borgialo. Not to forget! Good evening to all and best wishes, Christel

 

Ian, what memorial are you referring to? Who had erected it, and who asked your grandmother to pay costs? What expenses were involved?

I am bilingual and live in Italy. I know that the custodian of one of the CWGC war cemeteries oversteps the mark, informing people incorrectly that they may not take photographs, and have referred this to CWGC fairly recently.

Please keep me informed. You can send me a private message if you prefer and I will look into this for you.

In the meantime I will try to find what memorials there are on which your grandfather is named indivually or which refer to the Galisia disaster.

Best wishes,

Vitellino

 

Hello vitellino
Many thanks for your interest!
There were organised pilgrimages for widows traveling to war memorials abroad. The Ministry of Defence was willing to pay most of the travel fees, but the expectation was widows would pay 1/8 of the costs. This would have been in the late 1980s so I imagine the procedure had been in place for some time. Considering the sacrifice made, even 1/8 of the costs is, quite frankly, a shameful request.
On the other hand, Eric was sent a photo of his father's name on the Cassino monument by either the CWGC or MOD. As for myself, I'll see if I can dig out the photo I took of the monument I visited.

Regards
Ian Richardson

 

Hello Ian,

To my knowledge, the only monument on which his name is found is that at Cassino.

Regards,

Vitellino

 

Hello Vitellino
Indeed it is.
The photograph was sent by the CWGC in 1988.
I believe nearly all bodies were eventually recovered, with 13 being unidentified (?).
From what I understand, these bodies were buried initially on the French side. After the war, they were transferred to the English War Grave at Trenno where they remain unnoticed with gravestone marked as 'Soldier of the 1939-1945 War - 10 November 1944'. Ezio Novascone related this to Alfred Southon in about late 1987. he was investigating another case of the remains of two Allied pilots shot down.
I don't really know much detail about the whole case, but reading the translation of the letter to Mr Southon it appears that this news was unknown to researchers at the time and possibly to Alfred Southon.

 

Thirteen unidentified bodies were recovered, one from the Gorges du Malpasset.

I have attached the concentration form. Note that Haydn Rogers was subsequently identified, hence thirteen unidentified, eight identified, the bodies of three victims not found.

What news are you referring to here, Ian? I haven't seen the letter from Novascone to Alfred Southon.

 

Fingers crossed for the ICRC request. I have just submitted the form for tracing POWs, so possibly we might find out a little more about Trooper Richardson during his captivity. Was able to go into work later, thankfully. Just hope something comes of it.

 

Hello Vitellino
I will scan letter this evening and upload. Many people visiting this topic are more knowledgeable than me, so apologies if I err on anything related to Galisia
Regards
Ian

 

If you've managed to send in the form you will get a reply, Ian. It's just a question of being patient. At least you should find out which of the work camps your grandfather was in at the time of the Armistice.

I look forward to reading Novascone's letter.

Don't worry about making a mistake. We all help one another here, Ian. That's how so many mysteries that appear on this site have been resolved.

Those people who try to throw their weight about - by this I mean their superior knowledge and/or being offensive to other members- are soon shown the door by our excellent adminstrators/moderators.

Vitellino

 

As a slight aside, but it may assist with mystery-solving, the North America Records Administration (NARA or US national Archives ) has the papers of the "Allied Screening Commission" which are being digitised. To go to the file on the website go to Search then Advanced Search and enter the control number or identity.

NAID 325581475 has numerous names and service numbers of PoWs who were at large in Italy. The file is divided alphabetically, with paper file covers for each letter, but any name can be found throughout the 300 pages, regardless of first letter - the file covers are just a general division. The file deals with claims for repayment of Italians who gave assistance. ( The exchange rate at the time was 400 lira to the British pound ). Numerous names and service numbers of allied servicemen are in the files, which is mainly concerned with the area around Rome.

The file has this letter at page 80. The author may have been in the geographical vicinity in November 1943 - I cannot find "Stecato."





Later Edit

Very little at IWM but this interview may be of interest:

"REEL 40 Continues: air raid warnings; trattoria and jewellery shop; keeping quiet; German artillery column; visits from underground members; other residents in flat; rations; visits to dentist; being punched by German soldier; German policy towards POWs; opinion of the movement's bravery; raiding of a different safe house; move to Senora Martineri's house; news of route through Alps; activity at frontier; accommodation; events; reconnaissance work for route to Switzerland; walks for exercise; nervous walks down stairs; gaining of identity cards; news of embarkation and reactions; memories of helpers; journey to Milan. REEL 41 Continues: arrival in Milan; time at Milan station; handover to Milan businessman; ticket inspector on journey out of Milan; handover to new guide and walk through woods; stay with guide; train journey to Alps; walk to Tirano; stay in pigsty; evening in Tirano; walk across Alps; exhaustion on journey; crossing border. Aspects of period interned in Switzerland from 12/1943: walk and sleigh down mountain; stop at farmhouse; talk with Swiss Guard; contact with British consulate; time in village and arrest; escapees and refugees at camp in St Maarten; mountain guides; situation in Switzerland; accommodation in Lichtenstein; pay; rations; freedom of movement; work as journalist and band; Swiss fear of Germany.
Show less
Object Details
Category
Sound
Related period
1945-1989 (production), Second World War (content)
Creator
IWM (Production company)
de Lee, Nigel (Recorder)
Lewis, Peter John (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date
1989-01
Dimensions
whole: Duration 1260, Number Of Items 41
Catalogue number
10657"

 

Sadly, three Scottish born brothers serving with the South African Army were amongst those who died. Douglas Melville LEE, James McCallum LEE and Robert McCallum LEE.

Source: South Africa War Graves Project

 

On the concentration report posted by Janet (post #69) the grid references show that thirteen men were originally buried at 526748, which is the location of Val d’Isère’s cemetery and one man was buried at 570760. This last grid reference should probably be grid square 5775, the area of the Gorge du Malpasset rather than high above it.

 

Thanks for the encouragement on the ICRC application. I only hope that I managed to give the correct information. I was half expecting the computer screen to show a pop up window saying the 250 limit has been reached, but I'm guessing not that many people know about the service.

On the matter of letters, what I found in my father's documents is attached. The annotations are by me as I was going through them.
From my understanding Ezio and Elio Novascone wrote to Alfred Southon informing him that there were 13 graves containing the bodies of those unidentified in the Galisia tragedy. By reading the context it indicates that Mr Southon was unaware of the graves?
They also wrote the the CWGC with the same information.
Memory is never a reliable source, but before Eric started his research, I don't think my grandmother (Harry Richardson's wife) or her children were aware that Harry's body is likely to be buried at Milan.
Later, in April 1988 there appeared the article by Angelo Paviolo. I couldn't find a translation. This would have been shortly before Eric and Brenda Richardson visited the area seeking information about what happened to Harry Richardson Sept 1943 to November 1944.
Hope this helps

 

I feel I have to comment on a statement in the Novascone brothers' letter to Alfred Southon.

They say...'which nobody recognised during the disinternment after the war.' I have to contest this.

The enquiry report (The National Archives WO 361/763. Opened to the public in 2011) makes this clear. I have only read the translation into Italian but have re-translated the opening page below

1. Received your memorandum dated 25 August 1945
2. Extra effort must be made to find out - in addition to the list you have already supplied - the names of the other unfortunates who attempted to escape via the Val d'Isère last November.
3. It seems that 5436197 Pte.C. Evans, D.C.L.I., must be added to the list in the light of the report sent to you by letter from AFHQ Repatriation centre 1014/R of 24 August. The 'Passo della Galisia' on some maps is indicated as Passo di Galisia and lies 6 miles to the east of Val d'Isère.

On Row D there are the graves of some of the identified and unidentified, buried together -
2D8 - Spr. D M Lee
2D10 - Unknown
2D12- Unknown
2D14- Gnr. W D Stenning
2D16 - Unknown

The Graves Registration Unit noted that all had been brought in together from near to the Val d'Isère. This documentation is held by CWGC. The circumstances and place of death of unknown servicemen do not appear on their gravestones.

Vitellino

 

Thank you for your efforts Vitellino, you have a very impressive knowledge on this matter.
As a transient observer of this research, all I can say is that you are almost certainly correct on the efforts at the time to identify bodies and notify people. The Novascone brothers of course, had several photographs detailing the recovery on the bodies from the mountains, and attached is the photo sent to Eric and Brenda Richardson in 1989 from the brothers. The date on the photo is May(?) 1945, and shows coffins being disinterred from Val de Isere in preparation for transport to Italy.
It may be that with a huge number of missing soldiers, the unfortunate victims of Galisia may have been overlooked when it came to informing relatives of the final outcome of any investigations. The only letter that came to me concerning the efforts of the authorities is attached. It does request a photograph, which was presumably used in the War Office investigations in the area where Harry was living in the months before the journey(?) It does say Harry Richardson's widow would be informed of any outcome. If she was, the letter has not come to me.
I can't really be certain if Harry's family was informed by the war Office that the likelihood is his body is very probably one of the unknown buried at Trenno, Milan. I may be incorrect, but I can't recall my father being aware of this , rather, it was something that transpired in the cause of his research. It may be that this was the context of the Novascone brother's point?

 

Ian,

I am re-reading the report WO 361/763 and will send you a private message in the next day or two,

Vitellino

 

Hello Ian,

I wonder where this picture was taken. The concentration report says thirteen men were initially buried at or near the cemetery which is on the edge of the town in the valley. One man was buried in the Gorges area and this picture could be of this, it is not of the cemetery area [Edit: Incorrect, see post #82]. But then of course the concentration report may be wrong.

You have rightly put a question mark against the month of May, as Val d’Isère would then still be covered in snow.

Richard