Hello everybody, I have the escape report of American pilot O&659988 Captain Kenneth M. Johnson, who on 8 September 1943 was being held along with 19 other aviators in a small POW camp in the San Valentino Monastery at Poggio Mirteto, Italy. In the report he lists his 19 companions, amongst whom are W/C P.B.B.Ogilvie, described as being from Maltings, White Parish, Salisbury, England and F/O Humphrey Jowett, of 259 Wing, RAF. Both are described as R.T.D. - returned to base. Elsewhere in the report Johnson says: 'On 9th September Captain Pignatti, the camp comandant, placed W/C Ogilvie, RAF, in command. W/C Ogilvie suggested that all personnel remain near the camp until information concerning Allied movements was received. On 12 September each P/W was given Red Cross parcels and two blankets, with the instructions to conceal themselves in the mountains for fifteen days, based on the rumor that the Allied Forces would soon be in Rome.' Another member of the group, 2 Lt. John G. Caraberis, reports in another official document that 'the colonel left on his own' and that of the original group only six were left in the mountains, all Americans. I have discovered W/C Ogilvie was killed later whilst carrying out a reconnaissance flight, but know nothing of what happened to him in the interim period, and can discover nothing whatsoever about F/O Jowett. I would like to know in which missions they were shot down/forced to bail out and when. Up to now my Internet researches have drawn a complete blank. Hoping someone can help, Regards, Vitellino
Hello, 401283 F/O Humphrey Arthur Cecil Jowett was RAAF. Using his service number to search go to naa.gov.au and you'll find his casualty report digitized. Kittyhawk FR242, Cristini, Italy 21 August 1943. Regards, Dave
Good work by Alieneyes - looking at the available files at the NAA his personnel file has also been digitised and at folios 40 onwards are his war crimes report & returned POW report. It appears that he may still be alive (from whitepages.com.au) - the ww2 nominal roll shows that he enlisted from Melbourne, so it's not impossible that this is him (or maybe a close relative) Jowett Humphrey Arthur 238 The Avenue Parkville VIC 3052
If he is still alive that's amazing news. I have just been reading the 78 pages of his report held in the Australian Archives and will try to contact him. After escaping from the camp at Poggio Mirteto he joined a group of escapers I already knew about, which included two men from HMS/m Saracen, (Bill Morris and Charlie Nicholas), and others from Poggio Mirteto (all American fliers - John G. Caraberis, Remi De Louche, Bill Nelson, Sonny Fassoulis, Donovan Rulien and David Parlett). They spent the winter of '43-'44 in a hut high up on the Appenines near to the village of Vallepietra. I can't thank you all enough, Regards, Vitellino
Just to let you know that Humphrey Jowett is still alive and that he has answered my letter. Thanks a lot
Dear Kathy, Thank you so much. Please accept my condolences. I am starting to gather material for a small book or website on the men who were held prisoner with Remi in the convent at San Valentino, Poggio Mirteto. I will pass this on to the daughters of Bill Morris and John Caraberis who were on the run with Remi in the mountains. Please send me a private message and I will give you my email address, Vitellino
https://www.facebook.com/groups/608992229177382/ Humphrey A. C. Jowett, 401283, of the Sixth Draft, 10 Course, recently passed away in Southampton, England (where he lived) on November 3, in his sleep. He had celebrated his 95th. birthday on October 22. He was posted to 450 Squadron, RAAF, alongside several other Rhodesian trainees, which was operating the Kittyhawk. Humphrey had one victory with 450, but he had to ditch over Italy when his engine was hit by flak during a sortie on August 21, 1943. He was taken prisoner by the Italians, but left the camp on their capitulation. He spent the winter of '43-'44 in hut (and later a cave) high up in the mountains on the Appenines, near to the village of Vallepietra, sheltered by the locals. On trying to reach Allied lines in the Spring, he was captured by the Germans, and sent to Stalag Luft III. There he shared a room with Alan Righetti, and knew fellow Rhodesian-trainee Clayton Beckingsale. After enduring The Long March before liberation, he met Elisabeth Smallpeice in England, and they were married in July 1945 in London. They celebrated their 70th. Anniversary this year. He is survived by Elisabeth, daughter Zoe, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Vale.
I am at this very moment collecting material about the Airmen who were held in the Interrogation camp at Poggio MIrteto. I learned about Humphrey from the Intelligence Report of US pilot Kenneth M. Johnson. On the same list was Remi De Louche who died last week on 8 November at the age of 99. I had the homour of being able to speak to Humphrey about his time in the mountains, and he soved a mystery for me regarding StokerTed Metcalfe from HM Saracen who was in hiding with him. Wisely the submariner stayed where he was instead of setting off for our lines, thereby avoiding further capture. What stuff these men were made of... Vitellino
