POW Camp Index

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Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 75 Prisoner of War Camp If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Those known to have been held in or employed at Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 75 Prisoner of War Camp during the Second World War 1939-1945. Bayliss Arthur. Gnr. Campbell Eric. Chamberlain Charles Paulet. Lt. Charter MC, MiD.. Robert Roderick. Capt. Daly Patrick Michael. L/Cpl. Dewe Eric Alexander. Dvr. Horseman J W. Cpl Jenkins MG. Johnson Charles Frederick. Gnr. Long Stanley. Cpl. McGurk Kenneth Francis. Gnr. Priestman William James. Gnr. Whyte William John Cuthbertson. Lt. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records from Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 75 Prisoner of War Camp other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 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If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the War? Our Library contains an ever growing number diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates. If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to WW2. We would like to obtain digital copies of any documents or photographs relating to WW2 you may have at home. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII second 1939 1945 battalion Did you know? We also have a section on The Great War. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. Want to know more about Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 75 Prisoner of War Camp? There are:0 items tagged Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 75 Prisoner of War Camp available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. MG Jenkins 42nd Btn Royal Tank Regiment MG Jenkins served with the 42nd Btn Royal Tank Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below. Dan Add to this record. Cpl J W Horseman Durham Light Infantry My father was Cpl J W Horseman 4454335 (after WW2 I was adopted hence change of name). He was captured in North Africa in June 1942 whilst serving with the DLI. He was in Campo 75 and Campo 70 in Italy before being sent to Stalag IVB and then Stalag IVF. I have no information on his period in capitivity other than he came back to the UK via 91 Reception Centre. If there is any one out there who knew him or can fill in any details I would appreciate it. J Sewell Add to this record. Lt. Charles Paulet "Paul" Chamberlain Royal Artillery Charles Chamberlain aka Paul was born on 4th of October 1917 at The Vineries, Aldborough, Boroughbridge North Yorkshire. He was the middle child of Charles Reginald Chamberlin and his wife Annie Weston Wadsworth. He was twin to Margaret Mary, younger brother of Reginald Arthur and older brother of Elliott Percival, and my paternal Uncle. Charles was educated at the Royal Grammar School Clitheroe and aged 11, he was awarded the following books: “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1933, and aged 16, he was awarded “The three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, for success at the school certificate examination of the Northern Universities. In 1934, aged 17, he was awarded “The Count of Monte Cristo” Volumes I & II by Alexandre Dumas, for success in the Matriculation Examination of the Northern Universities 1934. He then went to Keble College at Oxford University. After the war in 1949 Charles was a Lieutenant, Acting Major in the Territorial Army. He went back to Keble House, Oxford, where he gained an honours degree in Geography part 1, Bachelor of Arts in 1947 and part 2 Geography in 1948. He was Assistant Master at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh and was promoted to House Master. Charles married Sheila Prosser Mackintosh, daughter of Lord and Lady MacIntosh in 1955 in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. Many years later, his widow, Sheila, told me that, During World War II, Charles was a Second Lieutenant, Royal Artillery in 1940, then became a Lieutenant in 1941. He spent the first year of his war career in India, via Middle Eastern countries, to North Africa, back and forth across the desert before General Montgomery arrived. He served in the Royal Tank Regiment in the Indian Army in India, Iraq, Persia and North Africa. Charles was thought missing in action but was later found to be a Prisoner of War between 1942 to 1945. He was captured by Italians who threatened to set fire to the tank, with the men inside, if they didn’t surrender. A tank crew member said, "there was no point in being burnt alive" so they surrendered and were taken prisoner, sent to camp number 75, Torre Tresca in Italy via Crete or Rhodes. In 1942, Charles and his men escaped and were on the run for 3 weeks, hoping to make contact with the allies as they made their way north in Italy. Unfortunately, progress was slower than expected and Charles and 2 others were recaptured, this time by Germans and were packed off to the prisoner of war camp Oflag 79 in Germany where he was held for 3 years before being liberated by the Americans in 1945. Charles died August 1986 and was cremated at Morton Hall Crematorium, Edinburgh, where his ashes were buried. Julia Cooper Add to this record. Lt. William John Cuthbertson Whyte South African Artillery My grandfather, William Whyte, who was a Lieutenant for the South African Artillery, was reported missing on 20th of June 1942 in Libya. Judging from the letters, July 28th, 1942 he still was "missing", until roughly August 23rd, 1943 when he sent a letter to his parents from PG 75 Italy. He seemed to stay in Italy for a while, as he sent letters on March 2nd, 1943 through until May 2, 1943. He sent a letter on 11th September 1944 from Oflag VA, his Geangennummer was 3180/37, he spoke about how his birthday had come and gone, he was reading a lot, and he was very fit for the two and a half years he'd been prisoner. The last letter I came across was also sent from Oflag VA on 2nd March 1945. Shortly thereafter, once released, he went to his closest relatives in Scotland and finally back home to South Africa. He died shortly after from stomach cancer. Add to this record. L/Cpl. Patrick Michael Daly 1st Btn. South African Irish Regiment Paddy Daly was captured at Sidi Rezegh, when Malan capitulated to Rommel in 1941. He survived being torpedoed off Italy, whilst on the MV Sebatiano Veniero. He was held at at Camp 75 and 132, before being moved off to Stalag VIII B. Mike Daly Add to this record. Cpl. Stanley Long 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry My father, Stanley Long, sadly passed away many years ago. But I do know that he escaped from Camp PG75 in Italy and made his way to Switzerland. Sharon Gray Add to this record. Capt. Robert Roderick Charter MC, MiD. 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade, No.5 Battery Artillery Robert Charter was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on the 11th April 1918. He studied Chemistry and Biology at Pietermaritzburg College, Natal University, and the University of Cape Town, gaining a Batchelor of Science and a Master of Science degrees. From August 1938 he worked for the South African Government in the Division of Fisheries in Commerce & Industries until he volunteered for active service in April 1940 when he was commissioned into the 2nd Anti Aircraft Brigade. He married Hazel on the 15th August. He was captured near Tobruk and later escaped and was seconded to the British Army. For his actions as a prisoner of war Robert Charter was awarded the Military Cross. From 1943 to 1945 he was a Major with the 43rd British Infantry Brigade, leaving Italy in July 1944 and posted to North-West Europe in January 1945. It was here that Charter was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of "gallant and distinguished services". He returned to South Africa after the war and was a Company Director in Johannesburg, remaining on the lists of Union Defence Force reservists until 1970. Chris Brooks Add to this record. Gnr. Kenneth Francis McGurk Royal Artillery My grandad, Kenneth Francis McGurk, was a POW in WW2, his POW number was 22208301. He was captured on 21st June 1942 at Tobruk and was taken to Italy, first to Camp 75 then to Camp 54. He escaped while in Italy after cutting the fence wire and remained free for three months, but was recaptured by three Italians and two German soldiers. He was then sent to Germany and was a POW from 7th March 1944 until 15th May 1944. He was first in Stalag 1VB then he was sent to Stalag 1VC where he worked at the Petrol Works, Brux from May 1944 to May 1945 and at an Air Raid Shelter, Halle from March 1944 to April 1944. He left the camp on a motorbike on 15th May 1944 with another man until they found some American soldiers. The names of other men he mentioned, although I am unsure if they were in his regiment at Tobruk, in Italy or in Germany with him, are Frank Revel, Ken Poulden and Kenneth Rochford. Eleanor J Paul Add to this record. Gnr. Arthur Bayliss 277/68 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment My late father Arthur Bayliss of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, enlisted in Bishop Auckland in September 1940 as a gunner in the 277/68 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. In February 1941 he was posted to the Middle East where he fought until he was captured by the Italians at Tobruk in June 1942. As Prisoner Number 247030 he was held for approximately 18 months by the Italians at Campo p.g. 75 PM 3450 and Campo 54, PM 3300 before arriving at Stammlager IVB in December 1943. He was put to work breaking stone and then transferred to Stalag IVD in March 1944. Twelve months later he was working in a sugar factory making vitamin tablets, which he described as ‘a cushy number’. That work ran out and he was sent to work in an emergency hospital. Being a bit of a Fed up with this life he soon decided to try to escape and went through the wire on 25 March 1945. He slept in the woods at Golpa but was arrested by German civilian Police two days later. He was charged at Bittefeld and sentenced to 5 days jail on bread and water. On release he was sent back to work, this time in the penal colony, again with a guard keeping watch over him. On 4th April 1945, whilst at work, he witnessed Pte W R Devlin, an Australian POW being shot by a German civilian. It was Pte Devlin’s 23rd birthday. Dad was a bearer at his funeral 3 days later. On April 13th the Bittefeld area was evacuated and Dad was marched approximately 25 km to camp Schammewitz but he decided to escape again and took off that same night, his objective was to reach Wurzen. Freedom was short lived, he was recaptured on 16 April at Schildan and taken to the cells at Torgau. Stalag IVD was then evacuated and Dad together with all the other prisoners were marched to Stalag IVB with Ukranians aged only 14 to 16 years. On 23rd April Stalag IVB was liberated when the Russian Cavalry rode into camp and on the 30th Dad left Stalag IVB with the objective of reaching Leipzig. He lived well in various houses en route passing through Torgau, Arzburg, Belgern, and Neusen. He diverted to Dahlen on hearing that the Yanks were there and they took him to Maachern and then on to Halle. Like so many POW’s Dad never talked about his years as a prisoner and so this information is very sketchy. It has been pieced together from letters to Vera, his wife, which of course were censored, his diary, kept only for a short time in 1945 and jottings in his Service Pay book. Hopefully it may add to the knowledge of how others’ family members existed during this time. If anyone knew Dad or recognises events I would be very pleased to hear from them. I doubt that Dad escaped alone, in fact one of the few tales he told of his escapes was that he and his comrades caught and killed a pig to eat. They built a fire to roast it. However, they were so hungry that they couldn't wait for it to cook and ate it partially raw, with the result that it made them all ill. He also said that whilst in camp they had such little food that he would scrounge potato peelings from the guards. He had some names in his Soldiers Service and Pay Book which were:- Tommy Norfolk of Leicester R Douglas of Liverpool A Mellows of Nottingham K Whittingham of Wolverhampton Were these people with whom he was imprisoned? Did they get home safely and are they still alive? If anyone recognises the names or has information about them, I would love to know. Graham Bayliss Add to this record. Gnr. William James Priestman Bill Priestman was my Grandad, who never ever spoke of his time in the war or as a POW. He was a Gunner 914577 in the Royal Artillery. He was posted as missing on the 20th June 1942 in The Middle East. He was captured and was in Italian hands at Campo PG75 PM3450 Italy. Then marched onto Stalag IVF and Stalag IV B - POW number 259537. He then returned back to the UK on the 15th May 1945. Please let me know any further information. Louise Priestman Add to this record. Gnr. Charles Frederick Johnson 68 H.A.A 277 Bty. Royal Artillery My father, Charlie Johnson, was a gunner in the Royal Artillery and served in Egypt where he suffered from dysentry before being reported missing in Tobruk on 20.6.1942. He was taken as a prisoner of war and shipped to a transit camp in Italy, PG 75, P.M. 3450, Bari. I have no information of what happened to him in Italy but he was transferred from there to Stalag XVIIIA in Wolfsburg, Austria sometime in 1943 where he stayed until 1945. My father didn't really talk about the war or what happened to him in the camps, all the information I have is mostly through research and the records I have received from the Army Personnel Centre. All I have of my Dad's from this time is his dog tag which has the no. 8296 and a ring which has scribed on it "Austria 1943" and in one corner an arc of the sun with rays coming off it. I was told by my Mum that she thought that someone in the camp had made it for him, but on reading a passage from the book "POW Allied Prisoners of War in Europe 1939-1945" by Adrian Gilbert, where it mentions that the Russian POW's on the other side of the fence were so badly treated that the POW's in my Dad's camp smuggled food and cigarettes to them and in gratitude the Russians gave them small wood carvings and metalwork, I now wonder whether this ring was made by a Russian prisoner of war. Pamela Denmead Add to this record. Dvr. Eric Alexander Dewe New Zealand Defence Force I have recently accessed my father’s war records from the NZDF Archives and found that my father, Eric Alexander Dewe, was a POW in Stalag 4B and 4A. He was a driver with NZDF rank of private, who was captured in Egypt and interred in Italy. He was held in Campo PG 75, Campo PG 85 and Campo PG 78 where he was liberated by the Italian guards when Italy capitulated. He was captured by the Germans two weeks after the fall of Italy, and transferred to Germany being held in Stalag 4B and Stalag 4A, from where he was iberated by Russian troops. Carol Smith Add to this record. MG Jenkins 42nd Btn Royal Tank Regiment MG Jenkins served with the 42nd Btn Royal Tank Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below. Dan Cpl J W Horseman Durham Light Infantry My father was Cpl J W Horseman 4454335 (after WW2 I was adopted hence change of name). He was captured in North Africa in June 1942 whilst serving with the DLI. He was in Campo 75 and Campo 70 in Italy before being sent to Stalag IVB and then Stalag IVF. I have no information on his period in capitivity other than he came back to the UK via 91 Reception Centre. If there is any one out there who knew him or can fill in any details I would appreciate it. J Sewell Lt. Charles Paulet "Paul" Chamberlain Royal Artillery Charles Chamberlain aka Paul was born on 4th of October 1917 at The Vineries, Aldborough, Boroughbridge North Yorkshire. He was the middle child of Charles Reginald Chamberlin and his wife Annie Weston Wadsworth. He was twin to Margaret Mary, younger brother of Reginald Arthur and older brother of Elliott Percival, and my paternal Uncle. Charles was educated at the Royal Grammar School Clitheroe and aged 11, he was awarded the following books: “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. In 1933, and aged 16, he was awarded “The three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas, for success at the school certificate examination of the Northern Universities. In 1934, aged 17, he was awarded “The Count of Monte Cristo” Volumes I & II by Alexandre Dumas, for success in the Matriculation Examination of the Northern Universities 1934. He then went to Keble College at Oxford University. After the war in 1949 Charles was a Lieutenant, Acting Major in the Territorial Army. He went back to Keble House, Oxford, where he gained an honours degree in Geography part 1, Bachelor of Arts in 1947 and part 2 Geography in 1948. He was Assistant Master at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh and was promoted to House Master. Charles married Sheila Prosser Mackintosh, daughter of Lord and Lady MacIntosh in 1955 in St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. Many years later, his widow, Sheila, told me that, During World War II, Charles was a Second Lieutenant, Royal Artillery in 1940, then became a Lieutenant in 1941. He spent the first year of his war career in India, via Middle Eastern countries, to North Africa, back and forth across the desert before General Montgomery arrived. He served in the Royal Tank Regiment in the Indian Army in India, Iraq, Persia and North Africa. Charles was thought missing in action but was later found to be a Prisoner of War between 1942 to 1945. He was captured by Italians who threatened to set fire to the tank, with the men inside, if they didn’t surrender. A tank crew member said, "there was no point in being burnt alive" so they surrendered and were taken prisoner, sent to camp number 75, Torre Tresca in Italy via Crete or Rhodes. In 1942, Charles and his men escaped and were on the run for 3 weeks, hoping to make contact with the allies as they made their way north in Italy. Unfortunately, progress was slower than expected and Charles and 2 others were recaptured, this time by Germans and were packed off to the prisoner of war camp Oflag 79 in Germany where he was held for 3 years before being liberated by the Americans in 1945. Charles died August 1986 and was cremated at Morton Hall Crematorium, Edinburgh, where his ashes were buried. Julia Cooper Lt. William John Cuthbertson Whyte South African Artillery My grandfather, William Whyte, who was a Lieutenant for the South African Artillery, was reported missing on 20th of June 1942 in Libya. Judging from the letters, July 28th, 1942 he still was "missing", until roughly August 23rd, 1943 when he sent a letter to his parents from PG 75 Italy. He seemed to stay in Italy for a while, as he sent letters on March 2nd, 1943 through until May 2, 1943. He sent a letter on 11th September 1944 from Oflag VA, his Geangennummer was 3180/37, he spoke about how his birthday had come and gone, he was reading a lot, and he was very fit for the two and a half years he'd been prisoner. The last letter I came across was also sent from Oflag VA on 2nd March 1945. Shortly thereafter, once released, he went to his closest relatives in Scotland and finally back home to South Africa. He died shortly after from stomach cancer. L/Cpl. Patrick Michael Daly 1st Btn. South African Irish Regiment Paddy Daly was captured at Sidi Rezegh, when Malan capitulated to Rommel in 1941. He survived being torpedoed off Italy, whilst on the MV Sebatiano Veniero. He was held at at Camp 75 and 132, before being moved off to Stalag VIII B. Mike Daly Cpl. Stanley Long 8th Btn. Durham Light Infantry My father, Stanley Long, sadly passed away many years ago. But I do know that he escaped from Camp PG75 in Italy and made his way to Switzerland. Sharon Gray Capt. Robert Roderick Charter MC, MiD. 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade, No.5 Battery Artillery Robert Charter was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on the 11th April 1918. He studied Chemistry and Biology at Pietermaritzburg College, Natal University, and the University of Cape Town, gaining a Batchelor of Science and a Master of Science degrees. From August 1938 he worked for the South African Government in the Division of Fisheries in Commerce & Industries until he volunteered for active service in April 1940 when he was commissioned into the 2nd Anti Aircraft Brigade. He married Hazel on the 15th August. He was captured near Tobruk and later escaped and was seconded to the British Army. For his actions as a prisoner of war Robert Charter was awarded the Military Cross. From 1943 to 1945 he was a Major with the 43rd British Infantry Brigade, leaving Italy in July 1944 and posted to North-West Europe in January 1945. It was here that Charter was Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of "gallant and distinguished services". He returned to South Africa after the war and was a Company Director in Johannesburg, remaining on the lists of Union Defence Force reservists until 1970. Chris Brooks Gnr. Kenneth Francis McGurk Royal Artillery My grandad, Kenneth Francis McGurk, was a POW in WW2, his POW number was 22208301. He was captured on 21st June 1942 at Tobruk and was taken to Italy, first to Camp 75 then to Camp 54. He escaped while in Italy after cutting the fence wire and remained free for three months, but was recaptured by three Italians and two German soldiers. He was then sent to Germany and was a POW from 7th March 1944 until 15th May 1944. He was first in Stalag 1VB then he was sent to Stalag 1VC where he worked at the Petrol Works, Brux from May 1944 to May 1945 and at an Air Raid Shelter, Halle from March 1944 to April 1944. He left the camp on a motorbike on 15th May 1944 with another man until they found some American soldiers. The names of other men he mentioned, although I am unsure if they were in his regiment at Tobruk, in Italy or in Germany with him, are Frank Revel, Ken Poulden and Kenneth Rochford. Eleanor J Paul Gnr. Arthur Bayliss 277/68 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment My late father Arthur Bayliss of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, enlisted in Bishop Auckland in September 1940 as a gunner in the 277/68 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. In February 1941 he was posted to the Middle East where he fought until he was captured by the Italians at Tobruk in June 1942. As Prisoner Number 247030 he was held for approximately 18 months by the Italians at Campo p.g. 75 PM 3450 and Campo 54, PM 3300 before arriving at Stammlager IVB in December 1943. He was put to work breaking stone and then transferred to Stalag IVD in March 1944. Twelve months later he was working in a sugar factory making vitamin tablets, which he described as ‘a cushy number’. That work ran out and he was sent to work in an emergency hospital. Being a bit of a Fed up with this life he soon decided to try to escape and went through the wire on 25 March 1945. He slept in the woods at Golpa but was arrested by German civilian Police two days later. He was charged at Bittefeld and sentenced to 5 days jail on bread and water. On release he was sent back to work, this time in the penal colony, again with a guard keeping watch over him. On 4th April 1945, whilst at work, he witnessed Pte W R Devlin, an Australian POW being shot by a German civilian. It was Pte Devlin’s 23rd birthday. Dad was a bearer at his funeral 3 days later. On April 13th the Bittefeld area was evacuated and Dad was marched approximately 25 km to camp Schammewitz but he decided to escape again and took off that same night, his objective was to reach Wurzen. Freedom was short lived, he was recaptured on 16 April at Schildan and taken to the cells at Torgau. Stalag IVD was then evacuated and Dad together with all the other prisoners were marched to Stalag IVB with Ukranians aged only 14 to 16 years. On 23rd April Stalag IVB was liberated when the Russian Cavalry rode into camp and on the 30th Dad left Stalag IVB with the objective of reaching Leipzig. He lived well in various houses en route passing through Torgau, Arzburg, Belgern, and Neusen. He diverted to Dahlen on hearing that the Yanks were there and they took him to Maachern and then on to Halle. Like so many POW’s Dad never talked about his years as a prisoner and so this information is very sketchy. It has been pieced together from letters to Vera, his wife, which of course were censored, his diary, kept only for a short time in 1945 and jottings in his Service Pay book. Hopefully it may add to the knowledge of how others’ family members existed during this time. If anyone knew Dad or recognises events I would be very pleased to hear from them. I doubt that Dad escaped alone, in fact one of the few tales he told of his escapes was that he and his comrades caught and killed a pig to eat. They built a fire to roast it. However, they were so hungry that they couldn't wait for it to cook and ate it partially raw, with the result that it made them all ill. He also said that whilst in camp they had such little food that he would scrounge potato peelings from the guards. He had some names in his Soldiers Service and Pay Book which were:- Tommy Norfolk of Leicester R Douglas of Liverpool A Mellows of Nottingham K Whittingham of Wolverhampton Were these people with whom he was imprisoned? Did they get home safely and are they still alive? If anyone recognises the names or has information about them, I would love to know. Graham Bayliss Gnr. William James Priestman Bill Priestman was my Grandad, who never ever spoke of his time in the war or as a POW. He was a Gunner 914577 in the Royal Artillery. He was posted as missing on the 20th June 1942 in The Middle East. He was captured and was in Italian hands at Campo PG75 PM3450 Italy. Then marched onto Stalag IVF and Stalag IV B - POW number 259537. He then returned back to the UK on the 15th May 1945. Please let me know any further information. Louise Priestman Gnr. Charles Frederick Johnson 68 H.A.A 277 Bty. Royal Artillery My father, Charlie Johnson, was a gunner in the Royal Artillery and served in Egypt where he suffered from dysentry before being reported missing in Tobruk on 20.6.1942. He was taken as a prisoner of war and shipped to a transit camp in Italy, PG 75, P.M. 3450, Bari. I have no information of what happened to him in Italy but he was transferred from there to Stalag XVIIIA in Wolfsburg, Austria sometime in 1943 where he stayed until 1945. My father didn't really talk about the war or what happened to him in the camps, all the information I have is mostly through research and the records I have received from the Army Personnel Centre. All I have of my Dad's from this time is his dog tag which has the no. 8296 and a ring which has scribed on it "Austria 1943" and in one corner an arc of the sun with rays coming off it. I was told by my Mum that she thought that someone in the camp had made it for him, but on reading a passage from the book "POW Allied Prisoners of War in Europe 1939-1945" by Adrian Gilbert, where it mentions that the Russian POW's on the other side of the fence were so badly treated that the POW's in my Dad's camp smuggled food and cigarettes to them and in gratitude the Russians gave them small wood carvings and metalwork, I now wonder whether this ring was made by a Russian prisoner of war. Pamela Denmead Dvr. Eric Alexander Dewe New Zealand Defence Force I have recently accessed my father’s war records from the NZDF Archives and found that my father, Eric Alexander Dewe, was a POW in Stalag 4B and 4A. He was a driver with NZDF rank of private, who was captured in Egypt and interred in Italy. He was held in Campo PG 75, Campo PG 85 and Campo PG 78 where he was liberated by the Italian guards when Italy capitulated. He was captured by the Germans two weeks after the fall of Italy, and transferred to Germany being held in Stalag 4B and Stalag 4A, from where he was iberated by Russian troops. Carol Smith Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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