The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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211062 Cpl. Ernest Albert "Chalky" White British Army 5th Battalion Hampshire Regiment from:Boscombe, Hampshire Having been captured by the Germans in Tunisia on 27 February, 1943 my father, Ernie White, was handed over to the Italians and embarked on an Italian ship at Bizerta for Naples and then by train to PG 66 at Capua. He received his first letter from his wife, Iris, on 15 May, enclosing a photo of herself taken in February 1943. On 16 June he was moved to PG 82 at Laterina. On 23 August another move took him to a working camp - No. 82/XV at Borgo san Lorenzo - where he worked on building a sugar refinery. On 8 September 1943 Italy signed the Armistice and the prisoners of war finished work the next day. The Italians deserted the camp and the prisoners, having heard (false) reports of Allied landings at Ancona and Leghorn, fled into the countryside. After 3 days of liberty Ernie bumped into a column of German tanks and was recaptured (13 September)and taken the following day to an evacuated officers' camp at Bologna. On 16 September 1943 Ernie, along with many other P.O.W.s, were herded into railway horse trucks and after a nightmare journey of 4 days and nights via the Brenner Pass arrived at Stalag VIIIA in Gorlitz in Lower Silesia. Hilary Spon Add to this record.  Related Content: 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 82 Prisoner of War Camp Stalag 8A Prisoner of War Camp Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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