The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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251341 Tpr. Douglas Davidson DCM. British Army 44th Btn. C Sqn. Royal Tank Regiment from:Motherwell Douglas Davidson was taken prisoner on the 1st of June 1942, near the Knightsbridge Box, during the Battle of Gazala. Within the following month he made four attempts to escape, on the first occasion away from Italians who were guarding a small number of POW sleeping in the open. Although he reached the coast, he was caught by a German patrol and returned to the camp. The following night he made a similar escape but he was again recaptured. A few days later he and six others cut the wire surrounding Durna (Derna) transit camp. Davidson separated from the others and wearing Arab clothing given to him by friendly tribesmen was within sight of British positions when his disguise was seen through by a German patrol. On his return to camp with three other escapees he was made to face a firing squad, the execution was only stayed by Davidson's direct appeal to the Commandant. In spite of this narrow escape from death he made another attempt on reaching Benghazi camp by crawling through the wire. However he was recaptured the following morning and transferred to Italy. At the time of the Italian armistice he was at Monteurano (Camp 70) and in accordance with instructions given by the SBO took no action on hearing the news. On the 26th September during transfer to Germany, he jumped from a train near Bologna, through a hole cut in the door of the carriage. Travelling alone to Monte San Vicino he joined a rebel group. Except for one unsuccessful attempt to cross the Maiella in November 1943 he remained with this group of Partisans until he met advancing British troops on the 6th June 1944. Although he was not an NCO Davidson was put in charge of 35 - 50 guerrillas. Other escapees have praised his courage and leadership, one officer reporting that he had a reputation for outstanding courage and daring amongst the most reckless of rebels, who had the most complete confidence in him. In addition in March 1944 it was mainly due to Davidson's efforts that 8 RAF personnel were not captured when a Fascist road block was met during a drive to a rendezvous for sea evacuation. Mike Davidson Add to this record.  Related Content: 44th Royal Tank Regiment Western Desert Campaign in North Africa Benghazi Prisoner of War Camp Italian Campaign Prigione di Guerra (Campo) P.G. 70 Prisoner of War Camp PG 70 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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