Frank Malcolm Benitz, DFC
Escape from POW Camp
Sep-Oct 1943

P.G 78.PMg300

Wed. Sept 8^th? Armistice.

Thurs 9^th  Camp handed over to Major’ Cochran.  Whole camp paraded on f-ball ground & he spoke.  Compounds opened up.  Perimeter lights taken away.  Free French brought d-john Vermouth up to our compound & had Americans enteraining – guitar & singing.

Friday.10^th – All quiet. Went

11^th  Still waiting for news.

Sunday. 12.  Went around 2 villages south of camp after lunch.  Dixie Brooks & 4 Free French Officers.  To trade chickens.  At 6 p.m. Just prior to practice alarm real flap occurred. Iti Colonel had instructions to hand camp over to Jerries & advised us to leave it.  Camp empty in record time except for odds & sods, Major C. & signaller remained on look-out tower till 7:30 till Iti Captain, told jerries were in Badia Village.  Moved up from 1^st point into trees on lower slope of mountain.  At 11. oclock several returned to camp & collected Red X. parcels & kit.  Carabs patrolling in civilian clothing. Slight looting.

13^th  Moved up mountain to new

[Page back is blank.]

P.G. - Prigione di Guerra (Prison of War)

P.G. 78 – was/is located in the village of Fonte de’Amore, about 4 km. directly north of Sulmona, by road about 6 km.  One of several villages along the foot of the M^gne del Morrone mountain ridge that runs NW to SE, east and north of Sulmona.  Some buildings still exist – unchanged inside.  See map & photos.

d-john – slang for a damajauna – glass “bottle” of 5, 10, or 20 litres, typically encased in a wicker basket .

Sulmona – is directly east of Rome 3/4 the way across Italy next to the Parco Nazionale della Maiella, in the Abruzzo region.

Iti – slang for Italian, is pronounced ‘Eye-Tie’.

Jerry (jerries) – slang for German.

Badia Morronese – village 1-2 km. north of Fonte d’Amore.

Carabs – abbreviation for carabineros, the Italian national police (per other sources: often not Fascist).

Capitano Pilota Francesco Santoro - the Italian camp commandant; joined the partisans, captured carrying messages to the Allies, he was tortured & shot by the Germans, 23 October, 1943.

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position below 1^st Water Point. Hodgson Sgt Shaw, Brown, Briggs & Harry Powney there.  Went down at 3:30 through village & got mule & on to camp.  Camp had been rifled. Got mess food & crockery & kit & went up to Reg’s point.  Met Major C. & left stuff there.  Slept up above at our position. 

Tues 14^th  At 6 am. Gerries started shooting from Badia.  After series of prolonged bursts we cleared out up to 1^st Water Point.  Dixie returned to Major C. & they came up ½ hr later, Jerry climbing hill up path telling people to go back to camp.  Climbed up to 2^nd w. point Stream of prisoners. V. hot. had water Maj. Cochran sent message with runner to Chester Guest & then he, Dixie, Hodgson & Hamilton & I climbed up through scrub & scaled mountain.  reached top at 3 p.m. (3 hrs climbing.) Went on down to small Valley & layed up in beech trees.  Met some O.R.s there who had found water well over the ridge.  Went & got water. met Michelino’s son, who gave me some bread. Came back & had Klim for supper.  Chilly night.

15^th Brewed up & went to well &

[Page back is blank.]

O.R. – other ranks, i.e. not commissioned officers. 

NOTE: Valley mentioned would be on the far (east) side of the Morrone mountains. 

Michelino – see notes on Oct. 2^nd. 

Klim – Milk spelt backwards.  Dried powdered milk in aluminum cans, it was included in the Red Cross parcels sent to POWs.

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on to camp night in trees beyond.  Facing south – (Pacentro & C. de Giova)  Spent all morning locating shepherds & arranged to slaughter 5 sheep.  In afternoon .3.p.m. Butchered in a small gully.  Michelino did it all & let us have axe & pots & sheep skins from his hut.  Lamb “asado” for supper & liver stew & spuds!  100%!  We split into 5 groups for feeding 32 of us there.  In evening we had look at valley below & Yugoslav Major & Johny the Greek came & palavered & went back to their spot over the hill.  Heard that 200 had been rounded up from Chester’s camp.

16^th  Moved farther into the woods.  Made a recce before dawn.  Gunfire & explosions heard below. (Learnt later explosions were camp lorries being destroyed by Itis to prevent Gerry getting them.)  Michelino came in afternoon 3 pm. & I went with him & Yugoslav doc down to Camp di Giova village that evening.  Long hike.  Met Dr. Sciuba & listened to B.B.C. on brother in laws radio.  V. good supper.  Met several people.  Borrowed civ. clothes & after meeting Mich. outside village walked back up mountain.  Reached

[Page back is Oct.19,
page 17.]

recce – reconnoiter

Pacentro – in the valley, south of the end of the Morrone mountains, is 6 km. south east of Fonte d’Amore and 5 km east of Sulmona.

Campo di Giove – at the foot of the Maiella mountains, is 3 km south-east of Pacentro.  It lies in a small valley of its own at 1064 mts (above sea level) To have seen this village from north of Pacentro means Malcolm was up high in the mountains. 

Meters above sea level:
Sulmona – 405 m.
Fonte d’Amore – 450-500 m.
Pacentro – 680 m.
Cansano – 835 m.
Campo di Giove – 1064 m.
Guado di Coccia – 1674 m.
Palena – 767 m.

Dr. Torinto Sciuba – was the POW camp doctor.  He practiced medicine in Sulmona and had a summer home in Campo di Giove.  See his letters to Malcolm (1947) & to Peter (2003) below.  Sadly, he died in early 2004 before we visited.  His son, Lando, became a lawyer and was once mayor of Sulmona.  See photos.

top at 4 am.  Rested in barracks.  V. tired.

17  Went back to camp & rested up all day.  Decided to go down in evening.

When getting dark reached Shep’s barracks  Rod, Bob Firth, Al Spears there: had a brew.  Yugoslavs set-off at 7:30.  60 odd.  all in civilian clothing.  9 of ours tacked on to them.  We left at 8:00 & after going down track ½ mile too dark to follow so layed up & waited for moon at 12:?  Met shepherd who had been sent to guide us down.  Gave us 1000 lire from Iti Captn.  Took roughly 2 hrs to reach bottom.  Split there.  Left 8 behind, & we 8 went on down separately met across valley at bottom & on through woods & fields to near where Yugoslavs camped in middle of woods near water. 3.30.

18^th  Germans in woods at 6 a.m.  We had just got up & moved to a spot away from Yugoslavs.  2 shots & rounded them up.  I left my shoes & was separate from our bunch.  Met up in afternoon & v. pleased too!  In evening we went across to villa woods nearer village.  Took Sgt. Williamson down to road & then on down to village  Passed 2 gerry sentries.  Village in flap 

[Page back is Oct. 17-19,
page 16.]

It appears that Malcolm descended off the south end of Morrone mountain ridge and continued south along the flat main valley for he mentions farm fields.  The valley splits south of Sulmona.  The south-east valley rises into the foot-hills of the Maiella mountain ridge and is for the most part wooded (in 2004 – see photos).  He likely followed this valley and crossed the hills north-east of the village of Cansano to reach Campo di Giove. The village he mentions on the 18^th has to be Campo di Giove for he visits Dr. Sciuba’s brother in-law at his house – which was in Campo di Giove.

—•♦•—

Farmers & shepherds risked their lives by aiding escaped POWs:
Michele Del Greco, a shepherd in the Morrone mountains, was captured & held by the Germans.  They accused him of aiding 56 escaped POWs & executed him in Sulmona on 22 December, 1943.

5

Gerries patrolling.  Doc. took me up to b. in law’s house.  Supper – news.  Gerries complained about black-out.  Out through back entrance & up to crowd.  We pushed on up through woods up v. steep slope of mountain, & to near top.

19^th  Rested a while in trees & then made recce over top to Shep’s.  Had goats milk & bread, marvellous!  Arranged for slaughtering 1 sheep that evening.  Went back & layed up.

In evening we went over, met 7 Sgts who had come over the steepest mountain at night – Dr. S: & Dom came up on mules with Michelino at sunset.  Told us of the Grotto.  Remained around sheps cot waiting for moon v. chilly.  Goats milk & cheese all around.  At 2:30 slaughtered a ewe & decided to carry it without skinning Left at 3.a.m. with sheps lad to guide us.  ½ way up ewe too heavy so skinned & cleaned carcass.  Made Grotto on other side by dawn.  Had expected something better but locality excellent, & water near.  Went back with shep’s lad & found water holes ½ mile away.  Brought water back & had a v. good stew.  Sgt. Stubbs off. as

[Page back is Oct. 15-17,
page 15.]

It appears that Malcolm crossed the Maiella mountains via the Guado di Cóccia (pass, 1674m.).  A short stretch of the path on the climb to the pass involves a very steep scramble up rocks amongst trees. (The ski lift wasn’t there in 1943, and we didn’t use it in 2004!)  On the far (east) side, the path descends via a steep broad valley facing the village of Palena across the Fiume (river) Aventino.  After descending, Malcolm apparently turned north-east along the western slopes of the Maiella mountains to the Grotta del Cavallone.
Grotta del Cavallone: Used by many escaped POWs and the Italian resistance, it is today preserved as a monument to the partisans.  It can be reached by ski lift.  (See photos.)
Taranta Peligna: This village, across the F. Aventino from the grotto, was razed by the Germans in retaliation for assisting the partisans & POWs.  Every building except the church was destroyed.  The villagers lived in the nearby grotto & caves while they rebuilt.

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cook.  (Fleas in shep’s abounding found I was crawling.)  Some had taken 40 winks in double decker & picked up 100s.

20^th ]  After stew we all slept.  In evening Hardy (Hodgson) took Sgt Williamson & Sgt Duffy back to sheps for the rations Doc was sending.  Went down with them as far as our water point to show them it.  Slept well.  Communal bed.

21^st Tues. ]  Donato came up in evening from Campo di G. & told us Hardy & lads taken by Gerry previous evening at lower water hole.  Shepherds there & Gerries also – (Gerries kept them there 3 days.).  D. had brought two women & lad’s sister & 2 mules loaded with 5 days rations.  Bread, meat, mac. bacon, lard, apples.  6 of us carried it up from the woods.  Big meal! Fista di San Mateo..

22 ]  D. brought water barrel on mule.  Rested up all day & brought it up in evening.  Hamilton & 2 Sgts left at 6 p.m. for Foggia.

23 ] – 25^th  Remained at Grotto.  Kept look out.  Water at dawn & Sunset.  Pasta & Potato Stew twice a day, bread & cheese.

[Page back is Oct. 13-14,
page 14.]

Foggia – where the Allies were thought to be, is – on a straight line - at least 150 km. SE of the Grotto.
F/O Ray E. Hamilton, RCAF – left the Grotta del Cavellano on Sep. 22.  He and F/O Eugene ‘Buz’ Derick (see group photo of POWs) made it to the Allied lines at Campobasso on Oct. 25.  He wrote his home address in Malcolm's Africa note-book (page 1-back) — per daughter, P. Gordon.

7

26^th Sunday.]  Rained Sat night.  Went down to get potatoes & found Donato had come to appointed spot & had signal out.  Had brought rations.  News good.  Chilly cloudy day.  Rained again at night.  Sent message to Doc & asked for pr boots as mine worn out.  Suggested going to village next evening.

27^th ]  Cold day – no signal from D.  Built lean-to roof – stopped wind.

28^th ]  Rained Monday night & all day Tues  In evening went for water with Stubbs & Glozier – Major C. spotted signal at 5.30.  He & I [9?] went straight down.  Found they had left.  Raining.  Saw Will & 4 Yugos. at Caselo.  Two fellows hunting took us along line towards village – v. dark.  Had supper at 1^st one’s house, next caselo (33) Ministerio – full up  Went on along track to near village, & guided in .  Met Doc. & brother.  Remained at their house.  Bed. Very good supper.

29^th]  Bath & clean clothes!  Chicken for lunch!  Went off at 2 pm with Donato to fetch others down.  Reached top at about 4.  Brought everything down.  Stayed while at Donatos sheep corrals before dark & then

[Page back is blank.]

Caselo vs. Cásoli: Caselo, mentioned on the 28^th, is almost certainly a cluster of houses near Cansano.  It is not a misspelling of Cásoli.  When pronounced in Italian, the names are distinctly different.  On Sep. 30^th, Malcolm mentions a meetingin at which the villagers of Caselo and Cansano agreed to warn each other by firing shotguns if Germans approached.  Note that Cásoli is 30 km north-east of Cansano and on the far side of the Maiella mountains – far out of hearing of anyone in Cansano.

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on into village.  Sgts fixed up well at Dr b-in law’s house.  Big meal at Docs & then Dixie & John to school to sleep & Major & I to previous place.

Thurs 30^th ]  Flap at 9 a.m. Moved out & remained on hill with wood cutters  Returned & found Dixie & John had spent day in a hay loft   Heard wireless.  Supper & slept in School house.  4 rooms.  All men of the village met at 10.00 pm. to discuss defence of village if Gerry attempts reprisals for no one reporting for mil service.  4 Hr shifts of guards at entries to town & shotgun communic. from Cansano hill, as well as Telephone.  Heard all as our rooms adjoining hall.  Slept well.

Friday 1^st  Sent off message to Genl’s house with Doc’s nephew.  Suggesting attempt at something.  After lunch went around hills outside vill & drew a map, with Domenico.  Saw Gerry car go in to Cansano village & Campo di G. villagers flap out to fields!  Also under bridge when train passed out & saw Gerries hanging out of windows!  Had been up to see Sgts in morning.  Raining in evening  Sgts. fixed up OK.  fed well, radio & bed.  P.T.O.

[Page back is Oct. 1-2,
page 9.]

Domenico – Likely Domenico Silvestre, an active partisan leader, mentioned prominently (with photos) in John Esmond Fox’s book “Spaghetti & Barbed Wire” (1986) in which Fox recounts his WW-II experiences, including as a POW at P.G. 78.

Quiet night.

Sat Oct 2^nd.  Got up 6 a.m. Dixie & John going out.  Had sausage tin, & bread for breakfast.  Back to bed till 9.  Up.  Shave & over to Docs.  Major C. & I strolled up to. Sgts location up on edge of woods.  Kids picked blackberries for us.  Sgts OK. there.  Back for lunch 1 p.m. Siesta.  4 pm Docs house meeting of Lawyers etc, some from Trieste.  Very theatrical.  Heil Hitler etc.  Vino & cigarettes!  Some scheme for getting “radio transmittente” from Rome.  Rather fantastic as no one knows how to operate one let alone assemble one.  Decided to go to Foggia with Donato.  Returned to Digs & later Doc & Donato came up & discussed. 6 days walking only during day. 1 large river to cross at Fiume.  3000 lire for journey.  Promised 50,000 buono if get through O.K.  He knows paths well.  Major C. decided to go to see Brigadiers.  At 8.00 listened to BBC news. – S. Severo – Vincena? “Successful advance continues”.  Russia 4 more towns “Ground only impediment now.”  Major C. off by 8.20 with 2 lads & bikes.  Sgts OK.  Suppered & saw them to their stable.  O.K. there.  Decided that they move out in future as family afraid

[Written on back of page 8.]

Fiume – is river in Italian.  Heading south from Campo di Giove Malcolm would later cross F. Aventino near Palena, F. Sangrio south-west of  Ateleta, F. Trigno is the largest with a wide valley, crossed south of Trivento, and F. Biferno east of Castelbottáccio.   All these rivers empty into the Adriatic sea.  See photos and map.

Partisans mentioned by Malcolm: In addition to Dr. Sciuba and his brother-in-law:
Domenico – first mentioned on 1^st Oct.  See notes to page 8.
Donato – first mentioned on 21^st Sept.
Michelino – first mentioned on 14^th Sept.

Sat. Oct. 2^nd  But they will feed them Hut said to be O.K. (see tomorrow.)  Dixie & John in when returned at 9 pm.  V. brassed off & stuffed with roasted maize! Lads brought excellent supper up but they couldn’t eat.  Prepared for trip tomorrow – Supposed to start 5 a.m. if major Back.  Leaving stuff with Major Cochran. – Diary of Dinghy ride gongs, Photos & letters -  Adresses v. important as necessary to contact some of these lads re- log-times, photos, & beenos.

(Gerries sent notice – 15 classes to report by Oct 10^th as no one shown up so far –.)

[Page back is page 11.]

RASC – Royal Army Service Corps

R.A. – Royal Artillery

D.L.I. – Durham Light Infantry

RTR – Royal Tank Regiment

R.N.F. – Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

SAA – South African Army

RHAF – Royal Hellenic Air Force

S.W. Borderers - South Wales Borderers

WRNS - Women’s Royal Naval Service

F/O Frank Malcolm Benitz

    J.15035 Royal Canadian Air Force

Ex. 104 Squadron

William Agar Benitz (Father)

    La California

       F.C.C.A

          Argentina

Mrs Hale   Next of Kin

    River Plate House

    Finsbury Circus

       London

Miss Margaret Douglas   ← !

c/o Bank London & S. America

  Tokenhouse Yard

    London. SW1.

Eugene H. Hodgson.

    West Mount

       Montreal – Canada.

P.G. Luft – Stalag-Luft ?

Missing Nov. 22. Tripoli.

   Last letter from his home end of June.

Next of Kins OK. One arrived.

To cable parents & send cigarettes to Germany for him – in case.  Captured by Gerries Sept. 20^th

[Written on back of page 10.]

William Agar Benitz – Malcolm’s father (Estancia “La California”).

F.C.C.A. – Ferro-Carril Central Argentino

Mrs “Mol” Hale – Malcolm’s step-aunt  (sister to Eileen, WABz’s second wife).  Malcolm adored her.

Margaret Douglas – from a near by estancia (ranch) in Argentina, Malcolm had a soft spot for her (see stockings below, p. 16 & 17.)  For much more about her, please see: their letters when he was a P.O.W.

NOTE: This is the last page written in blue ink.  The rest of the diary is written in pencil on the back of the previous pages.  Considering the change from ink to pencil, and the confusion in dates (was Oct. 2^nd actually Oct. 9^th ? – see page 12), I have concluded that much of what was written in ink was written from memory or copied on Oct. 2^nd / 9^th and the original diary and other personal effects were left with Major Cochran of the SAA (see page 10).

Sat. 6 am. Major C. & Wheatley Joseph & Donato – up Pasadena – Top at 8:30  Decided to go on.  Took Joseph’s great coat.  Near Palena – X road  Gerry traffic – up to Valle di Terra by 4 pm over mountains to small Paese where stopped night Bed. Sausage & Eggs. (On to Tratura Reggia)

Sun. Left at 6:30. Swapped great coat for coat & vest. Crossed river by Gerry camp & road.  On to San Pietro Avelano.  Lunch & shirt saw map.  On to Vasto Gerardi.  Stopped at hut beyond village v. cold.

Mon At daybreak

[This page was written in pencil sideways in 2 columns.  This is the first column.]

NOTE: The first entries in pencil are recorded with no date. The Saturday listed here has to be Saturday October 9^th, not a continuation of Saturday October 2^nd, otherwise the entry makes no sense.  In addition, it would be the 9^th when counting the days back from the 13^th when Malcolm resumes dating his entries.

Sat. (9^th): Campo di Giove, over the Guado di Cóccia to Palena, then mostly south going up the valley of the F. Aventino and across hills; stayed the night at a paese (village), very likely Gamberale, see his lists of towns (below).

On Sun (10^th),  Continues in the general direction of San Pietro Avellana.  Crosses the Fiume (river) Sangro.

San Pietro Avellana – is 22 km straight south of Palena and 6 km east of Castel di Sangro.

Vastogirardi – is 7 km straight east of San Pietro, however, the roads are very winding.

men) picked up tratura Reggia & crossed highway – Truck bombed by bridge & tree felled by canonar shell.  Through deserted roads over to Pietrobontante.  Crossed highway & on across Fiumo Trigno.  Had to detour because bridge mined & Gerry guard – got to Salcito after long detour soaked through.  Gerry cars everywhere.  Stopped night with family on Tratura 18 kids.  Slept in hay stack in barn.

[This page was written in pencil sideways in 2 columns.  This is the second column.]

Tratura Reggia – Have not found any place or translation for Tratura Reggia.  Based on context, it could be the name of a road or trail.

Pietrabbondante – is 12 km east of Vastogirardi

Salcito – though only 11 km east of Pietrabbondante, reaching it requires a descent to the Fiume Trigno, then a steep climb up to Salcito.  (see photos).

Tues Up at 8 am  On along tratura down across river, met 3 It. soldiers who had come from Greece Aquila 45 days one.  On along tralura accross road by Gerry artillery  Saw first Spitfire, passed Castel Bostaccio empty – Gerries looting  Down to R. Trivento.  bought 2 turkies 200 & accross dam to farm on hill.  Gunfire heard.  Turkey for supper.  V. messy place  Slept in haystack.  Gunfire all night up at 6

Wed Up at 6 am.  bridge blown up

[This page was written on the back of page 12, in pencil sideways in 2 columns.  This is the first column.]

First river mentioned is likely the Torrente Fratta, a large stream that is about 1/3 the way between Salcito and Castelbottácci - high rolling countryside, dotted with farms.

Castelbottáccio – is 17 km. east of Salcito.

R. Trivento – is a mistake, the river east of Castelbottáccio is the F. Biferno.

Shaved & Turkey breakfast

Through that day by 3 p.m. _ _ _  after 1 or 2 hazards were taken care of _

[This page was written, on the back of page 12, in 2 columns. This is the second column.  First line is written in pencil; the note in black ink was most likely added at a later date.]

Through - Malcolm likely meant he had made it through the German lines by 3 p.m., when he met the Allied troops. (Wednesday Oct. 13^th)

13^th  Left Vall.s house by Biferno R at 11 a.m.  Skirted Morrone Village – Gerries seen looting outlying houses – S. Side found Trallure Reggia & on to Rifabotone no Gerries there.  Saw demolitions  Heard our troops were at the station.  Went there post haste 3 miles?  Met a platoon of the Green Howards on recce _ Joined them & up to their HQ.  On to their HQ.P  met Col. ? & Brigadier of 78 Div.  on by lorry to village picked up 9 ORs. 8 came from P.G. 78.  On to B.H.Q. for night met other officers.  Some from N, others from Chieta.  Supper & blankets on verandah

14^th  9.a.m. In lorries to Foggia, Int Off.  Lunch, on to AHQ 8^th Army, at Lucea [Lucera?].  Met G.I. Ops. Col Williams.
On to RAF.  AHQ.  met W/Co. Searle & S/Ldr Graham S/Ldr. Overton & F/Lt. Lewis.  Wrote report.  Had dinner at No 1 mess.  met

Air Comm       ops

  “      “           Admin

Pork for dinner.

[Written in pencil, back of page 6.]

F. Biferno - he crossed the Biferno about 10 km. south of Lago (Lake) del Liscione

Morrone del Sánnio – sits on a hill surrounded by open rolling farm land.

Ripabottoni – is 10 km. south-east of Castelbottáccio.  The train station is another 3-4 km.

Chieti – is 40 km north-east of Sulmona, inland 10 km from Pescara on the Adriatic coast.

Foggia – city inland about 30 km from the Adriatic coast, is 60+ km. south east of Ripabottoni.

Lucera – town about 20 km west of Foggia.

AHQ – Army Head Quarters

B.H.Q. – Battalion Head Quarters

F/Lt. – Flight Lieutenant

G.I. Ops -

HQ.P –

S/Ldr – Squadron Leader

W/Co – Wing Commander

15 ]  Went round to 8 Army Ops. with Lt Braithwaite to Termoli  met Col Summonds & Capt McKenna & some escapees.  Saw where counter attack took place on 6^th Oct.

Back by 7 pm.  Dinner & bed.

16 ]  Up & off by jeep to Bovina – RAF Commi Sqn by Fairchild to Bari.  S/African pilot.  To T.A.F. S/Ldr Thair - on to 15 Army Group Major Fillingham, Capt Champion & Major Barham. CR. on to Airborne Div by Fairchild  Took Capt Champion  Had lunch at Offs mess & met Col ______ G I. Ops.  Back to 15 Group. with them & talked plan. as to TAF.  Met Air Comm arranged for Recce next day.

17 ]  Around to T.A.F.   G/C. _____ S/Ldr _____ & F/O Fogarty of 225 Sqdn.  Detailed briefing   Wrote message.

[Written in pencil, back of page 5.]

Termoli – on Adriatic coast at mouth of F. Biferno.  Canadian forces suffered many losses when they were countered attacked by Germans on Oct. 6^th.

Bovino - village about 30 km. SW of Foggia.

Bari – large city mid-way up the Adriatic coast.

NOTE: The plan was to drop arms and supplies to the Italian resistance and escaped POWs in Sulmona and Campo di Giovi.

F/O Fogarty – name added by Gertie when she typed up these same notes

Recce – reconnoiter

CR –

Fairchild – light aircraft.

F/O – Flying Officer

G/C – Group Captain

T.A.F. – Tactical Air Force

In to Bari for first time.  Later in for a dinner & drinks with Major Fillingham at Hotel.  V.Good.  back early.

No Recce owing to cloud.

18 ]   Around to T.A.F. & then to Airodrome. Met pilots who had flown over spot 20 mins no signs of life.  Back to T.A.F.  G/C ____ decided to have 2^nd Recce in evening weather permitting.  In to Bari bought cosmetics & stockings for M.  Have borrowed £6.10 from Fillingham.  Hair cut.  Bints. no Ops.

McKenna came in evening from Termoli.  Bags questions.

19 ]   Went out to Bari aerodrome at 10. am.  with Capt Champion  Met Col. Airborne Div.  Saw S/Ldr MacLean about flying with him.

[Written in pencil, back of page 4.]

M — see page 11.  70 years later (2011), Margaret still remembered the black stockings.

19 ]  Had a look over a Lightning.  Spit. S/Ldr rang up TAF. G/C Birch that their recce was abortive 20 minutes over Campo di Giove no sign of life.  Back to N. Section 15 Army Group.  Decided to cancel everything  To TAF.  Saw Air/Comm Huddlison who said to report to G/C. Satchell at POW. Depot Bari _ Met Lt Galbraith & in to Bari.  Checked in.  Room at Hotel.  Bought stockings.  Dinner at Imperial  Major Fittingham.

[Written in pencil, back of page 3.]

Note: Per Dr. Sciuba, they did drop cigarettes and chocolates, probably when they dropped Malcolm’s message.  See Dr. Sciuba’s letters.

See "Embarkation Card" below. image “Escape-9”.