Camp Conditions
Reports following inspections by the Swiss Legation during the period when the camp was under Italian control
August 1942-September 1943
WO 224/135
The Swiss Legation was known as the Protecting Power and inspected Prisoner of War Camps, sending reports to the International Red Cross which were then passed on to the countries from which the prisoners originated. Four such inspections were carried out at Camp PG 82 between the beginning of October 1942 and the end of May 1943, the first by Georges Bonnant, attaché to the Swiss Legation, Service of Foreign Interests and the remaining three by Captain Leonardo Trippi, Chief Inspector.
A senior prisoner of war, often a non - commissioned officer, represented the men in all matters which needed to be referred to the Camp Commandant - in the case of PG 82 Laterina Colonello Teodorico Citerni - and he also represented them to the Inspectors.
The reports were compiled under set headings, and in order to enable a comparison of conditions to be made the information from each report has been put under the appropriate heading.
Direct quotes from the reports are in Italics.
A senior prisoner of war, often a non - commissioned officer, represented the men in all matters which needed to be referred to the Camp Commandant - in the case of PG 82 Laterina Colonello Teodorico Citerni - and he also represented them to the Inspectors.
The reports were compiled under set headings, and in order to enable a comparison of conditions to be made the information from each report has been put under the appropriate heading.
Direct quotes from the reports are in Italics.
Numbers of prisoners
t
Generalities and Camp installations:
8 October 1942
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Major B.R.M. Cockroft
Inspector Bonnant specified that:
'The men are recent arrivals in Italy; they were all captured at the end of last spring. Most of them are British or South African. There is one nigger in the camp, probably sent by mistake: his transfer has already been requested. (Pte Samuel Maclan, South African, 7125.) (Samuel MATLANI, killed in the bombing incident a the Bridge at Allerona 28 January 1944. bombedpowtrain.weebly.com AUTHOR'S NOTE.) Two Greeks captured in Libya will doubtless also be transferred. Their names are Franco and Boyatziz.'
He recorded that the camp had been in existence since the middle of August that year, and in contrast to what had been laid down in the Italian documentation the tents in which the men were housed were to be 'temporary accommodation'. There were 150 of these tents, each one measuring 4x10 m and capable of holding 18 men, which the prisoners said were watertight and a large double tent, 25x6m., which served as a recreation room. A space of 2 m. had been left between tent and tent, though the arrangement was not 'regular' as some tents had had to be displaced in order for the construction work on the barracks to begin. These brick barracks, 200 x 6m. were not expected to be ready before December. The inspector pointed out that although the camp was divided into two sections only one was occupied. No heating of any kind had been programmed for the new buildings and the matter would be taken up with the Ministry of War and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. None of the tents had artificial lighting, with the exception of those occupied by the officers, though the Commandant, Col. Teodorico Citerni, had agreed that electric lighting should be installed in the tent of the Camp Leader (Man of confidence AUTHOR'S NOTE). The prisoners slept on paliasses, for which they had been issued with 3 ½ kg. of straw in August and a further ½ kg. just before the inspection.
'The Italian authorities had distributed a certain quantity of small branches to keep the paliasses from coming into direct contact with the soil, but the prisoners have used them for cooking the food of the Red Cross'.
There were no sheets or pillows but every man had been issued with three blankets. The six officers (two New Zealanders, two British and two South Africans) had been given metals beds with a mattress, sheets, pillows and blankets. Three of them shared a tent but the three medical officers were quartered in the infirmary.
26 November 1942
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Major B.R.M. Cockroft
Since the previous visit the camp had been divided into two sections, separated by a barbed wire fence. Twelve brick barracks had been completed, aligned to the rear of their section, leaving a large space in front 'used as a sporting area or cultivating gardens'. The barracks were 33 ft. apart and each had an interior wall reaching almost to the gables, dividing it in half and each half was again divided into quarters, giving eight rooms in all. At the far end each barracks had 'night toilets and water closets'.
The rooms, measuring 13 x 49 feet each, have three windows, are high and dry and will be lit by a 40-watt bulb: for use during the night is a blue bulb lighting each of the two rooms, attached to the gable above the interior wall. Each room, furnished with the usual double-tier wooden bunks with straw mattresses, can accommodate 32 men. Three blankets are provided but no bed linen. On the day of the visit some inmates of the camp moved into a new barrack although the lighting installation was not yet completed. The engineer in charge of the construction furnished some details regarding the lighting installation which, as he promised, will be ready shortly Heating is foreseen but not yet provided: we were told that fifty stoves were already on the way to the camp. Before the prisoners of war move into the new barracks their bedding and garments are disinfected in an autoclave. In order to speed p this work a second autoclave is urgently needed; according to the Commandant's declaration it was going to be had soon. The majority of internees are still provisionally lodged in tents. For the time being this does not cause any hardship as the weather is still mild and dry. It is hoped that it will be possible to have all men moved into the barracks shortly.
24-25 February 1943
Man of Confidence: RSM Andrew Samuel.
Once again it was pointed out that of the two sections only one was occupied, but in the other the buildings were nearly ready and all had roofs 'except three stone huts'. A civilian firm had been entrusted with the construction of the camp and about fifty prisoners of war were engaged in the construction work. It was noted that all the prisoners were in the huts except for those 'under arrest', who lived in tents.
The inspector wrote:
'A great deal of work has been done on the camp since the last visit, but it will be some time before it is completed. Some buildings still under construction will be used as store rooms, workshops for craftsmen and hairdressers, shops whose articles can be sold and rooms for storing parcels and clothing belonging to the prisoners of war who had been evacuated to hospitals. Part of one of these new huts is used as an isolation ward with its own lavatories and baths ad another art as a dwelling for officers. Good progress has been made with all this work and in my opinion, the buildings should be ready for occupation in two or three weeks.
In the sleeping huts described before, there are three-story wooden bunks with three sleeping partitions each. Every man has four woollen blankets and a mattress, but no sheets. There are 260 men who have not yet been provided with wooden bunks and are obliged to sleep on the cement floor on straw mattresses. We have requested that the the Ministry of War sees to it that these bunks are sent to the camps as soon as possible. We have also asked the commandant for wooden boards or tent coverings to be placed under the mattresses. We were also informed that 200 Italian soldiers were still sleeping under canvas in this camp. Only the sick rooms and the buildings containing the prisoners' officers can be heated. The winter is nearly over in this part of the country, so that no heating is required in the sleeping rooms.
Electric plant is at present being installed in the mens' huts. Night lavatories and washing facilities which have everywhere been installed at one end of the huts are not yet working, as the water pipes are not ready. The lavatories in the stone buildings which are to be used in the day time are also not quite ready, so that in the meantime the field latrines and primitive washing facilites mentioned in the last report must continue in use.
26 May 1943
Man of Confidence RSM Andrew Samuel
Of the 3080 registered inmates, 365 men were in work camps, 32 in the camp infirmary, 15 in three hospitals in Arezzo, 179 in Hospital 202 in Lucca and 12 were under arrest. Only British and South African prisoners - a total of 2684 - were detained in the camp. The other nationalities appearing on the prisoner list, including 12 Americans, were in hospital in Lucca, most of whom had never been held in PG 82 previously even though they appear in the rolls. The 365 prisoners mentioned as being in work camps were all employed in agricultural work in seven different and widely separated locations which had not been visited, though 'steps have been taken to visit these camps'. (See Douglas Welford's account on the page 'Individuals'.) The 313 men who had been sent to work camps previously had not been inspected either. They were no longer on the rolls of PG 82 but 'have been placed on the rolls of a new camp; when that camp is visited, an inspection will also be made of these men'.
The second section of the camp had been completed but was not occupied, but in the first section there were officers' quarters, shower-baths and dressing rooms, water closets, laundries, an isolation ward, and infirmary and a canteen (camp shop, not restaurant AUTHOR'S NOTE) . A day-room is under construction as well as workshops for cobblers and tailors... The non-commissioned officers have rooms separated from the barracks by a tent cloth.
A water tank was placed on an elevation but it is not yet connected with the camp by conduit. The water supply has been improved by the installation of an electric pump and pipe which connects the pump with the river.
There were still some problems however:
The electrical installation has been completed but cannot yet be operated as parts of the trunk-line and switchboard are still missing. The Commandant explained that the material had not yet been received; we shall press the matter with the War Ministry.
The rooms of the officers are furnished with good iron beds, tables and chairs and nicely and comfortably arranged. The two chaplains and two of the medical officers are housed in two double rooms. The third medical officer – prisoner of war, Major Whyte, is lodged in a large single room which is also used as a mess room. A flushed water-closet is nearby. The water for the wash bowls must be brought by the orderlies. The officers with whom we conversed without the presence of witnesses said that the camp had improved in many ways.
The laundering is done by the inmates of the camp themselves, for this purpose there are some fine concrete wells; the water is conveyed from the river by means of a pump. Some difficulties in connection with hanging out the laundry are expected: it seems that orders have been given to take away the clothes lines, this has not yet been done and we shall intervene in order to have them left.
Personal Effects
8 October 1942
The prisoners have been left in possession of their personal belongings. The foreign currency in their possession has been deposited in a bank in return for a receipt.
26 November 1942
No complaints were had regarding the withdrawal of personal effects.
24-25 February 1943
The Man of Confidence informed us that a receipt is given for all articles taken from the prisoners. Apparently this was not done when prisoners were captured in North Africa, but it is difficult to obtain accurate information with regard to this. The Commandant was informed of the names of the prisoners of war who received no receipts for personal effects in other camps in this country. We will endeavour to have this matter put right.
26 May 1943
The Senior Officer (the Man of Confidence? AUTHOR'S NOTE) reported that sums of money, valuables, knives, etc. were withdrawn from the newly arrived prisoners of war and that receipts had been issued (to) them.
Mail
8 October 1942
In order to write home the prisoners had to use pre-prepared cards and letter forms. They had all been able to write on 3 September, but from then until the day of the inspection, when 9,000 forms and cards arrived, no forms had been delivered. They had not received any letters form home, nor any private parcels. However, Red Cross parcels had made their appearance:
British Red Cross – 7,486 food parcels, 260 tobacco parcels. Canadian Red Cross – 76 cases of 16 parcels. In addition, 3,120 food parcels, 11 cases of sugar and 90 parcels of tobacco were to be sent from Milan. The inspector pointed out that should they wish to do so the prisoners were free to write to the military authorities and the Protecting Power (Swiss Legation - AUTHOR'S NOTE) The inspector left them a copy of the 1929 Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of Prisoners of War.
26 November 1942
The problem regarding the delayed arrival of the card and letter forms had not been resolved, but it was promised that double the number would be able to be sent in the coming weeks. Incoming mail was also a problem. The internees complained that they still had not received replies to letters written in September.
24-25 February 1943
The prisoners reported that the mail system was functioning at last and that sometimes letters arrived in a fortnight, although occasionally it took several months. Private parcels were arriving in good condition. Letter forms and cards were always available. The Red Cross Parcels arrived regularly and each man received one food parcel week.
The prisoners' representative is present when the consignment arrives by rail and when the parcels are placed in the camp store. He has a key of the room in which they are stored and an Italian officer has a key to another lock in this room, so that both must be present when the parcels are issued and distributed. Parcels are regularly sent from the camp to the prisoners of war in work camps and on the day of our visit, we saw a consignment which had just been despatched at the station.
26 May 1943
Letters and parcels arrive in a good condition but complaints were made about outgoing mail:
1. Prisoners of war who have relatives in India said that these did not receive their letters.
2. air mail letters for South Africa are not accepted, we shall make enquiries about this regulation at the ministry....An adequate number of Red Cross parcels arrive regularly; the inmates of the camp were satisfied with the distribution as every prisoner of war is given a parcel per week, of which he cam dispose freely. Now and then a tin is opened to check its contents. A prisoner of war has been given charge over the magazine (store AUTHOR'S NOTE) where the Red Cross parcels are stored.
Food, tobacco and canteen (camp shop)
8 October 1942
The non-commissioned officers and men draw the rations fixed by the Italian government for prisoners of war, rations corresponding to those of Italian troops in depot. Those who work receive a supplementary ration of bread, macaroni, rice and cheese. The prisoners of war drink coffee in the morning and have two meals, one at midday and the other in the evening. No complaint has been made concerning the food. The ordinary rations are supplemented by food from the Red Cross parcels, the prisoners preparing this individually with little stoves built by themselves.
The kitchen is not supported by walls: a roof supported on tall pillars has a wall down the centre having arranged along its two sides 34 brick hearths into which the cooking pots are set. An out-building, also of brick, will be provided. At the present time a wooden hut is used as a larder. It is not very suitable for storing food but but nothing can be done to adapt it until after the dormitories have been completed.
As regards tobacco, the weekly ration has not yet been distributed, stocks being insufficient. Steps have been taken with the Ministry of War in this matter.
A hut has been constructed to house a canteen. (Camp shop. AUTHOR'S NOTE.) As soon as the windows and doors are placed in position it will be opened; goods have already been ordered.
26 November 1942
Each section has its kitchen (only one section had been completed by this date!! AUTHOR'S NOTE)...there is ample room for the preparation for vegetables and other food. The building which is protected by a pillar -supported roof is open on all sides and exposed to draughts. Now brick walls are being erected between the pillars to close in the room and make it adequate for the winter.
The casseroles were shown to us by the head cook. Stew had been prepared with vegetables and macaroni. (Pasta. AUTHOR'S NOTE) The meal, of which everybody received a mess-tin full, was distributed at 9.30 am; it was appetising and tasty. At 6.30 am the internees have tea, at 9.30 soup, as above, with macaroni or rice,; at 12 o'clock bread and cheese (five times a week); at 16.30 again soup and stew with meat, on the days when no cheese is given.
The head cook said that he could manage with the rations but that difficulties were experienced in procuring additional fuel for warming up the contents of the Red Cross parcels. Tea is made in the kitchen.
The daily wood rations amounts to 800 grams per man. The Commandant promised to see to it that extra wood would be made available.
The regularly arriving Red Cross parcels allow to distribute one parcel per day, to be shared by seven men.
No canteen is operated, the required commodities are purchased by the camp authorities and handed to the senior officer who organises the distribution among the men. A small building used at present for storing the Red Cross parcels will be appropriated for a canteen when the proper storeroom is completed.
It was brought to the notice of the War Office that, due to tobacco consignments not arriving regularly, the men did not get their weekly allowance.
The kitchen of the Italian officers caters for the officer prisoners of war who are agreeable to this arrangement.
24-25 February 1943
In answer to our question, the Man of Confidence, the head cook and a large number of prisoners of war stated that the food was good and plentiful. The prisoners can prepared their Red Cross food and are always given hot water for making tea and coffee. Special pipes have been inserted into the range for this purpose and the water can e drawn by turning a tap, so that cooking is nearly always going on during the day time, they have constant hot water.
The officers receive the same food as the Italians officers of the camp. They are satisfied with the food, but say that they are charged 21.60 Lire a day for it: 13 lire for the food itself and 8.60 lire for the service. We have mentioned this fact in several reports, but the authorities say that their own prisoners are charged the same amounts.
The issue of tobacco to the prisoners is irregular and consignments arrive very late.
The canteen is only a provisional one, but is functioning satisfactorily. The new canteen building will soon be ready.
26 May 1943
We found the kitchen in excellent order. The Senior Officer commended the tasty preparation of the food and the head cook said that he was checking the rations to find their exact weight .
Near the kitchen is a place with small field ranges where the inmates of the camp prepare their additional food, they get extra wood rations for this purpose. Hot water for making tea is always available.
The officers get the same food as the Italian officers; the charge for it is 20.60 Lire per day.
The canteen, which is installed in a stone building, is stocked with articles of common use, foodstuffs are not on sale. Ten per cent are added to the prime cost of these articles and the profits thus obtained are used for the benefit of the prisoners of war, i.e. to pay such expenses as otherwise would be debited to their account.
A free issue of cigarettes takes place every week.
Sanitary Installations/Arrangements
8 October 1942
The latrines, numbering 3, are sufficient for the strength of the camp. They are long trenches covered by a roof. It should be stated that this system is provisional only; new WC are to be installed with a flushing system. Night WCs are provided in every hut.
Next to the latrines is the wash-house; a single pipe with 37 cocks (taps AUTHOR'S NOTE) above two boards set together to form a V acting as a basin; sometimes there is not enough water. Cold showers (19 jets) have been installed in the open. This installation, inadequate in summer, will be unusable as soon as the first cold weather sets in. Furthermore, cold water is useless for effective combat against the vermin from which most of the prisoners are suffering. A machine for hot showers has arrived at the camp but cannot be employed as yet, no tent being available to house it. Finally, the sterilising apparatus belonging to the camp is inadequate for the disinfecting of 2,612 prisoners. These deficiencies in the sanitary arrangements have been reported to the Ministry of War to whom we have made the necessary representations.
26 November 1943
The sanitary installations are primitive. There are plain field latrines and a pipe which conveys water for the morning wash. Several installations of this kind are distributed over the camp.
Water is conveyed into the pipes from tanks located on an elevated level, into which it is pumped electrically.
The new toilets and water closets are not yet completed, except the five WC and 'lavabos' (washbasins, AUTHOR'S NOTE) for use in the barracks during the night.
Until the new shower-bath house is completed hot showers are taken in a tent, the men who had just come out said that they had enjoyed their hot bath. An adjacent tent is used for dressing and undressing.
24-25 February 1943
The water supply will not be adequate when the whole tank is full, but the prisoners can pump up water from a river in the vicinity. We have requested the authorities to provide sufficient water, so that there will be no unpleasantness in the summer, when the camp is full.
As stated above, the sanitary plant is inadequate, as the new installations are not yet functioning. The bathing facilities are very satisfactory. There are two large tents for this purpose, one of which is used for dressing and undressing and the other for shower baths. There is sufficient hot water and one or two hot shower baths an be taken a month, while the men can always have cold showers.
26 May 1943
The conditions have improved, the water is now more ample as water is pumped up from the river.
A structure holding forty Turkish water-closets has been completed and taken into use. The water closets in the barracks for use during the night, are also ready but for the pipe.
The toilet (washing AUTHOR'S NOTE) arrangements, protected by a shed, consist of pipes with holes. Under a solid penthouse concrete wells (sinks AUTHOR'S NOTE) with taps have been built for laundering clothes and linen.
Major Whyte and the other two medical officers, Major Ochse and Capt. Barber, declared that the sanitary installations were satisfactory and that they will be as desired when the new pipe connection with the tank is completed.
The shower-baths are now in a concrete structure: there is a dressing room and 15 showers. Formerly the showers were under a tent; according to the statements of prisoners of war they functioned there just as well.
A small disinfection plant stands outside; a disinfection ward with up-to-date installations was opened in the new section.
The flies are rationally destroyed, in fact, there were none in the camp.
Clothing
26 November 1942
The clothes and underwear ordered from the Red Cross have not yet been received. On October 13, 1942 we asked for an earlier consignment and shall again call the attention of the Committee to the outstanding order. The inmates of the camp are not dressed uniformly; there are some who wear warm clothes in which they arrived, while others were supplied with underwear and uniforms by the Italian authorities thus the garments are heterogenous.
24-25 February 1943
The prisoners of war are well clothed, but the following articles are still needed.
1000 pairs of shoes
300 pairs of socks
300 pairs of trousers
200 shirts
On December 28 1942 a large consignment arrived containing 1,500 greatcoats, 2,500 shirts, 5,000 waistcoats, 5,000 pairs of trousers, 5,100 pairs of socks, 2,700 caps, 500 pairs of boots, 2,500 pullovers ad 2,500 pairs of gloves.
There are at present in the storerooms, greatcoats, blouses (shirts AUTHOR'S NOTE), trousers and caps which are not needed for the moment, but fresh prisoners of war will arrive in the near future ad we have consequently advised the Man of Confidence. Sgt. Major Samuel, to keep these articles of clothing here and give them to the new prisoners.
26 May 1943
Consignments of clothing and underwear have been received in March as follows:
Boots 960 pairs
Socks 200 pairs
Shirts 200
Vests 200
Underpants 200
These clothing items would suffice if the required sizes wee available but there are some shoes of size 9, 10, 11 but none of size 6, 7, 8. Great-coats of size 1 and 2 are in store but there is need of some of size 5, 6, 8 and 9. There are 40 trousers of size 18, but none of size 7. 10. 13.
Medical Services
8 October 1942
There were 4 Italian doctors, and 3 Allied doctors who were prisoners of war (see chart) and the infirmary was run by 4 British medical orderlies (POWS). The infirmary, a provisional arrangement, was a wooden hut in which there was a consulting room, a large ward with around 40 beds, and the necessary sanitary facilities. The inspector was concerned that there would be no heating in the winter, and required that the situation be remedied should the brick hut not have been completed. By the time the Inspector submitted his report the War Ministry had already been contacted regarding this matter.
Serious cases were taken to hospital either by train or ambulance according to urgency. All the prisoners had been inoculated against typhoid.
On oculist had visited the camp but no dental service had been available at the date of the inspection, though before the report was submitted a request for a permanent dentist had been made to the War Ministry. Anyone in need of dental treatment had been taken to the nearest town. (Not specified by the inspector).
The 15 cases in the infirmary were suffering from: malaria, gastroenteritis and liver complaints (three men affected were due to be evacuated on the day following the inspection). Private Bryant had died in Arezzo hospital on 6 October. (See Men recorded as being in Camp PG 82 chart).
26 November 1942
There were now three Italian medical officers working alongside the three medical office-prisoners of war and the four medical orderlies-prisoners of war. The medical officers reported that the available dental treatment did not correspond to requirements, though the War Office had said that a dental surgery was being planned. A request was to be put in to the War Ministry for a dentist POW to be transferred to the camp.
The infirmary was still in the wooden barracks.
The Commandant promised to appropriate a stone building where the infirmary could be lodged and some room could be given to the medical officers and the two chaplain prisoners of war. A request was made for insect-powder and medicine parcels to be sent from the Red Cross Committee. The general state of health was satisfactory. Frequent skins diseases and some cases of nephritis were complained of but no infectious illnesses were reported. There is no isolation ward, a room could be made available for this purpose but the medical officers-prisoners of war and the Commandant were of the opinion that is was preferable to have patients transferred by auto-ambulance to the hospital of the neighbouring town. (Arezzo - AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Prisoner John Hodgson died in the hospital on November 12 (See chart) and the Anglican chaplain (see chart) had officiated at his funeral.
On the day following the inspection of the camp the inspector visited the hospital, presumably in Arezzo, where 12 prisoners had been admitted, in the company of Col. Citerni, the Camp Commandant and two other medical officers (see chart). It was agreed that the chaplains were to be allowed to visit the sick upon request. The prisoners seemed to be improving, two from pneumonia. Some others were suffering from nephritis and one was recovering well from an operation for a perforated appendix. Two cases of diphtheria were in an isolation ward. The hospital made a good impression – it was clean, the bedlinen was changed frequently, the patients' accommodation was spacious: the beds comfortable and there was enough space between them to accommodate bedside tables. The adjacent washing facilities included a bath tub and lavatory. The physicians are taking good care to treat the prisoners of war on the same footing as the Italian patients.
24-25 February 1943
The medical staff, both Italian and Allied, was as in November. Between 70-80 prisoners of war presented themselves every day for examination and treatment but most cases were not serious. The fifteen men in the infirmary were suffering from diabetes, inflammation of the bronchial tubes, sore throats and slight injuries. The infirmary was still in the wooden hut but it was heated and was 'satisfactory in every way.' Prisoners of war suffering from infectious diseases are sent to hospital at once, there is no isolation building in the camp. An ambulance is available for this purposes.
There was a dentist in the camp but his surgery had not been properly fitted out and on the day of the inspection he was away purchasing a new drill. Major Whyte reported that there was an adequate supply of 'comforts' (it it not clear what he meant by this term. AUTHOR'S NOTE) and medicines. He said that part from the question of the lavatories there were no complaints to be made. The inspector wrote that 'We satisfied ourselves that the new lavatories were nearly ready , so that it will be possible to give up the use of the field latrines very shortly.
The next day we visited the hospital (in Arezzo, AUTHOR'S NOTE) which consists of two separate buildings; in one of these buildings there are six patients and in the other seventeen wounded prisoners. These are hospitals for the Italian troops and four of the best rooms, which are still heated and have a pleasant southern aspect, have been made available for prisoners of war. The treatment and food are exactly the same for the prisoners as for the Italian patients.
In the medical section there was a prisoner of war suffering from jaundice and four suffering from nephritis, one of whom was subject to frequent fits of uraemia, but is now getting on well and can get up. One prisoner had an ulcer. In the surgical section there were a large number of people suffering from slight symptoms of frostbite on the feet and frost boils (chilblains. AUTHOR'S NOTE) but they are all up and could walk and will soon be back in camp.
A South African, Mudrovcic (see chart), is suffering from an eye complaint and needs spectacles. The Camp Commandant, who accompanied us to the hospital, will immediately arrange for a specialist to see him and obtain the necessary spectacles.
All the patients agreed that they were very well housed and treated. In spite of the fact, however, that the food is good and adequate, they would be glad of their Red Cross parcels. The Commandant will see to it that articles approved by the doctor are sent to the camp. Apart from the hospital doctor, there is a major belonging to the Italian Medical corps, who practised for many years in England and gets on very well with the patients.
Since our last visit tow prisoners of war died in hospital:
Bester Joachim, Wellington S.A on 12th December 1942
Kevan F.T. From Liverpool, on 15th February 1943
The other hospital, No.202, where there are also prisoners of war belonging to this camp, will be visited shortly. (Lucca - AUTHOR'S NOTE)
26 May 1943
Sickness. The sick-room is located in a wooden barrack as formerly; the new room has not yet been taken (brought AUTHOR'S NOTE) into use. An isolation ward, located in a stone-built structure, contains three rooms, a toilet (washbasin AUTHOR'S NOTE) and water-closet. 22 inmates of the sickroom were affected, some with malaria – mild diseases – others with throat trouble and slight injuries. Nobody was confined to the isolation ward.
We also visited the prisoners of war detained in the city in three hospitals. In one hospital six prisoners were confined to a large room. In another hospital there were seven detained prisoners of war. Some were suffering from chronic bronchitis, others form nephritis. A South African prisoner was recovering from an abdominal operation. A prisoner was brought in with an inflammation of the lungs.
The sick prisoners of war are given hospital food and the required diet. They also get what is permitted them by the doctor out of the Red Cross parcels.
Three prisoners of war were confined to the isolation ward in the Ospedale Civico (Civil Hospital AUTHOR'S NOTE). Two of them had been affected with diphtheria, they were already recovering and could get up; the third internee was a suspicious (suspected AUTHOR'S NOTE) case and under observation; he was out of bed and seemed to feel all right.
Medical attention. The sick are attended by 2 Italian doctors, a dental surgeon and the above-mentioned medical officer-prisoners of war. The general condition of health in the camp is very satisfactory.
The instruments and materials needed for the care of teeth were available. It was said that five forms with credit applications for dentures had been sent to the Red Cross but had not yet been returned. Before the credits are granted the dentures cannot be supplied – to the detriment of the patients. We have repeatedly called this to the attention of the International Red Cross Committee.
A communication was received from the General Staff listing 31 prisoners of war, nominated for examination by the Mixed Medical Commission. This Commission is now expected in the camp and the medical officers will see to it that the Commission examines the prisoners of war proposed for repatriation.
The 3 medical officers said they knew that many medical officers had been repatriated while they were still waiting for their turn; the officers in question are:
Major Alastair G.D. WHYTE (R.A.M.C.) 56559, captured on April 8, 1941
Major Quintus J. OCHSE (S.A.M.C.) 188446, captured on June 20, 1942
Captain Harry A. BARKER (R.A.M.C.) 118067, captured on April 8, 1941.
We shall make a pertinent report to the War Ministry.
(The report noted that Private Harry James Hooker had died in the camp. Should any relatives wish to know the details of his death they should apply to the National Archives for a copy:of WO 224/135 AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Religious Services
8 October 1942
An Anglican chaplain cares for the Protestant prisoners of war; the Catholic minority (about 200 men) are directed by a British Roman Catholic chaplain. The Anglican chaplain asks for the dispatch of an Army Service Prayer book and a set of Communion vessels.
26 November 1942
Two ministers of religion, an Anglican – Chaplain Maund, and a Roman Catholic, Chaplain Sheely, are in the camp; among the internees are about 280 Catholics. We found Chaplain Maunde teaching in the large recreation hall in order to prepare some prisoners of war for confirmation.
24-25 February 1943
Services are held by an Anglican clergyman Captain Maund, and a Roman Catholic priest, Captain Sheely; in bad weather the services are held in a tent, which has room for 250 men, and in good weather in the open air.
When asked as to their wishes, Captain Maund said that he had not yet received the Church of England prayer books ordered. He also informed us that when prisoners died in hospital he took the funeral service and was present at the grave, but that last time permission from the higher authorities arrived too late. An officer belonging to the guard and an officer prisoner of war were present at the grave on that occasion.
We have requested that the graves of prisoners of war be well looked after and have received assurances to this effect from the competent authority. (Count Memmo).
26 May 1943
There is nothing new to report on this subject. Capt. Maund was able to perform his clerical duties at the above mentioned burial. (That of Private Hooker. AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Work and Pay
8 October 1942
The six officer prisoners in the camp receive a sum monthly in accordance with the agreements on this subject. Some of them have a right to certain sums representing arrears of pay due from other camps; the Camp Commandant will take the necessary steps to recover these sums. The lower grade protected personnel (medical orderlies. AUTHOR'S NOTE) are not yet receiving pay different to that received by other non-commissioned officers and men. We have reported this fact to the Commandant, who will request instructions from the superior authority.
A certain number of prisoners of war employed in various services (6 barbers, 6 cobblers) are paid for their work. These men are insured against accidents in conformity with the provisions of clause 27 of the Convention. Up to the present, there has been no accident.
26 November 1942
The men who had credit owing from other camps still had not been paid and the Camp Commandant promised to investigate. Sixty men were involved in building barracks in the second section of the camp and were given both extra rations and pay – 3 Lire for a 'handyman' and 6 for a bricklayer. No workman had been involved in an accident.
24-25 February 1943
Fifty men were working in the second section. They worked an eight -hour day. They had received a pay increase, from 3 Lire to 4.50 Lire and from 6 Lire to 6.5o Lire, paid not in cash but in vouchers (see illustration) which could be spent in the camp shop. They had to sign for pay received. In addition all prisoners had been receiving 7 Lire a week (ranks) and 10 Lire (N.C.O.s), since 6 August 1942, though before this date they had received nothing. A request that this pay should be credited to them had been made to the War Ministry.
26 May 1943
The men who work in the labour detachments are paid Lire 4.50 per day; those employed in the camp as barbers, tailors, cobblers etc. receive Lire 3.60 per day. Until the month of March the men also got their usual pay of Lire 7. per week. Since then it appears that this pay was not issued to them but only the wages they were working for. We shall take the matter up with the War Ministry and request that they also be issued with the pay due to them.
The arrears due to some prisoners from camps where they were detained before, which we mentioned in our previous report, have now been settled as reported by the Senior Officer. Capt. Sheely reported that he was issued with pay at the rate of Lire 11.00 instead of Lire 1700 for the period from November 28, 1941, until September 12, 1942, the date of his arrival in this camp. We shall bring his claim to the notice of the War Ministry and request that Capt. Sheely be credited with the difference.
Sgt. Andrew Samuel, the Senior Officer, (Man of Confidence AUTHOR'S NOTE) wished to send Lire 8,000 to the Red Cross but the Italian authorities refused the permission with the explanation that transfer of funds had not yet been arranged.
Sports and Recreation
8 October 1942
A small sports ground was available. Officers were permitted to take accompanied walks outside the camp. (See Captain John Richardson in section Individuals.) Prisoners had requested games and books, of which they had none. A stage had been erected in the Recreational tent for theatrical shows and and orchestra was being formed.
26 November 1942
The officers' walks continued. When the tents had been taken down there would be room for a playing field. Classes and lectures were being held in the recreation hall. Some books and games had been ordered through the Red Cross.
24-25 February 1943
The Man of Confidence has received a communication from the Red Cross to the effect that on January 24th, 1943 a wagon containing sports articles had been dispatched to the camp and that these articles were being anxiously awaited, as otherwise there would be no opportunity for sports or exercise, apart from walks outside the camp and inside the camp where there was plenty of room.
In the place where the tents formerly stood is a large square with rows of trees on which large vines have been strung. As a result of this , the square is not suitable for use as a football ground, but other games can be played. The Man of Confidence would like the vines and trees to be removed, but it would naturally be a pity to fell old fruit trees merely in order to enable the prisoners to play football for a few months in the summer.
There is no lack of intellectual entertainment: there is a large supply of books, as well as an orchestra and instruction is given in various subjects. The concerts are held in the large entertainment tent and rehearsals take place in part of a hut.
26 May 1943
The officers often go out for walks; the non-commissioned officers are taken out on Sunday afternoons in batches of forty men. No walks have been organised for the men, the Commandant promised to have the men taken out as well. During the day the inmates of the camp are always out of doors, 4 games of football are played every day, some trees will be felled in order to enlarge the playground.
All round the barracks are large rows of vegetable beds where the internees grow their own vegetables. A room in the new building has been appropriated for a library which for the moment contains only about 400 books; we have therefore asked the Red Cross to send some more reading material to this camp. Now the censoring authorities seem to treat the books more carefully: the covers are left on.
The orchestra plays every Sunday in front of the recreation tent, there is a shed for protection.
At the beginning of the year the Red Cross advised that 7 cases with games and other recreational equipment had been sent to the camp. The cases were forwarded two months ago to the censoring authorities but have not yet been returned. We shall make the necessary representations to the War Ministry about the delay.
Complaints, Discipline and General Impressions
8 October 1942
There have been almost no punishments since the camp was formed; 3-4 cases of disobedience at the most.
On judicial case is on foot (under way AUTHOR'S NOTE), that of Pte. John Harlow, (Signalman AUTHOR'S NOTE) who on August 24th stole and damaged two bicycles with a view to escaping. This is the only attempt to escape made since the camp was formed. The findings of this case will be reported later.
The relations between the prisoners of war and the Commandant are good. The Commandant appears to be making a real effort to organise the camp as well as possible despite unfavourable circumstances. It should however be remarked that the construction of the camp huts commenced in October, i.e. several months after the camp had formed, will not be completed before the end of the year, which suggests that the prisoners will not be suitable housed before the coming of the winter. We have made representations to this effect to the competent authorities, insisting that everything necessary should be done as quickly as possible.
We also had occasion to visit a town in the neighbourhood to inspect the military hospitals which take in prisoners from various camps in the district in the event of serious illness. These establishments are directed by Colonel (Professor) Paolo Mariconda. The hospital made an excellent impression. On the day of our visit only two patients were under treatment; one was recovering from a mastoid, the other was being treated for a wound in the leg. They expressed certain wishes which we have transmitted to the Commandant of the camp to which they belong.
26 November 1942
The Commandant was satisfied with the discipline of the prisoners of war, only one, who had robbed another prisoner of war, was in the arrest tent.
Some time ago a suit was brought against Pte.(Sgm. AUTHOR'S NOTE) John Marlows (N.B. In October referred to as Harlow. AUTHOR'S NOTE) for having stolen a bicycle; now he is again in the camp having benefited from the 28th October amnesty.
Since our previous visit no attempts to escape have been reported. A roll call is made every day.
The Senior Officer (Man of Confidence AUTHOR'S NOTE) was offered the possibility to speak with the visiting representative of the protecting power without the presence of witnesses but he had no requests or claims to make. Some suggestions regarding improvements were made during the inspection of the camp in company of the Commandant, the latter took note of the wishes and obligingly promised to comply with all of them.
The most urgent requirement at present is to have the inmates of the camp transferred as soon as possible into the new barracks, even if some details are still missing.
The impression was had that the Commandant is appreciated for his benevolence and the interest he is taking in the prisoners of war. The good understanding between him an the prisoners' representative contributes to their being treated in such as way as to make their captivity endurable.
24-25 February 1943
On the day of our visit eleven prisoners were under arrest, but ten of them were released that day. These and ten other prisoners of war who had been released some days before had wilfully damaged the wooden ceilings of the sleeping huts and removed some beams. A charge was preferred against them for this offence, but the Court decided that they should not be kept in confinement during the hearing of the case. The Swiss Legation will arrange for the prisoners to be defended.
One prisoner tried to escape during a walk by hanging behind then jumping over a stream. He was caught and given ten days' arrest. It is disastrous when such attempts are made during walks as the organisation of excursions is then made more difficult. The Commandant has not, however, restricted walks on this account.
It is hoped that the necessary work will be soon completed and that the second section will be ready before fresh prisoners are sent to this camp.
The morale in the camp is good.
26 May 1943
The conduct of the inmates of the camp was commended by the Commandant. The prisoners of war had no complaints either, with the exception of S/SM (W.O.II) Goodman F.H. 7885444, who was not content because the medical officer-prisoner-of-war, Major Whyte, had asked the Commandant to punish Goodman with 6 days' arrest because of indecent behaviour towards Major Whyte. The commandant awarded the punishment which – also in accordance with the Senior Officer's statement - was deserved.
Twelve prisoners of ware were in arrest for various small offences and insubordination. We visited them in their tents where they have a mattress and three blankets. They spend the day outdoors in the sun, have books to read and get Red Cross parcels; they did not complain.
Two prisoners of war had attempted an escape but were soon recaptured and punished with 30 days' arrest.
A judicial proceeding was opened against soldier John MacCord (McCord. AUTHOR'S NOTE) 2032674, for insubordination and threats.
FROM WO 224/135
Generalities and Camp installations:
8 October 1942
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Major B.R.M. Cockroft
Inspector Bonnant specified that:
'The men are recent arrivals in Italy; they were all captured at the end of last spring. Most of them are British or South African. There is one nigger in the camp, probably sent by mistake: his transfer has already been requested. (Pte Samuel Maclan, South African, 7125.) (Samuel MATLANI, killed in the bombing incident a the Bridge at Allerona 28 January 1944. bombedpowtrain.weebly.com AUTHOR'S NOTE.) Two Greeks captured in Libya will doubtless also be transferred. Their names are Franco and Boyatziz.'
He recorded that the camp had been in existence since the middle of August that year, and in contrast to what had been laid down in the Italian documentation the tents in which the men were housed were to be 'temporary accommodation'. There were 150 of these tents, each one measuring 4x10 m and capable of holding 18 men, which the prisoners said were watertight and a large double tent, 25x6m., which served as a recreation room. A space of 2 m. had been left between tent and tent, though the arrangement was not 'regular' as some tents had had to be displaced in order for the construction work on the barracks to begin. These brick barracks, 200 x 6m. were not expected to be ready before December. The inspector pointed out that although the camp was divided into two sections only one was occupied. No heating of any kind had been programmed for the new buildings and the matter would be taken up with the Ministry of War and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. None of the tents had artificial lighting, with the exception of those occupied by the officers, though the Commandant, Col. Teodorico Citerni, had agreed that electric lighting should be installed in the tent of the Camp Leader (Man of confidence AUTHOR'S NOTE). The prisoners slept on paliasses, for which they had been issued with 3 ½ kg. of straw in August and a further ½ kg. just before the inspection.
'The Italian authorities had distributed a certain quantity of small branches to keep the paliasses from coming into direct contact with the soil, but the prisoners have used them for cooking the food of the Red Cross'.
There were no sheets or pillows but every man had been issued with three blankets. The six officers (two New Zealanders, two British and two South Africans) had been given metals beds with a mattress, sheets, pillows and blankets. Three of them shared a tent but the three medical officers were quartered in the infirmary.
26 November 1942
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Major B.R.M. Cockroft
Since the previous visit the camp had been divided into two sections, separated by a barbed wire fence. Twelve brick barracks had been completed, aligned to the rear of their section, leaving a large space in front 'used as a sporting area or cultivating gardens'. The barracks were 33 ft. apart and each had an interior wall reaching almost to the gables, dividing it in half and each half was again divided into quarters, giving eight rooms in all. At the far end each barracks had 'night toilets and water closets'.
The rooms, measuring 13 x 49 feet each, have three windows, are high and dry and will be lit by a 40-watt bulb: for use during the night is a blue bulb lighting each of the two rooms, attached to the gable above the interior wall. Each room, furnished with the usual double-tier wooden bunks with straw mattresses, can accommodate 32 men. Three blankets are provided but no bed linen. On the day of the visit some inmates of the camp moved into a new barrack although the lighting installation was not yet completed. The engineer in charge of the construction furnished some details regarding the lighting installation which, as he promised, will be ready shortly Heating is foreseen but not yet provided: we were told that fifty stoves were already on the way to the camp. Before the prisoners of war move into the new barracks their bedding and garments are disinfected in an autoclave. In order to speed p this work a second autoclave is urgently needed; according to the Commandant's declaration it was going to be had soon. The majority of internees are still provisionally lodged in tents. For the time being this does not cause any hardship as the weather is still mild and dry. It is hoped that it will be possible to have all men moved into the barracks shortly.
24-25 February 1943
Man of Confidence: RSM Andrew Samuel.
Once again it was pointed out that of the two sections only one was occupied, but in the other the buildings were nearly ready and all had roofs 'except three stone huts'. A civilian firm had been entrusted with the construction of the camp and about fifty prisoners of war were engaged in the construction work. It was noted that all the prisoners were in the huts except for those 'under arrest', who lived in tents.
The inspector wrote:
'A great deal of work has been done on the camp since the last visit, but it will be some time before it is completed. Some buildings still under construction will be used as store rooms, workshops for craftsmen and hairdressers, shops whose articles can be sold and rooms for storing parcels and clothing belonging to the prisoners of war who had been evacuated to hospitals. Part of one of these new huts is used as an isolation ward with its own lavatories and baths ad another art as a dwelling for officers. Good progress has been made with all this work and in my opinion, the buildings should be ready for occupation in two or three weeks.
In the sleeping huts described before, there are three-story wooden bunks with three sleeping partitions each. Every man has four woollen blankets and a mattress, but no sheets. There are 260 men who have not yet been provided with wooden bunks and are obliged to sleep on the cement floor on straw mattresses. We have requested that the the Ministry of War sees to it that these bunks are sent to the camps as soon as possible. We have also asked the commandant for wooden boards or tent coverings to be placed under the mattresses. We were also informed that 200 Italian soldiers were still sleeping under canvas in this camp. Only the sick rooms and the buildings containing the prisoners' officers can be heated. The winter is nearly over in this part of the country, so that no heating is required in the sleeping rooms.
Electric plant is at present being installed in the mens' huts. Night lavatories and washing facilities which have everywhere been installed at one end of the huts are not yet working, as the water pipes are not ready. The lavatories in the stone buildings which are to be used in the day time are also not quite ready, so that in the meantime the field latrines and primitive washing facilites mentioned in the last report must continue in use.
26 May 1943
Man of Confidence RSM Andrew Samuel
Of the 3080 registered inmates, 365 men were in work camps, 32 in the camp infirmary, 15 in three hospitals in Arezzo, 179 in Hospital 202 in Lucca and 12 were under arrest. Only British and South African prisoners - a total of 2684 - were detained in the camp. The other nationalities appearing on the prisoner list, including 12 Americans, were in hospital in Lucca, most of whom had never been held in PG 82 previously even though they appear in the rolls. The 365 prisoners mentioned as being in work camps were all employed in agricultural work in seven different and widely separated locations which had not been visited, though 'steps have been taken to visit these camps'. (See Douglas Welford's account on the page 'Individuals'.) The 313 men who had been sent to work camps previously had not been inspected either. They were no longer on the rolls of PG 82 but 'have been placed on the rolls of a new camp; when that camp is visited, an inspection will also be made of these men'.
The second section of the camp had been completed but was not occupied, but in the first section there were officers' quarters, shower-baths and dressing rooms, water closets, laundries, an isolation ward, and infirmary and a canteen (camp shop, not restaurant AUTHOR'S NOTE) . A day-room is under construction as well as workshops for cobblers and tailors... The non-commissioned officers have rooms separated from the barracks by a tent cloth.
A water tank was placed on an elevation but it is not yet connected with the camp by conduit. The water supply has been improved by the installation of an electric pump and pipe which connects the pump with the river.
There were still some problems however:
The electrical installation has been completed but cannot yet be operated as parts of the trunk-line and switchboard are still missing. The Commandant explained that the material had not yet been received; we shall press the matter with the War Ministry.
The rooms of the officers are furnished with good iron beds, tables and chairs and nicely and comfortably arranged. The two chaplains and two of the medical officers are housed in two double rooms. The third medical officer – prisoner of war, Major Whyte, is lodged in a large single room which is also used as a mess room. A flushed water-closet is nearby. The water for the wash bowls must be brought by the orderlies. The officers with whom we conversed without the presence of witnesses said that the camp had improved in many ways.
The laundering is done by the inmates of the camp themselves, for this purpose there are some fine concrete wells; the water is conveyed from the river by means of a pump. Some difficulties in connection with hanging out the laundry are expected: it seems that orders have been given to take away the clothes lines, this has not yet been done and we shall intervene in order to have them left.
Personal Effects
8 October 1942
The prisoners have been left in possession of their personal belongings. The foreign currency in their possession has been deposited in a bank in return for a receipt.
26 November 1942
No complaints were had regarding the withdrawal of personal effects.
24-25 February 1943
The Man of Confidence informed us that a receipt is given for all articles taken from the prisoners. Apparently this was not done when prisoners were captured in North Africa, but it is difficult to obtain accurate information with regard to this. The Commandant was informed of the names of the prisoners of war who received no receipts for personal effects in other camps in this country. We will endeavour to have this matter put right.
26 May 1943
The Senior Officer (the Man of Confidence? AUTHOR'S NOTE) reported that sums of money, valuables, knives, etc. were withdrawn from the newly arrived prisoners of war and that receipts had been issued (to) them.
8 October 1942
In order to write home the prisoners had to use pre-prepared cards and letter forms. They had all been able to write on 3 September, but from then until the day of the inspection, when 9,000 forms and cards arrived, no forms had been delivered. They had not received any letters form home, nor any private parcels. However, Red Cross parcels had made their appearance:
British Red Cross – 7,486 food parcels, 260 tobacco parcels. Canadian Red Cross – 76 cases of 16 parcels. In addition, 3,120 food parcels, 11 cases of sugar and 90 parcels of tobacco were to be sent from Milan. The inspector pointed out that should they wish to do so the prisoners were free to write to the military authorities and the Protecting Power (Swiss Legation - AUTHOR'S NOTE) The inspector left them a copy of the 1929 Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of Prisoners of War.
26 November 1942
The problem regarding the delayed arrival of the card and letter forms had not been resolved, but it was promised that double the number would be able to be sent in the coming weeks. Incoming mail was also a problem. The internees complained that they still had not received replies to letters written in September.
24-25 February 1943
The prisoners reported that the mail system was functioning at last and that sometimes letters arrived in a fortnight, although occasionally it took several months. Private parcels were arriving in good condition. Letter forms and cards were always available. The Red Cross Parcels arrived regularly and each man received one food parcel week.
The prisoners' representative is present when the consignment arrives by rail and when the parcels are placed in the camp store. He has a key of the room in which they are stored and an Italian officer has a key to another lock in this room, so that both must be present when the parcels are issued and distributed. Parcels are regularly sent from the camp to the prisoners of war in work camps and on the day of our visit, we saw a consignment which had just been despatched at the station.
26 May 1943
Letters and parcels arrive in a good condition but complaints were made about outgoing mail:
1. Prisoners of war who have relatives in India said that these did not receive their letters.
2. air mail letters for South Africa are not accepted, we shall make enquiries about this regulation at the ministry....An adequate number of Red Cross parcels arrive regularly; the inmates of the camp were satisfied with the distribution as every prisoner of war is given a parcel per week, of which he cam dispose freely. Now and then a tin is opened to check its contents. A prisoner of war has been given charge over the magazine (store AUTHOR'S NOTE) where the Red Cross parcels are stored.
Food, tobacco and canteen (camp shop)
8 October 1942
The non-commissioned officers and men draw the rations fixed by the Italian government for prisoners of war, rations corresponding to those of Italian troops in depot. Those who work receive a supplementary ration of bread, macaroni, rice and cheese. The prisoners of war drink coffee in the morning and have two meals, one at midday and the other in the evening. No complaint has been made concerning the food. The ordinary rations are supplemented by food from the Red Cross parcels, the prisoners preparing this individually with little stoves built by themselves.
The kitchen is not supported by walls: a roof supported on tall pillars has a wall down the centre having arranged along its two sides 34 brick hearths into which the cooking pots are set. An out-building, also of brick, will be provided. At the present time a wooden hut is used as a larder. It is not very suitable for storing food but but nothing can be done to adapt it until after the dormitories have been completed.
As regards tobacco, the weekly ration has not yet been distributed, stocks being insufficient. Steps have been taken with the Ministry of War in this matter.
A hut has been constructed to house a canteen. (Camp shop. AUTHOR'S NOTE.) As soon as the windows and doors are placed in position it will be opened; goods have already been ordered.
26 November 1942
Each section has its kitchen (only one section had been completed by this date!! AUTHOR'S NOTE)...there is ample room for the preparation for vegetables and other food. The building which is protected by a pillar -supported roof is open on all sides and exposed to draughts. Now brick walls are being erected between the pillars to close in the room and make it adequate for the winter.
The casseroles were shown to us by the head cook. Stew had been prepared with vegetables and macaroni. (Pasta. AUTHOR'S NOTE) The meal, of which everybody received a mess-tin full, was distributed at 9.30 am; it was appetising and tasty. At 6.30 am the internees have tea, at 9.30 soup, as above, with macaroni or rice,; at 12 o'clock bread and cheese (five times a week); at 16.30 again soup and stew with meat, on the days when no cheese is given.
The head cook said that he could manage with the rations but that difficulties were experienced in procuring additional fuel for warming up the contents of the Red Cross parcels. Tea is made in the kitchen.
The daily wood rations amounts to 800 grams per man. The Commandant promised to see to it that extra wood would be made available.
The regularly arriving Red Cross parcels allow to distribute one parcel per day, to be shared by seven men.
No canteen is operated, the required commodities are purchased by the camp authorities and handed to the senior officer who organises the distribution among the men. A small building used at present for storing the Red Cross parcels will be appropriated for a canteen when the proper storeroom is completed.
It was brought to the notice of the War Office that, due to tobacco consignments not arriving regularly, the men did not get their weekly allowance.
The kitchen of the Italian officers caters for the officer prisoners of war who are agreeable to this arrangement.
24-25 February 1943
In answer to our question, the Man of Confidence, the head cook and a large number of prisoners of war stated that the food was good and plentiful. The prisoners can prepared their Red Cross food and are always given hot water for making tea and coffee. Special pipes have been inserted into the range for this purpose and the water can e drawn by turning a tap, so that cooking is nearly always going on during the day time, they have constant hot water.
The officers receive the same food as the Italians officers of the camp. They are satisfied with the food, but say that they are charged 21.60 Lire a day for it: 13 lire for the food itself and 8.60 lire for the service. We have mentioned this fact in several reports, but the authorities say that their own prisoners are charged the same amounts.
The issue of tobacco to the prisoners is irregular and consignments arrive very late.
The canteen is only a provisional one, but is functioning satisfactorily. The new canteen building will soon be ready.
26 May 1943
We found the kitchen in excellent order. The Senior Officer commended the tasty preparation of the food and the head cook said that he was checking the rations to find their exact weight .
Near the kitchen is a place with small field ranges where the inmates of the camp prepare their additional food, they get extra wood rations for this purpose. Hot water for making tea is always available.
The officers get the same food as the Italian officers; the charge for it is 20.60 Lire per day.
The canteen, which is installed in a stone building, is stocked with articles of common use, foodstuffs are not on sale. Ten per cent are added to the prime cost of these articles and the profits thus obtained are used for the benefit of the prisoners of war, i.e. to pay such expenses as otherwise would be debited to their account.
A free issue of cigarettes takes place every week.
Sanitary Installations/Arrangements
8 October 1942
The latrines, numbering 3, are sufficient for the strength of the camp. They are long trenches covered by a roof. It should be stated that this system is provisional only; new WC are to be installed with a flushing system. Night WCs are provided in every hut.
Next to the latrines is the wash-house; a single pipe with 37 cocks (taps AUTHOR'S NOTE) above two boards set together to form a V acting as a basin; sometimes there is not enough water. Cold showers (19 jets) have been installed in the open. This installation, inadequate in summer, will be unusable as soon as the first cold weather sets in. Furthermore, cold water is useless for effective combat against the vermin from which most of the prisoners are suffering. A machine for hot showers has arrived at the camp but cannot be employed as yet, no tent being available to house it. Finally, the sterilising apparatus belonging to the camp is inadequate for the disinfecting of 2,612 prisoners. These deficiencies in the sanitary arrangements have been reported to the Ministry of War to whom we have made the necessary representations.
26 November 1943
The sanitary installations are primitive. There are plain field latrines and a pipe which conveys water for the morning wash. Several installations of this kind are distributed over the camp.
Water is conveyed into the pipes from tanks located on an elevated level, into which it is pumped electrically.
The new toilets and water closets are not yet completed, except the five WC and 'lavabos' (washbasins, AUTHOR'S NOTE) for use in the barracks during the night.
Until the new shower-bath house is completed hot showers are taken in a tent, the men who had just come out said that they had enjoyed their hot bath. An adjacent tent is used for dressing and undressing.
24-25 February 1943
The water supply will not be adequate when the whole tank is full, but the prisoners can pump up water from a river in the vicinity. We have requested the authorities to provide sufficient water, so that there will be no unpleasantness in the summer, when the camp is full.
As stated above, the sanitary plant is inadequate, as the new installations are not yet functioning. The bathing facilities are very satisfactory. There are two large tents for this purpose, one of which is used for dressing and undressing and the other for shower baths. There is sufficient hot water and one or two hot shower baths an be taken a month, while the men can always have cold showers.
26 May 1943
The conditions have improved, the water is now more ample as water is pumped up from the river.
A structure holding forty Turkish water-closets has been completed and taken into use. The water closets in the barracks for use during the night, are also ready but for the pipe.
The toilet (washing AUTHOR'S NOTE) arrangements, protected by a shed, consist of pipes with holes. Under a solid penthouse concrete wells (sinks AUTHOR'S NOTE) with taps have been built for laundering clothes and linen.
Major Whyte and the other two medical officers, Major Ochse and Capt. Barber, declared that the sanitary installations were satisfactory and that they will be as desired when the new pipe connection with the tank is completed.
The shower-baths are now in a concrete structure: there is a dressing room and 15 showers. Formerly the showers were under a tent; according to the statements of prisoners of war they functioned there just as well.
A small disinfection plant stands outside; a disinfection ward with up-to-date installations was opened in the new section.
The flies are rationally destroyed, in fact, there were none in the camp.
Clothing
26 November 1942
The clothes and underwear ordered from the Red Cross have not yet been received. On October 13, 1942 we asked for an earlier consignment and shall again call the attention of the Committee to the outstanding order. The inmates of the camp are not dressed uniformly; there are some who wear warm clothes in which they arrived, while others were supplied with underwear and uniforms by the Italian authorities thus the garments are heterogenous.
24-25 February 1943
The prisoners of war are well clothed, but the following articles are still needed.
1000 pairs of shoes
300 pairs of socks
300 pairs of trousers
200 shirts
On December 28 1942 a large consignment arrived containing 1,500 greatcoats, 2,500 shirts, 5,000 waistcoats, 5,000 pairs of trousers, 5,100 pairs of socks, 2,700 caps, 500 pairs of boots, 2,500 pullovers ad 2,500 pairs of gloves.
There are at present in the storerooms, greatcoats, blouses (shirts AUTHOR'S NOTE), trousers and caps which are not needed for the moment, but fresh prisoners of war will arrive in the near future ad we have consequently advised the Man of Confidence. Sgt. Major Samuel, to keep these articles of clothing here and give them to the new prisoners.
26 May 1943
Consignments of clothing and underwear have been received in March as follows:
Boots 960 pairs
Socks 200 pairs
Shirts 200
Vests 200
Underpants 200
These clothing items would suffice if the required sizes wee available but there are some shoes of size 9, 10, 11 but none of size 6, 7, 8. Great-coats of size 1 and 2 are in store but there is need of some of size 5, 6, 8 and 9. There are 40 trousers of size 18, but none of size 7. 10. 13.
Medical Services
8 October 1942
There were 4 Italian doctors, and 3 Allied doctors who were prisoners of war (see chart) and the infirmary was run by 4 British medical orderlies (POWS). The infirmary, a provisional arrangement, was a wooden hut in which there was a consulting room, a large ward with around 40 beds, and the necessary sanitary facilities. The inspector was concerned that there would be no heating in the winter, and required that the situation be remedied should the brick hut not have been completed. By the time the Inspector submitted his report the War Ministry had already been contacted regarding this matter.
Serious cases were taken to hospital either by train or ambulance according to urgency. All the prisoners had been inoculated against typhoid.
On oculist had visited the camp but no dental service had been available at the date of the inspection, though before the report was submitted a request for a permanent dentist had been made to the War Ministry. Anyone in need of dental treatment had been taken to the nearest town. (Not specified by the inspector).
The 15 cases in the infirmary were suffering from: malaria, gastroenteritis and liver complaints (three men affected were due to be evacuated on the day following the inspection). Private Bryant had died in Arezzo hospital on 6 October. (See Men recorded as being in Camp PG 82 chart).
26 November 1942
There were now three Italian medical officers working alongside the three medical office-prisoners of war and the four medical orderlies-prisoners of war. The medical officers reported that the available dental treatment did not correspond to requirements, though the War Office had said that a dental surgery was being planned. A request was to be put in to the War Ministry for a dentist POW to be transferred to the camp.
The infirmary was still in the wooden barracks.
The Commandant promised to appropriate a stone building where the infirmary could be lodged and some room could be given to the medical officers and the two chaplain prisoners of war. A request was made for insect-powder and medicine parcels to be sent from the Red Cross Committee. The general state of health was satisfactory. Frequent skins diseases and some cases of nephritis were complained of but no infectious illnesses were reported. There is no isolation ward, a room could be made available for this purpose but the medical officers-prisoners of war and the Commandant were of the opinion that is was preferable to have patients transferred by auto-ambulance to the hospital of the neighbouring town. (Arezzo - AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Prisoner John Hodgson died in the hospital on November 12 (See chart) and the Anglican chaplain (see chart) had officiated at his funeral.
On the day following the inspection of the camp the inspector visited the hospital, presumably in Arezzo, where 12 prisoners had been admitted, in the company of Col. Citerni, the Camp Commandant and two other medical officers (see chart). It was agreed that the chaplains were to be allowed to visit the sick upon request. The prisoners seemed to be improving, two from pneumonia. Some others were suffering from nephritis and one was recovering well from an operation for a perforated appendix. Two cases of diphtheria were in an isolation ward. The hospital made a good impression – it was clean, the bedlinen was changed frequently, the patients' accommodation was spacious: the beds comfortable and there was enough space between them to accommodate bedside tables. The adjacent washing facilities included a bath tub and lavatory. The physicians are taking good care to treat the prisoners of war on the same footing as the Italian patients.
24-25 February 1943
The medical staff, both Italian and Allied, was as in November. Between 70-80 prisoners of war presented themselves every day for examination and treatment but most cases were not serious. The fifteen men in the infirmary were suffering from diabetes, inflammation of the bronchial tubes, sore throats and slight injuries. The infirmary was still in the wooden hut but it was heated and was 'satisfactory in every way.' Prisoners of war suffering from infectious diseases are sent to hospital at once, there is no isolation building in the camp. An ambulance is available for this purposes.
There was a dentist in the camp but his surgery had not been properly fitted out and on the day of the inspection he was away purchasing a new drill. Major Whyte reported that there was an adequate supply of 'comforts' (it it not clear what he meant by this term. AUTHOR'S NOTE) and medicines. He said that part from the question of the lavatories there were no complaints to be made. The inspector wrote that 'We satisfied ourselves that the new lavatories were nearly ready , so that it will be possible to give up the use of the field latrines very shortly.
The next day we visited the hospital (in Arezzo, AUTHOR'S NOTE) which consists of two separate buildings; in one of these buildings there are six patients and in the other seventeen wounded prisoners. These are hospitals for the Italian troops and four of the best rooms, which are still heated and have a pleasant southern aspect, have been made available for prisoners of war. The treatment and food are exactly the same for the prisoners as for the Italian patients.
In the medical section there was a prisoner of war suffering from jaundice and four suffering from nephritis, one of whom was subject to frequent fits of uraemia, but is now getting on well and can get up. One prisoner had an ulcer. In the surgical section there were a large number of people suffering from slight symptoms of frostbite on the feet and frost boils (chilblains. AUTHOR'S NOTE) but they are all up and could walk and will soon be back in camp.
A South African, Mudrovcic (see chart), is suffering from an eye complaint and needs spectacles. The Camp Commandant, who accompanied us to the hospital, will immediately arrange for a specialist to see him and obtain the necessary spectacles.
All the patients agreed that they were very well housed and treated. In spite of the fact, however, that the food is good and adequate, they would be glad of their Red Cross parcels. The Commandant will see to it that articles approved by the doctor are sent to the camp. Apart from the hospital doctor, there is a major belonging to the Italian Medical corps, who practised for many years in England and gets on very well with the patients.
Since our last visit tow prisoners of war died in hospital:
Bester Joachim, Wellington S.A on 12th December 1942
Kevan F.T. From Liverpool, on 15th February 1943
The other hospital, No.202, where there are also prisoners of war belonging to this camp, will be visited shortly. (Lucca - AUTHOR'S NOTE)
26 May 1943
Sickness. The sick-room is located in a wooden barrack as formerly; the new room has not yet been taken (brought AUTHOR'S NOTE) into use. An isolation ward, located in a stone-built structure, contains three rooms, a toilet (washbasin AUTHOR'S NOTE) and water-closet. 22 inmates of the sickroom were affected, some with malaria – mild diseases – others with throat trouble and slight injuries. Nobody was confined to the isolation ward.
We also visited the prisoners of war detained in the city in three hospitals. In one hospital six prisoners were confined to a large room. In another hospital there were seven detained prisoners of war. Some were suffering from chronic bronchitis, others form nephritis. A South African prisoner was recovering from an abdominal operation. A prisoner was brought in with an inflammation of the lungs.
The sick prisoners of war are given hospital food and the required diet. They also get what is permitted them by the doctor out of the Red Cross parcels.
Three prisoners of war were confined to the isolation ward in the Ospedale Civico (Civil Hospital AUTHOR'S NOTE). Two of them had been affected with diphtheria, they were already recovering and could get up; the third internee was a suspicious (suspected AUTHOR'S NOTE) case and under observation; he was out of bed and seemed to feel all right.
Medical attention. The sick are attended by 2 Italian doctors, a dental surgeon and the above-mentioned medical officer-prisoners of war. The general condition of health in the camp is very satisfactory.
The instruments and materials needed for the care of teeth were available. It was said that five forms with credit applications for dentures had been sent to the Red Cross but had not yet been returned. Before the credits are granted the dentures cannot be supplied – to the detriment of the patients. We have repeatedly called this to the attention of the International Red Cross Committee.
A communication was received from the General Staff listing 31 prisoners of war, nominated for examination by the Mixed Medical Commission. This Commission is now expected in the camp and the medical officers will see to it that the Commission examines the prisoners of war proposed for repatriation.
The 3 medical officers said they knew that many medical officers had been repatriated while they were still waiting for their turn; the officers in question are:
Major Alastair G.D. WHYTE (R.A.M.C.) 56559, captured on April 8, 1941
Major Quintus J. OCHSE (S.A.M.C.) 188446, captured on June 20, 1942
Captain Harry A. BARKER (R.A.M.C.) 118067, captured on April 8, 1941.
We shall make a pertinent report to the War Ministry.
(The report noted that Private Harry James Hooker had died in the camp. Should any relatives wish to know the details of his death they should apply to the National Archives for a copy:of WO 224/135 AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Religious Services
8 October 1942
An Anglican chaplain cares for the Protestant prisoners of war; the Catholic minority (about 200 men) are directed by a British Roman Catholic chaplain. The Anglican chaplain asks for the dispatch of an Army Service Prayer book and a set of Communion vessels.
26 November 1942
Two ministers of religion, an Anglican – Chaplain Maund, and a Roman Catholic, Chaplain Sheely, are in the camp; among the internees are about 280 Catholics. We found Chaplain Maunde teaching in the large recreation hall in order to prepare some prisoners of war for confirmation.
24-25 February 1943
Services are held by an Anglican clergyman Captain Maund, and a Roman Catholic priest, Captain Sheely; in bad weather the services are held in a tent, which has room for 250 men, and in good weather in the open air.
When asked as to their wishes, Captain Maund said that he had not yet received the Church of England prayer books ordered. He also informed us that when prisoners died in hospital he took the funeral service and was present at the grave, but that last time permission from the higher authorities arrived too late. An officer belonging to the guard and an officer prisoner of war were present at the grave on that occasion.
We have requested that the graves of prisoners of war be well looked after and have received assurances to this effect from the competent authority. (Count Memmo).
26 May 1943
There is nothing new to report on this subject. Capt. Maund was able to perform his clerical duties at the above mentioned burial. (That of Private Hooker. AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Work and Pay
8 October 1942
The six officer prisoners in the camp receive a sum monthly in accordance with the agreements on this subject. Some of them have a right to certain sums representing arrears of pay due from other camps; the Camp Commandant will take the necessary steps to recover these sums. The lower grade protected personnel (medical orderlies. AUTHOR'S NOTE) are not yet receiving pay different to that received by other non-commissioned officers and men. We have reported this fact to the Commandant, who will request instructions from the superior authority.
A certain number of prisoners of war employed in various services (6 barbers, 6 cobblers) are paid for their work. These men are insured against accidents in conformity with the provisions of clause 27 of the Convention. Up to the present, there has been no accident.
26 November 1942
The men who had credit owing from other camps still had not been paid and the Camp Commandant promised to investigate. Sixty men were involved in building barracks in the second section of the camp and were given both extra rations and pay – 3 Lire for a 'handyman' and 6 for a bricklayer. No workman had been involved in an accident.
24-25 February 1943
Fifty men were working in the second section. They worked an eight -hour day. They had received a pay increase, from 3 Lire to 4.50 Lire and from 6 Lire to 6.5o Lire, paid not in cash but in vouchers (see illustration) which could be spent in the camp shop. They had to sign for pay received. In addition all prisoners had been receiving 7 Lire a week (ranks) and 10 Lire (N.C.O.s), since 6 August 1942, though before this date they had received nothing. A request that this pay should be credited to them had been made to the War Ministry.
26 May 1943
The men who work in the labour detachments are paid Lire 4.50 per day; those employed in the camp as barbers, tailors, cobblers etc. receive Lire 3.60 per day. Until the month of March the men also got their usual pay of Lire 7. per week. Since then it appears that this pay was not issued to them but only the wages they were working for. We shall take the matter up with the War Ministry and request that they also be issued with the pay due to them.
The arrears due to some prisoners from camps where they were detained before, which we mentioned in our previous report, have now been settled as reported by the Senior Officer. Capt. Sheely reported that he was issued with pay at the rate of Lire 11.00 instead of Lire 1700 for the period from November 28, 1941, until September 12, 1942, the date of his arrival in this camp. We shall bring his claim to the notice of the War Ministry and request that Capt. Sheely be credited with the difference.
Sgt. Andrew Samuel, the Senior Officer, (Man of Confidence AUTHOR'S NOTE) wished to send Lire 8,000 to the Red Cross but the Italian authorities refused the permission with the explanation that transfer of funds had not yet been arranged.
Sports and Recreation
8 October 1942
A small sports ground was available. Officers were permitted to take accompanied walks outside the camp. (See Captain John Richardson in section Individuals.) Prisoners had requested games and books, of which they had none. A stage had been erected in the Recreational tent for theatrical shows and and orchestra was being formed.
26 November 1942
The officers' walks continued. When the tents had been taken down there would be room for a playing field. Classes and lectures were being held in the recreation hall. Some books and games had been ordered through the Red Cross.
24-25 February 1943
The Man of Confidence has received a communication from the Red Cross to the effect that on January 24th, 1943 a wagon containing sports articles had been dispatched to the camp and that these articles were being anxiously awaited, as otherwise there would be no opportunity for sports or exercise, apart from walks outside the camp and inside the camp where there was plenty of room.
In the place where the tents formerly stood is a large square with rows of trees on which large vines have been strung. As a result of this , the square is not suitable for use as a football ground, but other games can be played. The Man of Confidence would like the vines and trees to be removed, but it would naturally be a pity to fell old fruit trees merely in order to enable the prisoners to play football for a few months in the summer.
There is no lack of intellectual entertainment: there is a large supply of books, as well as an orchestra and instruction is given in various subjects. The concerts are held in the large entertainment tent and rehearsals take place in part of a hut.
26 May 1943
The officers often go out for walks; the non-commissioned officers are taken out on Sunday afternoons in batches of forty men. No walks have been organised for the men, the Commandant promised to have the men taken out as well. During the day the inmates of the camp are always out of doors, 4 games of football are played every day, some trees will be felled in order to enlarge the playground.
All round the barracks are large rows of vegetable beds where the internees grow their own vegetables. A room in the new building has been appropriated for a library which for the moment contains only about 400 books; we have therefore asked the Red Cross to send some more reading material to this camp. Now the censoring authorities seem to treat the books more carefully: the covers are left on.
The orchestra plays every Sunday in front of the recreation tent, there is a shed for protection.
At the beginning of the year the Red Cross advised that 7 cases with games and other recreational equipment had been sent to the camp. The cases were forwarded two months ago to the censoring authorities but have not yet been returned. We shall make the necessary representations to the War Ministry about the delay.
Complaints, Discipline and General Impressions
8 October 1942
There have been almost no punishments since the camp was formed; 3-4 cases of disobedience at the most.
On judicial case is on foot (under way AUTHOR'S NOTE), that of Pte. John Harlow, (Signalman AUTHOR'S NOTE) who on August 24th stole and damaged two bicycles with a view to escaping. This is the only attempt to escape made since the camp was formed. The findings of this case will be reported later.
The relations between the prisoners of war and the Commandant are good. The Commandant appears to be making a real effort to organise the camp as well as possible despite unfavourable circumstances. It should however be remarked that the construction of the camp huts commenced in October, i.e. several months after the camp had formed, will not be completed before the end of the year, which suggests that the prisoners will not be suitable housed before the coming of the winter. We have made representations to this effect to the competent authorities, insisting that everything necessary should be done as quickly as possible.
We also had occasion to visit a town in the neighbourhood to inspect the military hospitals which take in prisoners from various camps in the district in the event of serious illness. These establishments are directed by Colonel (Professor) Paolo Mariconda. The hospital made an excellent impression. On the day of our visit only two patients were under treatment; one was recovering from a mastoid, the other was being treated for a wound in the leg. They expressed certain wishes which we have transmitted to the Commandant of the camp to which they belong.
26 November 1942
The Commandant was satisfied with the discipline of the prisoners of war, only one, who had robbed another prisoner of war, was in the arrest tent.
Some time ago a suit was brought against Pte.(Sgm. AUTHOR'S NOTE) John Marlows (N.B. In October referred to as Harlow. AUTHOR'S NOTE) for having stolen a bicycle; now he is again in the camp having benefited from the 28th October amnesty.
Since our previous visit no attempts to escape have been reported. A roll call is made every day.
The Senior Officer (Man of Confidence AUTHOR'S NOTE) was offered the possibility to speak with the visiting representative of the protecting power without the presence of witnesses but he had no requests or claims to make. Some suggestions regarding improvements were made during the inspection of the camp in company of the Commandant, the latter took note of the wishes and obligingly promised to comply with all of them.
The most urgent requirement at present is to have the inmates of the camp transferred as soon as possible into the new barracks, even if some details are still missing.
The impression was had that the Commandant is appreciated for his benevolence and the interest he is taking in the prisoners of war. The good understanding between him an the prisoners' representative contributes to their being treated in such as way as to make their captivity endurable.
24-25 February 1943
On the day of our visit eleven prisoners were under arrest, but ten of them were released that day. These and ten other prisoners of war who had been released some days before had wilfully damaged the wooden ceilings of the sleeping huts and removed some beams. A charge was preferred against them for this offence, but the Court decided that they should not be kept in confinement during the hearing of the case. The Swiss Legation will arrange for the prisoners to be defended.
One prisoner tried to escape during a walk by hanging behind then jumping over a stream. He was caught and given ten days' arrest. It is disastrous when such attempts are made during walks as the organisation of excursions is then made more difficult. The Commandant has not, however, restricted walks on this account.
It is hoped that the necessary work will be soon completed and that the second section will be ready before fresh prisoners are sent to this camp.
The morale in the camp is good.
26 May 1943
The conduct of the inmates of the camp was commended by the Commandant. The prisoners of war had no complaints either, with the exception of S/SM (W.O.II) Goodman F.H. 7885444, who was not content because the medical officer-prisoner-of-war, Major Whyte, had asked the Commandant to punish Goodman with 6 days' arrest because of indecent behaviour towards Major Whyte. The commandant awarded the punishment which – also in accordance with the Senior Officer's statement - was deserved.
Twelve prisoners of ware were in arrest for various small offences and insubordination. We visited them in their tents where they have a mattress and three blankets. They spend the day outdoors in the sun, have books to read and get Red Cross parcels; they did not complain.
Two prisoners of war had attempted an escape but were soon recaptured and punished with 30 days' arrest.
A judicial proceeding was opened against soldier John MacCord (McCord. AUTHOR'S NOTE) 2032674, for insubordination and threats.
FROM WO 224/135
Men listed in above reports as being present in Camp PG 82 Laterina
Report on conditions in work camp at Lappato in WO 311/314
219837 L/Cpl William M. Stevens REME
219837 L/Cpl William Mark Stevens R.E.M.E was captured at Tobruk on 20 June 1942 and after a period in a transit camp at Brindisi (PG 85 Tuturano) arrived at PG 82 Laterina in August where he remained until March or April 1943.
At this time I volunteered to go to a working camp which turned out to be at Pistoia (it was actually between Pistoia and Lucca at Lappato. AUTHOR'S NOTE) and was attached to PG 82 Laterina. We were told that if not sufficient volunteered , men would be drafted there. It was said that we would get double rations as workers, but actually we seldom got as much as this.
We were accommodated in an old monastery and there were seventy of us there. When we arrived there were showers and half a dozen taps with running water, but after the first fortnight none of the showers was running and only one tap between the seventy men. We had four blankets apiece and these were infested with lice.
The sanitation was of the usual continental type and was frequently blocked up. I do no think there was any water running underneath. There was a manhole just outside the front door which smelt terrible one could hardly pass it. This was cleared once while I was there. If we were sick we went to the civil hospital at Pistoia and I went once to make a change and found it quite good.
On Sundays, though we were not working on that day, we had the extra roll (bread roll?) by way of double ration to begin with, but after two or three weeks this was stopped and we got the ordinary ration only (just the ordinary ration. AUTHOR'S NOTE) on Sundays.
In order to get the Red Cross parcels we had to go down a very steep hill about one and a half miles with a handcart and drag this handcart loaded up the hill again, otherwise we would have got none.
I had volunteered for farm work with others but was put in a brick factory. This was run by civilians. We heard that the bricks were for building pillboxes and fortifications . We complained of this but with no result, so we did not work over hard. The manager of the factory went raving mad if he saw anyone stop work. On one occasion he put a prisoner who had made faces at him in the crushing part of the factory. Owing to the dust, this man should have had milk, as would have been the case in England, but he got no extra rations at all.
One or two of the Italian guards were unpleasant but if we kept out of their way there was no particular trouble. We were supposed to be paid 7½ lire a day as the work was harder than farming, but we never got this, usually 2½ lire a day, which was the agricultural rate.
For exercise there was only a sort of backyard, which was far too small for the seventy men, bieng about twice the size of a fair-sized room.
I escaped about two days before the Armistice (8 September 1943. AUTHOR'S NOTE) though the Italians told us they knew this was coming and would hide us from the Germans, but I did not believe them. I got through the Allied Lines in the Sangro area about the end of January 1944.
(The prisoners had struck up a friendship with the civilian workers which caused the owners of the factory, to write to the War Ministry. See Italian documents)
At this time I volunteered to go to a working camp which turned out to be at Pistoia (it was actually between Pistoia and Lucca at Lappato. AUTHOR'S NOTE) and was attached to PG 82 Laterina. We were told that if not sufficient volunteered , men would be drafted there. It was said that we would get double rations as workers, but actually we seldom got as much as this.
We were accommodated in an old monastery and there were seventy of us there. When we arrived there were showers and half a dozen taps with running water, but after the first fortnight none of the showers was running and only one tap between the seventy men. We had four blankets apiece and these were infested with lice.
The sanitation was of the usual continental type and was frequently blocked up. I do no think there was any water running underneath. There was a manhole just outside the front door which smelt terrible one could hardly pass it. This was cleared once while I was there. If we were sick we went to the civil hospital at Pistoia and I went once to make a change and found it quite good.
On Sundays, though we were not working on that day, we had the extra roll (bread roll?) by way of double ration to begin with, but after two or three weeks this was stopped and we got the ordinary ration only (just the ordinary ration. AUTHOR'S NOTE) on Sundays.
In order to get the Red Cross parcels we had to go down a very steep hill about one and a half miles with a handcart and drag this handcart loaded up the hill again, otherwise we would have got none.
I had volunteered for farm work with others but was put in a brick factory. This was run by civilians. We heard that the bricks were for building pillboxes and fortifications . We complained of this but with no result, so we did not work over hard. The manager of the factory went raving mad if he saw anyone stop work. On one occasion he put a prisoner who had made faces at him in the crushing part of the factory. Owing to the dust, this man should have had milk, as would have been the case in England, but he got no extra rations at all.
One or two of the Italian guards were unpleasant but if we kept out of their way there was no particular trouble. We were supposed to be paid 7½ lire a day as the work was harder than farming, but we never got this, usually 2½ lire a day, which was the agricultural rate.
For exercise there was only a sort of backyard, which was far too small for the seventy men, bieng about twice the size of a fair-sized room.
I escaped about two days before the Armistice (8 September 1943. AUTHOR'S NOTE) though the Italians told us they knew this was coming and would hide us from the Germans, but I did not believe them. I got through the Allied Lines in the Sangro area about the end of January 1944.
(The prisoners had struck up a friendship with the civilian workers which caused the owners of the factory, to write to the War Ministry. See Italian documents)
Report on general conditions and also the ill-treatment of
Able Seaman Toose and Signalman John Harlow
in both WO 311/314 and WO 235/147
6012174 Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant Reginald W. Pye
THIS AFFIDAVIT WAS ALSO USED DURING THE TRIAL OF COL. TEODORICO CITERNI. SEE NEXT PAGE
I, REGINALD WILLIAM PYE, with permanent address at 256 Norbury Road Wakefield in the County of York, make oath and say as follows:
I formerly served in the Essex Regiment under the description of 6012174 Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant PYE. R. W. and was released from the Army on 4th October 1945.
I was taken prisoner in North Africa in July 1942, and arrived at Camp PG 82, LATERINA, on 6th August 1942.
The. Italian Commandant was Colonel CITERNI who belonged, I think, to the Carabinieri. He was a man aged about 45 to 50, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches in height, well built and very fat. He had a thick black moustache. He used to wear a black cloak lined with scarlet silk, and sported a large number of medal ribbons.
In the early days the sole accommodation for the prisoners consisted of tents made out of Italian ground-sheets, sixteen to each tent. There was no covering for the floor, and as the camp was situated on what had been a ploughed field conditions were extremely unpleasant as soon as the weather became cold and wet. Colonel Citerni permitted. one issue of brushwood to be made, which was intended to cover the floor of the tents, but the prisoners, who had no other means of heating, made fires of it, and Citerni refused to allow another lot to be cut. There was a plentiful supply of this brushwood near the camp and it would have been easy to allow the prisoners to cut all they needed
All the prisoners in the camp were captured in khaki drill clothes but it was not until December that Italian greatcoats, tunics and breeches were issued, and even then the supply was not sufficient to allow any one man to receive a full issue of all three articles. Moreover, until the Red Cross supply arrived in January 1943 there was no general issue of boots – only men who were sent out on working parties received Italian boots, and facilities for repairing boots were non-existent.
The ration scale laid down for issue---but not always received---was as follows:
66 grammes of rice or macaroni per man per day
200 " bread
40 " cheese
8 " cooking cheese
(+15) " conserve
7 " sugar
15 " coffee
(+) later reduced to 6 grammes per day
The bread and coffee were of extremely poor quality. Meat was issued twice weekly. It was of very poor quality and worked out at about one ounce per head, including bone.
There was a cash allowance of one lire per head per day for the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables. This was paid to a contractor who delivered what he pleased - -not infrequently the vegetable issue consisted of sugar beet tops. However, the week's supply for the camp of 3,000 men was delivered at one time, with the result that after two or three days what remained was rotten.
There was never an adequate water supply in the camp. It came from a well outside the camp, and was pumped up into the tank by a very small pump, which broke down almost daily. When the pump broke down the water was brought into the camp by lorry, but with 3,000 prisoners it was almost impossible to provide even partly for their requirements by this means. When I arrived in the camp I found open latrines only, and these remained for over a year. It was very difficult to get disinfectant.
The discipline enforced by Colonel CITERNI was harsh and unreasonable. Whenever he possibly could he would award solitary confinement, whether or not the offence merited it. He would also award such collective punishments as the forbidding of fires (which prevented cooking) or the ordering of extra roll call parades. If a prisoner attempted to escape his hut commander would be punished, and the prisoner himself dealt with with extreme severity. There was one case in which a prisoner named HARLOW, who was, I think, a trooper in the Royal Armoured Corps, (Harlow belonged to the Royal Corps of Signals AUTHOR'S NOTE) and who had attempted to escape and had been recaptured, was chained to a tree just inside the camp gate for some hours in the heat of the day. I saw him so chained, and I saw Colonel CITERNI also present.
On 23rd February 1943 I was out a senior British rank in an exercise party. We were marching in fours, about one mile from the camp, when Able Seaman TOOSE, who was at the rear of the column, suddenly broke away and ran across the open fields towards a river in an attempt to escape. He was fired on, and then some of the guards gave chase and recaptured him on the river bank. The column had been halted in the meantime. TOOSE was brought back to the head of the column, and handed over to the Italian officer in command of it. I do not know either the name or rank of this officer, but his nickname among the prisoners was 'The Head Waiter'. This officer had TOOSE'S hands tied behind him and forced him along at the head of the column. When TOOSE complained that he was going too fast, this officer kicked him in the testicles. I myself later saw the bruise in TOOSE'S groin in the camp office in the presence of Colonel CITERNI, who also saw it. TOOSE was sentenced to solitary confinement, and he also was chained to the trees for some hours.
(N.B. WO 392/21 gives A.B. Toose's surname as Tooes, Service number P/JX. 157485 and previous camp as PG 5 - Serravvalle - otherwise known as Gavi. He was the only mariner recorded in PG 82 in WO 224/314, and appears for the first time in the February register.
I, REGINALD WILLIAM PYE, with permanent address at 256 Norbury Road Wakefield in the County of York, make oath and say as follows:
I formerly served in the Essex Regiment under the description of 6012174 Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant PYE. R. W. and was released from the Army on 4th October 1945.
I was taken prisoner in North Africa in July 1942, and arrived at Camp PG 82, LATERINA, on 6th August 1942.
The. Italian Commandant was Colonel CITERNI who belonged, I think, to the Carabinieri. He was a man aged about 45 to 50, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches in height, well built and very fat. He had a thick black moustache. He used to wear a black cloak lined with scarlet silk, and sported a large number of medal ribbons.
In the early days the sole accommodation for the prisoners consisted of tents made out of Italian ground-sheets, sixteen to each tent. There was no covering for the floor, and as the camp was situated on what had been a ploughed field conditions were extremely unpleasant as soon as the weather became cold and wet. Colonel Citerni permitted. one issue of brushwood to be made, which was intended to cover the floor of the tents, but the prisoners, who had no other means of heating, made fires of it, and Citerni refused to allow another lot to be cut. There was a plentiful supply of this brushwood near the camp and it would have been easy to allow the prisoners to cut all they needed
All the prisoners in the camp were captured in khaki drill clothes but it was not until December that Italian greatcoats, tunics and breeches were issued, and even then the supply was not sufficient to allow any one man to receive a full issue of all three articles. Moreover, until the Red Cross supply arrived in January 1943 there was no general issue of boots – only men who were sent out on working parties received Italian boots, and facilities for repairing boots were non-existent.
The ration scale laid down for issue---but not always received---was as follows:
66 grammes of rice or macaroni per man per day
200 " bread
40 " cheese
8 " cooking cheese
(+15) " conserve
7 " sugar
15 " coffee
(+) later reduced to 6 grammes per day
The bread and coffee were of extremely poor quality. Meat was issued twice weekly. It was of very poor quality and worked out at about one ounce per head, including bone.
There was a cash allowance of one lire per head per day for the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables. This was paid to a contractor who delivered what he pleased - -not infrequently the vegetable issue consisted of sugar beet tops. However, the week's supply for the camp of 3,000 men was delivered at one time, with the result that after two or three days what remained was rotten.
There was never an adequate water supply in the camp. It came from a well outside the camp, and was pumped up into the tank by a very small pump, which broke down almost daily. When the pump broke down the water was brought into the camp by lorry, but with 3,000 prisoners it was almost impossible to provide even partly for their requirements by this means. When I arrived in the camp I found open latrines only, and these remained for over a year. It was very difficult to get disinfectant.
The discipline enforced by Colonel CITERNI was harsh and unreasonable. Whenever he possibly could he would award solitary confinement, whether or not the offence merited it. He would also award such collective punishments as the forbidding of fires (which prevented cooking) or the ordering of extra roll call parades. If a prisoner attempted to escape his hut commander would be punished, and the prisoner himself dealt with with extreme severity. There was one case in which a prisoner named HARLOW, who was, I think, a trooper in the Royal Armoured Corps, (Harlow belonged to the Royal Corps of Signals AUTHOR'S NOTE) and who had attempted to escape and had been recaptured, was chained to a tree just inside the camp gate for some hours in the heat of the day. I saw him so chained, and I saw Colonel CITERNI also present.
On 23rd February 1943 I was out a senior British rank in an exercise party. We were marching in fours, about one mile from the camp, when Able Seaman TOOSE, who was at the rear of the column, suddenly broke away and ran across the open fields towards a river in an attempt to escape. He was fired on, and then some of the guards gave chase and recaptured him on the river bank. The column had been halted in the meantime. TOOSE was brought back to the head of the column, and handed over to the Italian officer in command of it. I do not know either the name or rank of this officer, but his nickname among the prisoners was 'The Head Waiter'. This officer had TOOSE'S hands tied behind him and forced him along at the head of the column. When TOOSE complained that he was going too fast, this officer kicked him in the testicles. I myself later saw the bruise in TOOSE'S groin in the camp office in the presence of Colonel CITERNI, who also saw it. TOOSE was sentenced to solitary confinement, and he also was chained to the trees for some hours.
(N.B. WO 392/21 gives A.B. Toose's surname as Tooes, Service number P/JX. 157485 and previous camp as PG 5 - Serravvalle - otherwise known as Gavi. He was the only mariner recorded in PG 82 in WO 224/314, and appears for the first time in the February register.
The Armistice 8 September 1943
44446408 R.Q.M.S. James Percival describes what happened in the camp in his affidavit of 18 June 1945:
On 8th September 1943 we got news of the Armistice and were told to take it easy. We were notified to remain until Allied representatives came. A number of men from the French Foreign Legion in another compound escaped and were fired on and this I saw and the legionnaires running up the hillside. On Sunday the Italians ran away and our British Medical Officers said we could please ourselves and I remained in the camp while the others left. On the Monday the Germans arrived and said they did not want to bother us or be bothered by us getting out of the camp. At 4 p.m. however they came down in two sections and took over. They started to move no. 2 compound on the Thursday and No. 1 on the Friday, presumably for Germany. When we got to the station I went under the train with two others and escaped. I spent seven and a half months before getting through the Allied lines on 16th April.
German Transit Camp
September 1943-June 1944
1197071 Warrant Officer George Henry Cross, R.A.F. testifies as to conditions in the camp and his attempted escape
in TS 26/527
(W.O.Cross's affidavit made reference to that of 18 June 1945 given by R.Q.M.S. James Percival but for brevity the actual comparisons have been excluded)
I, No.1197071 Warrant Officer GEORGE HENRY CROSS, R.A.F. at present on repatriation leave and awaiting posting with a home address at 84 Chapter Road, Willesden, London, N.W.2., make Oath and say as follows:
I was captured at El Alamein on 18th October 1942. After spells at Mersa Matruh, Tobruk and Derna, I was shipped to Italy from Benghazi. On arrival, I was sent to Camp No.85, Tuturano and thence, in May 1943, to Camp No.70, Monturano. In September 1943, I escaped from Camp No.70. On my recapture in or about March 1944, I was sent to Camp No.82 at Laterina. After about a month at Camp No.82, I was entrained for Germany.
We were accommodated in huts while I was at the camp. We were each issued with two blankets and we slept on the bare floor without palliasses. The place was infested with bugs and lice. There were no hot showers in my time. We had proper latrines but no water was laid on: we had to swill them down. The men suffered terribly from under-feeding and that dysentery, colds and malaria were common ailments. We had no inoculations while I was at this camp.
No Red Cross parcels were distributed while I was at this camp. We had coffee first thing and 300 grammes each of black bread at 0930 hours (With cheese one day a week and with jam the remaining nix days); skilly at midday, apparently made of turnip tops, concluded the day's rations. No clothing was issued by the Authorities while I was at this Camp: the clothes of most of us were threadbare and many went barefoot.
I understood that chaining of recaptured escapees had taken place before I arrived at the Camp; but no one, to my knowledge, was chained in my time. The detention cells (which no doubt replaced the detention tent to which R.Q.M.S. Percival refers) were about 4 feet by 7 feet in area.
Shortly before I left the Camp, the hut nearest the wire enclosure had been vacated, and three of us (later joined by others) started to make an escape tunnel from the hut under the wire. We put the earth we removed from the tunnel into the latrines. Our plans and names were betrayed to the Authorities by a certain Belgian prisoner of war and collective reprisals were taken by the Camp Authorities: all prisoners of war were denied the use of the latrines and had to revert to the use of slit trenches; the Camp Authorities had proposed equipping the emptied hut with beds and thereafter issuing beds throughout the camp, but these plans were cancelled in consequence of our attempted escape.
The three of us were each given 28 days solitary confinement to cells on bread and water. The first night, I removed eleven of the bricks surrounding the window of my cell, preparatory to escaping. The next night, I got out, and, with some sixteen others, charged the wire enclosure. We were unsuccessful, two of our number were killed and two others wounded: I was given 110 days detention (10 days for each brick I removed from the wall of my cell). I did not serve this sentence as I was shortly afterwards sent to Germany.
Sergeant Freeman was one of the killed. When his body reached hospital, his watch and other personal effects had been stolen.
25th day of July 1945
I, No.1197071 Warrant Officer GEORGE HENRY CROSS, R.A.F. at present on repatriation leave and awaiting posting with a home address at 84 Chapter Road, Willesden, London, N.W.2., make Oath and say as follows:
I was captured at El Alamein on 18th October 1942. After spells at Mersa Matruh, Tobruk and Derna, I was shipped to Italy from Benghazi. On arrival, I was sent to Camp No.85, Tuturano and thence, in May 1943, to Camp No.70, Monturano. In September 1943, I escaped from Camp No.70. On my recapture in or about March 1944, I was sent to Camp No.82 at Laterina. After about a month at Camp No.82, I was entrained for Germany.
We were accommodated in huts while I was at the camp. We were each issued with two blankets and we slept on the bare floor without palliasses. The place was infested with bugs and lice. There were no hot showers in my time. We had proper latrines but no water was laid on: we had to swill them down. The men suffered terribly from under-feeding and that dysentery, colds and malaria were common ailments. We had no inoculations while I was at this camp.
No Red Cross parcels were distributed while I was at this camp. We had coffee first thing and 300 grammes each of black bread at 0930 hours (With cheese one day a week and with jam the remaining nix days); skilly at midday, apparently made of turnip tops, concluded the day's rations. No clothing was issued by the Authorities while I was at this Camp: the clothes of most of us were threadbare and many went barefoot.
I understood that chaining of recaptured escapees had taken place before I arrived at the Camp; but no one, to my knowledge, was chained in my time. The detention cells (which no doubt replaced the detention tent to which R.Q.M.S. Percival refers) were about 4 feet by 7 feet in area.
Shortly before I left the Camp, the hut nearest the wire enclosure had been vacated, and three of us (later joined by others) started to make an escape tunnel from the hut under the wire. We put the earth we removed from the tunnel into the latrines. Our plans and names were betrayed to the Authorities by a certain Belgian prisoner of war and collective reprisals were taken by the Camp Authorities: all prisoners of war were denied the use of the latrines and had to revert to the use of slit trenches; the Camp Authorities had proposed equipping the emptied hut with beds and thereafter issuing beds throughout the camp, but these plans were cancelled in consequence of our attempted escape.
The three of us were each given 28 days solitary confinement to cells on bread and water. The first night, I removed eleven of the bricks surrounding the window of my cell, preparatory to escaping. The next night, I got out, and, with some sixteen others, charged the wire enclosure. We were unsuccessful, two of our number were killed and two others wounded: I was given 110 days detention (10 days for each brick I removed from the wall of my cell). I did not serve this sentence as I was shortly afterwards sent to Germany.
Sergeant Freeman was one of the killed. When his body reached hospital, his watch and other personal effects had been stolen.
25th day of July 1945
Janet Kinrade Dethick October 2016