War Crimes
The War Crimes files fall into two categories:
1. Ill-treatment of prisoners during the time in which the prisoners were under Italian control - August 1942-September 1943
1. Ill-treatment of prisoners during the time in which the prisoners were under Italian control - August 1942-September 1943
General War Crimes Papers World War II
Camp PG 82 Laterina Italy. Ill-treatment of Allied POWs Trial of Colonello Teodorico Citerni |
TS 26/785
WO 311/314 WO 235/147 |
2. The Forced March of June 1944 when the camp was under German control
General War Crimes Papers World War II
Judge Advocate General's Office War Crimes Group |
TS 26/295
TS 26/527 WO 309/1798, WO 309/1799, WO 309/1800 WO 310/12 WO 311/679 |
The trial of Colonello Teodorico Citerni WO 235/147
Teodorico Citerni was born into a noble family in Scalino near Grosseto in 1881 and died in 1975 at the age of 94.
Whilst serving in the Carabinieri (part of the Italian Armed forces then as now), he passed into history with the name of Lion of Gunugadu, for his heroic actions during the Fascist East African Campaign in October 1935, for which he was awarded the silver medal for military valour. Following the Italian Armistice, when he was sought after and taken prisoner by the Germans for not having handed over Camp PG 82 at Laterina, he was imprisoned in the Regina Coeli gaol in Rome from which he subsequently escaped.
During his period in Rome he was commander of the 'Banda Manfredi', a small resistance group of about 20 ex-army officials named after a Lt. Col. in the carabinieri who had passed from the fascist Military Information Service to the Resistance upon discovering that a high Nazi official was involved in counter-espionage activites. The 'Banda Manfredi' was itself part of a larger group known as the Fronte Militare Clandestino which had been organised by nobleman Giuseppe Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, to bring about a peaceful transition from German to Allied occupation of the city, thereby ensuring that it was not taken over by communist guerillas backed by the urban proletariat.
Col. Citerni was arrested by the Allies for alleged War Crimes, held in Transit Camp No. 3 and tried in August 1946.
http://www.giovanninoguareschi.com/tapum/capitolo-22.pdf
http://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2006/06/08/LGCLG_LGC02.html
https://anpcnazionale.com/2014/04/11/cronologia-resistenza-roma-di-aldo-pavia
Whilst serving in the Carabinieri (part of the Italian Armed forces then as now), he passed into history with the name of Lion of Gunugadu, for his heroic actions during the Fascist East African Campaign in October 1935, for which he was awarded the silver medal for military valour. Following the Italian Armistice, when he was sought after and taken prisoner by the Germans for not having handed over Camp PG 82 at Laterina, he was imprisoned in the Regina Coeli gaol in Rome from which he subsequently escaped.
During his period in Rome he was commander of the 'Banda Manfredi', a small resistance group of about 20 ex-army officials named after a Lt. Col. in the carabinieri who had passed from the fascist Military Information Service to the Resistance upon discovering that a high Nazi official was involved in counter-espionage activites. The 'Banda Manfredi' was itself part of a larger group known as the Fronte Militare Clandestino which had been organised by nobleman Giuseppe Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, to bring about a peaceful transition from German to Allied occupation of the city, thereby ensuring that it was not taken over by communist guerillas backed by the urban proletariat.
Col. Citerni was arrested by the Allies for alleged War Crimes, held in Transit Camp No. 3 and tried in August 1946.
http://www.giovanninoguareschi.com/tapum/capitolo-22.pdf
http://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2006/06/08/LGCLG_LGC02.html
https://anpcnazionale.com/2014/04/11/cronologia-resistenza-roma-di-aldo-pavia
The Charge
The trial took place between 1- 3 August 1946
Witnesses for the prosecution:
5110163 Sgmn. JOHN HARLOW Royal Corps of Signals
4336972 W.O. I ANDREW SAMUEL East Yorkshire Regiment
Affidavits were obtained from:
0906 Private R. N. FOXCROFT Union Defence Force
14954 Sergeant M.D.J. BRUWER Union Defence Force
6012174 R.Q.M.S. REGINALD W. PYE Essex Regiment
44446408 R.Q.M.S. JAMES PERCIVAL Durham Light Infantry
4271500 Driver ROBERT E. NEWTON Royal Army Service Corps
Doctor HARRY A. BARKER Royal Army Medical Corps
41459146 Private ADAM W. WRIGHT Royal Army Ordnance Corps
219837 L/Cpl WILLIAM M. STEVENS Royal Electrical and Mechanical En gineers (R.E.M.E.)
153762 Gunner JOHN C. JARVIE Royal Artillery
221724 W.O. I B.R.M. COCKROFT 2 Transvaal Scottish Union Defence Force
(N.B. R.Q.M.S. Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant
W.O. I Warrant Officer I)
Witnesses for the Defence:
Guido Giliardini Chief Interpreter
Gino Verodi Adjutant
Ugolinio Ugolini Italian Inspector of POw camps
Baldino Biagioni Duty Sergeant
Vittorio Guidoni Medical Orderly
Eligio Tominelli Farrmer who supplied food to the camp
Carmine Grande Marshal, Carabinieri
Carlo Baralis Army General
Atillio Ferrari Doctor
V. Vedini Lt. Col. Accountant and Cashier, Reservist
Guido Pellinetti Artillery Officer, Reservist
Francesco Gabriele Arena Magistrate Supreme Court Rome
Persons who spoke up for good character of Citerni:
Georges Bonnant Inspected the camp October 1942. Attached to the Swiss Legation Foreign Affairs Services
Capt. Luigi Trippi Inspected the Camp November '42, February '43 and May '43. Chief of the POW inspecting Services for
the Swiss Legation
Lt. Salvatore Allegra Served under Col. Citerni in the camp
Padre Luigi Marcellino Consulate Missions, Vercelli
Paolo Galeazzi Bishop of Grosseto
5110163 Sgmn. JOHN HARLOW Royal Corps of Signals
4336972 W.O. I ANDREW SAMUEL East Yorkshire Regiment
Affidavits were obtained from:
0906 Private R. N. FOXCROFT Union Defence Force
14954 Sergeant M.D.J. BRUWER Union Defence Force
6012174 R.Q.M.S. REGINALD W. PYE Essex Regiment
44446408 R.Q.M.S. JAMES PERCIVAL Durham Light Infantry
4271500 Driver ROBERT E. NEWTON Royal Army Service Corps
Doctor HARRY A. BARKER Royal Army Medical Corps
41459146 Private ADAM W. WRIGHT Royal Army Ordnance Corps
219837 L/Cpl WILLIAM M. STEVENS Royal Electrical and Mechanical En gineers (R.E.M.E.)
153762 Gunner JOHN C. JARVIE Royal Artillery
221724 W.O. I B.R.M. COCKROFT 2 Transvaal Scottish Union Defence Force
(N.B. R.Q.M.S. Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant
W.O. I Warrant Officer I)
Witnesses for the Defence:
Guido Giliardini Chief Interpreter
Gino Verodi Adjutant
Ugolinio Ugolini Italian Inspector of POw camps
Baldino Biagioni Duty Sergeant
Vittorio Guidoni Medical Orderly
Eligio Tominelli Farrmer who supplied food to the camp
Carmine Grande Marshal, Carabinieri
Carlo Baralis Army General
Atillio Ferrari Doctor
V. Vedini Lt. Col. Accountant and Cashier, Reservist
Guido Pellinetti Artillery Officer, Reservist
Francesco Gabriele Arena Magistrate Supreme Court Rome
Persons who spoke up for good character of Citerni:
Georges Bonnant Inspected the camp October 1942. Attached to the Swiss Legation Foreign Affairs Services
Capt. Luigi Trippi Inspected the Camp November '42, February '43 and May '43. Chief of the POW inspecting Services for
the Swiss Legation
Lt. Salvatore Allegra Served under Col. Citerni in the camp
Padre Luigi Marcellino Consulate Missions, Vercelli
Paolo Galeazzi Bishop of Grosseto
Testimony of John Harlow
John Harlow, formerly 5110163 Sgmn. R. Sigs. states:-
I was in PG 82, Laterina from about 1 Aug. '42 . Col. Citerni was Camp Comdt.. He is accused before the court, he has changed a great deal.
I escaped from the camp. I was away for about 10 days. They put me in a small local Italian gaol in a small cell with no window for about 10 days. After that they moved me to a town called Montevarchi. I spent about 4 days there in very much the same conditions. I was moved to San Giovanni Valdarno, a civil gaol. I spent about 2½ months there with no trial. Col. Citerni knew of my presence because the Italian interpreter for the camp visited me twice. I was never given a trial for that escape. I returned to the camp.
I next escaped about 26 Jan '43. On recapture they fetched me back into the camp, chained by my hands almost immediately. I had not seen the Col. Then they took me into a small room and beat me up. There were a lot of people there, but I cannot remember their names. I think there were 3 or 4 officers there. Col. Citerni arrived after 3 or 4 min.. I his presence they stripped me naked. They shouted interrogations, most of the officers having something to say. Some carabinieri trod on my feet with their boots. I was then taken and chained up to a tree in the compound on the Col.'s orders. They allowed me to dress again. The (?) supervised the chaining up himself. While they were stamping on my feet all was confused and everyone was arguing. He did not hit me himself.
I was tried after a fashion for this escape after the beating. I was sentenced to a 28 days confinement. For the first 3 days I was in a small Italian bivouac chained hand and foot at night time. After 3 days Major White (Dr. Whyte AUTHOR'S NOTE) complained. I was in danger of suffering from frostbite. Apart from the bivouac I had a mattress and blanket, which was no use because I could not put it on once it fell off because my hands were chained. This was Jan. In the morning for the first ½ hour I could not walk. I completed the 28 days but the latter part I did in hosp. Still chained every night. Solitary confinement in this camp had not taken place until then.
While in this camp I saw no other POW ill-treated. Col. Citerni did not take much notice of complaints. I would hardly say he had the well-being of the prisoners at heart. I would not say he was antagonistic, but one did not have to do much to be put in clink. People were put in for quite trivial offences. People stealing food and lighting fires where they should not were put in, usually for 14 days confinement. Much the same as mine without chains.
My physical condition has not suffered permanently from my treatment; I am afraid it would have done if I had stayed in that tent long. The chain was similar to the one shown, I think it is used as a handcuff. I have no idea if Italian soldiers are chained when punished.
I was in PG 82, Laterina from about 1 Aug. '42 . Col. Citerni was Camp Comdt.. He is accused before the court, he has changed a great deal.
I escaped from the camp. I was away for about 10 days. They put me in a small local Italian gaol in a small cell with no window for about 10 days. After that they moved me to a town called Montevarchi. I spent about 4 days there in very much the same conditions. I was moved to San Giovanni Valdarno, a civil gaol. I spent about 2½ months there with no trial. Col. Citerni knew of my presence because the Italian interpreter for the camp visited me twice. I was never given a trial for that escape. I returned to the camp.
I next escaped about 26 Jan '43. On recapture they fetched me back into the camp, chained by my hands almost immediately. I had not seen the Col. Then they took me into a small room and beat me up. There were a lot of people there, but I cannot remember their names. I think there were 3 or 4 officers there. Col. Citerni arrived after 3 or 4 min.. I his presence they stripped me naked. They shouted interrogations, most of the officers having something to say. Some carabinieri trod on my feet with their boots. I was then taken and chained up to a tree in the compound on the Col.'s orders. They allowed me to dress again. The (?) supervised the chaining up himself. While they were stamping on my feet all was confused and everyone was arguing. He did not hit me himself.
I was tried after a fashion for this escape after the beating. I was sentenced to a 28 days confinement. For the first 3 days I was in a small Italian bivouac chained hand and foot at night time. After 3 days Major White (Dr. Whyte AUTHOR'S NOTE) complained. I was in danger of suffering from frostbite. Apart from the bivouac I had a mattress and blanket, which was no use because I could not put it on once it fell off because my hands were chained. This was Jan. In the morning for the first ½ hour I could not walk. I completed the 28 days but the latter part I did in hosp. Still chained every night. Solitary confinement in this camp had not taken place until then.
While in this camp I saw no other POW ill-treated. Col. Citerni did not take much notice of complaints. I would hardly say he had the well-being of the prisoners at heart. I would not say he was antagonistic, but one did not have to do much to be put in clink. People were put in for quite trivial offences. People stealing food and lighting fires where they should not were put in, usually for 14 days confinement. Much the same as mine without chains.
My physical condition has not suffered permanently from my treatment; I am afraid it would have done if I had stayed in that tent long. The chain was similar to the one shown, I think it is used as a handcuff. I have no idea if Italian soldiers are chained when punished.
Testimony of Andrew Samuel
Andrew Samuel, formerly 4336972 R.S.M., states:
I was POW at Camp 82 Laterina. In that camp when I was there the Col. awarded punishments. That was Col. Citerni. Two punishments were given – rigorous and simple confinement. In the case of rigorous confinement a man was chained all night from about 1800 hrs. till reveille. During daytime he was not allowed to leave the prison area. In the case of simple, he was confined to the prison area for the whole time of his sentence. These punishments were not fairly awarded because no man was given a chance to defend himself. If a complaint was made against a POW, a paper was sent to me giving the man's sentence...this punishment always consisted of both kinds of imprisonment, both awarded together, e.g. 14 days of rigorous and 7 days of simple. If a POW complained against one of the staff I asked for an interview with the Col. and laid the complaint in front of him. At all times I was told by the Colonel that he had heard about this before and there was no justification at all; he would trust his staff of officers and carabinieri an not the POW.
To take the case of A.B. Toose. He complained of ill-treatment by carabinieri on recapture after and escape. He complained of being hit mostly about the body. He came and showed me marks. Although the mark was slight, I sent him for treatment with the ?? M.O. I asked for and got an interview with the Col. and complained. He sent for the carabinieri and they denied it. That was the end of the investigation.
I remember Harlow being ill-treated. One of his punishments was to be handcuffed to a tree for 2 hours during the afternoon in the heat of the sun. This was carried out. A man approached Harlow to give him a drink. This man was sentenced to be chained to the tree for 1 hour after Harlow had finished. I was then warned that this punishment would be meted (out) to anyone who interfered with or approached a man undergoing the punishment of being chained to a tree. No previous warning had been given. The Col. through his interpreter gave me this warning.
I remember Newton being ill-treated. He was taken out. On return he complained that he had been beaten up by the carabinieri. I think Cockroft was then camp leader.
When I complained I did so as Camp Leader.
I was POW at Camp 82 Laterina. In that camp when I was there the Col. awarded punishments. That was Col. Citerni. Two punishments were given – rigorous and simple confinement. In the case of rigorous confinement a man was chained all night from about 1800 hrs. till reveille. During daytime he was not allowed to leave the prison area. In the case of simple, he was confined to the prison area for the whole time of his sentence. These punishments were not fairly awarded because no man was given a chance to defend himself. If a complaint was made against a POW, a paper was sent to me giving the man's sentence...this punishment always consisted of both kinds of imprisonment, both awarded together, e.g. 14 days of rigorous and 7 days of simple. If a POW complained against one of the staff I asked for an interview with the Col. and laid the complaint in front of him. At all times I was told by the Colonel that he had heard about this before and there was no justification at all; he would trust his staff of officers and carabinieri an not the POW.
To take the case of A.B. Toose. He complained of ill-treatment by carabinieri on recapture after and escape. He complained of being hit mostly about the body. He came and showed me marks. Although the mark was slight, I sent him for treatment with the ?? M.O. I asked for and got an interview with the Col. and complained. He sent for the carabinieri and they denied it. That was the end of the investigation.
I remember Harlow being ill-treated. One of his punishments was to be handcuffed to a tree for 2 hours during the afternoon in the heat of the sun. This was carried out. A man approached Harlow to give him a drink. This man was sentenced to be chained to the tree for 1 hour after Harlow had finished. I was then warned that this punishment would be meted (out) to anyone who interfered with or approached a man undergoing the punishment of being chained to a tree. No previous warning had been given. The Col. through his interpreter gave me this warning.
I remember Newton being ill-treated. He was taken out. On return he complained that he had been beaten up by the carabinieri. I think Cockroft was then camp leader.
When I complained I did so as Camp Leader.
Affidavits of 4271500 Dvr. Robert E. Newton R.A.S.C. and 219837 L/Cpl. William M. Stevens, R.E.M.E.
Affidavit of 4271500 Dvr. Robert Edwin Newton
I was captured on 20 June 1942 at El Alamein ad after passing through several transit camps I was taken to Camp PG 82 at Laterina, where I remained until September 1943, when I escaped.
In February 1943 I made my escape from this camp but was recaptured after six days and taken back to the camp in front of the Commandant, who awarded me 30 days solitary confinement. During this time my feet were chained every night by the Italian Camp Police. At the end of my confinement my ankles were chafed and swollen and I showed them to R.Q.M.S. Percival, one of our section leaders. He took me to be treated by Major Whyte, Royal Army Medical Corps. ON this occasion as was the custom, the Warrant Officer in charge of the hut which I had occupied before my escape was also sentenced to 14 days confinement by the Commandant. He was a South African named R.S.M. Douglas.
Sometime in the summer of 1943 I told one of the Italian Camp Police that the Italians were losing the war. I was thereupon taken before the Commandant and asked to repeat what I had said, which I did. He then completely lost his temper and ordered the policeman in attendance to chain me to a tree. I do not remember hearing him mention the duration of the punishment . Accordingly my hands were chained round a tree and behind my back. This went on for four days, but I was released at night and taken to a solitary confinement tent where my feet were chained as I have explained above. During these four days I suffered terribly with the heat as there was no shelter from the sun. I did not see other prisoners similarly chained to trees during the daytime but it was a usual thing for escapees who had been awarded solitary confinement to have their feet chained at night.
After the Armistice a number of foreign prisoners in the next compound broke out of the camp and were shot by the Italian guards. I saw three foreign prisoners wounded.
Affidavit of 219837 L/Cpl William Mark Stevens, R.E.M.E.
The Commandant of the camp, whose name I do not know, was very harsh, particularly in the punishment of small breaches of discipline. The hut commanders were frequently put in detention for such small breaches committed by men in their huts. I remember an occasion, though I do not know the date, when a prisoner was chained to a tree, which was the punishment for recaptured prisoners who had escaped. Another prisoner who went to feed him was also chained. On another occasion I remember that a naval prisoner, whose name is not known, was chained.
I was captured on 20 June 1942 at El Alamein ad after passing through several transit camps I was taken to Camp PG 82 at Laterina, where I remained until September 1943, when I escaped.
In February 1943 I made my escape from this camp but was recaptured after six days and taken back to the camp in front of the Commandant, who awarded me 30 days solitary confinement. During this time my feet were chained every night by the Italian Camp Police. At the end of my confinement my ankles were chafed and swollen and I showed them to R.Q.M.S. Percival, one of our section leaders. He took me to be treated by Major Whyte, Royal Army Medical Corps. ON this occasion as was the custom, the Warrant Officer in charge of the hut which I had occupied before my escape was also sentenced to 14 days confinement by the Commandant. He was a South African named R.S.M. Douglas.
Sometime in the summer of 1943 I told one of the Italian Camp Police that the Italians were losing the war. I was thereupon taken before the Commandant and asked to repeat what I had said, which I did. He then completely lost his temper and ordered the policeman in attendance to chain me to a tree. I do not remember hearing him mention the duration of the punishment . Accordingly my hands were chained round a tree and behind my back. This went on for four days, but I was released at night and taken to a solitary confinement tent where my feet were chained as I have explained above. During these four days I suffered terribly with the heat as there was no shelter from the sun. I did not see other prisoners similarly chained to trees during the daytime but it was a usual thing for escapees who had been awarded solitary confinement to have their feet chained at night.
After the Armistice a number of foreign prisoners in the next compound broke out of the camp and were shot by the Italian guards. I saw three foreign prisoners wounded.
Affidavit of 219837 L/Cpl William Mark Stevens, R.E.M.E.
The Commandant of the camp, whose name I do not know, was very harsh, particularly in the punishment of small breaches of discipline. The hut commanders were frequently put in detention for such small breaches committed by men in their huts. I remember an occasion, though I do not know the date, when a prisoner was chained to a tree, which was the punishment for recaptured prisoners who had escaped. Another prisoner who went to feed him was also chained. On another occasion I remember that a naval prisoner, whose name is not known, was chained.
Affidavit of 0906 Private R. N. Foxcroft Union Defence Force
I was captured at Tobruk and moved to Camp 82 Laterina in Italy. Whilst in this camp we used to barter with the Italian sentries. One morning in August 1943, I intended bartering soap with the sentries, and as I approached the fence I was seen by the carabinieri.
Then carabinieri arrested me and four of them and an Italian captain took me out of the camp into an office in a building outside. There they questioned me and wanted me to tell them which sentry I had intended to barter with. I refused to give them the information. Thereupon they tripped me and the carabinieri hit me all over the body with their clenched fists. I tried to ward them off but the Italian captain kicked me in the stomach. After they had given me the beating they locked me up in a guard tent surrounded by barbed wire, and chained me round the ankles and arms. The next morning I was taken in front of the Italian Colonel whose name I do not know . He also interrogated me , but I refused to give any information away. The colonel then attacked me, and he also hit me all over the body with his fists.
After the beating by the Colonel I was marched back to the guard tent, where I as chained down again and kept in that tent for 28 days. During the time I was in the tent I was given no cigarettes and no Red Cross parcels.
I do not know the name of the Colonel, the Captain or any of the carabinieri.
None of my fellow prisoners saw me get these beatings, it happened outside the camp.
Then carabinieri arrested me and four of them and an Italian captain took me out of the camp into an office in a building outside. There they questioned me and wanted me to tell them which sentry I had intended to barter with. I refused to give them the information. Thereupon they tripped me and the carabinieri hit me all over the body with their clenched fists. I tried to ward them off but the Italian captain kicked me in the stomach. After they had given me the beating they locked me up in a guard tent surrounded by barbed wire, and chained me round the ankles and arms. The next morning I was taken in front of the Italian Colonel whose name I do not know . He also interrogated me , but I refused to give any information away. The colonel then attacked me, and he also hit me all over the body with his fists.
After the beating by the Colonel I was marched back to the guard tent, where I as chained down again and kept in that tent for 28 days. During the time I was in the tent I was given no cigarettes and no Red Cross parcels.
I do not know the name of the Colonel, the Captain or any of the carabinieri.
None of my fellow prisoners saw me get these beatings, it happened outside the camp.
Affidavit of 14954 Sergeant Matthys D. J. Bruwer South African Police
regarding the ill-treatment of 9069 Pte. R.H. Foxcroft
in both WO311/314 and WO 235/147
Captured on 21 June 1942 at Tobruk, Sgt. Bruwer arrived at Laterina on 6 August, where he remained until he escaped following the Italian Armistice.
...one evening, the date I cannot remember. It was about 12 midnight when I walked down to the lavatory, that I saw No. 9069, Pte R.H. Foxcroft standing in a corner near the fence. I was that he was busy bartering something through the fence. Just at the moment when he was on the point of exchanging his articles with that of the Italian sentry, a carabinieri turned up and took him out of the camp. I followed at a distance and just when the carabinieri got outside the camp-gate with Pte. Foxcroft, the marescalo (maresciallo) of the carabinieri started hitting Foxcroft in the face with his fists. I distinctly saw that he did this. I do not know the name of the carabinieri maresciallo. As he was busy hitting Foxcroft, some Italian officers turned up and Col. Citerino (Citerni) was amongst them. I saw that an assault took place on Pte Foxcroft by one of the officers but I could not see who actually committed the assault as the lights were not too bright and they were standing round Foxcroft. Immediately after that they took him away and I went to bed.
The next day Pte. Foxcroft was tried for the offence of bartering and during the course of the day Foxcroft told me that the assault was committed by Col. Citerino. I could see blue marks on his face.
...one evening, the date I cannot remember. It was about 12 midnight when I walked down to the lavatory, that I saw No. 9069, Pte R.H. Foxcroft standing in a corner near the fence. I was that he was busy bartering something through the fence. Just at the moment when he was on the point of exchanging his articles with that of the Italian sentry, a carabinieri turned up and took him out of the camp. I followed at a distance and just when the carabinieri got outside the camp-gate with Pte. Foxcroft, the marescalo (maresciallo) of the carabinieri started hitting Foxcroft in the face with his fists. I distinctly saw that he did this. I do not know the name of the carabinieri maresciallo. As he was busy hitting Foxcroft, some Italian officers turned up and Col. Citerino (Citerni) was amongst them. I saw that an assault took place on Pte Foxcroft by one of the officers but I could not see who actually committed the assault as the lights were not too bright and they were standing round Foxcroft. Immediately after that they took him away and I went to bed.
The next day Pte. Foxcroft was tried for the offence of bartering and during the course of the day Foxcroft told me that the assault was committed by Col. Citerino. I could see blue marks on his face.
Excerpts from the two Affidavits of 44446408 R.Q.M.S. James Percival Durham Light Infantry
R.Q.M.S. Percival was captured near Fuke in North Africa on 29 June 1942 by German troops. With other prisoners he was handed over to the Italians at Tobruk. He was taken from Benghazi to Italy and after a few days at Camp PG 85 Tuturano near Brindisi he arrived at Camp PG 82 Laterina on or about 6 August 1942.
His first affidavit was sworn on 18 June 1945 and regarded mainly the conditions in the camp. Here is an extract:
The Italians did not worry us unduly except for the Commandant who was severe on petty things. He needed to punish prisoners, particularly Warrant Officers, by detention in the detention tent, which was very small. He held the hut commanders responsible for small matters of discipline and if a prisoner did not salute him his hut commander would get five days detention. If a prisoner escaped, his hut commander would get ten days detention. Prisoners who escaped and were re-captured were chained. This I saw myself. A man who was unknown to me was chained to a tree and another man who went to feed him was also chained. Fusilier Newton ( Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) who made two attempts to escape, once showed me his legs all chafed with the marks of chains. I took him to the Medical Officer. The name of the Commandant of this camp was I think Colonello M. Citerino
Extract from the Affidavit sworn on 8 February 1946
Colonel Citerni treated prisoners who attempted to escape with much brutality. If the prisoners attempted to escape, as was their duty, Colonel Citerni would punish the hut commander by giving him 10 days solitary. R.S.M. Douglas a South African hut commander was given 10 days solitary confinement because some men in his hut attempted to escape. Other hut commanders were similarly punished.
I remember the case when Pte. Harlow attempted to escape ad was recaptured. He was taken to a tree by the entrance to the camp in full view of everyone, and chained to the tree, his hands behind his back and round the bole of a tree. He was kept there in the heat of the day for at least two hours. I myself saw Harlow brought back to the camp, I saw him chained to this tree and I saw Colonel Citerni stand by while this was done. Colonel Citerni then ordered R.S.M. Cockroft to post the Camp Police (i.e. from the prisoners) to watch Pte. Harlow. R.S.M. Cockroft refused and was removed from his position. On another occasion a sailor A.B. Toose attempted to escape. He was out with a party in the charge of R.Q.M.S. Pye, Essex Regiment, Toose made an attempt to escape but was recaptured. At this time I was in the hospital and hearing the commotion I looked out of the window and I saw Toose secured to the same tree by the camp entrance, where he remained in the heat of the sun for some two hours. I was told that when Toose was outside the camp he was beaten up by the Italian guards. On another occasion Private Newton, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and a South African made an escape but were recaptured. Both were given 28 days solitary confinement and they were chained up at night. Later, Private Newton was an inmate of my hut and and he was sentenced to another term of solitary confinement for some infringement of the rules. After this he showed me his ankles which had been chafed by the chains he had been forced to wear. I took Newton to Major Whyte, R.A.M.C. medical officer who said he would try to prevent any repetition of this sort of thing.
After the Armistice with Italy on 10 September 1943 (8 September. AUTHOR'S NOTE), a number of prisoners in the adjoining compound tried to escape. I myself saw them running up a hill. The Italians opened fire and I heard that some of them had been wounded. RSM Samuel of East Yorks Regiment and RSM Cockroft, who were camp leaders, could confirm what I have said about this and give evidence about the conditions at PG 82 and what occurred there.
His first affidavit was sworn on 18 June 1945 and regarded mainly the conditions in the camp. Here is an extract:
The Italians did not worry us unduly except for the Commandant who was severe on petty things. He needed to punish prisoners, particularly Warrant Officers, by detention in the detention tent, which was very small. He held the hut commanders responsible for small matters of discipline and if a prisoner did not salute him his hut commander would get five days detention. If a prisoner escaped, his hut commander would get ten days detention. Prisoners who escaped and were re-captured were chained. This I saw myself. A man who was unknown to me was chained to a tree and another man who went to feed him was also chained. Fusilier Newton ( Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) who made two attempts to escape, once showed me his legs all chafed with the marks of chains. I took him to the Medical Officer. The name of the Commandant of this camp was I think Colonello M. Citerino
Extract from the Affidavit sworn on 8 February 1946
Colonel Citerni treated prisoners who attempted to escape with much brutality. If the prisoners attempted to escape, as was their duty, Colonel Citerni would punish the hut commander by giving him 10 days solitary. R.S.M. Douglas a South African hut commander was given 10 days solitary confinement because some men in his hut attempted to escape. Other hut commanders were similarly punished.
I remember the case when Pte. Harlow attempted to escape ad was recaptured. He was taken to a tree by the entrance to the camp in full view of everyone, and chained to the tree, his hands behind his back and round the bole of a tree. He was kept there in the heat of the day for at least two hours. I myself saw Harlow brought back to the camp, I saw him chained to this tree and I saw Colonel Citerni stand by while this was done. Colonel Citerni then ordered R.S.M. Cockroft to post the Camp Police (i.e. from the prisoners) to watch Pte. Harlow. R.S.M. Cockroft refused and was removed from his position. On another occasion a sailor A.B. Toose attempted to escape. He was out with a party in the charge of R.Q.M.S. Pye, Essex Regiment, Toose made an attempt to escape but was recaptured. At this time I was in the hospital and hearing the commotion I looked out of the window and I saw Toose secured to the same tree by the camp entrance, where he remained in the heat of the sun for some two hours. I was told that when Toose was outside the camp he was beaten up by the Italian guards. On another occasion Private Newton, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers and a South African made an escape but were recaptured. Both were given 28 days solitary confinement and they were chained up at night. Later, Private Newton was an inmate of my hut and and he was sentenced to another term of solitary confinement for some infringement of the rules. After this he showed me his ankles which had been chafed by the chains he had been forced to wear. I took Newton to Major Whyte, R.A.M.C. medical officer who said he would try to prevent any repetition of this sort of thing.
After the Armistice with Italy on 10 September 1943 (8 September. AUTHOR'S NOTE), a number of prisoners in the adjoining compound tried to escape. I myself saw them running up a hill. The Italians opened fire and I heard that some of them had been wounded. RSM Samuel of East Yorks Regiment and RSM Cockroft, who were camp leaders, could confirm what I have said about this and give evidence about the conditions at PG 82 and what occurred there.
Excerpt from the Affidavit of
221724 Warrant Officer Ist Class B.R.M.Cockroft
2 Transvaal Scottish Union Defence Force
....I think Col. Citerni would have improved the conditions (in the camp) if he had had the power to do so. In my opinion he was a man who had no previous experience in running a POW camp. Pows did complain through me about the conditions in the camp. I approached Cpl. Citerni on their behalf, he always saw me and explained that he could only give me what he had. I think he did make an attempt to do the best he could, but in my opinion he was frustrated by the Italian Administration...
On Cpl. Citerni's instructions Harlow was ordered to be put in chains for – I think – two hours a day for a number of days. He was also chained at night , but I do not know for how many hours. Other POWs were also put in chains for the same reason, but I cannot remember their names...On a few occasions I saw a number of Italian soldiers (defaulters) chained the same way, and apparently this was a from of punishment in the Italian Army.
I knew Col. Citerni very well, and understand he had previously been a policeman, and neither he nor his staff had any experience in the handling of large bodies of men....As a result of my complaints, Col. Citerni had me removed as Camp Leader from No. 1 Section, but he subsequently reinstated me in No. 2 Section.
After the capitulation of Italy on 8.9.43 the French Foreign Legion who were under my control in Section no. 2 rushed the wire, tore it down and escaped into the countryside. Some of them were shot by the guards. Col. Citerni came to see me and asked me to keep the men calm as he did not want any more shooting. I pointed out to him that the civilians outside the camp were bringing drink and passing it over the wire. He told me when Italy had capitulated that he would not allow the Germans to take us over, and had instructed his soldiers to resist the Germans if they attempted to do so. Neither I nor any of the British or South African POW had any confidence in the ability of the Italian soldiers to safeguard us. This was subsequently borne out by the fact that subsequently all the Italian soldiers disappeared, leaving a few Italian officers behind. The Germans came in and transferred us to Germany.
On Cpl. Citerni's instructions Harlow was ordered to be put in chains for – I think – two hours a day for a number of days. He was also chained at night , but I do not know for how many hours. Other POWs were also put in chains for the same reason, but I cannot remember their names...On a few occasions I saw a number of Italian soldiers (defaulters) chained the same way, and apparently this was a from of punishment in the Italian Army.
I knew Col. Citerni very well, and understand he had previously been a policeman, and neither he nor his staff had any experience in the handling of large bodies of men....As a result of my complaints, Col. Citerni had me removed as Camp Leader from No. 1 Section, but he subsequently reinstated me in No. 2 Section.
After the capitulation of Italy on 8.9.43 the French Foreign Legion who were under my control in Section no. 2 rushed the wire, tore it down and escaped into the countryside. Some of them were shot by the guards. Col. Citerni came to see me and asked me to keep the men calm as he did not want any more shooting. I pointed out to him that the civilians outside the camp were bringing drink and passing it over the wire. He told me when Italy had capitulated that he would not allow the Germans to take us over, and had instructed his soldiers to resist the Germans if they attempted to do so. Neither I nor any of the British or South African POW had any confidence in the ability of the Italian soldiers to safeguard us. This was subsequently borne out by the fact that subsequently all the Italian soldiers disappeared, leaving a few Italian officers behind. The Germans came in and transferred us to Germany.
The Defence
Extracts from Col. Citerni's own defence and cross examination. Some of this passage appears garbled; this could be due to the interpreter's role during the trial.
When Harlow escaped the first time I informed superior HQ by wire. I had to inform superior authority even if there was an attempted escape. Punishments for these escapes according to Art. 568 of the Italian Discipline Regulations could not be awarded by me. Para. 563 says 'It is forbidden, except in cases which require punishment, to take disciplinary action on an offence which was reported to the superior officer, or for which a Court of Inquiry was held on order of a superior officer.' Once I proposed a punishment to Superior (illegible) Their letter crossed mine and mine was cancelled.
Harlow's punishment was awarded by Defence H.Q. Florence, which looked after prisoners' matters almost directly. Gen. Armellini was there. He ordered the punishment. I could not say (?) Harlow's punishment, but it was seldom more than 20 days. The max. punishment is 30 days, 10 of Rigorous prison and 20 Simple. I think 28 days is a punishment in accordance with British Rules, and think prisoners based on this without considering the punishment we gave them. We would never give 28 days; we should give 30 days for a serious offence.
At Laterina Camp no prisoner spent (?) his complete punishment. Sgt Bruwer gives proof of this; he was able to talk to Foxcroft who had been punished the day previously. Samuel, Newton and Percival also give proof....I have not seen a prisoner chained. It was not in the power of the Officer in charge of the Camp to award a punishment. I simply went to the ….(illegible) to see if the punishment was carried out. I just write out the punishment sent to me by my superiors. Every time they had a complaint or suggestion or a punishment to award, camp leaders came to me.
There was only one small punishment (illegible) in my 14 month' command; 10 people were awarded at once for stealing wood from a hut, above (other than) this I punished 15 people. About 20 escaped. Never was a shot fired. No prisoner was shot at or wounded. Harlow escaped in daylight and was followed and captured after 100 metres without a shot.
Cross examination
I never ill-treated prisoners. I remember the case of Harlow, as to the allegations he made this morning, he took back the most serious allegation that I asked the carabinieri to stamp on his feet. I had control over the carabinieri but they were directly under the Section Officer. I did not see him at all. I was absent when he escaped. Later on he was there. Later he was interrogated in my presence, 7 days later. He was never stripped and beaten in my presence, not even later on.
I did not try Harlow. We don't try people in the Italian Army. The Defence Commander awarded the sentence in accordance with regulations. I don’t remember what he was given. The most they gave was 20 days Rigorous Imprisonment and 10 days Simple Imprisonment. This was in January. He was never chained to his bed every night in the bivouac. I was not there and did not see it, so I don't think it was true. I know Italy was a signatory to the POW Convention I know (Illegible) says judicial proceeding must be conducted after an escape or attempted escape. There was no trial.
I remember the case of A.B. Toose in April 43. I never heard he had been beaten by the carabinieri. What Toose says is denied (?) by Wright. I remember Foxcroft. It is not true that he was stripped and hit. It could happen without my knowledge, but I say it would not. I cannot think where that guard tent could be. There was only one tent. It was not surrounded by wire; people could take food there.
In Aug. 43 I was the Col. of the camp. Foxcroft was not brought in front of me. I did not interrogate him, he is lying. Bruwer's affidavit is neither reliable or unreliable, My opinion is that they were trying to harm me. It is not true (illegible) complained of me. It is not true that Bruwer saw ill-treatment – I had no Marescialli (Marshals). I had a Brigadier. This fact is...but admitted by Foxcroft.
Samuel denies I awarded collective punishments, so do I.; I deny that hut leaders of escapees were punished. I never ordered Harlow to be chained to a tree for some hours. I was not there when Harlow escaped. I was at one of the Detachments. (Work camps) I only remember Newton because I have seen the file. I think I was present when he attempted to reach (?) the camp and was recaptured. I have never given 28 days detention. I think it unlikely that Newton was put in chains.
I punished them and they hate me. I punished Percival once for stealing timber and Newton once. I think I gave them 7 days but I can't remember. I attached no value to the punishments as they went in the tent without sentries. They had some limitation of their freedom. It was registered in their personal documents for moral purposes. The sole purpose I punished prisoners for was to enter it on their cards.
I am aware of Art. 46 of the Geneva Convention. I was (?) at the time and have never used these punishments. I have never used chains on POWs. Chains were not used on Harlow. I could not have seen him as I was not present. That is the chain used on Italian soldiers. A chain might have been used in my absence.
Newton was not given 30 days confinement by me. I don’t think his feet were chained every night. I never heard of Newton saying that the Italians were losing. He was never brought before me for that. He is a liar and wants to get his own back on me for punishing him.
I know nothing about Toose being chained for 28 days. If he was punished it was by Defence HQ, but not 28 days.
If a man was punished by Defence HQ it would go through the Sector Commander from me. My HQ wrote a letter to the Section Commander who gave it back to the Duty Officer. Any punishment from higher authority came through my office. It's 5 years ago and I can't remember who had what punishment. I don't remember the foreign names: I can't even pronounce them., It is difficult to remember names and punishments. I have read them on the file.
There are grave inconsistencies between my testimony and the affidavits. I say they lie and I can prove it.
When Harlow was put in civil gaol it was for stealing cycles. He was later taken to camp and not punished.
The tent was not a prison tent; it was open, as you see because Bruwer spoke to Foxcroft, who told him that during the night the relieving sentries had heard him. This proves he could talk with Foxcroft who was punished...the tent was not guarded. It was..in a compound. There were no police in the compound. The prisoners could come out and in again, they were given food, as Samuel said. Prisoners doing punishment were completely the responsibility of the Camp Leader. Prisoners could get in and out with out interference from the prisoners who were outside the wire
When Harlow escaped the first time I informed superior HQ by wire. I had to inform superior authority even if there was an attempted escape. Punishments for these escapes according to Art. 568 of the Italian Discipline Regulations could not be awarded by me. Para. 563 says 'It is forbidden, except in cases which require punishment, to take disciplinary action on an offence which was reported to the superior officer, or for which a Court of Inquiry was held on order of a superior officer.' Once I proposed a punishment to Superior (illegible) Their letter crossed mine and mine was cancelled.
Harlow's punishment was awarded by Defence H.Q. Florence, which looked after prisoners' matters almost directly. Gen. Armellini was there. He ordered the punishment. I could not say (?) Harlow's punishment, but it was seldom more than 20 days. The max. punishment is 30 days, 10 of Rigorous prison and 20 Simple. I think 28 days is a punishment in accordance with British Rules, and think prisoners based on this without considering the punishment we gave them. We would never give 28 days; we should give 30 days for a serious offence.
At Laterina Camp no prisoner spent (?) his complete punishment. Sgt Bruwer gives proof of this; he was able to talk to Foxcroft who had been punished the day previously. Samuel, Newton and Percival also give proof....I have not seen a prisoner chained. It was not in the power of the Officer in charge of the Camp to award a punishment. I simply went to the ….(illegible) to see if the punishment was carried out. I just write out the punishment sent to me by my superiors. Every time they had a complaint or suggestion or a punishment to award, camp leaders came to me.
There was only one small punishment (illegible) in my 14 month' command; 10 people were awarded at once for stealing wood from a hut, above (other than) this I punished 15 people. About 20 escaped. Never was a shot fired. No prisoner was shot at or wounded. Harlow escaped in daylight and was followed and captured after 100 metres without a shot.
Cross examination
I never ill-treated prisoners. I remember the case of Harlow, as to the allegations he made this morning, he took back the most serious allegation that I asked the carabinieri to stamp on his feet. I had control over the carabinieri but they were directly under the Section Officer. I did not see him at all. I was absent when he escaped. Later on he was there. Later he was interrogated in my presence, 7 days later. He was never stripped and beaten in my presence, not even later on.
I did not try Harlow. We don't try people in the Italian Army. The Defence Commander awarded the sentence in accordance with regulations. I don’t remember what he was given. The most they gave was 20 days Rigorous Imprisonment and 10 days Simple Imprisonment. This was in January. He was never chained to his bed every night in the bivouac. I was not there and did not see it, so I don't think it was true. I know Italy was a signatory to the POW Convention I know (Illegible) says judicial proceeding must be conducted after an escape or attempted escape. There was no trial.
I remember the case of A.B. Toose in April 43. I never heard he had been beaten by the carabinieri. What Toose says is denied (?) by Wright. I remember Foxcroft. It is not true that he was stripped and hit. It could happen without my knowledge, but I say it would not. I cannot think where that guard tent could be. There was only one tent. It was not surrounded by wire; people could take food there.
In Aug. 43 I was the Col. of the camp. Foxcroft was not brought in front of me. I did not interrogate him, he is lying. Bruwer's affidavit is neither reliable or unreliable, My opinion is that they were trying to harm me. It is not true (illegible) complained of me. It is not true that Bruwer saw ill-treatment – I had no Marescialli (Marshals). I had a Brigadier. This fact is...but admitted by Foxcroft.
Samuel denies I awarded collective punishments, so do I.; I deny that hut leaders of escapees were punished. I never ordered Harlow to be chained to a tree for some hours. I was not there when Harlow escaped. I was at one of the Detachments. (Work camps) I only remember Newton because I have seen the file. I think I was present when he attempted to reach (?) the camp and was recaptured. I have never given 28 days detention. I think it unlikely that Newton was put in chains.
I punished them and they hate me. I punished Percival once for stealing timber and Newton once. I think I gave them 7 days but I can't remember. I attached no value to the punishments as they went in the tent without sentries. They had some limitation of their freedom. It was registered in their personal documents for moral purposes. The sole purpose I punished prisoners for was to enter it on their cards.
I am aware of Art. 46 of the Geneva Convention. I was (?) at the time and have never used these punishments. I have never used chains on POWs. Chains were not used on Harlow. I could not have seen him as I was not present. That is the chain used on Italian soldiers. A chain might have been used in my absence.
Newton was not given 30 days confinement by me. I don’t think his feet were chained every night. I never heard of Newton saying that the Italians were losing. He was never brought before me for that. He is a liar and wants to get his own back on me for punishing him.
I know nothing about Toose being chained for 28 days. If he was punished it was by Defence HQ, but not 28 days.
If a man was punished by Defence HQ it would go through the Sector Commander from me. My HQ wrote a letter to the Section Commander who gave it back to the Duty Officer. Any punishment from higher authority came through my office. It's 5 years ago and I can't remember who had what punishment. I don't remember the foreign names: I can't even pronounce them., It is difficult to remember names and punishments. I have read them on the file.
There are grave inconsistencies between my testimony and the affidavits. I say they lie and I can prove it.
When Harlow was put in civil gaol it was for stealing cycles. He was later taken to camp and not punished.
The tent was not a prison tent; it was open, as you see because Bruwer spoke to Foxcroft, who told him that during the night the relieving sentries had heard him. This proves he could talk with Foxcroft who was punished...the tent was not guarded. It was..in a compound. There were no police in the compound. The prisoners could come out and in again, they were given food, as Samuel said. Prisoners doing punishment were completely the responsibility of the Camp Leader. Prisoners could get in and out with out interference from the prisoners who were outside the wire
Defence affidavits
Below are EXTRACTS from affidavits for the defence, which can be divided into categories:
From witnesses who were employed INSIDE THE CAMP
Gilardini Guido from Turin
Chief Interpreter
Defence HQ awarded chains for theft and insulting sentries. Possibly for repeated escapes chains were awarded, but I don't know. There was one prison in camp consisting of a tent. Once it was near the M.I. Room and later it was near the Camp Leader's office. There was only one prison for the two camp sectors. The prison was not always crowded. It was inspected by the caarabinieri and it was also guarded by (illegible) Police... For the most serious offences by Italians chains were awarded in some cases by Defence HQ. I remember this 2 or 3 times. When the same punishment was awarded to prisoners, it was awarded in the same way as to Italian soldiers...
Chains were used on the POWS once. I think this was the Harlow case. I saw him chained. I don't remember another prisoner being chained. I don't remember seeing anyone. It is possible some of the prisoners disliked me as all punishments went through me. All punishments were written down always. I never passed a punishment on saying if was from the Col. when it was not.
Gino Verodi from Florence
Adjutant
(Regarding Harlow) When he was recaptured after the 2nd escape, the orders as to his punishment were given by Defence HQ Florence. Harlow was put in small chains, such as are put on Italian soldiers for more serious offences. They were put on to Italian soldiers in this camp...Accused always told all officers to treat prisoners with the maximum respect and consideration.
Baldino Biagioni from Scarlino
Duty Sergeant and carpenter for the construction company who built the huts- He accompanied Harlow by train to gaol in San Giovanni Valdarno.
There were trees in the camp. I have never seen prisoners chained to trees. I have never seen prisoners chained hand and foot by night. Prisoners did solitary in a tent in camp.
Vittorio Guidoni from Scarlino
Medical Orderly
I saw Harlow recaptured. I saw him taken in the duty office room. I saw no violence and did not hear any. No prisoners came into the M.I. Room with marks of beating and ill-treatment. No one made complaints to me of ill-treatment. The gaol was very near the M.I. Room. There were 1,2,3,4 prisoners in gaol from time to time. There were from 5-9,000 prisoners in the camp.
Cross examination: I remember Major Whyte. About Jan, '43 no prisoner was brought into the hospital with frost bite. Prisoners had a separate M.I. Room. I went there every morning. I can't remember Harlow. I remember no-one being treated in chains.
Dr. Attilio Ferrari from Florence
Medical Officer
No prisoner was ever chained to the bed in the M.I. Room. Every day my subaltern cam into the M.I. Room. I went there 2 or 3 times..
There was a Guard Tent near the M.I. Room. There were 1 or 2 prisoners , very few. None, either Italian or British, was ill-treated.
No prisoner ever came to the M.I .Room for bruises. The British Medical Officers never complained about ill-treatment. They would have told me straight away... There was no frost bite only threats of frost bite in Jan. Feb. 43.
From a witness who was EMPLOYED OUTSIDE THE CAMP
V. Vedini from Florence
Lt. Col. Italian Army. Reservist.
Col. had given strict orders as to the respect to be used towards the prisoners. I never passed the camp prison. I entered the camp twice.
From witnesses who VISITED THE CAMP
Ugolino Ugolini from Florence
Camp Inspector (for the Italian Authorities)
Whilst I was in camp prisoners lacked nothing. The Col. and his staff caused this improvement. I knew of no complaints by prisoners. I made inspections of the camp and I found everything normal by day and night. No one complained of their treatment. I certainly know of no ill-treatment in camp. I exclude this absolutely. I always found the Guard Tent empty. There were 3-7,000 prisoners in camp. At first it was only 1 section, a second was added later. Punished prisoners were allowed outside the Guard Tent. On the 4 inspections I made I was not informed that any prisoners were being punished. By the Italian disciplinary code, the Commanding Officer awards punishments for minor offences. Fro more serious offences Defence HQ Florence awarded punishments. There is no true trial, just an interrogation. There is a trial only under penal regulations.
Eligio Tominelli
Farmer from Tirli near to Grosseto who delivered food to the camp
POWs never complained of the Col. Italian and British soldiers had the same punishments. I saw Italian soldiers punished with chains for indiscipline, for bargaining with prisoners (which the Col strictly forbade) and one because he broke the door of the Italian gaol. It had to be a very serious offence. This punishment was given by Defence HQ. The C.O. came back to the camp after the Germans took over to take over the Italian flag. Before the Germans arrived the doors (gates) were open for the prisoners to escape.
A witness based IN FLORENCE
Carlo Baralis
General, Italian Army
For serious offences the Officer in Charge at the Defence Sector with the POW Officer under (him) could personally give sentence. For an escape the C.O. had to inform higher authority by the quickest means. The C.O. can't give punishments for matters referred to HQ. For simple offences according to Italian regulations, there is no trial. A trial is only held for a crime. A crime is committed when the Penal code comes in. Chains are allowed during war for serious or repeated cases - chains are given outside (illegible) because there is no guard then and accused would escape. It is only given to prevent escape. I was told about the chain punishments given by Defence HQ. The reason was for escapes. There was a tent used as a gaol in the compound. It was not possible to lock this tent. When a prisoner was chained it was to leave the prisoner (so the prisoner could be left. AUTHOR'S NOTE) not to make the punishment more severe.
I have never heard of the accused using violence to prisoners or Italian soldiers.
From witnesses involved in THE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT
Carmine Grande
Marshal of the Carabinieri, commander of station at Riotorto
I have never been under Col. Citerni's orders, except during the Resistance Movement. (The) accused was always searched for by the Germans from '43 to Liberation. He was wanted for not handing over the British POWs to the German Army. I personally warned him to escape because he was wanted. I was commanding Scarlino Station I was asked at least 50 times to capture the Colonello from (by) the German Headquarters in Italy. He organised the local Underground branch. He went to Rome where he organised an Underground movement called Manfredi.
I gave news and he sent back orders as to my behaviour with the Germans. Both the sons and his wife were in the movement. The sons were partisans and his wife were (was) helping the partisans. They were wanted. I told them to escape. They did so. The sons got diplomas from Filed Marshal Alexander.
Guido Pellinetti from Florence
Artillery Officer Reservist
I have known the accused about ten years. He is a very generous and loyal man. As far as I know and from conversations from his superiors and from what i know, he is perfectly fair and just. I don't believe he treated his inferiors with great severity. After the Liberation of Rome (4 June '44. At this time Col. Citerni was in Rome AUTHOR'S NOTE) I went to the Carabinieri Cadet Barracks; he was temporary commandant. I could see the expressions of affection his officers and troops displayed to their colonel.
Speaking to him during the Nazi-Fascist occupation of Rome, I found he was organising underground (incomprehensible) of Carabinieri. One day he told me he had saved and done some good to two persons, a Jew and a Russian. Because of his care, they were hidden and got some money.
He told me something about hiding escapees from Laterina in his home. That is why he was wanted by the Nazis.
Before the Liberation I went with the Col. to the Questura (Police Headquarters. AUTHOR'S NOTE) The first time he came to my home and asked me to take him to the Questura because he had been called there and he was almost certain he was going to be arrested. It was then he told me about the British prisoner escapees. He was worried about his family, not himself. He had taken on the task of forming underground groups with his eyes open . He was a Partisan; most of them were former Carabinieri.
A witness who was a LONG TERM ACQUAINTANCE
Francesco Gabriele Arena from Rome
Magistrate Supreme Court, Advocate General
I have knowN the accused about 20 years. I knew him when I was at Terni. I was then D. J.A.G. (Deputy Judge Advocate General AUTHOR'S NOTE) and he commanded the carabinieri. I immediately recognised his fine character. He was a very generous gentleman. No-one has cooperated with me better over the administering of justice. More than once he has helped me right Fascist wrongs. (For Col. Citerni's time in Narni near Terni see the Bishop of Grosseto's testimony. AUTHOR'S NOTE)
Letter presented to the court from the Bishop of Grosseto
The Bishop of Grosseto Grosseto. 14th July 1946
According to a request from the Local English Military Police, I beg to state as follows:
I know, since I was Parson of the Narni Church and General Vicary of the same Diocese of Narni, Colonel Citerni Teodorico who was formerly attached to the Carabinieri Group at Narni and later on to the Central Head Quarters;
Some time afterwards I met him in Toscana as he belonged to my Diocese, being born at Scarlino and owner of estates in this place, and I was still on friendly terms with him.
Complying with the request, I fulfill today an agreeable duty and I am doing well, stating that Colonel Citerni who is a nobleman by birth, is also a noble soul. In fact every time I had to deal with him, on account of my clerical duties, I found that he was a perfect gentleman, absolutely honest, and although stern and conscious when performing his duties, has proved always to be lenient and inclined to agreements, both in judgments and in deeds and specially concerning punishments. In some instances, when things, were rather serious, he endeavoured to act in a friendly way and to do well, getting his point, but keeping to the saying "better to warn than to repress"
I resume, saying most decidedly, that he is incapable of willingly doing harm to anybody..
In faith.
(Sgd.) GALEAZZI Paolo (Bishop)
According to a request from the Local English Military Police, I beg to state as follows:
I know, since I was Parson of the Narni Church and General Vicary of the same Diocese of Narni, Colonel Citerni Teodorico who was formerly attached to the Carabinieri Group at Narni and later on to the Central Head Quarters;
Some time afterwards I met him in Toscana as he belonged to my Diocese, being born at Scarlino and owner of estates in this place, and I was still on friendly terms with him.
Complying with the request, I fulfill today an agreeable duty and I am doing well, stating that Colonel Citerni who is a nobleman by birth, is also a noble soul. In fact every time I had to deal with him, on account of my clerical duties, I found that he was a perfect gentleman, absolutely honest, and although stern and conscious when performing his duties, has proved always to be lenient and inclined to agreements, both in judgments and in deeds and specially concerning punishments. In some instances, when things, were rather serious, he endeavoured to act in a friendly way and to do well, getting his point, but keeping to the saying "better to warn than to repress"
I resume, saying most decidedly, that he is incapable of willingly doing harm to anybody..
In faith.
(Sgd.) GALEAZZI Paolo (Bishop)
Summing up for the defence
Defence Counsel in mitigation:
No regulations as to time for which chains may be applied in article 612 of the Italian Disciplinary Regulations; this is a chapter headed 'Chamber of Punishment'. The preceding sections talk of Chambers of Punishment i.e. buildings. Submits prisoners may be chained day and night. At Camp 82 men kept in chains for a very limited time. Harlow speaks of 28 days. Dr. Barker does not mention chains in hospital. Ferrari says none chained in hospital. Suggests POW may exaggerate. 15,000 prisoners went through and many escapes. No one shot. Accused ordered no shooting at prisoners escaping. Accused ordered to give the punishment of chains by higher command. He reduced their sentences.
Col. Citerni had been arrested for War Crimes by the Allies and the Defence compared his plight with that of Harlow and emphasised his role in the Resistance:
Accused manacled when (so) he could not escape; 65 years old; prisoner or not, enemy or not. Colonel's binding (handcuffing AUTHOR'S NOTE) more uncomfortable than that of Harlow. Harlow on a bed on a mattress. Col had his hands bound under his legs in a bouncing vehicle. Colonel a rich man. Accused fought for the Liberation; wanted by Fascist; Family persecuted; Certificates from Field Marshal Alexander. Helped escaped prisoners; prisoners from his camp went to him to hide. Accused been under arrest for 7 months.
No regulations as to time for which chains may be applied in article 612 of the Italian Disciplinary Regulations; this is a chapter headed 'Chamber of Punishment'. The preceding sections talk of Chambers of Punishment i.e. buildings. Submits prisoners may be chained day and night. At Camp 82 men kept in chains for a very limited time. Harlow speaks of 28 days. Dr. Barker does not mention chains in hospital. Ferrari says none chained in hospital. Suggests POW may exaggerate. 15,000 prisoners went through and many escapes. No one shot. Accused ordered no shooting at prisoners escaping. Accused ordered to give the punishment of chains by higher command. He reduced their sentences.
Col. Citerni had been arrested for War Crimes by the Allies and the Defence compared his plight with that of Harlow and emphasised his role in the Resistance:
Accused manacled when (so) he could not escape; 65 years old; prisoner or not, enemy or not. Colonel's binding (handcuffing AUTHOR'S NOTE) more uncomfortable than that of Harlow. Harlow on a bed on a mattress. Col had his hands bound under his legs in a bouncing vehicle. Colonel a rich man. Accused fought for the Liberation; wanted by Fascist; Family persecuted; Certificates from Field Marshal Alexander. Helped escaped prisoners; prisoners from his camp went to him to hide. Accused been under arrest for 7 months.
The Sentence
It should be noted that 914579 Gunner Frank Unwin was given 30 days imprisonment and was chained at night by the carabinieri. See his testimony on the next page.
The Forced March
The Forced March, which took place during June 1944 when PG 82 was being used as a transit camp by the Germans, resulted in the deaths of several prisoners of war. Affidavits or reports of what happened appear in the War Crimes documents listed at the start of this page. The following men gave their testimonies to the War Crimes Commission:
Evidence given to the War Crimes Commission
by 4245926 Corporal M. Levenberg, East Yorkshire Regiment
4245926 Corporal M. Levenberg, East Yorkshire Regiment, with permanent address at 196, Palatine Road, Blackpool, make oath and say as follows:
I am now on discharge from the Army.
I was taken prisoner at Gazala, Libya, on 1 June 1944 (error – 1942, AUTHOR'S NOTE) , and after passing through sundry transit camps I escaped from a camp in Northern Italy in September 1943. I made my way to Rome but was recaptured in May 1944 and was taken to Laterina prison camp. LATERINA camp was very overcrowded, the prisoners there were infested with lice, the washing facilities were quite inadequate and the food consisted chiefly of soup made with cabbage leaves.
The Commandant of Laterina camp was a German officer, Captain SCHULTZ; an interpreter in the camp was a German NCO, a Feldwebel HOFFMANN, a typical fanatical Nazi. I know that protests about the conditions at Laterina were submitted to Captain SCHULTZ by the Camp Leader, an American Technical Sergeant, but these were always turned down.
Owing to the approach of the Allied forces, on 17 June 1944 about 800/900 prisoners were marched out of LATERINA camp. The march was supervised by Captain SCHULTZ and Feldwebel HOFFMANN, accompanied by the party. Owing to the proximity of the Allied forces the prisoners were very restive and there were a number of attempts to break from the line of march and escape. We had travelled about two miles when a number of prisoners tried to escape. They clambered down a cliff and the German guards shot them dead. Later on an American soldier asked the guard for permission to relieve himself and this was refused. The American tried to step out of the column whereupon the German guard struck him with his rifle butt on the head, knocking him down, and continued to batter him with his rifle butt. The American was left senseless, and I believe was killed.
Eventually the column approached a village; a number of armoured cars were drawn up there and as the column marched by hand grenades were lobbed from these armoured cars into the column. A number of prisoners were killed and injured. There was no attempt to break away before these grenades were thrown but as a result of the grenades some of the prisoners attempted to scatter and were shot at by the guards. In this village I saw one of the prisoners stumble out of the line of the march. I saw HOFFMANN come up and shoot this prisoner dead without any justification. HOFFMANN was very anti-British and at this time was very excited and was cursing us. I did not examine the body of the man shot by HOFFMANN but I saw the prisoner fall over and lie motionless. I do not know who it was that HOFFMAN shot.
The column continued to march for a further three or four kilometres until we reached another village, there we were halted ad stayed the night in a sports field. The next morning we were told that we were going to be marched back again to LATERINA. On the return march we passed through a village where the hand grenades had been thrown, and there lying in the street I saw a number f bodies of prisoners in a crushed an unrecognisable state. These had obviously been run over by track vehicles, and I believe were the men who had been killed by the hand grenades or shot the evening before. As the march continued I observed the bodies of four dead prisoners lying in a ditch. I do not know under what circumstances they were killed, but they had obviously been shot.
We eventually arrived back at LATERINA in the afternoon o 18th June 1944. I saw the bodies of eight prisoners who had been shot; they were there for identification. I understood that these eight had been killed soon after leaving Laterina camp the previous day, but I do not know the circumstances under which they were killed. They are buried in the village of LATERINA.
After my return I was told this story by more than one prisoner. The previous evening in the first village a number of prisoners tried to escape and take refuge in a house. The Germans had thrown a hand grenade into the house and had killed a number of prisoners and an Italian girl.
The next day, 19th June 1944, all the prisoners were marched again out of LATERINIA to a railway siding more than 7 kilometres away. We were then packed into cattle trucks, about 65 men to a truck. We were then taken to MOOSBURG in Germany. The journey lasted more than 2 hours in thee overcrowded conditions with nowhere to lie down or sleep; all the food we had was a small piece of bread and sausage and during this time the only water we had was given us by Italian peasants when the train stopped. The only lavatory facilities was one container for the whole 65 men, and we were not allowed out of the trucks for any purpose. On this journey we stayed at HANOVER where all the prisoners were taken out and stripped naked in public view in the main street and searched. HOFFMANN accompanied us on this journey. I remained in MOOSBURG until Christmas of 1944, and was then taken to Stalag 383. I was evacuated from there on 1st May 1945, and was eventually released by the Americans on 6th May 1945.
I spent in all some six weeks in LATERINA Camp and I frequently saw Captain SCULTZ and Feldwebel HOFFMANN. Captain SCHULTZ, I believe, belonged to the German Artillery. He was about 30 years of age: 5'5” to 5' 6” in height. He was a well-built man tending to run to fat and would weigh perhaps 12 stone. He had very thin hair of a dirty-brown in colour; pale complexion; clean-shaven and had some gold filling in his teeth. He had missing a top from one of his fingers but I do not remember from which hand. He spoke no English at all.
Feldwebel HOFFMANN was according to himself aged 60 years, but he did not look as old as this. Height about 5'7” to 5'8”; hair dark brown; blue eyes; healthy complexion; pointed nose and sharp features. Clean-shaven, slight build. Weight perhaps 10½ stone. He did not speak perfect English but was one of the camp interpreters. He had soldiered in the last war, and I believe had been a prisoner of war in Canada. I believe he remained in Canada for some time after the last war.
A Private, PHILIP MEASURES, RAOC, was at LATERINA and participated in the march and would be able to give further information.
Report by the said M. Levenberg
at 6 Spring Gardens in the City
of Westminster this twenty-third day
of July 1945.
I am now on discharge from the Army.
I was taken prisoner at Gazala, Libya, on 1 June 1944 (error – 1942, AUTHOR'S NOTE) , and after passing through sundry transit camps I escaped from a camp in Northern Italy in September 1943. I made my way to Rome but was recaptured in May 1944 and was taken to Laterina prison camp. LATERINA camp was very overcrowded, the prisoners there were infested with lice, the washing facilities were quite inadequate and the food consisted chiefly of soup made with cabbage leaves.
The Commandant of Laterina camp was a German officer, Captain SCHULTZ; an interpreter in the camp was a German NCO, a Feldwebel HOFFMANN, a typical fanatical Nazi. I know that protests about the conditions at Laterina were submitted to Captain SCHULTZ by the Camp Leader, an American Technical Sergeant, but these were always turned down.
Owing to the approach of the Allied forces, on 17 June 1944 about 800/900 prisoners were marched out of LATERINA camp. The march was supervised by Captain SCHULTZ and Feldwebel HOFFMANN, accompanied by the party. Owing to the proximity of the Allied forces the prisoners were very restive and there were a number of attempts to break from the line of march and escape. We had travelled about two miles when a number of prisoners tried to escape. They clambered down a cliff and the German guards shot them dead. Later on an American soldier asked the guard for permission to relieve himself and this was refused. The American tried to step out of the column whereupon the German guard struck him with his rifle butt on the head, knocking him down, and continued to batter him with his rifle butt. The American was left senseless, and I believe was killed.
Eventually the column approached a village; a number of armoured cars were drawn up there and as the column marched by hand grenades were lobbed from these armoured cars into the column. A number of prisoners were killed and injured. There was no attempt to break away before these grenades were thrown but as a result of the grenades some of the prisoners attempted to scatter and were shot at by the guards. In this village I saw one of the prisoners stumble out of the line of the march. I saw HOFFMANN come up and shoot this prisoner dead without any justification. HOFFMANN was very anti-British and at this time was very excited and was cursing us. I did not examine the body of the man shot by HOFFMANN but I saw the prisoner fall over and lie motionless. I do not know who it was that HOFFMAN shot.
The column continued to march for a further three or four kilometres until we reached another village, there we were halted ad stayed the night in a sports field. The next morning we were told that we were going to be marched back again to LATERINA. On the return march we passed through a village where the hand grenades had been thrown, and there lying in the street I saw a number f bodies of prisoners in a crushed an unrecognisable state. These had obviously been run over by track vehicles, and I believe were the men who had been killed by the hand grenades or shot the evening before. As the march continued I observed the bodies of four dead prisoners lying in a ditch. I do not know under what circumstances they were killed, but they had obviously been shot.
We eventually arrived back at LATERINA in the afternoon o 18th June 1944. I saw the bodies of eight prisoners who had been shot; they were there for identification. I understood that these eight had been killed soon after leaving Laterina camp the previous day, but I do not know the circumstances under which they were killed. They are buried in the village of LATERINA.
After my return I was told this story by more than one prisoner. The previous evening in the first village a number of prisoners tried to escape and take refuge in a house. The Germans had thrown a hand grenade into the house and had killed a number of prisoners and an Italian girl.
The next day, 19th June 1944, all the prisoners were marched again out of LATERINIA to a railway siding more than 7 kilometres away. We were then packed into cattle trucks, about 65 men to a truck. We were then taken to MOOSBURG in Germany. The journey lasted more than 2 hours in thee overcrowded conditions with nowhere to lie down or sleep; all the food we had was a small piece of bread and sausage and during this time the only water we had was given us by Italian peasants when the train stopped. The only lavatory facilities was one container for the whole 65 men, and we were not allowed out of the trucks for any purpose. On this journey we stayed at HANOVER where all the prisoners were taken out and stripped naked in public view in the main street and searched. HOFFMANN accompanied us on this journey. I remained in MOOSBURG until Christmas of 1944, and was then taken to Stalag 383. I was evacuated from there on 1st May 1945, and was eventually released by the Americans on 6th May 1945.
I spent in all some six weeks in LATERINA Camp and I frequently saw Captain SCULTZ and Feldwebel HOFFMANN. Captain SCHULTZ, I believe, belonged to the German Artillery. He was about 30 years of age: 5'5” to 5' 6” in height. He was a well-built man tending to run to fat and would weigh perhaps 12 stone. He had very thin hair of a dirty-brown in colour; pale complexion; clean-shaven and had some gold filling in his teeth. He had missing a top from one of his fingers but I do not remember from which hand. He spoke no English at all.
Feldwebel HOFFMANN was according to himself aged 60 years, but he did not look as old as this. Height about 5'7” to 5'8”; hair dark brown; blue eyes; healthy complexion; pointed nose and sharp features. Clean-shaven, slight build. Weight perhaps 10½ stone. He did not speak perfect English but was one of the camp interpreters. He had soldiered in the last war, and I believe had been a prisoner of war in Canada. I believe he remained in Canada for some time after the last war.
A Private, PHILIP MEASURES, RAOC, was at LATERINA and participated in the march and would be able to give further information.
Report by the said M. Levenberg
at 6 Spring Gardens in the City
of Westminster this twenty-third day
of July 1945.
Evidence given to the War Crimes Commission
by 113957V Lance/Bombardier Daniel John Watson, South African Artillery
L/Bdr. Watson was captured between Gazala and Tobruk in June 1942. He had been held in various POW camps, had escaped three times, and was captured for the third time on 1 April 1944 at Norcia (whilst he was a member of the patriot band led Captain Ernesto Melis, Lieutenant Sergio Forti and fellow South African Pte. Nigel Eatwell. AUTHOR'S NOTE.) Sent after this ultimate capture to PG77 Pissignano, L/Bdr. Watson was transferred to Laterina and took part in the Forced March:
The POWs on this march were not all South Africans but were of different nationalities. The march commenced late in the afternoon and continued during the night. A lot of us spoke of escaping but unfortunately few of us took the gamble owing to the indiscriminate shooting by the Germans.
When about 8 km. From Laterina camp, a POW who was only about 15 yards from me jumped on an embankment and hid in the long grass and bush. Unfortunately for him a truck passed full of Germans, one of the Germans shouted, 'There is a prisoner trying to escape'. The German guard walked to the side of the road, and he saw the foot of the prisoner sticking out. The German guard never said a word but shot the prisoner with a Tommy gun. He then went and looked at the prisoner and when he came back he said to the other guards, 'That is one less to guard'. I do not know the name or nationality of this POW nor do I know the name of this German guard but I will be able to identify him again. He is short build, height about 5ft 7 ins, and well set.
Cpl. Hoffman was interpreter and propaganda officer on this march. One of the POWs jumped from the column into the thick bush next to the road. On of the guards shouted, 'Prisoner escaping.' It was my unpleasantness to halt just where Cpl. Hoffmann was shouting to this prisoner to come out of the bush, saying, 'If you don’t come out I'll let the dogs loose on you, but if you come out nothing will be done to you'. This prisoner then came out of the bush with his hands up and Cpl Hoffmann deliberately shot him in cold blood by finishing a Tommy-gun magazine into him. I do not know the name or nationality of this prisoner.
A lot of POWs were shot on this march. I saw an Imperial sergeant - name not known – being wounded. The Germans placed him next to the road, so we could all see him as we walked past. What happened to him I do not know but Italian partisans later told me that he was shot dead after the column moved past.
The latter part of the evening, whilst passing through a village, I saw four dead bodies of POWs lying in the road.
A few km. past a village, I escaped for the fourth time and six weeks later I re-joined our lines.
I did not actually see the German guard Kritzsinger shoot any of the POWs but most of the shooting was done by him and Cpl. Hoffmann on this march as they were continually walking up and down the line. I will be able to identify both Kritzsinger and Cpl. Hoffmann, also several of the other German guards, If I could see their photographs.
I may mention that one of the German guards, if he could be found, will give ll information what transpired on this march, as he was not in favour of the Germans shooting the POWs. His description is as follows: Age about 45 years, height about.....(illegible) well build, weight about 18018s (?)ginger-brown moustache (illegible) disposition.
The POWs on this march were not all South Africans but were of different nationalities. The march commenced late in the afternoon and continued during the night. A lot of us spoke of escaping but unfortunately few of us took the gamble owing to the indiscriminate shooting by the Germans.
When about 8 km. From Laterina camp, a POW who was only about 15 yards from me jumped on an embankment and hid in the long grass and bush. Unfortunately for him a truck passed full of Germans, one of the Germans shouted, 'There is a prisoner trying to escape'. The German guard walked to the side of the road, and he saw the foot of the prisoner sticking out. The German guard never said a word but shot the prisoner with a Tommy gun. He then went and looked at the prisoner and when he came back he said to the other guards, 'That is one less to guard'. I do not know the name or nationality of this POW nor do I know the name of this German guard but I will be able to identify him again. He is short build, height about 5ft 7 ins, and well set.
Cpl. Hoffman was interpreter and propaganda officer on this march. One of the POWs jumped from the column into the thick bush next to the road. On of the guards shouted, 'Prisoner escaping.' It was my unpleasantness to halt just where Cpl. Hoffmann was shouting to this prisoner to come out of the bush, saying, 'If you don’t come out I'll let the dogs loose on you, but if you come out nothing will be done to you'. This prisoner then came out of the bush with his hands up and Cpl Hoffmann deliberately shot him in cold blood by finishing a Tommy-gun magazine into him. I do not know the name or nationality of this prisoner.
A lot of POWs were shot on this march. I saw an Imperial sergeant - name not known – being wounded. The Germans placed him next to the road, so we could all see him as we walked past. What happened to him I do not know but Italian partisans later told me that he was shot dead after the column moved past.
The latter part of the evening, whilst passing through a village, I saw four dead bodies of POWs lying in the road.
A few km. past a village, I escaped for the fourth time and six weeks later I re-joined our lines.
I did not actually see the German guard Kritzsinger shoot any of the POWs but most of the shooting was done by him and Cpl. Hoffmann on this march as they were continually walking up and down the line. I will be able to identify both Kritzsinger and Cpl. Hoffmann, also several of the other German guards, If I could see their photographs.
I may mention that one of the German guards, if he could be found, will give ll information what transpired on this march, as he was not in favour of the Germans shooting the POWs. His description is as follows: Age about 45 years, height about.....(illegible) well build, weight about 18018s (?)ginger-brown moustache (illegible) disposition.
Janet Kinrade Dethick October 2016