A number of servicemen who at some stage were jheld PG 82 Laterina were recommended for an award. Below are their NAMES and CITATIONS:
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES
2935378 Private Mark O’Kane
2nd Bn, Cameron Highlanders, 11th Brigade, 4th Indian Division
2935378 Private Mark O’Kane
2nd Bn, Cameron Highlanders, 11th Brigade, 4th Indian Division
O’KANE came into enemy hands on 22nd June 1942 on the capitulation of TOBRUK. After his release from AQUILA (Camp 102) on 12th September 1943, he with one companion into the mountains. Moving to the province PESCARA towards the end of October 1943, O’KANE was employed for a few days as a runner by an officer who was organising an evacuation of P/W by boat to TERMOLI. On 2nd November 1943, O’KANE was caught and sent to CHIETI camp. From here he and another P/W escaped three days later through a tunnel which had been dug prior to the Armistice. In the hope that the Allies would shortly be advancing, the two men hid near CHIETI until the beginning of March 1944 but were recaptured when they tried to move nearer to the front lines. Taken to FARA NEL SABINA and LATERINA, O’KANE escaped again on 17th June 1944 by slipping away from a column of prisoners being marched North. After hiding nearby for three days he met an advancing British unit.
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES
408828 Lance Corporal Stephen Richard Tasker
8th Hussars, R.A.C. 7th Armoured Division
408828 Lance Corporal Stephen Richard Tasker
8th Hussars, R.A.C. 7th Armoured Division
TASKER was captured on 21st November 1941 SIDI REZEGH and after participating in the general evacuation from Camp 102 (AQUILA) in September 1943, spent 7 months with an Italian family in a nearby village. At the end of March 1944 he joined several P/W who were being guided through the lines. Although TASKER was not caught when the party was attacked by Germans, he was betrayed to the enemy the next day. Imprisonment followed at SULMONA, AQUILA and LATERINA. On 17th June 1944 all the prisoners were evacuated; in spite of the fact that he had seen 2 other escapers killed when they broke away from the ranks, TASKER awaited a suitable opportunity, knocked down a guard with his fist and ran. Shots were fired but all went wide of the mark. Taking to the hills TASKER joined a band of partisans, transferring three days later to small sabotage squad. Excellent work was done in harassing German transport, until the group found themselves caught up by the battle. Hiding the remainder of their explosives, on 20th July 1944 the saboteurs made their way singly to British forces across the River ARNO.
Author's note: The partisans were the Raggruppamento Monte Amiata, led by Raul Ballocci. The 'small sabotage squad' who belonged to the Long Range Desert Group, were led by Captain G. F. Rowbottom. (The National Archives: WO 218/92)
MILITARY MEDAL
T/230944 Corporal Forrester Hart
R.A.S.C. Platoon, att. 68 Med. Regt. R.A.
R.A.S.C. Platoon, att. 68 Med. Regt. R.A.
The National Archives: WO 373/64/568:
Cpl. HART was captured at TOBRUK on 22 Jun. 42. On 12 February 43 he escaped alone from GRAVINA (Camp 65 Italy) by cutting the wIre at night, but was recaptured 5 days later on the beach near BARI. At the time of the Italian Armistice he was at MACERATA (Camp 53) and on 18 Sept. was entrained for transfer to Germany. Hart discovered that the truck was not securely fastened and, although the senior N.C.O. forbade him to escape, jumped onto the line. Recaptured within forty-eight hours HART was again entrained for GERMANY. With a paratrooper he escaped through the window of the truck and travelled to MONTALTO ( di Cessapalombo in the Marche Region). During February 44 Hart was again caught by the Germans. He was taken to a temporary prison at ASCOLI, but managed to leave through a a third storey window whilst only one guard was on duty. He returned to MONTALTO and stayed with a partisan band until the end of March 1944. Captured by Fascists at VALLESANTO on 5 April 1944, HART remained in prison until the middle of June 1944. When the Germans evacuated LATERINA camp HART hid in a tree for 11 hours; descending after their departure, he went to PONTENANO to serve with a rebel unit. On 27 July HART met British forces at SAN GIUSTINO.
Recommended for the award of the Military Medal
Cpl. HART was captured at TOBRUK on 22 Jun. 42. On 12 February 43 he escaped alone from GRAVINA (Camp 65 Italy) by cutting the wIre at night, but was recaptured 5 days later on the beach near BARI. At the time of the Italian Armistice he was at MACERATA (Camp 53) and on 18 Sept. was entrained for transfer to Germany. Hart discovered that the truck was not securely fastened and, although the senior N.C.O. forbade him to escape, jumped onto the line. Recaptured within forty-eight hours HART was again entrained for GERMANY. With a paratrooper he escaped through the window of the truck and travelled to MONTALTO ( di Cessapalombo in the Marche Region). During February 44 Hart was again caught by the Germans. He was taken to a temporary prison at ASCOLI, but managed to leave through a a third storey window whilst only one guard was on duty. He returned to MONTALTO and stayed with a partisan band until the end of March 1944. Captured by Fascists at VALLESANTO on 5 April 1944, HART remained in prison until the middle of June 1944. When the Germans evacuated LATERINA camp HART hid in a tree for 11 hours; descending after their departure, he went to PONTENANO to serve with a rebel unit. On 27 July HART met British forces at SAN GIUSTINO.
Recommended for the award of the Military Medal
MILITARY MEDAL
4752153 Private Leslie ANKERS
4 Green Howards, 50 Division
4 Green Howards, 50 Division
The National Archives WO 373/64/588
Pte. ANKERS was captured at GAZALA on 1 June 42 and was released form AQUILA (Camp 102) on 19 Sept. 43. After spending two months at COLLE CASTAGNA he and another prisoner tried to cross the lines; they had reached the SANGRO river when they were caught by two Germans. During transfer to Germany the train stopped at a small station near Lake TRASIMENO and some of the prisoners were allowed to obtain a drink from the fountain on the platform. Ankers detached himself from the crowd, broke into a storeroom and, carrying a bag of cement, left the station unchallenged in spite of the fact that he was wearing battle-dress. He returned to COLLE CASTAGNA, leaving at the end of April for another attempt to cross the lines. With three companions (one of them was a deserter from the German army) he crossed a minefield and, reaching the coast, embarked on a rowing boat. Their departure had been noticed and before they were out of range a Verey light revealed their exact position and they were compelled to return. The German deserter succeeded in escaping, but the three Allied servicemen were sent to LATERINA (Camp 82). At the beginning of June 44, when being marched to MONTEVARCHI, Ankers slipped away from the column. On 14 June he met French forces near MONTE S. MARIA.
Recommended for the award of the Military Medal.
Pte. ANKERS was captured at GAZALA on 1 June 42 and was released form AQUILA (Camp 102) on 19 Sept. 43. After spending two months at COLLE CASTAGNA he and another prisoner tried to cross the lines; they had reached the SANGRO river when they were caught by two Germans. During transfer to Germany the train stopped at a small station near Lake TRASIMENO and some of the prisoners were allowed to obtain a drink from the fountain on the platform. Ankers detached himself from the crowd, broke into a storeroom and, carrying a bag of cement, left the station unchallenged in spite of the fact that he was wearing battle-dress. He returned to COLLE CASTAGNA, leaving at the end of April for another attempt to cross the lines. With three companions (one of them was a deserter from the German army) he crossed a minefield and, reaching the coast, embarked on a rowing boat. Their departure had been noticed and before they were out of range a Verey light revealed their exact position and they were compelled to return. The German deserter succeeded in escaping, but the three Allied servicemen were sent to LATERINA (Camp 82). At the beginning of June 44, when being marched to MONTEVARCHI, Ankers slipped away from the column. On 14 June he met French forces near MONTE S. MARIA.
Recommended for the award of the Military Medal.