Thread: Forced Marches

Originally Posted by liverpool annie

So did they do anything do you know ?

Annie,
yes they did.Unfortunately the Files were sent to Washington on the request of the American Government.
There are some files that list helpers all over Europe,and what financial reward had been given,but for the most part they are in the USA.
The best thing to come out of the situation was the formation of groups like The Monte San Martino Trust,who still donate several educational Bersary to younger members of Italian Families that helped Escapers on the run.
Of course there is E.L.MS. who do annual walks along some of the Escape Routes taken.
So even after 63 years their help is not forgotten.

Originally Posted by liverpool annie

I found this Brian ... and was surprised that the formation of the Monte San Martino Trust wasn't until 1989 ! I wonder if the files are at archives ... we have a branch here and I have a readers card if you'd like me to take a look !

Footsteps of freedom

And heres the book !!

Beyond the Wire, Roy Marlow MM HB POW escapesTrue Life - eBay (item 360077624757 end time Oct-06-08 12:27:58 PDT)

There are many Escape stories that remain untold.
I am fortunate to have glanced through,and recorded about 9 or 10,000 of the reports made by those who Escaped or Evaded.
It would have been quite easy to have just sat reading the Reports instead of doing what I set out to do.
There were some very determined individuals during this time. There were those who were not happy with just being safely interned, they escaped again and returned home. In many cases they continued to serve until 1945.
The example I always quote is the one regarding the Pte from the S.W.B. who had been captured in Libya. During the second night onboard the ship taking him to further captivity in Italy, he went to the Heads that were situated on Deck. In the distance he saw lights from Tunisia,and also that the Italian Guards were asleep. Going back into the Hold he gave his situation some thought and went back on Deck. The Guards were still asleep so he dropped over the side and swam to Tunisia. Must have been 7 or 8mls. It wasn't long before he was spotted and arrested by the French. He was interned and met up with a British Naval internee who was also held by the French.
It didn't take them too long to escape again and return to Allied Lines.