Private Edward Walker
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/73
Name: 4127080 Pte. Walker, Edward.
Unit: 2nd Battalion The Cheshire Regiment, 50th Division.
Captured: Mersa Matruh, 29th June 1942.
Escaped: G.W.10012 (Villach), 30th January 1945.
Left: Lyons, 7th March 1945.
Arrived: U.K., 7th March 1945.
Date of Birth: 7th December 1921.
Army Service: Since 24th September 1938.
Peacetime Profession: Regular Army.
Private Address: 39 Buckingham Street, Heavilay, Stockport.
1. CAPTURE:
I was captured near MERSA MATRUH with part of 150 Brigade on 29 Jun 42.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED:
BENGHAZI 1 Jul - Oct 42.
TRIPLOLI Oct - Nov 42.
Campo 68 (VERTRALLA) Nov - 30 Dec 42.
Campo 57 (UDINE) Jan - 8 Sep 42.
Stalag XVIII A/Z (SPITTAL) 9 - 23 Sep 43.
WORKING CAMP G.W.10012 (VILLACH) attached to STALAG XVIII A (WOLFSBERG) 23 Sep 43 - 30 Jan 45.
3. CAMP CONDITIONS:
The conditions at G.W.10012 (VILLACH) (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 7B, C 8980) were reasonable from the time of our arrival until Nov 44, when the Germans rations were cut. At that time Red Cross parcels ceased to arrive and between Nov and 30 Jan 45 we received only one parcel per man.
The treatment by the Germans was roughly in accordance with the Geneva Convention.
4. GERMAN MORALE:
The morale of the German soldiers and civilians seemed to be very low. In my opinion this was due to poor food and fear of the S.S. and Gestapo. The Austrian civilians and soldiers were very bitter against the Germans.
The VILLACH area was bombed on between 30 and 40 occasions from Oct 44 to the end of Jan 45. The population did not appear to object to the bombing. They seemed to think that it was the only way to end the war quickly.
5. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES:
Nil.
6. ESCAPE:
At 1730 hrs on 30 Jan 45 Spr. MARTIN, R.E. and I escaped from G.W.10012 (VILLACH) (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 7B, C 8980) by walking through the gate while the sentry had left the gate unguarded for a few moments. A party of Ps/W were cutting wood outside the gate and they gave us a signal when the guard was in the latrine. It was usual for the sentry to leave the gate unguarded while he went to the latrine.
We were wearing battledress and Army greatcoats and we were carrying civilian clothes, which we had obtained from Italian forced workers in exchange for cigarettes earlier that day, under our greatcoats.
We had arranged that one of these Italians should meet us near the camp after our escape as he had promised to escort us to ARNOLDSTEIN (C 7974). We went to the meeting place but this man failed to arrive. It was then too late to travel by train that night so we approached another Italian, whom we knew by sight, and asked him if he knew where we could stay until the following evening. He took us to a house approximately one km, from the camp in SEEBACH, near VILLACH. We remained there for a few hours and then went into an air-raid shelter near the house, where we remained until 0400 hrs on 31 Jan.
We walked to VILLACH and discovered that there was no train to ARNOLDSTEIN until 0900 hrs. We decided not to travel by this train as the Ps/W from the camp, with their German guards, would be working in the station area from 0700 hrs. We walked to the outskirts of VILLACH and met five Frenchmen from a working commando, who hid us in their camp until 1600 hrs.
We then walked into VILLACH station and bought two tickets (third class) for ARNOLDSTEIN. We remained in the station until 2030 hrs when we boarded a train. About half an hour later the train stopped at a station and I asked a woman if this was ARNOLDSTEIN. She stated that we were travelling in the wrong direction. We got off the train and discovered that we were at FEISTRITZ (C 7490).
We made enquiries for a French working camp. On receiving directions regarding the whereabouts of a French camp, we went there and found that it was closed for the night. We then asked an Austrian girl if there were any Frenchmen working on farms in the district. She informed us that a Frenchman worked in a house in the town and directed us there. We approached this man and explained who we were. He gave us food and hid us in a hayloft until the evening of 1 Feb.
We left the hayloft at 1930 hrs on 1 Feb and went to the railway station, where we purchased tickets (third class) for VILLACH. We boarded a train at 2030 hrs and arrived at VILLACH about half an hour later. We walked to an Italian civilian workers camp on the outskirts of VILLACH and stated that we were French workers. We were given accommodation until the following evening (2 Feb).
At 1800 hrs on 2 Feb we left the camp and walked to the railway station, where we bought tickets (third class) for ARNOLDSTEIN. We boarded the train at 1845 hrs and arrived at ARNOLDSTEIN at 2100 hrs. We left the train as we knew that identity papers were examined here. It was our intention to hide underneath one of the coaches and travel to UDINE (the train's destination) on the chassis. As we got under one of the coaches we heard shouts of "Halt". We realised that we had been seen so we ran under some coaches on a siding and then out of the goods yard. We were not followed.
We walked into ARNOLDSTEIN and met an Italian who directed us to an Italian civilian workers camp. We went there and were accommodated for the night. At 2530 hrs [presumably should be 2330] on 3 Feb we left the camp and walked to the railway station where we met a French P/W. We told him that we were escaped British Ps/W and asked him for help. He agreed to help us. A party of British Ps/W were working on the railway nearby and we wrote a note stating that we had escaped and wanted food and cigarettes. The Frenchman took this note to the British Ps/W and returned soon afterwards with bread and cigarettes. The Frenchman then took us to his billet, where we stayed until 4 Feb.
On that day at 1830 hrs we left our hiding place and walked to the railway station, where we purchased tickets (third class) for HERMAGOR (Sheet 7, C 5182). We boarded a train at 2030 hrs and arrived at HERMAGOR at approximately 2230 hrs. We went to a cafe, where we enquired for an Italian workers camps. An Austrian boy took us to a mixed Russian and French civilian workers camp on the outskirts of the town. Everyone was asleep so we slept on the floor.
At 0630 hrs on 5 Feb we walked into HERMAGOR, where we met a French P/W. We told him that we were escaped Ps/W and he took us to a sawmill, where we spoke to several British Ps/W who gave us food and cigarettes. The Frenchman then took us to his camp, where he hid us in a loft. We remained there until 1200 hrs, when we were brought to a room on the ground floor. We stayed there until 6 Feb.
At 2045 hrs on that day we left the camp and walked to the railway station, where we bought tickets (third class) for KOTSCHACH (C 2389). We boarded a train at 2200 hrs and arrived at KOTSCHACH at 2345 hrs. We went to a barn near the station, where we spent the night.
At 0600 hrs on 7 Feb we walked to KOTSCHACH, where we met a French P/W, who took us to the garage where he worked. We stayed in an office at the garage until 1900 hrs, when the Frenchman took us to the French P/W Camp. We stayed there until 0530 hrs on 8 Feb, when the Frenchman took us back to the garage. We remained there until 1830 hrs, when we began walking to OBERDRAUBURG (C 2196) where we arrived at 2200 hrs.
The Frenchman in KOTSCHACH had given us the address of a French working camp in OBERDRAUBURG and we went there. We were given accommodation until 1930 hrs on 9 Feb.
We then walked to the railway station, where we bought tickets (third class) for LIENZ (X 0505). We boarded a train at 1945 hrs and arrived at LIENZ at 2130 hrs. We met a French civilian worker who took us to a hotel, where we met a French P/W. This man hid us in his room for the night.
At 0700 hrs on 10 Feb the French P/W took us to the billet of an Italian civilian worker, who hid us in his room until 12 Feb.
At 1000 hrs on that day we left the house and travelled by motor lorry to SILLIAN (Sheet 6, B 8098). The journey was arranged by the French P/W and the driver of the lorry was also a French P/W. We arrived in SILLIAN at 1200 hrs and went to a garage, where we met several French Ps/W. We remained there until 1830 hrs, when the French Ps/W took us to a hayloft near their camp. We remained there until 15 Feb.
On that day at 1930 hrs we left the hayloft and walked to the railway station, where we entered the goods yard. We knew that identity papers were examined at this station. It was our intention to jump on a passing train going to ITALY, but it was travelling too fast. We hid in a goods wagon on a siding for about two hours and then went to a small brick building near the goods yard, where we stayed until the morning of 16 Feb.
At 0600 hrs on that day we went to the railway station and bought tickets (third class) for LIENZ. The French P/W at SILLIAN had given us an address at SPITTAL (Sheet 7B, X 6101). We boarded a train at 0700 hrs and arrived at LIENZ about 1000 hrs. We went to the Italian with whom we had stayed previously and remained in his room until 1800 hrs. We then went to the railway station and purchased tickets (third class) for SPITTAL. We boarded a train at 1830 hrs and arrived at SPITTAL about 2100 hrs. We met French civilian workers who took us to their camp and we remained there until 1930 hrs on 18 Feb.
During this time we enquired about the person we had been advised to see, but we discovered that he had gone to SILLIAN. He was due to return to SPITTAL on the evening of 19 Feb, but the Frenchmen would not allow us to remain at their camp. We then decided to try to get into SWITZERLAND.
At 1930 hrs on 18 Feb we went to the railway station and bought tickets (third class) for HOFGASTEIN (GERMANY 1:250,000, Sheet N 48, A 0606). We boarded a train at approximately 1940 hrs and arrived at HOFGASTEIN about 2100 hrs. We travelled by bus from the station to the town, a distance of four km. We met an Italian civilian worker who took us to a house, where we were given a meal. At 2200 hrs we left the house and walked to the railway station, where we spent the night in the waiting room.
At 0700 hrs on 19 Feb, we began walking to DORFGASTEIN (A 0564), where we arrived at 0900 hrs. We went to a French P/W camp, where we were given food and hidden until evening. At 2100 hrs we walked to the railway station, but the booking office was closed. We boarded a train at 2300 hrs and travelled (third class) to ST. VEIT (A 0973), where we arrived at 0030 hrs on 20 Feb. We enquired for the French P/W camp and were directed to a French barracks on the station. We stayed there that night.
At 1830 hrs on 20 Feb we left the barracks and bought tickets (third class) for SAALFELDEN (E 8582). We boarded a train at 1845 hrs and arrived at SAALFELDEN about two hours later. We enquired for a French P/W camp and received directions. We went there and slept in a nearby cowshed.
At 0630 hrs on 21 Feb we left the cowshed and walked to near the railway station, where we had soup at a hotel. We remained there until 1000 hrs. During this time a French civilian worker whom we met in the hotel had obtained tickets (third class) for KITZBUHEL (E 5182). This Frenchman took us to his barracks at 1000 hrs and we remained there until 1600 hrs, when we met two Italians (names unknown), who had arrived from Upper Silesia because of the Russian advance. They had no papers, but had been instructed to report at INNSBRUCK. We decided to accompany them.
The four of us went to the railway station. Pte. MARTIN and I had tickets for KITZBUHEL, but the Italians had no tickets and no money. They explained their position and they were allowed to travel without tickets. We boarded at train at 1630 hrs and arrived at INNSBRUCK (Sheet M 48, C 76) at 1130 hrs. We stayed in the waiting room at the station until 0700 hrs on 22 Feb.
At that time Pte. MARTIN and I left the two Italians in the waiting room and walked to a French civilian working camp at INNSBRUCK, where we left our blankets, overcoats, etc. We then went to a cafe and bought soup. At 1300 hrs we returned to the French camp and collected our belongings. We then went to the railway station and bought tickets (third class) for KLAIS (OTZTAL) near HAIMING (C 3956). We boarded a train at 1700 hrs and at 1830 hrs (location unknown) we were asked for our identity papers. Pte. MARTIN spoke in Italian and stated that we had come from N. GERMANY. Also that we were going to work in LANDECK (V 4044). The controller appeared to be satisfied with this story and left us. We travelled by the same train to LANDECK, where we arrived at 2045 hrs. We completed the journey from KLAIS (OTZTAL) to LANDECK without tickets.
On arrival at LANDECK we enquired for workers billets and we were directed to a school which was occupied by civilian workers of all nationalities. We met a French civilian (name forgotten) who had escaped from VIENNA and was intending to get into SWITZERLAND. We stayed at the school that night and at 1500 hrs on 23 Feb the Frenchman, Pte. MARTIN and I left the school. During the time we were at the school the Frenchman made false identity papers for Pte. MARTIN and myself. (We destroyed these when we arrived in SWITZERLAND).
After leaving the school we went to a cafe for a meal. We left the cafe at 1700 hrs and were walking through LANDECK when we were stopped by a Polish soldier in German uniform. He asked for our papers. The Frenchman had the correct Ausweis, but our papers were not sufficient. The three of us were taken to a Guard Room, where we were kept until 0700 hrs on 24 Feb. The police then arrived and took us to the police station. where we were interrogated. I stated that I was a Belgian and Pte. MARTIN stated that he was an Italian. We said that we had been evacuated from Upper Silesia and that we had arrived in LANDECK to find work. We were then taken to the Arbeitsant, where we were registered. At 1800 hrs we were taken by lorry to NAUDERS (ITALY 1:250,000, Sheet 5, V 3417) together with about 40 men of mixed nationalities. We arrived in NAUDERS about 2100 hrs and were accommodated in an old castle close to the Swiss frontier.
We remained there until 1830 hrs on 26 Feb when the Frenchman, Pte. MARTIN, four other Frenchmen (names unknown) and I left the castle and walked about one km. to a river, which we tried to ford. We were unable to do so as it was too deep and too swift. We walked along the river and found a bridge of ice which had been formed by spray from a small waterfall. We crossed this ice, climbed a cliff to a road, and after walking for about one km. we were met by a Swiss guard at 2100 hrs.
We were taken to a frontier post and then to MARTINSBRUCK (near NAUDERS), where we remained until 0930 hrs on 27 Feb. The seven of us were escorted to SOHULS (Sheet 4, V 1807) and at 1430 hrs we were taken by train to SAMADEN (E 8380), where we remained at a hospital until 0830 hrs on 2 Mar.
We were then taken to GENEVA to a reception camp and we stayed there until the morning of 3 Mar when we were taken to the British Consul. Later that day we were taken to the British Legation at BERNE, where we were given battledress. We were accommodated at a hotel and we remained there until 7 Nov. [Handwritten underneath "? March"]
On that day we joined a party of repatriates and we were sent to GENEVA by train, then by lorry to LYONS. We were then sent by air to the U.K.