Fusilier John Wilson
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3325/79
Name: 4276357 Fusilier Wilson, John.
Unit: Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
Captured: Knightsbridge, 6th June 1942.
Left: Paris, 5th October 1944.
Arrived: In U.K., 5th October 1944.
Date of Birth: 28th January 1919.
Army Service: Since 15th March 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Miner.
Private Address: 34 Eldon Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham.
1. Capture:
I was captured at KNIGHTSBRIDGE on 6 Jun 42.
2. Camps in which imprisoned:
DERNA few days,
BENGHAZI few days,
TARHUNA
Jul - Nov 42,
Campo 68 (VETRALLE) Nov 42 - Jan 43,
Campo 73 (CARPI) Jan - Mar 43,
Campo 53 (MACERATA) Mar - Apr 43.
Campo 112 (TURIN) May - Sep 43.
3. Attempted escapes:
Nil.
4. Journey from Campo 112 (TURIN) (ITALY, 1:250,000, Sheet 9 J 02):
On the 10 Sep 43 the Italian guards left the camp and we all walked out. I went with Pte. JOE DENNING, R.A.S.C, but after a short while I left DENNING and returned to the camp as we could find no shelter. The next day I was provided with civilian clothing by some Italians living near the camp.
I set out that night (11 Sep) with Pte. NICHOLSON, Coldstream Guards, Fus. CALLENDER, R.N.F., and Pte. GLEDDIN, whose home is at Hartlepool. A short distance from TURIN we found shelter with a farmer who allowed us to live in a hut in the woods and provided us with food.
Towards the end of Sep we were visited by an English-speaking Italian who told us that we could join a band of partisans operating in the mountains if we wished. I agreed to go with Sgmn. BERT YOUNG, R.C.S., who had joined the party, and we went to the Italian's house in TURIN, where we stayed two days.
We were then provided with workmen's passes and taken by train to FORNO CANAVESE, near PRATIGLIONE (H 96), accompanied by three Italians. When we reached FORNO CANAVESE we were taken to meet the partisans who took us up into the mountains above the town. Here we met a number of British Ps/W, among them being Pte. HARRY, Coldstream Guards. I took part in several missions which were chiefly organized to procure grain and ammunition.
By Dec the band had grown to about 300 men. The second week in Dec the camp was attacked by the Germans using tanks and artillery and we were forced to disperse. About 18 partisans were caught and shot, among them being Pte DONALD RUSSELL, Cameron Highlanders. PARRY, a Frenchman, and I escaped and made our way to a farm at PIANE (H 86) where we were given shelter for the night. We then joined another group of partisans in the mountains above PIANE and I remained with them for about a fortnight.
At the end of Dec the leader of the first band of partisans returned with about 30 men and we rejoined him, making PIANE our headquarters. There were about 20 British at this time, among them being Pte. GLEDDIN and Pte JOCK DUFFY, Green Howards.
In the middle of Mar 44 our Commandant made a truce with the Germans for a month. I decided to leave and went off to join the communist band of partisans operating round LANZO (H 85), accompanied by another British soldier.
As we were about to set out our band was attacked by the communists at CORIO (H 95) and our lead was captured and shot. We both went straight back up the mountains to warn the British who were still there. At this time there were about 14 British and 6 Yugoslavs. Uncertain as to what to do, we remained in our camp for two days, and then proceeded further up into the mountains with all our baggage. A few days later I left with Gdsmn. PARRY, Fus. DANBINSKY (phonetic spelling), R.N.F., an Australian, and another British soldier (name unknown). The day after we had gone the remained of the party was captured by the Germans and sent to GERMANY.
For the next few days we wandered round the countryside and then decided to split up. The Australian and DANBINSKY headed for SWITZERLAND. The rest of us joined up with another group of partisans at CASANOVA above PONT (H 96).
We worked with them for about a month, when we were attacked and once more forced to scatter. We reformed again at RIBORDONE (H 96) where we started a British partisan group under the leadership of an English-speaking Italian.
About Aug we ran short of supplies, so I decided to leave, accompanied by Pte. JACK SPELLMAN, Green Howards, Pte. GEORGE CHILTERN, Green Howards, and Pte. FRED HAWKE, D.C.L.I. and several others, for the plains round IVREA (J 27) where another group of partisans was operating. During the time we were here we captured some trucks and seven German prisoners.
In Sep I was sent with several other British to take our prisoners to the mountains above CASTELLAMONTE (J 06) and to hand them over to the partisans operating in that area as it was too dangerous to keep them with us in the plains. We reached the partisans and after handing over the prisoners to them we set off to return to the plains. We were unable to get through, however, owing to the activities of the Germans and we were forced to return to the mountains. A short while later as conditions were becoming very difficult, we decided to head for FRANCE.
About the third week of Sep we set out in a small party including SPELLMAN, CHILTERN and HAWKE, with Italian guides for the frontier.
We went via COGNE (Sheet 8, H 89), and crossed into FRANCE near the Pt. San BERNARDO (Sheet 1, C 40) a few days later. As soon as we reached FRANCE we contacted the Maquis, who took us to CHAMBERY. From here we went to GRENOBLE where we contacted American forces. Altogether the journey across the mountains took us about a week.
We were sent to MARSEILLES from where I made my own way to PARIS on 2 Oct, where I was interrogated by an American officer. I left PARIS by air for the U.K. on 5 Oct 44.