Prisoner of War Questionnaires

The following information has been taken from questionnaires completed by liberated Prisoners of War. The collection is held by the National Archives, catalogue reference WO 344, and it can be viewed on the Ancestry website, https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62114/

5050243 Corporal Edward George Adams

        Unit: 16th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry, 46th Division.

        Captured: 13th January 1944, near Cassino.

        Camps: Stalag VIIA (28th June 1944 to 30th January 1945), Stalag 383 (1st February to 16th April 1945).

        Interrogation: No. Only enquired for name, rk no. etc.

        Escapes: Yes. Train was bombed by Americans on Jan 28th 1944 on bridge outside Gravido, Italy. Free for 2½ months. Recaptured on April 12th 1945 [should be 1944] by German Patrol nr Terni, Italy who were rounding up Italian Patriots. Separated from companions.

        Notes: Dear Sir,

                In reply to your letter M.I.9/GEN/116685 of 27/2/46 herewith further particulars:-

                (a) Escape was made from a train travelling from Fara Sabina to Germany. Train bombed by Americans on 28th January 1944 on a bridge outside Gruiedo or Gruieto. Train guarded by Germans who had special look out posts on each cattle truck 53 men to each truck. Train was travelling very slow over bridge and stopped just before first wave of bombs fell. I escaped as these bombs did not hit train, but blew the door of the truck open at the bottom and we managed to scramble out. We then found out that the doors of all trucks had been locked and sealed with wire.

                (b) Not known.

                (c) Recaptured approx April 15th. Free 2½ months. No experiences worth relating except joined "patriots" for a few days but left when I found out that they were only "bandits".

                (d) Very little assistance rendered by Italians who were scared of being caught and most of them had only bread and vino to offer as food. Notes were left at each house which gave us food and I suppose these were handed over when troops passed.

                Trusting this information will be sufficient but I have put my address on top if you require anything further.

                I am, Sir,

                Your most obedient servant.

                E.G. Adams Cpl.