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Interview with Bill Moore. Two
After spending time in the Air Defence Cadet Corps, Bill Moore joined the Royal Air Force, qualifying as an observer. He tells of his family history in wartime and his transatlantic trip, landing in New York before heading to Canada for his training.…
Interview with Roy Maddock-Lyon
Roy Maddock-Lyon was born in Cheshire and began an engineering apprenticship when his school was evacuated at the start of the war. He was a part of the Queen’s Messengers, a relief organisation that travelled to bombed cities to take emergency…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. Three
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and was hoping to become a quantity surveyor, when he was called up. He volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. Four
Gordon Mellor successfully evaded capture, having baled out of his aircraft and landed in Germany. He walked for several days until he managed to make contact with the Belgian resistance and the Comete line, who began the process of guiding him home.…
Interview with Thea Coleman
Thea Coleman was born in Holland in 1933. She experienced the invasion of her country and the increasing restrictions. Once when walking with her father, they were forced to stand and wait while prisoners were brought out of prison and executed which…
Interview with William Holmes
William Holmes remembers his time as a pilot in the RAF. He gives a vivid and graphic account of the dramatic crash-landing which left him badly injured and brought him to join the Guinea Pig Club. William remembers various episodes of his…
Interview with Katherine Thompson and Roy Briggs
Katherine Ellen Thompson (known as Ellen) remembers her time in Rotterdam during the war and, particularly, during Operation Manna. She recalls various episodes: food shortages; bartering linen and silver for food; members of the Dutch fascist party…
Interview with Kenneth William Trueman
Kenneth William Trueman volunteered for the RAF and was called up in 1941. After training in South Africa, he served as a navigator with 640 Squadron and speaks of his preference for the Gee navigation aid rather than H2S. His operations included…
Interview with Colin Deverell
Colin Deverell was born in Croydon. Upon leaving school, he worked for Oliver Typewriter Company, where he gained engineering skills. He became an amateur rigger for Imperial Airways, before finding employment with Rollaston Aircraft Services in…
Statement of Evelina Ginanni and Clarette Vettori about some Allied servicemen
Evelina Ginanni and Clarette Vettori claim they helped four English prisoners of war, from 15 September 1943 to 24 November 1943, giving them food, cigarettes, and clothes: M I Ramsden, Joseph, Jack, and John. Then, they were hosted by Solitario…
Interview with Giuliana Menichini Pereira
L’intervistata è Giuliana Menichini Pereira, nata a Pistoia il 31 gennaio 1928. Interviene il padre Pietro Menichini, è presente il marito Miguel Pereira. L’intervista è effettuata da Claudio Rosati a Pistoia, presso l’abitazione dell’informatrice,…
Interview with Clara Dei
L’intervistata è Clara Dei, nata a Prato il 19 maggio 1927, insegnante elementare. Interviene l’amica Annalia Galardini. L’intervista è effettuata da Claudio Rosati a Pistoia, presso l’abitazione dell’informatrice, il 5 settembre 1983. La notte del…
Air drops in the La Spezia area
Major Gordon Lett reports to Colonnello Mario Fontana about air drops, including additional notes on operational procedures and an overall assessment of the military situation in the area.
Statement of Concetta Franchi about some Allied servicemen
Concetta Franchi claims she helped eight allied prisoners of war: Carl, Frederick, Henry, Robert, Richard, John, George, and John. The latter was sick. He brought them food in the Lavacchioni area.
Interview with Jacqui Whitehead
Jacqui Whitehead talks of how she has been involved with veterans, remembrance, and the Air Gunners Association over the last thirty years. She discusses stories of reconciliation, and how the Flightpath of Friendship and Reconciliation became a…
Issues delaying the delivery schedule of the Casoni improvised landing strip
Comandante Dany complains about the lack of suitable tools (eg only seven wheelbarrows are available) and the scarcity of food. A barrel of olive oil has been requisitioned as a temporary measure.
Statement of Daniele Nesi about some Allied servicemen
Daniele Nesi claims he helped some English prisoners of war, from September 1943 to 1944, giving them food. He hid them in his hut in the woods.
Statement of Dante Del Serra about some Allied servicemen
Dante Del Serra claims he helped fourteen allied prisoners of war, among them giving shelter to Charlie Russel, Ernest Edwards, Frederick Pears, George Wetherspoon, George Restorick, T Hall (2663672), Donald P Tarvis (2661005), Fred Polhill…
Statement of Dante Puccianti about some Allied servicemen
Dante Puccianti claims he helped eleven English prisoners of war, from 10 September 1943 to 24 December 1943, bringing them food, and clothes in the woods where they hid. On 24 December they were taken to Monte Morello (Florence), where a Partisan…
Interview with Henry Moss
Henry grew up in Bradford and left school just before the outbreak of war. He had various jobs, including working in the mill, a greengrocer’s shop, the dye works and then garment cutting for the army. Aged 17 and a half he was called up in London…
Interview with Peter Thompson
Peter Thompson is the nephew of Fred Denzel James Thompson. Fred’s father was Churchill’s bodyguard. In 1936 Fred joined the Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Department and, following a meeting with Winston Churchill, volunteered as a…
Statement of Dina Tempestini about some Allied servicemen
Dina Tempestini claims she helped four English prisoners of war, from 10 September 1943 to 24 December 1943, giving them food, shelter, and pocket money. Her husband was beaten by German soldiers and he was hospitalized at the Lazzeretti sanatorium…
Statement of Dino Mazzei about some Allied servicemen
Dino Mazzei claims he helped, with his wife Maria, from September 1943 to October 1943, some allied prisoners of war in the village of Cascina, near Cantagallo (Prato), giving them food. He also gave shelter to one of them for 56 days, giving him…
Statement of Dino Mazzei about some Allied servicemen
Dino Mazzei claims he helped, from 8 September 1943 to 23 December 1943, eleven English prisoners of war, giving them food. On 20 December, they moved to the Monte Morello area, near Florence, where a Partisan brigade was active.
Statement of Dino Pratesi about some Allied servicemen
Dino Pratesi claims he helped three English prisoners of war in the village of Cantagrillo giving them food, and shelter. Then, they re-joined their units.