Describes events during an operation to support the Normandy troops when Robert Wareing's aircraft was attached by fighters and set on fire. Four crew members were killed and four baled out. Author and one other evaded with help of French resistance,…
Abele Torracchi claims that on 10 or 12 September 1943 he was in his grocer’s shop in Striglianella, near Montale (Pistoia), when ten or twelve allied prisoners of war arrived. He gave them food, a map, and information about Germans movements. On…
Ada Aiazzi claims she helped thirteen English prisoners of war, from 15 September 1943 to 20 December 1943, giving them food, shelter, clothes, medicines, and cigarettes. On 24 December, they moved to Monte Morello (Florence), where a Partisan…
Dennis Kelly grew up in Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force aged 18. He flew operations as a wireless operator / air gunner with 467 Squadron from RAF Binbrook. His aircraft was shot down over France and he evaded capture with the…
Adelindo Meoni claims he helped, from 10 September 1943 to 20 December 1943, ten allied prisoners of war, giving them food and shelter. On 20 December they moved to Migliana area, near Cantagallo (Prato), where they were recaptured some days later by…
Adelmo Ferri claims he helped some Allied servicemen, from 8 September 1943: he hosted one of them for a month, and he helped other servicemen hid in the mountain areas of Vallone, Macchia, and Fonda, near Pistoia, with his fellow villagers. Then…
Adolfo Innocenti claims he helped some English prisoners of war who arrived in the woods near his house. He regularly brought them food. One of them, called George, got sick, and he lived in Adolfo’s house for 21 days until his recovery; then, he…
Adori Melani claims he helped three English soldiers for six months. At first, they hid in a hut and then they moved to San Baronto, in the province of Pistoia. In both cases Adori brought them food and clothes. For his efforts, he received a…
Bill Leckie Bill was born in Glasgow but moved to the countryside as his father suffered from bronchitis. Initially working as a cinema projectionist, Bill joined the Royal Air Force at the age of eighteen, enlisting at St John’s Wood in London as…
Albanetto Bovani claims he helped from 1 May 1944 to 8 September 1944, three allied prisoners of war in the village of Torbecchia, near Pistoia. He gave them food, clothes, cigarettes, and 1000 lire. On the evening of 8 September he was put in front…
Albina Barni claims she helped John F Kerrigan, David Douglas, Alex Rodgers, and Erbert Nirton providing food and blankets. On 10 March 1944, John F Kerrigan was shot in an arm while he was with the Resistance and Albina tended him.
Albirena Poli claims she helped some allied serivcemen providing food and clothes. Among them John Cunningham (847028) who lived in her house for two days.
Alderigo Ghelli claims he helped eight English servicemen who arrived on 9 September 1943 at Sabatino Vezzosi’ house: David Pugh, Reginald Painter, T Wallace Hume, William Black, Victor Simmons, Frank Jaques, and Frederick Pears. Alderigo endorses …
The informant describes two bombings he eye-witnessed in the Sesto San Giovanni and Niguarda area. During the first, he was in a basement adapted as underground shelter: he recollects women reciting the rosary and a queasy sensation in the stomach…
Piero Fiorot reminisces about his pre-war life in Sacile: schooling, fascist paramilitary training and indoctrination, curfews, rationing, and doing business in a tightly controlled, closed economic system. Contrasts the relatively tranquil life…
Lidia Vendramin reminisces her childhood in Sacile including details on her primary schooling, family, and town life. Contrasts the public manifestations of joy the day the war was declared, with the shock and dismay of her parents, whose lives had…
Alessio Ferri claims he helped, from 8 September 1943 to 1 September 1944, some Allied servicemen, giving them food and clothes. For his efforts, he received a certificate of thankfulness (number 83271-18246)
Alfonsa Torracchi claims she helped, from 10 September 1943 to 20 December 1943, eleven allied prisoners of war in the Striglianella area, near Pistoia. Her son Primo Lucchesi always brought them food in the woods where they hid. On 20 December, they…
Alfredo Barni claims he helped twelve allied prisoners of war, from 9 September 1943 to 30 June 1944: three hosted in his house, the others hidden in the mountains. For his efforts, he received a certificate of thankfulness.
Alfredo Giovannetti claims he helped two English prisoners of war in the village of Baco, near Pistoia. He helped the first for a month, giving him food, cigarettes, and clothes; the second stayed in his house for eight days, and for other eight he…
Alfredo Peli claims he helped, from 7 September 1943 to 1 September 1944, some Allied servicemen. He gave them food and clothes. For his efforts, he received a certificate of thankfulness (number 83270-18248).
Alina Franchi claims she helped some allied prisoners of war, from 5 September 1943 to 20 November 1943, in Felciana and Vacchirossoli areas, in the municipality of Montale (Pistoia). For her efforts, she received a certificate of thankfulness…
Alipio Biagini claims he helped, from 8 September 1943 to 1 September 1944, six Allied servicemen providing their service numbers: 6013099, 3327632, 4385978, 4347178, 259775, 4691070.
Alvaro Gori claims he helped, from 1 November 1943 to April 1944, two English escapees. They hid in a hut in the woods and Alvaro brought them food, clothes, cigarettes and pocket money.