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Interview with Philip Bates
Philip volunteered for the Royal Air Force air force in May 1940. After a short time in Blackpool, he was posted to RAF Cosford where he volunteered for training as a flight mechanic, then fitter. At 86 Squadron, Coastal Command, flying Beauford…
Interview with James McKenzie Leith
James McKenzie Leith was a swimming instructor before he joined the RAF. He trained as a gunner and was posted to 429 Squadron at RAF Leeming. On their first operation their aeroplane was damaged and they attempted an emergency landing but this was…
Statement about some Allied servicemen
List of allied prisoners of war helped in Fognano area: R Crooks (2620196), C Simmons (2616361), J Jones (946866), J Littlewood (946895), G Goodwin (4037272), R Cowburn (4464732), E Wood (4974045), and F Field (6209563).
Interview with Ernest Holmes
Ernest Holmes joined the RAF and served as a pilot, flying operations first with 76 Squadron and then on Pathfinders. Gives a vivid and detailed account of when he was shot down over Holland: how he was given shelter by a farmer’s family and moved…
Statement of Bruna Meoni about some Allied servicemen
Bruna Meoni claims she helped some Allied servicemen, from 30 August 1944, in Forcana, Belvedere, and Lavacchioni areas, near Pistoia. She gave them food and pocket money. She encloses statements of Elia Zini and Dina Torracchi backing her statement.
Statement of Brunetta Logli about some Allied servicemen
Brunetta Logli claims she helped, from 10 December 1943 to 20 December 1943, four English prisoners of war, giving them food. On 20 December, they moved to Monte Morello area, near Florence, where a Partisan brigade was active. For her efforts, she…
Statement of Brunetta Nesi about some Allied servicemen
Brunetta Nesi claims she helped, from September 1943, four Allied servicemen: Henry, George, John, and Frederick. She brought them in Vallone area, near Pistoia, to escape from fascist militiamen. There, she brought them food, and clothes.
Statement of Brunetto Ciatti about some Allied servicemen
Brunetto Ciatti claims he helped, from September 1943 to December 1943, seven allied prisoners of war: Goodwin (4037272), Cowburn (4464782), Wood (4974045), Field (6209563), Sims, C Simmons, and Golon. He brought them food in the mountains, sometimes…
Statement of Bruno Parenti about David Pord
While living as an evacuee in Settimo Spampani’s house near Pistoia, Bruno Parenti helped Royal Air Force sergeant David Pord, who escaped from the Laterina camp in the vicinity of Arezzo. From November 1943 to September 1944, Settimo and Bruno…
C Haines' address
Address of C Haines in Winchester
Statement of Carlo Andreotti, Sabatino Andreotti, and Giovanni Cecchini about some Allied servicemen
Carlo Andreotti, Sabatino Andreotti, and Giovanni Cecchini claim they helped some allied prisoners of war, and took part in Resistance actions.
Statement of Carlo Ducceschi about some Allied servicemen
Carlo Ducceschi claims he helped, for two weeks starting from 24 September, two English servicemen who escaped from a camp in Modena and showed up at Prunetta, in the mountains near Pistoia. For a while they live in a house in the village; then Carlo…
The Exploits of Warrant Officer Arthur Pritchard
A biography of Arthur Pritchard written by his daughter. It covers his training, operations and the night he was shot down. Despite speaking no French he was assisted to a hideout in Paris where he remained until Paris was liberated in August 1944.
Statement of Cesare Biagini about William Walch, and Harold Harrywsmith
Cesare Biagini claims he hosted two English prisoners of war: William Walch (5258694), from 25 September 1943 to 15 October 1943, and Harold Harrowsmith (1530811), from 9 September 1943 to 15 October 1943. He gave them food, clothes, and 200 lire.…
Interview with William Barfoot
Bill Barfoot was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. On joining the Air Force, he trained as a wireless operator but remustered as aircrew. He trained as a navigator in South Africa. He flew operations with 296 Squadron supplying the French and Norwegian…
Interview with Bill Moore. Two
Bill Moore joined the Royal Air Force after spending time in the Air Defence Cadet Corps, 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 when his school was evacuated at the start of the war he began an engineering apprenticeship. 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 hoped 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 Wolds.…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. Four
Gordon Mellor successfully evaded capture when he baled out of his aircraft and landed in Germany. For several days he walked 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 1933 in Holland. She experienced the invasion of her country and the increasing restrictions. When walking once with her father they were forced to stand and wait while prisoners were brought out of prison and executed while…
Interview with William Holmes
William Holmes remembers his time as a pilot in the RAF. 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. Remembers various episodes of his operational life:…
Interview with Katherine Thompson and Roy Briggs
Katherine Ellen Thompson remembers her time in Rotterdam during the war and particularly during Operation Manna. Mentions various episodes: food shortage, bartering linen and silver for food, members of the Dutch fascist party paraded through the…
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 to become an amateur rigger for Imperial Airways, before finding employment with Rollaston Aircraft Services in 1939.…
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…