Hi everyone Can anyone tell me where the "A" No.1 Allied POW Repatriation camp was in early 1945. I think that it might be somewhere near Naples. Also some wounded POWs are mentioned as having been evacuated to CAES, BAF (Balkan Air force). Does anyone know what and where was CAES? Thanks as ever Gus
Hi Gus. The No 1 AIF POW Reception Camp - Eastbourne, U.K. Chapter 15 - Repatriation | ANZAC POW Free Men in Europe So possible a similar one in Italy. The BAF operated mainly over Yugoslavia, supporting the Partisans against Germany, but occasionally supporting the Greek and Albanian resistance movements also. Balkan Air Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia BAFs had a base at Zadar Croatia. so being evacuated to CAES BAF there, would seem wrong. But then I found this, so your answer may be Bari. ROYAL AIR FORCE ITALYTHE BALKANS AND SOUTH-EAST EUROPE 1942-1945 (CNA 3066) Balkan Air Force Casualty Evacuation Section. So CAES could be Casualty Air Evacuation Section.
Hi RCG Thanks for the reply. The camp is definitely part of CMF so that puts it in Italy and all of the evacuees later sail from Naples to UK so it is more than likely near there. A Google search brings No.2 Allied POW Repatriation Camp in Naples. As for CAES, what a great shout! I've been searching for an Army abbreviation, not a RAF one. Balkan Air Force: H.Q. Unit report, June; Casualty Air Evacuation Section report, April | The National Archives Thanks! Gus