Award MiDs Pte. J.W. Crozier & Cpl. T. Pragnell, 2nd Parachute Bn (Escape & Evasion, Italy)

Award Mentioned in Despatches Pte. James Westgarth Crozier, (4620032) & Cpl. Thomas Pragnell, (4342476) 2nd Parachute Battalion

ESCAPES FROM CAMPO 70 (MONTURANO), ITALY

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARDS​

(1) After the Armistice with Italy the Senior British Officer forbade escapes by P/W and posted armed British pickets to support the Italian guards. He stated that if the Germans approached the camp, P/W would be marched out and dispersed in parties of 50, while the Italians held up the Germans. On 15th and 16th September 1943 the Italian guards deserted and the situation in the camp became somewhat confused. A number of P/W escaped, having been told by the Senior British Officer that it was no longer a court-martial offence to get away, but a large majority remained and were captured by the Germans when they arrived. A number of P/W escaped by jumping from the trains in which they were being transported to Germany

(2) I recommend the following O.Rs. for the swards shown, brief particulars being given in the enclosures stated opposite their names:-

WO 373/95/369

WO 373/95/368

WO 208/5394/56

WO 208/5400/64