POW work Camps 107 Italy and 2048L Schladming Austria

I am researching my father's WW2 experiences etc and would appreciate any help. He, Pte.Leslie John Rhodes, machine gunner, 19th Battalion, New Zealand Army, was captured 15 July 1942 at Ruweisat Ridge (Alamein). shipped to Italy (possibly on the ship Nino Bixio which was torpedoed by British submarine 17 Aug. '42). Arrived in Bari (possibly transit camp P.G.65 or 75) then to P.G.57 at Gruppignano. Was in POW work camp 107 at Torviscosa 20 Oct '42 - 9 Sept '43 with Henry A Bennett of Kent U.K, Joseph Savage of Belfast Nthn. Ireland, Thomas A Gilliard of Liverpool, U.K., Alan Auty of South Shields, Durham UK, George Wilton Of Plaistow, London, plus several hundred New Zealand and South African POWs. Sent to Austria to Stalag XV111B, Spittal en der Drau from where he escaped in Oct. '43 with Jim Crawford of Queens Royal Cameroon Highlanders - but recaptured 4 days later. Was also in Stalag XV111A, Wolfsberg, XV111C at Sankt Johann Markt Pongau and spent from 25 April '44 until 14 Mar '45 as a cook at work camp 2048/L in Schladming, Austria. Sent to Margate, U.K. at end of war then back to N.Z. 2 months later. Does anyone remember him or have info re these places or know the above mentioned POW's. Thanks and Regards
Colin R

 

Colin R..there was a reunion in Taradale Hawkes Bay in 1991?? for the survivors of "the Jason" and the "nino Bixio"...I have found some photos..was your Dad there??...also accounted for in Spence Edges book "no Honour no Glory"..
Regards

 

Thanks. No, he did not attend the reunion, indeed I do not know for sure if he was on the Nino Bixio. The timing was right, and the way they sorted who went on it fits. Unfortunately I have only found records of those who perished, no lists of survivors. I have read Spencer Edges book, and spoken to 3 who were on it. One who was in the hold that was hit by the torpedo (it went right through), of the 250 in that hold, only 3 survived - he being one of them.
Regards,
Colin R

 

I am researching my father's WW2 experiences etc and would appreciate any help. He, Pte.Leslie John Rhodes, machine gunner, 19th Battalion, New Zealand Army, was captured 15 July 1942 at Ruweisat Ridge (Alamein). shipped to Italy (possibly on the ship Nino Bixio which was torpedoed by British submarine 17 Aug. '42). Arrived in Bari (possibly transit camp P.G.65 or 75) then to P.G.57 at Gruppignano. Was in POW work camp 107 at Torviscosa 20 Oct '42 - 9 Sept '43 with Henry A Bennett of Kent U.K, Joseph Savage of Belfast Nthn. Ireland, Thomas A Gilliard of Liverpool, U.K., Alan Auty of South Shields, Durham UK, George Wilton Of Plaistow, London, plus several hundred New Zealand and South African POWs. Sent to Austria to Stalag XV111B, Spittal en der Drau from where he escaped in Oct. '43 with Jim Crawford of Queens Royal Cameroon Highlanders - but recaptured 4 days later. Was also in Stalag XV111A, Wolfsberg, XV111C at Sankt Johann Markt Pongau and spent from 25 April '44 until 14 Mar '45 as a cook at work camp 2048/L in Schladming, Austria. Sent to Margate, U.K. at end of war then back to N.Z. 2 months later. Does anyone remember him or have info re these places or know the above mentioned POW's. Thanks and Regards
Colin R

Hi Colin,
did your dad say if the ship was sunk,or did it remain afloat. I believe from what you know you have a copy of his Service Hstory Sheet.

There were some New Zealand survivors from the Nino Bixio who were in Gruppignano and worked on a Farm owned by the Pasti Family.


Brian

 

Thanks Brian. Unfortunately dad never liked to talk about the war, and never said anything about his trip from Nth. Africa to Italy as a POW. With the timing of his capture and the way they decided who went on the Nino Bixio (those whose surnames began M-Z), I am thinking maybe he was on it. It is possible of course he was not. I have his service records, but no mention of this event, in fact there are a lot of gaps. Regards, Colin

 

Thanks Brian. Unfortunately dad never liked to talk about the war, and never said anything about his trip from Nth. Africa to Italy as a POW. With the timing of his capture and the way they decided who went on the Nino Bixio (those whose surnames began M-Z), I am thinking maybe he was on it. It is possible of course he was not. I have his service records, but no mention of this event, in fact there are a lot of gaps. Regards, Colin


Hi Colin,
I do think the date of capture would put your dad in the right place at the right time to be on the Nino Bixio. All those on the ship were in the"Palms"to the North of Benghazi at the Oasis of Koefia.
The Commander at that time was Captain Felice Vismara,an Engineering Officer. MI9 Reports indicate the Camp was empty around the 17th,but did fill up again.

The Alphabetical loading only appears to have affected the New Zealanders. I have a friend in Wellington who survived the attack,but he was 7th Re-inforcements 25th Btn.

Have you been to Wairou to check if they have anything regarding names of those who boarded the ship. Could be there is something at Base Records as I know one or two researchers deposit work they have done.
Then of Course there is A.T.L. and the Defence Library in Wellington. All these places will possibly hold information that may shed some light on your Fathers Captivity.
It is also possible he made a Liberation Report that may be in the U.K. National Archives.


Brian

 

Thanks Brian. I believe Dad was at "the Palms".I intend visiting Waiouru next month, and plan to meet a survivor of the Nino Bixio, an Englishman, now living ion N.Z., who was in the hold that was struck by the first torpedo (it went right through), he was 1 of only 3 to survive from that hold containing 250 prisoners. I have been to the Alexander Turnbull library in Wellington, also met a local researcher/contributor, Charles Watkins- an ex POW. Have also been to the War memorial museum in Auckland. Unfortunately did not learn much new. Whilst visiting Italy and Austria in June/July I met some local researchers who are trying to gather and collate the WW2 history of their respective towns and local camps. Generally speaking, they to are light on material. Incredibly, I actually met a 94 year old camp commandant, however it appears Dad was not in his camp. Unfortunately he and his 2 sons do not speak english, and my italian is rather limited. Any info I gather, including docs, I intend donating to our local museum. Regards,
Colin

 

Colin..have found a photo of my father in Campo 57 on the Alexander Turnbull website...under the "War History section" ref DA 11310...just discovered it on the web last night and apparently many survivors from the Torpedoed ships ended up there and Campo 85...I managed to find his name in the list...have you checked that out for your Father etc??
Reagrds
Charles

 

Colin..below is the website ref if any use to you
New Zealand Prisoners of War, POWs, Campo 85, Italy, WW II

 

Thanks Brian. I believe Dad was at "the Palms".I intend visiting Waiouru next month, and plan to meet a survivor of the Nino Bixio, an Englishman, now living ion N.Z., who was in the hold that was struck by the first torpedo (it went right through), he was 1 of only 3 to survive from that hold containing 250 prisoners. I have been to the Alexander Turnbull library in Wellington, also met a local researcher/contributor, Charles Watkins- an ex POW. Have also been to the War memorial museum in Auckland. Unfortunately did not learn much new. Whilst visiting Italy and Austria in June/July I met some local researchers who are trying to gather and collate the WW2 history of their respective towns and local camps. Generally speaking, they to are light on material. Incredibly, I actually met a 94 year old camp commandant, however it appears Dad was not in his camp. Unfortunately he and his 2 sons do not speak english, and my italian is rather limited. Any info I gather, including docs, I intend donating to our local museum. Regards,
Colin


Charles is my contact in Wellington and has been for many years now. Just mention you have been in touch with Brian.

Bob Rogers who I believe lives in Palmerston served with the D.L.I. and was on the Jason. Bob was a P.O.W. in Italy until September 1943 when he escaped into Switzerland. He wrote a book about his captivity called Sixty Bonus Years.
I will send you a P.M. covering another point.

Brian

 

It was Bob I was referring to. I met a local researcher in Parma, Italy in June this year, who met Bob last year when he was in Parma searching for the house where some partisans looked after him when he escaped. It was through this researcher I learnt of Bob, contacted him and look forward to meeting him soon in Palmerston North. Thanks for your input, it is greatly appreciated. Regards,
Colin R

 

It was Bob I was referring to. I met a local researcher in Parma, Italy in June this year, who met Bob last year when he was in Parma searching for the house where some partisans looked after him when he escaped. It was through this researcher I learnt of Bob, contacted him and look forward to meeting him soon in Palmerston North. Thanks for your input, it is greatly appreciated. Regards,
Colin R


Hi Colin,
I spoke at length with Bob last year.When you contact him ask him why it took so long to get to Switzerland.

Brian

 

I rang Bob this morning, he had just got out of hospital after a bout of food poisoning. He sends his regards. As previously mentioned, I intend seeing him and Susan Jacobs, who I am sure you will know, next month. I have a DVD copy of a doco produced by Mauro Quattrina (a film director in Verona) who produced a doco about POW's in the Verona area - Susan features in it severral times, but has not seen it as yet. It is all in Italian, so I can only watch ther pic's. I picked it up when I was in Italy in June - it went to air for the first time in Italy in Feb. Regards,
Colin R

 

I rang Bob this morning, he had just got out of hospital after a bout of food poisoning. He sends his regards. As previously mentioned, I intend seeing him and Susan Jacobs, who I am sure you will know, next month. I have a DVD copy of a doco produced by Mauro Quattrina (a film director in Verona) who produced a doco about POW's in the Verona area - Susan features in it severral times, but has not seen it as yet. It is all in Italian, so I can only watch ther pic's. I picked it up when I was in Italy in June - it went to air for the first time in Italy in Feb. Regards,
Colin R


Colin the Relevent Red X Reports are in WO224/46 for 18B Jul.41 - Nov.42
18C WO224/47 Nov 43 - Feb 45.

Perhaps another trip to Europe ?

Not met Susan but know of her work.
The DVD sounds interesting. Perhaps it could be dubbed into English.
Ken Fenton from the South Island springs to mind as he did study the language at University. He has a book being published shortly regarding Italy during WW2 and does include some S.O.E. Operations.

Brian

 

can u give me the name of susans book please?
mcct

 

can u give me the name of susans book please?
mcct


Just can't lay my hands on the book at present but I know I have a copy.

There are three others that should be of interest. The Desert Road, A Fair Sort of Battering and Inside Stories. All edited by Megan Hutching and financed under the instructions of Helen Clark.

I was fortunate in getting signed copies as gifts on publication a few years ago.

 

Susan's book is "Fighting with the enemy", Should be available from libraries - I bought mine from Borders book shop. She is a kiwi living in Auckland, but lived in Italy for 8 years and speaks fluent Italian. Has also released the book in Italy. I recorded all the prisoners names mentioned in the book and can tell you your father is not one of them mcct. However there may be names of interest to you. Regards,
Colin

 

There is another book that could also be of interest that was written by Arch Scott.

I believe the title is something like "Dark of the Moon".

Charles Watkins also had a 10 or 12 page report that was found for him in T.N.A. regarding Arch's activities in Italy.
He was assisting escapees through the lines and I remember many names being given .

This was 10 or so years ago.

Brian

 

Thanks Brian, I have the book, an amazing man!!

 

I visited Schladming last year and with the help of a local, found the work camp site ( Camp 2048L) which was located about 200 metres from the railway station. There were 5 buildings, 4 of which housed about 65 prisoners while the 5th was the kitchen - where my father, Les Rhodes, a POW worked. The prisoners worked in a factory near to the railway station building pre fabricated P.O.W. barracks which were then railed to camps in Austria, Germany and Italy. The barracks were used as residential homes until about 6 years ago when they were demolished to make way for new housing and a garden centre. While my father was a New Zealander (19th battalion), I understand most of the others were British. The factory building was demolished last year to make way for a supermarket. Can anyone help with more info? Regards,
Colin R