Award MiD 1127225 Gnr. P.I. Butler, 11 Royal Horse Artillery (Escape & Evasion, Italy 1943)

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by brithm, Feb 8, 2023.

  1. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

    Award Mentioned in Despatches Gnr. Pierce Ignatius Butler, 11th Royal Horse Artillery (1127225)

    WO 373/64/561
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    vitellino likes this.
  2. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Will check out his entry to Switzerland details.
     
  3. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    On 23 January part of the regiment, part of Baron Column, marching with 1 Spt Grp, fought a rearguard action at Antelat X6757, in which it suffered considerable losses (2 guns with their detachments, a number of officers), when overrun by tanks from Panzerregiment 8, who had a rather good day. Time and location are confirmed.

    War diary 15.PD:

    Screenshot 2023-09-05 at 3.40.47 PM.jpg

    This was Rommel's attempt to close a cauldron around 1st Armoured Division, which failed however.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  4. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Back in February I forgot to follow up his escape to Switzerland.

    Here's what's in TNA:

    WO 208/4243/55

    Name: Pierce Ignatius Butler.
    Rank: Gunner, 1127225, Royal Horse Artillery.
    Captured: Near Antalat, Libya, 23 January 1942.
    Escaped or Liberated: from train north of Verona, 15 September 1943.
    Arrived in Switzerland: 21 January 1944.
    Other names mentioned: Captain Francini.

    Presumably Francini was a partisan.

    Butler was not in the list of people helped by the Bacciagaluppi organisation.

    Vitellino
     

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