Award MiD Gnr. Robert William GALLAGHER, 107 Royal Horse Artillery (Escape & Evasion, Italy)

ESCAPES FROM CAMP 53 (MACERATA), ITALY​

(1) After the Armistice with Italy, P/W in this camp were ordered by the Italian Commandant and the Senior British Officer to remain. The guard was doubled and sentries told to shoot at any P/W trying to escape.

On 14th September 1943 all Italian guards vanished and conditions became confused. Some P/W escaped with Red Cross parcels which the Senior British Officer had issued, but a cordon of British guards was posted round the camp and most of the P/W remained.

On 16th September 1943 the Germans arrived and took over the cam and about six-sevenths of the original number of PW. Some P/W escaped from trains in transit to Germany.

Award Mentioned in Despatches Gnr. Robert William Gallagher, 107 Royal Horse Artillery, 22nd Armoured Division (856354)

WO 373/63/234