Award Military Medal Fus. Sydney COLTHORPE, 2 Lancashire Fusiliers (Escape & Evaders, 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 Military Medal Fusilier Sydney Colthorpe, 2 Lancashire Fusiliers, 78 Division (3656342)

WO 373/63/96

 

Thanks for all these reports.

It was interesting to read how long the men stayed int he camp before being sent to Germany.
Also, I note that the recommendations refer to PG 53 as Macerata and not Sforzacosta. It is Macerata in Italian records.