Award Military Medal Pte J.U. Kasap, A.M.P.C. (Palestinian Pioneer Corps)

brithm · May 17, 2022

Award Military Medal Pte Jechel Usher Kasap, A.M.P.C. (Palestinian Pioneer Corps) P/12300

Pte. KASAP was taken prisoner by the Germans near Cape MATAPAN on 27.5.41 when he was betrayed in the hills for a month after the evacuation of GREECE.

About the end of June, while proceeding by rail from ATHENS to SALONIKA, he slipped off the train near GRAVIAS_GRAVIA. As he speaks German he persuaded the German guard to look the other way and not to shoot.

He remained hidden in the LAMIA district for three months, then moved to ATHENS. Here he tried to escape again, but was betrayed a second time. The caique on which he was sailing was intercepted by a German patrol just outside PIRAEUS. He was taken back to ATHENS and imprisoned at AVEROFF, where he was given 15 days’ solitary confinement and accused of being a spy by the Gestapo. (This was probably due to the fact that having learnt Greek he had acted as interpreter for several Greeks helping Britishers).

Soon after, with about 20 others, Pte. KASAP was put on board a ship taking recaptured P/W from Crete to SALONIKA. On arrival he was put in the Barracks of No. 50 Regiment, in SALONIKA.

Through speaking German, he won the confidence of an I.O., who took him out of the camp for short excursions; on 6.2.42, having allayed all suspicion, he slipped away.

Pte. KASAP hid in SALONIKA and district till early in October he got in touch with the organisation and was rescued, reaching Turkey on 23.10.42.

Pte. KASAP evaded capture for a month and a subsequently escaped no less than 3 times. He succeeded in spit of hardship and betrayal due to sheer determination and perseverance. In ATHENS at risk of his own safety. He helped his fellow escapers. An excellent performance. Undaunted by what he has experienced, he had now volunteered to return and will go back shortly to rescue others.
Click to expand...

WO 373/46/73

parent unit Palestine Regiment

born 23.9.1921

enlisted 10.9.1940 Sarafand al-Amar, Palestine

Pioneer Corps (Private)

POW 27.5.1941es Greece

escaped June 1941

POW again

escaped 6.2.1942

awarded M.M.

Palestine Regiment 1.8.1943

SOE 1943

awarded D.C.M.

died in Yugoslavia 21st November 1943 aged 22 remembered on Athens Memorial (circumstances not known)

The London Gazette 21st March 1944

Unearthing Churchill's Secret Army The Official List of SOE Casualties and Their Stories By Martin Mace (2012)

Log in or Sign up

Award Military Medal Pte J.U. Kasap, A.M.P.C. (Palestinian Pioneer Corps)

brithm Senior Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Award Military Medal Pte J.U. Kasap, A.M.P.C. (Palestinian Pioneer Corps)

brithm Senior Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches