Help finding SBS POW Names in Greece

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by gmyles, May 31, 2020.

  1. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi

    According to SBS: The Invisible Raiders by James D Ladd, The Filibusters by John Lodwick, Raiders of the Sea, The Story of the SBS in WW2, also by John Lodwick and private papers private Southwood RTR/ SBS Private Papers of C H Southwood:

    A platoon under the command of Lt Freddie Birkett was captured and taken POW in Athens sometime in December 1944.They were jointly guarding the waterworks with a small number of ELAS. One morning they were disarmed and marched to Thebes. They escaped in early January when ELAS withdrew from Thebes.

    Four members of the platoon captured are mentioned above:

    221807 Lieutenant F Birkett General List
    Sergeant Hassell (no more details)
    14266951 Corporal WEBSTER James D Royal Artillery
    Private C H Southwood (ex 50 RTR) (no more details)

    However there is no 'official' documentation of this event that I can find to support this looking at:

    1. WO 417 (British Casualties 1939-1945 on FMP).
    2. POW Returns by ELAS 1944-45 (WO 361-751)
    3. Offences against Allied Troops and others by Greek Resistance Organisations (WO 204-8904)
    4. WO 177/1372 ELAS offenses against POWs
    5. War Diaries\Special Boat Service - (WO 179-7529) - Jan 1945
    6. War Diaries\Special Boat Service - (WO 179-4012) - Dec 1944

    The fact they escaped and thus were not part of the POW swap in Volos on 27 Jan 45 over would explain their absence from WO 361-751, WO 204-8904 and WO 177/1372, as all of the prisoners interviewed were from there.

    Can anyone help in filling in the blanks with the details for Sgt Hassell and Private Smallwood?

    Does anyone know of any other names of the platoon that was taken POW?

    Thanks in advance

    Gus
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Hello Gus,

    Apart from the link you posted;-

    Private Papers of C H Southwood

    Webster was Mentioned in Dispatches in 1945 File number 68/Gen/7913 LG 04 Jan 1945
    as was 221807 Lieutenant F Birkett

    Kyle
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
  3. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Thanks Kyle.

    Gus
     
  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Gus,

    Forgive me if you have already considered this or I am stating the obvious but

    Is C H Southwood actually C H Smallwood ?

    Kyle
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2020
  5. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Yes Kyle

    Just a typo. Ive made the correction above.

    Gus
     

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