Pow Camp 52 Pian di Coreglia-Chiavari
CAMP DISCIPLINE
In March 1943 there were over three thousand prisoners in the camp, most of whom were not subjected to treatment which could be considered an infringment of the Geneva Convention. Indeed, Capt. Trippi wrote the following regarding the discipline in the camp following his visit of 20 January 1943:
The discipline is so good that only a few punishments have been inflicted, these are proposed by staff sergeant-major Shimmin, the camp leader, and awarded by the camp authorities. The Commandant was satisfied with the behaviour of the prisoners of war and had no complaints to make.
However, it seems evident that Capt. Trippi had no idea of what really went on in cases where a prisoner had committed an infringement of the camp rules. It is unconceivable that SSM Shimmins proposed the sort of treatment to which erring prisoners were subjected by the Carabinieri. Several punishments meted out by them were considered to be alleged war crimes.
The discipline is so good that only a few punishments have been inflicted, these are proposed by staff sergeant-major Shimmin, the camp leader, and awarded by the camp authorities. The Commandant was satisfied with the behaviour of the prisoners of war and had no complaints to make.
However, it seems evident that Capt. Trippi had no idea of what really went on in cases where a prisoner had committed an infringement of the camp rules. It is unconceivable that SSM Shimmins proposed the sort of treatment to which erring prisoners were subjected by the Carabinieri. Several punishments meted out by them were considered to be alleged war crimes.
Four files dealing with these alleged war crimes at PG 52 can be found in the National Archives, London:
WO 311/317, which runs to 291 pages, is the most extensive. The outcome was a trial which resulted in the sentencing of three Carabinieri (military police)
WO 311/1209, which dealt with a single offence against a New Zealander, Private Hamilton, did not result in a prosecution
WO 311/ 1243 and TS 26/417 deals with the shooting of an unnamed soldier by a German Feldwebel following the Armistice of 8 September 1943
WO 311/317, which runs to 291 pages, is the most extensive. The outcome was a trial which resulted in the sentencing of three Carabinieri (military police)
WO 311/1209, which dealt with a single offence against a New Zealander, Private Hamilton, did not result in a prosecution
WO 311/ 1243 and TS 26/417 deals with the shooting of an unnamed soldier by a German Feldwebel following the Armistice of 8 September 1943
WO 311/317
17/10/44
UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST ITALIAN WAR CRIMINALS
CHARGE NO. UK- 1/B 43
UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST ITALIAN WAR CRIMINALS
CHARGE NO. UK- 1/B 43
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Name of accused, his rank and unit or official position
Date and place of commission of alleged crime Number and description of crime in war crimes list. |
Col. Dino CASTELLI - TADDEI. Commandant
Adjutant or second in command Personnel in command when ill treatment occurred Actual perpetrators of the cruelty or ill-treatment Charges cover a period from December 1941 to October 1942 but in all probability some of the charges were earlier and later than the above mentioned date. Place: Camp no. 52 Chiavari, Italy No. xxix. Breach of Geneva convention 1929, Sections 2,9,10,11,13,48,54,56 and 61 Under English law
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SHORT STATEMENT OF FACTS
Charges in this case are general and particular.
General charges consist of inhumane treatment; confinement or imprisonment; lodgement in buildings or huts which did not conform to the Convention; insufficient food; insufficient hygienic measures.
In particular there are cases of ill-treatment of named individuals.
The general charges cover a long period which at the moment is indefinite but in all probability continue from the start of the camp, whenever that was, up to at least the end of 1942.
The cases of individual ill-treatment range from December 1941 to October 1942.
Charges in this case are general and particular.
General charges consist of inhumane treatment; confinement or imprisonment; lodgement in buildings or huts which did not conform to the Convention; insufficient food; insufficient hygienic measures.
In particular there are cases of ill-treatment of named individuals.
The general charges cover a long period which at the moment is indefinite but in all probability continue from the start of the camp, whenever that was, up to at least the end of 1942.
The cases of individual ill-treatment range from December 1941 to October 1942.
17/10/44
UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST ITALIAN WAR CRIMINALS
CHARGE NO. UK- 1/B 43 ADDENDUM
UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES COMMISSION
UNITED KINGDOM CHARGES AGAINST ITALIAN WAR CRIMINALS
CHARGE NO. UK- 1/B 43 ADDENDUM
SHORT STATEMENT OF FACTS
The accused were members of the Carabinieri and were concerned together in various incidents where they beat up prisoners who were under their charge, in particular during May 1943, no. 2656614 Sergeant William Hunter STRACHAN, Coldstream Guards, was brought back to the camp after an unsuccessful escape attempt. The accused severely beat him up in a cell on more than one occasion.
The accused were members of the Carabinieri and were concerned together in various incidents where they beat up prisoners who were under their charge, in particular during May 1943, no. 2656614 Sergeant William Hunter STRACHAN, Coldstream Guards, was brought back to the camp after an unsuccessful escape attempt. The accused severely beat him up in a cell on more than one occasion.
INVESTIGATIONS
These began in October 1945 with the issuing of a list of persons employed at the camp whom the investigators wished to interview. The Charge sheet nominating camp commandant Castelli-Taddei was issued on the 17th.
The first testimonies taken from the ex-prisoners appeared in the Interrogation Reports of naval prisoners of war who had been repatriated during an exchange of prisoners in March 1943. (Document: “Interrogation by Middle East of Exchanged British Naval Prisoners of War (March 1943) No. 0103/5023/PW2A". (This document has not been found on the Discovery page of the National Archives website. Author's note)
Among them were the testimonies of:
C/KX. 97290 Stoker BINDON
EX 2031 Alan Denis John BAGNALL, Marines
P/JX. Petty Officer Alfred Edward DEADMAN
D/JX.144765 A.B. HODGE
C/JX.155615 MORGAN
P/KX.87055 Stoker Petty Officer Glyn Ernest SELLS
Other information came from post-Armistice Interrogation Reports:
17517 Dvr. W.F. ANDREWS, New Zealand Army Service CorPS
52559 Bdr. KROHN H.O., SA Artillery (UDF)
53288 Gnr NETHERSOLE F.C., SA Artillery (UDF)
Other testimonies were in the form of an Affidavit:
6847052 Sgt. Reginald Arthur ALLAN, King's Royal Rifle Corps
EX 2031 Alan Denis John BAGNALL, Marines
26822 W.O.II Ronald Leslie BATES, U.D.F.
C/KX.97290 Leading Stoker Walter Henry John BINDON
P/JX.148665 Ernest Merton BOWERS, HMS Hereward
P/JX. Able Seaman John Walter CAMPBELL
P/JX. Petty Officer Alfred Edward DEADMAN
?/XK.108447 Stoker James DOWNEY
D/L.13757 Leading Steward Jasper Donald GODBEER
2937953 Private Thomas HENDERSON, Pioneer Corps attd. R.A.O.C.
William John HOOPER serving as NAAFI canteen assistant on HMS Hereward
D/J.110951 Chief Petty Officer Leonard Charles HOOTON
C/J.106170 Chief Petty Officer George LANHAM
7913891 L/Cpl Arnold Adolph LAZARUS, 1 S&T Regiment RAC
Captain William Brian de Laval LUSK, New Zealand Medical Corps
S/54543 SSM. 1st Class John Cecil SHIMMIN, RASC
183005 Capt. J.A. LEARNER, Royal Army Medical Corps
Yet others were Statements:
06555 Gunner Daniel William PAUL, 5 Field Artillery Regiment NZ Artillery
C/JX.138726 Petty Officer J.M. MILN, Special Service Party 450
Among them were the testimonies of:
C/KX. 97290 Stoker BINDON
EX 2031 Alan Denis John BAGNALL, Marines
P/JX. Petty Officer Alfred Edward DEADMAN
D/JX.144765 A.B. HODGE
C/JX.155615 MORGAN
P/KX.87055 Stoker Petty Officer Glyn Ernest SELLS
Other information came from post-Armistice Interrogation Reports:
17517 Dvr. W.F. ANDREWS, New Zealand Army Service CorPS
52559 Bdr. KROHN H.O., SA Artillery (UDF)
53288 Gnr NETHERSOLE F.C., SA Artillery (UDF)
Other testimonies were in the form of an Affidavit:
6847052 Sgt. Reginald Arthur ALLAN, King's Royal Rifle Corps
EX 2031 Alan Denis John BAGNALL, Marines
26822 W.O.II Ronald Leslie BATES, U.D.F.
C/KX.97290 Leading Stoker Walter Henry John BINDON
P/JX.148665 Ernest Merton BOWERS, HMS Hereward
P/JX. Able Seaman John Walter CAMPBELL
P/JX. Petty Officer Alfred Edward DEADMAN
?/XK.108447 Stoker James DOWNEY
D/L.13757 Leading Steward Jasper Donald GODBEER
2937953 Private Thomas HENDERSON, Pioneer Corps attd. R.A.O.C.
William John HOOPER serving as NAAFI canteen assistant on HMS Hereward
D/J.110951 Chief Petty Officer Leonard Charles HOOTON
C/J.106170 Chief Petty Officer George LANHAM
7913891 L/Cpl Arnold Adolph LAZARUS, 1 S&T Regiment RAC
Captain William Brian de Laval LUSK, New Zealand Medical Corps
S/54543 SSM. 1st Class John Cecil SHIMMIN, RASC
183005 Capt. J.A. LEARNER, Royal Army Medical Corps
Yet others were Statements:
06555 Gunner Daniel William PAUL, 5 Field Artillery Regiment NZ Artillery
C/JX.138726 Petty Officer J.M. MILN, Special Service Party 450
Following the investigations a list of alleged War Crimes was compiled. Here are some extracts from a communication dated 6 May 1946 sent from the Deputy Judge Advocate General's Office, GHQ Central Mediterranean Forces, to JAG Spring Gardens London:
I note the following incidents mentioned by various witnesses, cases with corroboration :-
a) Stoker DOWNEY was given 100 days confinement for remarks about Mussolini in a letter.
b) HOOPER, BINDON and KING were chained to a telegraph pole. Hooper blames a corporal of (the) Carabinieri, 'Pinto Pete', and another. He also blames the last two for the imprisonment without trial or Marine MILLS. (MILN: Author's note)
c) A New Zealand P.W. was shot when picking up wood between the wires, and whilst he lay wounded on the ground shot twice more. (Private Hamilton, subject of a War Crimes Investigation recorded in WO 311/1209)
d) Stoker SELLS lay in agony for 2 weeks without medical attention, he was at length operated on but without anesthetics and alleges that he could get no treatment from the M.O. (medical officer)
e) In summer 1942, a tunnel escape was betrayed, three prisoners found in the tunnel badly beaten and seven others surrendered and were also beaten. There is another slightly different version, which probably refers to the same incident.
f) Sgt. STRACHAN escaped and was very severely beaten on re-capture.
g) P/O WEAVER, R.A.F., also escaped and was beaten on re-capture. I enclose copies of his affidavit.
h) Sgt. ALLEN and Sgt. BATES were beaten for aiding an escape which failed.
j) Jack FAULKES (Foulkes), a Stoker P.O., was beaten and given 2 weeks imprisonment for making tea in his hut.
k) Sgmn. DOYLE, N.Z.A., reported the theft of some soap to the Camp leader. 'Pinto Pete' heard of this, put Doyle in the cells on a trumped-up charge, where he was held by 2 Carabinieri while 'Pinto' flogged him with a rope.
Below is some of the evidence produced for each of these alleged crimes:
I note the following incidents mentioned by various witnesses, cases with corroboration :-
a) Stoker DOWNEY was given 100 days confinement for remarks about Mussolini in a letter.
b) HOOPER, BINDON and KING were chained to a telegraph pole. Hooper blames a corporal of (the) Carabinieri, 'Pinto Pete', and another. He also blames the last two for the imprisonment without trial or Marine MILLS. (MILN: Author's note)
c) A New Zealand P.W. was shot when picking up wood between the wires, and whilst he lay wounded on the ground shot twice more. (Private Hamilton, subject of a War Crimes Investigation recorded in WO 311/1209)
d) Stoker SELLS lay in agony for 2 weeks without medical attention, he was at length operated on but without anesthetics and alleges that he could get no treatment from the M.O. (medical officer)
e) In summer 1942, a tunnel escape was betrayed, three prisoners found in the tunnel badly beaten and seven others surrendered and were also beaten. There is another slightly different version, which probably refers to the same incident.
f) Sgt. STRACHAN escaped and was very severely beaten on re-capture.
g) P/O WEAVER, R.A.F., also escaped and was beaten on re-capture. I enclose copies of his affidavit.
h) Sgt. ALLEN and Sgt. BATES were beaten for aiding an escape which failed.
j) Jack FAULKES (Foulkes), a Stoker P.O., was beaten and given 2 weeks imprisonment for making tea in his hut.
k) Sgmn. DOYLE, N.Z.A., reported the theft of some soap to the Camp leader. 'Pinto Pete' heard of this, put Doyle in the cells on a trumped-up charge, where he was held by 2 Carabinieri while 'Pinto' flogged him with a rope.
Below is some of the evidence produced for each of these alleged crimes:
D/XK.108447 Stoker James DOWNEY
On 29th day of May 1941 Whilst serving on HMS HEREWARD I was taken prisoner at CRETE by the Italians. After being a prisoner of war on RHODES Island for three weeks I was taken to Prisoner of War Camp PG 66 CAPUA. After 18 days at this camp I was moved to PG (probably 118) Bolzano and remained there two months. In December 1941 I was sent to PG 52, CHIAVARI. On the 14th February, 1942 I was called into the Commandant’s office where there was a representative of the Italian Government. I was accused by this representative of insulting MUSSOLINI and the Italian people. He was in possession of a letter card I had written three months previously to my sister in England. In this letter card I made reference to Italian sentries begging for food and I said, “Mussolini was a fool for coming into the war and he probably realises it by now".
The Man of Confidence, Sub-Conductor BARKER, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Indian Army, was also in the Commandant's office and he corroborated my statement that Italian sentries had been begging for food.
The Representative asked me for an explanation of my remarks about Mussolini and I replied that I was not sorry about it and that Mussolini was good himself at using similar language. He then pointed out that I was a prisoner of war whereas Mussolini was not. All the conversation was put down in writing and I signed it. With this the interrogation ended.
I was placed in confinement and remained so confined one hundred days. was given no trial or informed of my sentence. During my solitary confinement my Cross parcels were stopped. Otherwise I had normal food, (?) exercise. During the time I was confined I made numerous complaints that the Geneva Convention was not being complied with, without result.
I do not know the name of the Italian Camp Commandant or the representative of the Italian Government.
There was one Carabinieri guard at this camp who was particularly brutal to prisoners of war whose name I do not know but who was about five feet eight inches in height, of stout build with rugged complexion, fair hair. He was about 35 years of age and wore two stripes. He spoke English with an American accent.
I remember Mr. Hooper, Stoker Bindon and two other prisoners being chained to an electric light pole as punishment. I did not actually see this.
The Man of Confidence, Sub-Conductor BARKER, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Indian Army, was also in the Commandant's office and he corroborated my statement that Italian sentries had been begging for food.
The Representative asked me for an explanation of my remarks about Mussolini and I replied that I was not sorry about it and that Mussolini was good himself at using similar language. He then pointed out that I was a prisoner of war whereas Mussolini was not. All the conversation was put down in writing and I signed it. With this the interrogation ended.
I was placed in confinement and remained so confined one hundred days. was given no trial or informed of my sentence. During my solitary confinement my Cross parcels were stopped. Otherwise I had normal food, (?) exercise. During the time I was confined I made numerous complaints that the Geneva Convention was not being complied with, without result.
I do not know the name of the Italian Camp Commandant or the representative of the Italian Government.
There was one Carabinieri guard at this camp who was particularly brutal to prisoners of war whose name I do not know but who was about five feet eight inches in height, of stout build with rugged complexion, fair hair. He was about 35 years of age and wore two stripes. He spoke English with an American accent.
I remember Mr. Hooper, Stoker Bindon and two other prisoners being chained to an electric light pole as punishment. I did not actually see this.
C/KX.97290 Leading Stoker Walter Henry John BINDON
At some date early in my stay at Chiavari, but which I do not remember exactly, William Hooper of NAAFI, Gunner King and I had gone back to our huts (Hooper and I were in the same hut) for roll call about 8 pm. When we got in the officer of the day was there and the roll call had taken place. There was no bugle in the camp and we were expected to be in our huts at the time of roll call, which, I think, was about 8 pm. The following morning, Hooper, King and myself were taken out by the Carabinieri and each chained to an electric light pole in the open. Our wrists were chained behind our backs very tightly with a chain like a dog chain which was then carried round the post. There had been no trial or inquiry and we were not told until afterwards that the supposed offence was being late for roll call.
I do not remember exactly how long we were chained but I think it was two full days. I believe that the sentence was three days. About the time of the evening meal we were allowed back into our huts to eat and sleep and were chained next morning. The weather was terrible, raining all the time and very cold. It had previously been snowing. My own boots had just worn out and the ground was nothing but mud.
I think it was during the second day, but it may have been during the third, that the Commandant of the camp stopped this punishment and let us go back to our huts. He appeared to have authority over the Carabinieri. Gunner King later died in another camp, but this was not connected to the incident I have described. In May 1942 I was moved to Camp no. 65 Gravina where I was until I was exchanged. (An interesting move to a southern camp. D/XK.108447 Stoker James Downey was also sent there. Presumably this was a punishment for both men. Author's note.)
I do not remember exactly how long we were chained but I think it was two full days. I believe that the sentence was three days. About the time of the evening meal we were allowed back into our huts to eat and sleep and were chained next morning. The weather was terrible, raining all the time and very cold. It had previously been snowing. My own boots had just worn out and the ground was nothing but mud.
I think it was during the second day, but it may have been during the third, that the Commandant of the camp stopped this punishment and let us go back to our huts. He appeared to have authority over the Carabinieri. Gunner King later died in another camp, but this was not connected to the incident I have described. In May 1942 I was moved to Camp no. 65 Gravina where I was until I was exchanged. (An interesting move to a southern camp. D/XK.108447 Stoker James Downey was also sent there. Presumably this was a punishment for both men. Author's note.)
P/KX. 87055 Stoker Petty Officer Glyn Ernest SELLS
After three weeks at Benghazi and a similar period at Tarhuna, he was sent via Tripoli to Taranto and thence to PG 66 Capua where he arrived on or about 16 September. From Capua he was transferred to Caserta Hospital on 5 October and was kept there two months. He testified that he was kept in bed for two months but was not examined, though he was told that he was suffering from piles. On or about 4 December he was sent to PG 52 along with the other members of his crew. He was repatriated in March 1943.
I lay for about a fortnight in this camp with such pain from the rectum that I could not walk or sit down and no Italian medical officer would visit me. Eventually my mates got me into the Camp Infirmary where the medical officer made an inspection and discovered that I had a a double fistula in an advanced state. They operated on me without any anesthetic, the agony was indescribable. I was laid up helpless in the infirmary for eight months, was carried once a day to the doctor but had no proper nursing attention...After three months I was sent from the infirmary back to the said camp but I could not walk; the stitches pulled, and the wound had not healed. I could get no treatment from the medical officer. A friend of mine put me in the quartermaster's store and nursed me back. I was laid up ten months altogether.
I lay for about a fortnight in this camp with such pain from the rectum that I could not walk or sit down and no Italian medical officer would visit me. Eventually my mates got me into the Camp Infirmary where the medical officer made an inspection and discovered that I had a a double fistula in an advanced state. They operated on me without any anesthetic, the agony was indescribable. I was laid up helpless in the infirmary for eight months, was carried once a day to the doctor but had no proper nursing attention...After three months I was sent from the infirmary back to the said camp but I could not walk; the stitches pulled, and the wound had not healed. I could get no treatment from the medical officer. A friend of mine put me in the quartermaster's store and nursed me back. I was laid up ten months altogether.
17517 Driver W.F. ANDREWS
New Zealand Army Service Corps
New Zealand Army Service Corps
An extract from Driver ANDREWS' interrogation report reads:
After the discovery of a tunnel in PG 52 on 14 July 1942 the Carabinieri took those whose beds were above the tunnel entrnce and beat them badly. Dvr. FITZGERALD and Dvr. TYER were two of the party who were beaten up.
Two other prisoners whose interrogation reports referred to this incident were 52559 Bdr. H.O. KROHN (SAA, UDF) and 53288 Gnr. F.C. NETHERSOLE (SAA, UDF)
After the discovery of a tunnel in PG 52 on 14 July 1942 the Carabinieri took those whose beds were above the tunnel entrnce and beat them badly. Dvr. FITZGERALD and Dvr. TYER were two of the party who were beaten up.
Two other prisoners whose interrogation reports referred to this incident were 52559 Bdr. H.O. KROHN (SAA, UDF) and 53288 Gnr. F.C. NETHERSOLE (SAA, UDF)
2656614 Sergeant William Hunter STRACHAN
Coldstream Guards
Coldstream Guards
1. On 21st June 1942 whilst serving with 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, I was taken prisoner at Tobruk. I was taken to the transit camp at Benghazi and after eleven days in this camp I was transferred to Italy by ship. After being in PW camps at Capua ad Benevento I arrived about the middle of October 1942 at PW Camp no. 52 Chiavari.
2. On May 3rd 1943 whilst still at Chiavari I made an escape by bluffing my way out of the camp dressed in civilian clothes at the same time a large fatigue party was bringing into the camp Red Cross parcels. About 1100 hours the next day I was recaptured by members of the plain clothes police on the Rome-Turin train at Alessandria. I was handed over to the Fascist headquarters in Turin and was from there escorted back to Chiavari by the Carabinieri. I arrived back at the camp just before midday on the 5th May 1943.
3. I was interrogated by Col. Castelli-Taddei who was the Camp Comandant and after questioning was handed aver to the Carabinieri. The colonel told me I had committed a crime and said I must be punished. He did not give me a trial or any particular punishment. I was then taken to the Carabinieri jail on the outskirts of the camp by a Brigadier, whose Christian name was Guildo, and Carabinieri Ramasan, Di Martini, Mangini and another whose name I do not know. On arrival inside the jail I was put into a cell and stripped completely naked by all the Italians I have named. I resisted forcibly and there was a general scuffle during which I was kicked many times. When they had stripped me they handcuffed me and the Brigadier hit me across the jaw with his fist and asked me if I could speak either German or Italian. I said I could not speak either. He then decided to speak what little English knew and asked me who had assisted me to escape. I said I had had no assistance, he stood away and the guards began to beat me with rifle butts and fists. I fell down under the weight of the blows many times but was lifted up by them each time and beaten again. The four guards I have mentioned were concerned in this. I remember my brain becoming hazy ad the last thing I remember is one of the guards kicking me in the side as I lay on the ground and I lost consciousness. When I came round it was dark. My clothing was on me. The buttons had been cut off my clothing.
4. The next day I was given bread and water at about 11 hours. In the afternoon the same party came to my cell including the Brigadier. He asked me the same questions as to who helped me escape and I gave him the same answer, 'No one'. I was again stripped and beaten by the guards in the same manner to the day before. I again lost consciousness.
5. This treatment went on for six days although I cannot remember it clearly as I was unconscious for most of the time. I suppose I must have been brought bread and water each day but cannot remember the events of those six days very clearly.
6. On the seventh day I was left alone and given the normal issue prisoner of war food. I requested an interview with the Camp Leader and Medical Officer but this was refused probably because I was so badly bruised. On the 16th day in this cell Colonel Castelli-Taddei visited me accompanied by his son (a student) and Captain Galleoni the interpreter. Captain Bozzo, a Fascist Captain of the Camp Staff responsible for the Carabinieri, was also present. I was asked by the Colonel if I would promise not to escape and I refused, pointing out that it was my duty to do so. He said if I would not cause any trouble he would let me go back to the camp and be left alone. I asked how long I was to be left in the cell and he replied at least 30 days. There is no doubt in my mind that he knew of the ill-treatment I had received at the hands of the Carabinieri for the reasons appearing in para. 11 of this my affidavit. (See Armistice page) Until the 30th day I was kept in solitary confinement but after the interview on the 16th day I was allowed books and Red Cross parcels. On the 3lst day after being confined in the cell I was allowed to return to the prisoner of war compound. I reported the circumstances of my ill-treatment to Captain Burns, N.Z.M.C.
7. After my return to the compound I was ordered to report to the guardroom four times per day at certain times from then on permanently. One day I was ten minutes late in reporting at noon. I was immediately placed in arrest and put into the same cell. At 2130 hours in the evening Ramasan and Mangini came in with a hosepipe. I was made to strip and was then given a bath. Ramason said that was the treatment the British gave to Italian prisoners. I was then handcuffed and given my khaki shorts and left for the night. There were no drains in the cell and no bed I had therefore to spend the night sitting on the window ledge because of the water on the floor of the cell. After three days I was released again.
8 June 1946
2. On May 3rd 1943 whilst still at Chiavari I made an escape by bluffing my way out of the camp dressed in civilian clothes at the same time a large fatigue party was bringing into the camp Red Cross parcels. About 1100 hours the next day I was recaptured by members of the plain clothes police on the Rome-Turin train at Alessandria. I was handed over to the Fascist headquarters in Turin and was from there escorted back to Chiavari by the Carabinieri. I arrived back at the camp just before midday on the 5th May 1943.
3. I was interrogated by Col. Castelli-Taddei who was the Camp Comandant and after questioning was handed aver to the Carabinieri. The colonel told me I had committed a crime and said I must be punished. He did not give me a trial or any particular punishment. I was then taken to the Carabinieri jail on the outskirts of the camp by a Brigadier, whose Christian name was Guildo, and Carabinieri Ramasan, Di Martini, Mangini and another whose name I do not know. On arrival inside the jail I was put into a cell and stripped completely naked by all the Italians I have named. I resisted forcibly and there was a general scuffle during which I was kicked many times. When they had stripped me they handcuffed me and the Brigadier hit me across the jaw with his fist and asked me if I could speak either German or Italian. I said I could not speak either. He then decided to speak what little English knew and asked me who had assisted me to escape. I said I had had no assistance, he stood away and the guards began to beat me with rifle butts and fists. I fell down under the weight of the blows many times but was lifted up by them each time and beaten again. The four guards I have mentioned were concerned in this. I remember my brain becoming hazy ad the last thing I remember is one of the guards kicking me in the side as I lay on the ground and I lost consciousness. When I came round it was dark. My clothing was on me. The buttons had been cut off my clothing.
4. The next day I was given bread and water at about 11 hours. In the afternoon the same party came to my cell including the Brigadier. He asked me the same questions as to who helped me escape and I gave him the same answer, 'No one'. I was again stripped and beaten by the guards in the same manner to the day before. I again lost consciousness.
5. This treatment went on for six days although I cannot remember it clearly as I was unconscious for most of the time. I suppose I must have been brought bread and water each day but cannot remember the events of those six days very clearly.
6. On the seventh day I was left alone and given the normal issue prisoner of war food. I requested an interview with the Camp Leader and Medical Officer but this was refused probably because I was so badly bruised. On the 16th day in this cell Colonel Castelli-Taddei visited me accompanied by his son (a student) and Captain Galleoni the interpreter. Captain Bozzo, a Fascist Captain of the Camp Staff responsible for the Carabinieri, was also present. I was asked by the Colonel if I would promise not to escape and I refused, pointing out that it was my duty to do so. He said if I would not cause any trouble he would let me go back to the camp and be left alone. I asked how long I was to be left in the cell and he replied at least 30 days. There is no doubt in my mind that he knew of the ill-treatment I had received at the hands of the Carabinieri for the reasons appearing in para. 11 of this my affidavit. (See Armistice page) Until the 30th day I was kept in solitary confinement but after the interview on the 16th day I was allowed books and Red Cross parcels. On the 3lst day after being confined in the cell I was allowed to return to the prisoner of war compound. I reported the circumstances of my ill-treatment to Captain Burns, N.Z.M.C.
7. After my return to the compound I was ordered to report to the guardroom four times per day at certain times from then on permanently. One day I was ten minutes late in reporting at noon. I was immediately placed in arrest and put into the same cell. At 2130 hours in the evening Ramasan and Mangini came in with a hosepipe. I was made to strip and was then given a bath. Ramason said that was the treatment the British gave to Italian prisoners. I was then handcuffed and given my khaki shorts and left for the night. There were no drains in the cell and no bed I had therefore to spend the night sitting on the window ledge because of the water on the floor of the cell. After three days I was released again.
8 June 1946
Flying Officer William Alfred WEAVER
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
I arrived at Chiavari Camp in December 1941. A fortnight after our arrival Sgt. Fred. BIRCH and I were sent to the Adjutant's Office to read a promulgation of punishment which we had incurred at Bari. There was no trial either there or at Chiavari. In consequence we were placed in a hut tor the completion of the punishment which had already started at Bari. There remained six and a half days to be served in manacles but owing to the kindness of someone In authority we were merely locked in the hut and the handcuffs thrown on the floor inside the hut. When the punishment, both rigorous and simple, was finished we returned to the barracks with the rest of the prisoners. At first I was accommodated in the ordinary long wooden huts which were very gloomy, cold and damp. A little later the senior NCOs were accommodated in separate huts. There I remained till I escaped on 22 Feb.
During this period inside the camp I received only 1/3 of a Red Cross parcel. Clothing supplies were inadequate and the clothing of the major portion of my fellow prisoners was in a bedraggled condition.
Amongst the prisoners were 2 soldiers both of whom had had one leg amputated. These soldiers lived under exactly the same conditions as the rest of the prisoners and they needed a friend to assist them every time they went to the lavatory, which was about 100 yards from the hut.
On 22 February I succeeded in getting out of the camp and I was retaken at PIETRA LIGURE three days Iater. I was brought back to the camp, arriving the following morning, I was straight away taken to the adjutant's office where several NCOs and officers were greatly agitated. From the start they adopted an aggressive manner. I was interrogated and on verbal pressure related a very lengthy, complicated and false explanation. I was then led away by two Carabinieri who wore the dress of regulars (dark blue uniform with red stripe down the trouser leg). On leaving the office I discovered that my razor, soap and towels which I had taken on my escape attempt had been left in the office, but when I tried to explain this I was merely prodded with a rifle and pushed on. On the way to the cells one Carabiniere walked in front of me, and a little to the side, the other behind. For some reason they stopped and I did so too but was again prodded and pushed on.
When we reached the cell several Italian NCOs crowded round the entrance and when I was taken inside, the fair Carabiniere, one of the escorts, spoke to me, threatening with his clenched fist, and appeared to be asking me something. I did not understand and when I said so in Italian he commenced to slap me and then punched me. Meanwhile he was making signs, bringing both hands down sharply on either side of his knee as he was breaking a stick. I realised he was threatening me harm. This was all seen by the Italian NCOS some of whom whilst the Carabiniere was striking me were shouting "Basta" (That's enough). But he ignored this and continued to punch me in the body and in the face. Finally I was left alone in the cell, but before leaving he threaten to come back in the evening. In consequence of this threat I did not undress till very late, fearing these Italians would return and cause me greater harm were I not clothed; but this particular Carabiniere did not return. On the following night, however, I was suddenly awakened by a smack across the face. I found two Carabinieri (in the green uniform of wartime police) standing alongside the bed, one of whom had his hand raised in a threatening manner. As I was half asleep and did not understand Italian I was confused and it was not till later, after I had been struck several more times, that I realised ha was trying to explain to me that the Italian soldiers had got into trouble because of my escape. The Camp Commandant must have known I was in the cell for he carried inspections from time to time. I was also visited almost daily but the duty officer who must have made a report. At no time did I have a trial. There was no officer in charge of the Carabinieri, the senior rank was the Brigadier.
I remained here for 39½ days and did not know what period of punishment I had been ordered. During Whitsun the Italian padre had occasion to sprinkle holy water in the cell and I took the opportunity of asking him how many days I had received. He did not know but promised to enquire. Three or four days later he hurriedly told me through the bars that I was to detained till transferred to another camp. He could not say what date had been fixed for this.
Whilst I was in the cell the Carabinieri who were billeted above came in, generally of an evening, and stripped me completely and searched me. During this time I did not receive Red Cross parcels but through the ingenuity of other prisoners received extra food concealed in the skilly. I was twenty days without a wash or shave and my requests for exercise – which I I was entitled to - were either completely ignored or deferred. Only in the latter days did I have exercise with any regularity and even then periods were curtailed.
There was Zeno Fortunato from Reggio Emilia who was very well disposed towards me, spoke to me in secret during exercise and ran considerable risk occasionally placing a dixie lid of rice on the window sill for me. He was thickset, very dark featured, slow and slow moving, aged about 34.
Joseph Ford, an Italian Corporal interpreter, one day spoke to me secretly and asked me if I wanted to send any message to Britain; I asked him how he could do it and he said his mother lived in Higher Buxton and he frequently communicated with her. Being suspicious, I promised to consider the idea but subsequently when asked any message, I declared I had no necessity to do so.
One day when peering out of the cell I noticed a soldier from a barrack window stoop to pick up something from the ground - as he was stooping he turned his head and I saw him rise. At the same time a shot was fired and he threw his hands into the air and fell to the ground: where he lay for a short while till he was lost from view. A group of Italians entered the compound to attend to him.
One the two Carabinieri who I said were regulars was fair, had an English appearance, was of medium -slim build, in his early twenties. The other was dark, thickset, jawed, heavily built of medium height and had (?) eyes. I would recognise either if I saw him again. The corporal I mentioned led the searches through the huts. He had grey hair and spoke broken Englísh with an American accent. He was loud spoken, his English was atrocious but he was very proud it.
There was an Italian interpreter who had been educated at London University. He was very short-sighted, spoke English. "The Yank" was another officer who spoke good English. I think Joseph Ford was the man who had been to London University. Little Willie was a tall Carabiniere who wore the uniform of the wartime police, and was always to be seen with another man, a short one. Both had an annoying, petty manner. In my cell the Carabinieri were strong fascists.
On the day of my recapture, when I was taken to the office, there was the Camp Commandant and his adjutant, a dark thickset broad shouldered man with a swaggering gait. Next day they realised I had lied and I was taken out of my cell for further interrogation. After one hour they proved to me I had lied, which I already knew, but did not admit. This time the Camp Commandant was not present but the adjutant was, as were also the police and a colonel of police (Carabinieri) from outside the camp.
1866028 W.O. Maurice Harold MANTLE
Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
On about 4 December 1941 I arrived at Camp 52, Chiavari, Italy. I escaped from this camp on 28 January, and was recaptured on or about the 31st January 1942 at Calla (?) Italy at which time my feet were frostbitten. I was brought to Chiavari and placed in the custody of an Italian Carabiniere, rank corporal, who was commonly known as 'Texas Joe'. He then placed me in an unbearably cold cell, temperature approximately 10 degrees below zero and told me that he had been in California for seventeen years where he became an expert on the third degree. He ordered me to strip off all my clothing. He then asked me what was wrong with my feet. I told him they were frostbitten. He then prodded my feet with a pointed stick. The pain was excruciating. He then left the cell and his aides took over the task of brutally punishing me. They shackled me and forced my head, face down, against the table top by pulling on my ear lobes. Then with lead weighted canes (thickness of a pencil) they hit me continuously on the mastoid bones. As a result of this brutal treatment, I was deaf for six weeks. I was in solitary confinement for fifteen days. Every night Italian guards poured water on the floor above me which in turn would drip down upon me making it most difficult for me to sleep.
WO. Mantle was then sent to PG 59 Servigliano, from where he attempted another escape, and after that to PG 5 Gavi, from where he attempted yet a third. After the Armistice he was transferred to Germany and from there to Arbeitskommando 95 at Marien en Martzoul, Austria, where he became Man of Confidence.
WO. Mantle was then sent to PG 59 Servigliano, from where he attempted another escape, and after that to PG 5 Gavi, from where he attempted yet a third. After the Armistice he was transferred to Germany and from there to Arbeitskommando 95 at Marien en Martzoul, Austria, where he became Man of Confidence.
6847052 Sergeant Reginald Arthur ALLAN
King's Royal Rifle Corps
King's Royal Rifle Corps
1. In the summer of 1942 when serving with the King's Royal Rifle Corps I was taken prisoner at Benghazi and was eventually transported to Italy to Camp no. 52 Chiavari.
2. In or about June 1942 I assisted Lance-Sergeant Greenshields of the R.H.A. and a South African nicknamed 'Tut' (190172 Sapper Robert Roderick Cameron, 21 Field Park Engineers. Author's note) to escape by erecting dummies in their beds. The escape was not successful because they were discovered in the food magazine and were brought back into the hut. I was interrogated by the Italian authorities as to why I had assisted these prisoners. I told them that it was my duty as a British prisoner of war to help any other prisoners of war to escape. In the room there was an officer of the Carabinieri and three guards and also a corporal whom we know as 'Pinto Pete'. On giving the reply above I was struck in the face by Pinto Pete and whilst I was lying on the ground was kicked numerous times by him. I was awarded fifteen days hard punishment and ten days light punishment for my part in the escape.
3. I have read the affidavit of Glyn Ernest Sells and I verily believe that the incident referred to in paragraph 4(a) thereof is the incident described in paragraph 2 hereof. At the time I was a corporal and not a lance-corporal as deposited by him.
4. Pinto Pete was about five feet eleven inches, sturdily built with greying hair. He would be about 38 years of age.
2. In or about June 1942 I assisted Lance-Sergeant Greenshields of the R.H.A. and a South African nicknamed 'Tut' (190172 Sapper Robert Roderick Cameron, 21 Field Park Engineers. Author's note) to escape by erecting dummies in their beds. The escape was not successful because they were discovered in the food magazine and were brought back into the hut. I was interrogated by the Italian authorities as to why I had assisted these prisoners. I told them that it was my duty as a British prisoner of war to help any other prisoners of war to escape. In the room there was an officer of the Carabinieri and three guards and also a corporal whom we know as 'Pinto Pete'. On giving the reply above I was struck in the face by Pinto Pete and whilst I was lying on the ground was kicked numerous times by him. I was awarded fifteen days hard punishment and ten days light punishment for my part in the escape.
3. I have read the affidavit of Glyn Ernest Sells and I verily believe that the incident referred to in paragraph 4(a) thereof is the incident described in paragraph 2 hereof. At the time I was a corporal and not a lance-corporal as deposited by him.
4. Pinto Pete was about five feet eleven inches, sturdily built with greying hair. He would be about 38 years of age.
26822 W.O.II Ronald Leslie BATES
Union Defence Force
Union Defence Force
During July-August 1942 at Camp CC 52 CHIAVARI the rations at this camp were cut 60% due to shortage of food. The NCO in charge of the cookhouse and ration store at the time was Sgt. WILLIAMS of the British Army. I cannot remember his unit. He was removed for inefficiency in the distribution of food. The WOs in the camp then held a parade, and I was chosen for this position on 1. 6 .42. Three times a week it was my duty to go to the village under guard to receive the bread and meat ration, and being allowed out of camp I had a good chance to appreciate the situation in regard to possible escapes. I remember the camp leader, a Sub-Conductor of the Indian Army, (W.J. Barker - Author's note) and six British PW were making a tunnel in the camp I supplied them with extra bread also a length of hosing and oil to enable them to continue their work on the tunnel. The tunnel was discovered by the Italians almost upon completion. The men had another 6 feet do and they would have escaped by it. There was a terrific rain, and as tunnel had no props it fell in after 4 months of work on it.
After I took over there were no further complaints about the rations.
During Aug. 42, a South African POW, Pt. CAMERON, 5th Field Engineers, and a British POW by the name of Sgt J. GREENSHIELDS, 3rd Royal Horse Artillery, effected an escape. I assisted them by locking them up in ration store one evening, and giving them extra rations. I returned to camp in the evening and discovered that the two men were missing, their absence was discovered by the Italians the check parade... The two had already left my store but were discovered by the barking of dogs as they were attempting to get through the wire fence. After the escape was discovered I was taken to the Guard Room and while there alone I made a dash for it. I went to a small footbridge near the camp with the intention of remaining there until it became darker. An Italian coming from the opposite direction saw me there... The guard was called and I was sent to the gaol at CHIAVARI, (probably just outside the camp, not at Chiavari. Author's note) where I remained for 28 days in a cell. While in gaol a MARESCIALLO of the Carabinieri ordered me to be beaten up by Cpl. RAMASON and DI MIRTINI. (Ramazzoni and Di Martini. Author's note.) I was beaten up with sticks, leather belts and rifle butts. The beating was severe, and I still carry scars from it. The beating occurred every 5 hours for two weeks. I was given a ration of bread and water, but the Camp Cook used to bribe the guard and smuggled in food to me occasionally when an opportunity occurred. While the beatings were being carried out, an Italian Captain by the name of BOTZA or BOZZA (Bozzo - Author's note) was present to see that such beatings took place. A Cpl. MAJORE (caporale maggiore - Author's note) used to come with the Italian Captain and the two Cpls i.e. Cpl. RAMASON and the other one, used to take it in turns to beat me up.
After I served sentence I was sent back into 52 under strict conditions, I had to report to the Guard Room four times a day and was searched every three hours. About Mar. 43 the Italians let up a bit on me and I was placed in charge of the clothing store wherein the radio was smuggled for safe keeping, I and four others used to listen to the BBC news which we would then give to the other POWs. This continued until the capitulation of Italy, when I was sent to Görlitz and smuggled the set out with me.
The reason I made no mention previously of my beating up in Camp 52 was because I heard that Cpl RAMASON had died in Germany, I cannot say this is correct.
After I took over there were no further complaints about the rations.
During Aug. 42, a South African POW, Pt. CAMERON, 5th Field Engineers, and a British POW by the name of Sgt J. GREENSHIELDS, 3rd Royal Horse Artillery, effected an escape. I assisted them by locking them up in ration store one evening, and giving them extra rations. I returned to camp in the evening and discovered that the two men were missing, their absence was discovered by the Italians the check parade... The two had already left my store but were discovered by the barking of dogs as they were attempting to get through the wire fence. After the escape was discovered I was taken to the Guard Room and while there alone I made a dash for it. I went to a small footbridge near the camp with the intention of remaining there until it became darker. An Italian coming from the opposite direction saw me there... The guard was called and I was sent to the gaol at CHIAVARI, (probably just outside the camp, not at Chiavari. Author's note) where I remained for 28 days in a cell. While in gaol a MARESCIALLO of the Carabinieri ordered me to be beaten up by Cpl. RAMASON and DI MIRTINI. (Ramazzoni and Di Martini. Author's note.) I was beaten up with sticks, leather belts and rifle butts. The beating was severe, and I still carry scars from it. The beating occurred every 5 hours for two weeks. I was given a ration of bread and water, but the Camp Cook used to bribe the guard and smuggled in food to me occasionally when an opportunity occurred. While the beatings were being carried out, an Italian Captain by the name of BOTZA or BOZZA (Bozzo - Author's note) was present to see that such beatings took place. A Cpl. MAJORE (caporale maggiore - Author's note) used to come with the Italian Captain and the two Cpls i.e. Cpl. RAMASON and the other one, used to take it in turns to beat me up.
After I served sentence I was sent back into 52 under strict conditions, I had to report to the Guard Room four times a day and was searched every three hours. About Mar. 43 the Italians let up a bit on me and I was placed in charge of the clothing store wherein the radio was smuggled for safe keeping, I and four others used to listen to the BBC news which we would then give to the other POWs. This continued until the capitulation of Italy, when I was sent to Görlitz and smuggled the set out with me.
The reason I made no mention previously of my beating up in Camp 52 was because I heard that Cpl RAMASON had died in Germany, I cannot say this is correct.
C/KX.97290 Leading Stoker Walter Henry John BINDON
evidence for the beating up of Stoker P.O. Faulkes
evidence for the beating up of Stoker P.O. Faulkes
The Carabinieri in this camp were particularly brutal and knocked the prisoners about. I remember seeing Stoker Petty Officer Jack Faulkes or Foulkes, one of the crew of 'Cachalot', and then a Leading Stoker, taken away to a detention cell and brought back some two to three weeks later after he had been beaten up for making tea in his hut against orders The first Commandant that we had at this camp, whose name I do not remember, was very anti-British and did nothing to help us, but later another commandant, whose name I do not know, replaced him and was quite good.
06555 Gunner Daniel William PAUL
5 Field Artillery Regiment N.Z. Artillery
5 Field Artillery Regiment N.Z. Artillery
Gunner Paul speaks about the ill-treatment of a fellow prisoner, Daniel DOYLE:
Gunner Paul
I remember an incident that occurred at the camp sometime during August 1942. I cannot fix the exact date. A fellow prisoner named Daniel DOYLE, whom I knew very well in the camp, reported to Warrant Officer Barker – the prisoners' NCO in charge of the camp - the loss of two or three cakes of soap from his belongings following a hut search by the Carabinieri. I did not know anything about this until I saw Doyle being marched away by 'Pinto Pete' and two other Carabinieri. I saw Doyle being taken to the Carabinieri barracks in the camp. The next day I saw Doyle again. He told me personally that Pinto Pete had slapped his face repeatedly and that Pinto Pete had flogged him with a rope across the back and head and legs while two other Carabinieri had held Doyle. I am certain that I saw the weals caused by a rope on Doyle's legs and I think I also saw weals on his body. I did not see Doyle flogged and as far as I know no other prisoner saw it. I do not think that Doyle required medical treatment as a result of this treatment.
Photo: Auckland Museum
Photo: Auckland Museum
C/JX.138726 Petty Officer J.M. MILN
Special Service Party 450
Special Service Party 450
P.O. Miln was captured during Operation Principal at Palermo on 3 January 1943 . He wrote:
Confined in cell on 150 grams of bread for 7 days. Being made to drink water out of urinal bucket. On various occasions during confinement (14 days) I was beaten by several Italian Military Police with broom sticks and handcuffed in a standing up position to the wall of my cell at all times when not undergoing mock interrogation. I was allowed no exercise during period of confinement. At various periods the sergeant major, putting his revolver to my head, threatened to shoot me and then take my body outside saying I had attempted to escape.
Confined in cell on 150 grams of bread for 7 days. Being made to drink water out of urinal bucket. On various occasions during confinement (14 days) I was beaten by several Italian Military Police with broom sticks and handcuffed in a standing up position to the wall of my cell at all times when not undergoing mock interrogation. I was allowed no exercise during period of confinement. At various periods the sergeant major, putting his revolver to my head, threatened to shoot me and then take my body outside saying I had attempted to escape.
S/54543 SSM 1st Class John Cecil SHIMMIN
Royal Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
SSM John SHIMMIN was the second and last Camp Leader. His affidavit, sworn on 12 June 1946, was probably crucial in the decision not to press for charges against Col. CASTELLI-TADDEI. Part of it is reproduced here:-
I was captured on 8 April 1941 at El Mechili, Libya, and after being at various transit camps including a short spell in hospital at Tripoli, I arrived at PG 52 at CHIAVARI, near Genoa, Italy, on 4th December 1941.
Until the Spring of 1942 the Italian commandant was Colonel CELLI. He was an old man and took very little active part in the Camp administration. If any incidents occurred during the time he was Commandant, I imagine they occurred without his knowledge, although even if he had known of any particular ill-treatment, he was so helpless that little would have been done about it.
In the Spring of 1942 Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI became commandant. This man, apart from allowing the Carabinieri to beat up prisoners for minor offences, was quite a good commandant and a popular one with the prisoners. He gave us facilities for running sports and education, and allowed us to build a swimming pool.
Sub-Conductor W. J. Barker, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, was Senior British Officer until August 1942 while I was at PG 52. I remember Barker telling me about a Stoker Downey being kept under arrest in a tent within the Camp Compound for about three months. Downey was alleged to have used the words 'Mussolini is a fool' or some similar phrase in a letter which was intercepted by censors and passed to Military Headquarters, Rome to order his arrest for pending trial. I believe conditions in the tent were reasonable. He was allowed bed-boards and a mattress and normal food. His movements, however, were restricted to within a few yards of the tent itself. I believe Downey was released without having been brought to trial.
During the Summer of 1942 Barker and I, who were in the same hut, heard a shot. We walked together through the camp n order to find out what had happened. We saw a New Zealand prisoner being carried away by some other prisoners. He had been hit by two pieces of a fragmentation bullet of the type used by Italian guards. One piece had hit him in the jaw and another in the side. He did not appear to be seriously hurt. He had apparently jumped from a window in his bungalow to the ground, which was in the forbidden zone, between the outer and inner barbed wire fence. This bungalow itself extended into this zone known to us as the 'Death Zone'. I do not know the sentry who fired the shot and there was no one about at the time who I know to be a witness of the actual shooting. Shortly afterwards the Camp Commandant CASTELLI-TADDEI and some of his staff arrived to enquire into the incident. They spoke to Barker and I believe expressed regret at the occurrence, but pointed out that the prisoner had been trespassing, and in their opinion the guard had ample justification to shoot.
There were several cases of men being beaten up after escape attempts, in all cases men of the Carabinieri were responsible. There was a special Carabinieri detachment who I believe received their orders direct from their headquarters at Genoa. I never saw any of the actual beatings-up as these took place in the Carabinieri prison outside the camp. I made protests to Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI when I heard of these occurrences, who always promised to do what he could to prevent these happenings but explained that he had no jurisdiction over members of the Carabinieri.
Sergeant Strachan, who I believe was in one of the Guards Regiments, escaped in the early summer of 1943. I knew he had escaped and tried to conceal his absence on check parade. I heard that he had been recaptured. About a month after that he was returned to the camp. He told me that he had been in the Carabinieri prison and had suffered bad treatment and numerous beatings-up. He looked very thin but bore no visible markings of physical violence. I know that the Carabinieri prison was under the jurisdiction of the camp and thus of the Camp Commandant. It was staffed by the Camp Carabinieri Detachment. Among these I can remember a Italian named Ramason, another known to us as 'Pinto Pete' and 'Texas Pete', and a Brigadiere (equivalent to a staff sergeant) whose name I cannot remember.
Lieutenant ZAVATTERI was adjutant to Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI. I have nothing against him apart from allowing the beating up by the Carabinieri, although I doubt if he had any authority over them. He was very much under the influence of the Commandant.
Captain BOZZO was the Guards commander. He was quite a helpful person and used to conduct the prisoners on walks often of his own initiative without the knowledge of the Camp Commandant. He had no jurisdiction over the Carabinieri but should remember the names of the individuals concerned.
Regimental quartermaster Sergeant Bates told me that he and Sergeant Allan had received a beating for allowing some men to escape by means of the ration hut of which they were in charge. Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI was approached about this and did not deny the beating up had taken place, but blamed the Carabinieri Detachment. I had no recollection of Signalman Doyle being flogged with a rope.
I was captured on 8 April 1941 at El Mechili, Libya, and after being at various transit camps including a short spell in hospital at Tripoli, I arrived at PG 52 at CHIAVARI, near Genoa, Italy, on 4th December 1941.
Until the Spring of 1942 the Italian commandant was Colonel CELLI. He was an old man and took very little active part in the Camp administration. If any incidents occurred during the time he was Commandant, I imagine they occurred without his knowledge, although even if he had known of any particular ill-treatment, he was so helpless that little would have been done about it.
In the Spring of 1942 Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI became commandant. This man, apart from allowing the Carabinieri to beat up prisoners for minor offences, was quite a good commandant and a popular one with the prisoners. He gave us facilities for running sports and education, and allowed us to build a swimming pool.
Sub-Conductor W. J. Barker, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, was Senior British Officer until August 1942 while I was at PG 52. I remember Barker telling me about a Stoker Downey being kept under arrest in a tent within the Camp Compound for about three months. Downey was alleged to have used the words 'Mussolini is a fool' or some similar phrase in a letter which was intercepted by censors and passed to Military Headquarters, Rome to order his arrest for pending trial. I believe conditions in the tent were reasonable. He was allowed bed-boards and a mattress and normal food. His movements, however, were restricted to within a few yards of the tent itself. I believe Downey was released without having been brought to trial.
During the Summer of 1942 Barker and I, who were in the same hut, heard a shot. We walked together through the camp n order to find out what had happened. We saw a New Zealand prisoner being carried away by some other prisoners. He had been hit by two pieces of a fragmentation bullet of the type used by Italian guards. One piece had hit him in the jaw and another in the side. He did not appear to be seriously hurt. He had apparently jumped from a window in his bungalow to the ground, which was in the forbidden zone, between the outer and inner barbed wire fence. This bungalow itself extended into this zone known to us as the 'Death Zone'. I do not know the sentry who fired the shot and there was no one about at the time who I know to be a witness of the actual shooting. Shortly afterwards the Camp Commandant CASTELLI-TADDEI and some of his staff arrived to enquire into the incident. They spoke to Barker and I believe expressed regret at the occurrence, but pointed out that the prisoner had been trespassing, and in their opinion the guard had ample justification to shoot.
There were several cases of men being beaten up after escape attempts, in all cases men of the Carabinieri were responsible. There was a special Carabinieri detachment who I believe received their orders direct from their headquarters at Genoa. I never saw any of the actual beatings-up as these took place in the Carabinieri prison outside the camp. I made protests to Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI when I heard of these occurrences, who always promised to do what he could to prevent these happenings but explained that he had no jurisdiction over members of the Carabinieri.
Sergeant Strachan, who I believe was in one of the Guards Regiments, escaped in the early summer of 1943. I knew he had escaped and tried to conceal his absence on check parade. I heard that he had been recaptured. About a month after that he was returned to the camp. He told me that he had been in the Carabinieri prison and had suffered bad treatment and numerous beatings-up. He looked very thin but bore no visible markings of physical violence. I know that the Carabinieri prison was under the jurisdiction of the camp and thus of the Camp Commandant. It was staffed by the Camp Carabinieri Detachment. Among these I can remember a Italian named Ramason, another known to us as 'Pinto Pete' and 'Texas Pete', and a Brigadiere (equivalent to a staff sergeant) whose name I cannot remember.
Lieutenant ZAVATTERI was adjutant to Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI. I have nothing against him apart from allowing the beating up by the Carabinieri, although I doubt if he had any authority over them. He was very much under the influence of the Commandant.
Captain BOZZO was the Guards commander. He was quite a helpful person and used to conduct the prisoners on walks often of his own initiative without the knowledge of the Camp Commandant. He had no jurisdiction over the Carabinieri but should remember the names of the individuals concerned.
Regimental quartermaster Sergeant Bates told me that he and Sergeant Allan had received a beating for allowing some men to escape by means of the ration hut of which they were in charge. Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI was approached about this and did not deny the beating up had taken place, but blamed the Carabinieri Detachment. I had no recollection of Signalman Doyle being flogged with a rope.
Col. Castelli-Taddei
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Ten. Filippo Zavatteri
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THE OUTCOME
Colonel Oreste CELLI, the Commandant of the camp from when it opened in August 1941 until the end of February 1942, was interviewed on 7 February 1946. The reasons for not proceeding against him were as follows:
Col. CELLI is 70 years old, has just been released from hospital, and is considerably enfeebled both in mind and body. In my opinion there is at present very little evidence to justify a charge against him, and in view of his weak condition, to which further confinement will be extremely detrimental, I would suggest that he be released forthwith.
Lt. Filippo ZAVATTERI was interviewed on 11 April 1946 at Genoa. He explained that he had been adjutant to Colonel Castelli-Taddei from 4 March 1942 until 8 October 1943. He gave a list of Carabinieri in service at the camp during this period and described the relationship between the commander of the Carabinieri and Col. Castelli-Taddei:
When his sentence was completed Strachan asked for an interview with Col. Castelli-Taddei, and complained of being ill-treated by the Carabinieri of the Camp whilst he was in the cell. The colonel called Brigadier OTTRIA, who was in charge of the Carabinieri in the Camp, and reprimanded him for allowing the ill-treatment. The Colonel later told Strachan that the ill-treatment would not occur again.
On 6 May 1946 the Office of the Deputy Judge Advocate, GHQ Central Mediterranean Forces, sent a communication to the offices of the The Judge Advocate General, 6 Spring Gardens, Cockspur Street, London S.W.1, listing the alleged crimes and containing the following comment regarding the responsibility of the Camp Commandant:
From the Affidavits received in this case and interrogation extracts on this camp, it seems that this was a camp on which beatings were frequent and brutal, imprisonment without trial freely given, the guards had their favourite tortures and lost no opportunity in inflicting them on prisoners...The persons immediately responsible in most cases were undoubtedly the Carabinieri who apparently admitted no supervision and brutality was uncontrolled. The Camp Commandant Castelli admitted to Strachan one day that he knew of his beating, but could not oppose the Carabinieri. I feel, however, that this does not excuse him for what was done,
a) after he himself had ordered imprisonment and
b) by men under his command.
You may wish to advise the S.A.C. (Supreme Allied Commander) on this case, with a view to bringing a general charge against the Camp Commandant, and any particular charges which may be supported by the evidence now available, or by further evidence which you may obtain.
You may also wish to advice the S.A.C. on the charges which may be preferred against those members of the Carabinieri whose brutality has been particularly noted.
IN CUSTODY
By 25 June 1946 OTTRIA and RAMEZZANO were in custody and Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI was already being viewed in a different light. On 27 June 1946 the following communication was sent out by the Colonel leading the enquiry:
I have today forwarded Final Advice minute to the Supreme Allied Commander respecting OTTRIA Guido and RAMEZZANO Ernesto on a charge of general ill-treatment of British Prisoners of War at the above Camp.
With regard to the Commandant or the Camp, Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI, the evidence held in this office is so conflicting that I do not consider that he should be charged as a war criminal at this stage if at all. The general line on Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI seems to be that he was quite a good Commandant and somewhat popular with most of the Prisoners. He seems to have shown some interest in their well-being and given them considerable facilities for recreation. The opinion of the senior ranks who were Prisoners of War at Camp PG 52 is that the Commandant had little power or jurisdiction over the Carabinieri personnel. Practically all the reported instances of ill-treatment of prisoners took place in the Carabinieri prison, which was apparently a separate establishment to that of the camp itself.
If, however, you do trace Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI and he is interrogated I shall appreciate it if you will send me a copy of his statement as it may be that his evidence may be relevant and useful at the trial of OTTRIA and RAMEZZANO
Colonel Serafino (Dino) CASTELLI-TADDEI was interviewed by C.S.M. Wiles, 60 Section, Special Investigations Branch, C.M. Police, at Afragola near Naples on 12 July 1946, but no charges were brought against him.
THE TRIAL
On 25 August 1946 a Cipher Telegram left the J.A.G. at Naples for The War Office. The trial of MANGINI, OTTRIA and RAMEZZANO was held on 14 August and lasted two days.
MANGINI was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment, OTTRIA to four years imprisonment and RAMEZZANO to eighteen months imprisonment subject to a psychiatric report. (He had been admitted to mental hospital in Genoa. Author's note)
What happened to the other Carabinieri?
No charges were brought against Carlo BRIGNARDELLO
DI MARTINI had been shot dead.
Carlo BRIGNARDELLO testified that: 'Martini is now dead, he was shot by an unknown person on the evening of 2nd November 1943'. Ernesto RAMEZZANO agreed with this assertion. Sgt. STRACHAN, in his second affidavit dated 22 June, said of Di Martini that 'I know this man is since dead'.
BERTOLOTTI, according to the testimony of the camp's Quartermaster PICCARDO, 'was later transferred to the Carabinieri at Pessonasca Moconesi at Genoa'. OTTRIA however reported that Bertolotto had been shot. He said: 'Bertolotto was known by the prisoners as 'Pinto Pete'. This man was shot by the 'Black Brigade' just before the Liberation'. Umberto BOZZO, the Captain in charge of the Millitary guiard at PG 52 gave the following version to the Allied Military Police:
I remember an 'appuntato', or corporal, of the Carabinieri, named BERTOLOTTI Gio.Battista, who was at the camp when I arrived there in March 1942. This man was about 50 years of age, 1.72 in height and had grey hair. He spoke broken English. He was the only 'appuntato' stationed at this camp, and when he was transferred, in about May 1943, he was not replaced. On the 5th September 1944, BERTOLOTTI was executed at Chiavari. A certified true copy of the death certificate of BERTOLOTTI I now hand to a sergeant of the British Military Police who has marked it “A”in my presence.
Col. CELLI is 70 years old, has just been released from hospital, and is considerably enfeebled both in mind and body. In my opinion there is at present very little evidence to justify a charge against him, and in view of his weak condition, to which further confinement will be extremely detrimental, I would suggest that he be released forthwith.
Lt. Filippo ZAVATTERI was interviewed on 11 April 1946 at Genoa. He explained that he had been adjutant to Colonel Castelli-Taddei from 4 March 1942 until 8 October 1943. He gave a list of Carabinieri in service at the camp during this period and described the relationship between the commander of the Carabinieri and Col. Castelli-Taddei:
When his sentence was completed Strachan asked for an interview with Col. Castelli-Taddei, and complained of being ill-treated by the Carabinieri of the Camp whilst he was in the cell. The colonel called Brigadier OTTRIA, who was in charge of the Carabinieri in the Camp, and reprimanded him for allowing the ill-treatment. The Colonel later told Strachan that the ill-treatment would not occur again.
On 6 May 1946 the Office of the Deputy Judge Advocate, GHQ Central Mediterranean Forces, sent a communication to the offices of the The Judge Advocate General, 6 Spring Gardens, Cockspur Street, London S.W.1, listing the alleged crimes and containing the following comment regarding the responsibility of the Camp Commandant:
From the Affidavits received in this case and interrogation extracts on this camp, it seems that this was a camp on which beatings were frequent and brutal, imprisonment without trial freely given, the guards had their favourite tortures and lost no opportunity in inflicting them on prisoners...The persons immediately responsible in most cases were undoubtedly the Carabinieri who apparently admitted no supervision and brutality was uncontrolled. The Camp Commandant Castelli admitted to Strachan one day that he knew of his beating, but could not oppose the Carabinieri. I feel, however, that this does not excuse him for what was done,
a) after he himself had ordered imprisonment and
b) by men under his command.
You may wish to advise the S.A.C. (Supreme Allied Commander) on this case, with a view to bringing a general charge against the Camp Commandant, and any particular charges which may be supported by the evidence now available, or by further evidence which you may obtain.
You may also wish to advice the S.A.C. on the charges which may be preferred against those members of the Carabinieri whose brutality has been particularly noted.
IN CUSTODY
By 25 June 1946 OTTRIA and RAMEZZANO were in custody and Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI was already being viewed in a different light. On 27 June 1946 the following communication was sent out by the Colonel leading the enquiry:
I have today forwarded Final Advice minute to the Supreme Allied Commander respecting OTTRIA Guido and RAMEZZANO Ernesto on a charge of general ill-treatment of British Prisoners of War at the above Camp.
With regard to the Commandant or the Camp, Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI, the evidence held in this office is so conflicting that I do not consider that he should be charged as a war criminal at this stage if at all. The general line on Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI seems to be that he was quite a good Commandant and somewhat popular with most of the Prisoners. He seems to have shown some interest in their well-being and given them considerable facilities for recreation. The opinion of the senior ranks who were Prisoners of War at Camp PG 52 is that the Commandant had little power or jurisdiction over the Carabinieri personnel. Practically all the reported instances of ill-treatment of prisoners took place in the Carabinieri prison, which was apparently a separate establishment to that of the camp itself.
If, however, you do trace Colonel CASTELLI-TADDEI and he is interrogated I shall appreciate it if you will send me a copy of his statement as it may be that his evidence may be relevant and useful at the trial of OTTRIA and RAMEZZANO
Colonel Serafino (Dino) CASTELLI-TADDEI was interviewed by C.S.M. Wiles, 60 Section, Special Investigations Branch, C.M. Police, at Afragola near Naples on 12 July 1946, but no charges were brought against him.
THE TRIAL
On 25 August 1946 a Cipher Telegram left the J.A.G. at Naples for The War Office. The trial of MANGINI, OTTRIA and RAMEZZANO was held on 14 August and lasted two days.
MANGINI was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment, OTTRIA to four years imprisonment and RAMEZZANO to eighteen months imprisonment subject to a psychiatric report. (He had been admitted to mental hospital in Genoa. Author's note)
What happened to the other Carabinieri?
No charges were brought against Carlo BRIGNARDELLO
DI MARTINI had been shot dead.
Carlo BRIGNARDELLO testified that: 'Martini is now dead, he was shot by an unknown person on the evening of 2nd November 1943'. Ernesto RAMEZZANO agreed with this assertion. Sgt. STRACHAN, in his second affidavit dated 22 June, said of Di Martini that 'I know this man is since dead'.
BERTOLOTTI, according to the testimony of the camp's Quartermaster PICCARDO, 'was later transferred to the Carabinieri at Pessonasca Moconesi at Genoa'. OTTRIA however reported that Bertolotto had been shot. He said: 'Bertolotto was known by the prisoners as 'Pinto Pete'. This man was shot by the 'Black Brigade' just before the Liberation'. Umberto BOZZO, the Captain in charge of the Millitary guiard at PG 52 gave the following version to the Allied Military Police:
I remember an 'appuntato', or corporal, of the Carabinieri, named BERTOLOTTI Gio.Battista, who was at the camp when I arrived there in March 1942. This man was about 50 years of age, 1.72 in height and had grey hair. He spoke broken English. He was the only 'appuntato' stationed at this camp, and when he was transferred, in about May 1943, he was not replaced. On the 5th September 1944, BERTOLOTTI was executed at Chiavari. A certified true copy of the death certificate of BERTOLOTTI I now hand to a sergeant of the British Military Police who has marked it “A”in my presence.
WO 311/ 1243 and TS 26/417
Shooting of a British POW by German Guard – Heinz Bohle – at PG 52 Chiavari, Italy
Sept. 1943
Shooting of a British POW by German Guard – Heinz Bohle – at PG 52 Chiavari, Italy
Sept. 1943
The Charges brought against Feldwebel BOHLE in Case UK-G/B.240 were that:
in violation of the laws and usages of war the accused in early September 1943 whilst a guard over prisoners of war wounded a British prisoner of war (name unknown) by the indiscriminate discharge of a rifle bullet.
Evidence of the crime is contained in the following Affidavits, copies of which are attached
S/54545 SSM SHIMMIN J. RASC
In early September 1943 he was in his camp bungalow at 1700 hours one evening he heard a shot. He went out to investigate and saw a British sergeant being taken from his billet to that of the British Camp Medical Officer Captain LEARNER. From enquiries he made he learned the circumstances of the shooting.
The Germans had, a few days before the shooting, taken over the guarding of the camp from the Italians whose army had surrendered. An order was issued that at Roll Call each evening there would be two whistles, the first a warning one and the second a final one. Any prisoner not in barracks on the second whistle was to be punished. On the evening in question one of the prisoners of war was running to his hut after the final whistle and as a warning the accused shot with his machine pistol into the air. The bullet penetrated another barrack-room and hit a British Sergeant standing by his bed, fracturing his arm, The accused could easily have ensured the shot would cause no injury or damage.
Affidavit of 183005 Capt. J.A. LEARNER Royal Army Medical Corps
The British sergeant received a compound fracture of the humerus. Corroboration of the evidence of SSM SHIMMIN.
Another similar testimony was that of CM/39400 Chief Engineer Artificer GEORGE WILLIAM HENRY BELLINGER DSM, BEM, Royal Navy.
Born in 1902, Feldwebel Heinz Böhle, Infantry Regiment 146, described as a Geschäftsführer or Managing Director, was captured on 28 November 1943 in circumstances not set out in the War Crimes files and allocated POW number 18658. On 1 February 1944 he was sent to the USA for internment. When the authorities requested in 1945 that he be sent to the London Cage for interrogation they were informed that the Americans had released him.
in violation of the laws and usages of war the accused in early September 1943 whilst a guard over prisoners of war wounded a British prisoner of war (name unknown) by the indiscriminate discharge of a rifle bullet.
Evidence of the crime is contained in the following Affidavits, copies of which are attached
S/54545 SSM SHIMMIN J. RASC
In early September 1943 he was in his camp bungalow at 1700 hours one evening he heard a shot. He went out to investigate and saw a British sergeant being taken from his billet to that of the British Camp Medical Officer Captain LEARNER. From enquiries he made he learned the circumstances of the shooting.
The Germans had, a few days before the shooting, taken over the guarding of the camp from the Italians whose army had surrendered. An order was issued that at Roll Call each evening there would be two whistles, the first a warning one and the second a final one. Any prisoner not in barracks on the second whistle was to be punished. On the evening in question one of the prisoners of war was running to his hut after the final whistle and as a warning the accused shot with his machine pistol into the air. The bullet penetrated another barrack-room and hit a British Sergeant standing by his bed, fracturing his arm, The accused could easily have ensured the shot would cause no injury or damage.
Affidavit of 183005 Capt. J.A. LEARNER Royal Army Medical Corps
The British sergeant received a compound fracture of the humerus. Corroboration of the evidence of SSM SHIMMIN.
Another similar testimony was that of CM/39400 Chief Engineer Artificer GEORGE WILLIAM HENRY BELLINGER DSM, BEM, Royal Navy.
Born in 1902, Feldwebel Heinz Böhle, Infantry Regiment 146, described as a Geschäftsführer or Managing Director, was captured on 28 November 1943 in circumstances not set out in the War Crimes files and allocated POW number 18658. On 1 February 1944 he was sent to the USA for internment. When the authorities requested in 1945 that he be sent to the London Cage for interrogation they were informed that the Americans had released him.
© Janet Kinrade Dethick February 2018
