大象传媒

Rome affair.
September 11th. Well what a do, at the time of writing, I am with a lot more out among the hills, we have just had a brew and smoke. We have left the camp and are trying to get in contact with our forces. It is very hot and carrying our kit makes it worse.
This morning all the Itie guards left the camp only officers and a few stayed.
What our adventures are to be remains to be seen.
We left camp 5.30p.m. and went through the hills, about 2000 strong. We then came to a road, which we had to go along to get to more hills. We passed three villages, got water, and into our rest place in the hills at 11p.m. Not all of us though, many were left behind, and have since heard that Jerry passed through the last village we came through and picked about 30 of them up. I鈥檝e got a new boots on, and have sore heels already.
September 12th Sunday Arise 4.a.m.
I鈥檝e seen on pictures what we have been doing, never thought I鈥檇 have to do it. Up and down and turning over rocks, one slip many a time meant death. Carrying our food and kit was the worst thing about it. The sun got up and made it worse. After what seemed like hours we came to a stopping place where we raided peaches and grapes from a field near a village. We were told then to get into groups and split up, so now I am with a party of fourteen, all chaps I know. Out of the 107 still Les, Bill and Len. We have settled down at a spot three miles from a village. We have to have water; the civvies are after us for clothing. They are bringing water, but they always want something for it. we are taking it in turns to go to fetch it ourselves for nothing, although the kiddies want cigs, or something you like to give. I haven鈥檛 been yet, my heel is bad. Len is also about done; in fact we all want a good rest before going on. We can hear shelling in the distance, and a couple of shells came over the village.
September 13th Monday had a good nights sleep, it鈥檚 a lovely morning, civvies bringing water and bread, wanting clothing for it. Jerry is in the village we found on our way here, about 3 miles. Can hear bangs Rome way, we are now about 25 miles from Rome. It鈥檚 been a lovely day. We have had as many grapes as we liked; we are near a vineyard.
September 14th Just had a bunch of grapes about 90 on it. Good nights rest. Heel not so good. Have been checking up what food we have, can last for three to four weeks except for bread. There鈥檚 no game about, never even seen a bird. Hope you won鈥檛 worry about me, things will turn up dear that鈥檚 the only thing that worries me, and things will turn out right one day please God. Later more grapes peaches and figs, also blackberries. A civvy comes round and brings a little girl with him; she was a sweet little thing, about Julie鈥檚 size when I last saw her. He could speak a little English, in fact there are one or two who can, they had been to America 20 years back.
September 15th 10.30a.m. Lovely morning. I鈥檝e just got a pair of shorts on and shoes. We are thousands of feet up and can look down on to the plains, even when a few Jerry planes are going over that way, you look down instead of up/ Everything is very quiet. Have just had more figs and grapes. We are moving tonight, nearer the village, see if we can find a place for shelter when the rain comes which won鈥檛 be so long now. My heel is much better and hope to make the trip tonight. One chap with us got a book parcel just before we left, so he brought them, and we have some reading to pass time on.
September 16th Last night we moved, what a journey again all up hill, sweat simply roll off us. We got a grand little spot just outside the village, there were goats, donkeys, could hear a wireless, kiddies crying, dogs yelping, the church bell kept tolling. It was really lovely; we came across some more of our chaps.
This morning after, not too good a nights rest, very cold, we get up early and started to get stakes, etc for making a shelter, but had hardly started when a civvie came and told us, that Jerry was coming, so had to pack up and come more into the hills, not far though, it鈥檚 not a bad spot, but there doesn鈥檛 seem to be any vineyards about. We had bread and roasted potatoes for breakfast. I take back what I said about the civvies wanting clothing every time they brought stuff to us. We have had bread, water, macaroni, cheese, and fruit brought today, and they wouldn鈥檛 take a thing. Women have been and young girls and all this afternoon we have had kiddies round us. Evening, we start building a shack for if it rains.
September 17th The civvies bring us some more bread, potatoes and cooked macaroni for dinner. This afternoon I go into village for water, what a place, two taps to supply all the village and they are only going so many hours. The streets are rough cobbles and grit. The women squabble over the water, kiddies in bare feet. Plenty of donkeys. Women and girls with trays of corn, cleaning it ready for the miller to grind. The women carry everything on their head. Most are dressed in rags. The homes look terrible, all concrete floors.
September 18th Sat, a week ago today since we left camp. It has gone quick and full of adventures. The civvies have done us well again today. We hear that our forces are 10 miles from Rome, also that Jerry is only a few miles from where we are. I go blackberrying, there are plenty about.
September 19th Some of the lads go blackberrying, and some apples. Later 12p.m. midday a scare for us. Ten Jerries come into the village, pick between 20 and 30 chaps up, we get into the bushes and keep there until dark. Later the kiddies come with food and water, which we were well ready for. Also told us that Jerry had gone, so one more day we are free to roam.
September 20th We sleep in our shack we have built, much better, best nights sleep so far, it was warmer because although it鈥檚 hot in the day its cold at night and I鈥檝e no top coat now. We are wondering if Jerry will come today. 10.30a.m. A Woman brings cooked potatoes, not much but good. All is very quiet this morning; one or two Jerry planes over that鈥檚 all. Later 5.0p.m. Jerry comes to village picks 40 men up, some gave themselves up, can鈥檛 get any news.
September 21st It looked like rain when we went to sleep, but morning came without any, and it鈥檚 been a lovely day. Went blackberrying. A Shepherd gave us a little bread, then later a daughter brought bread, water, potatoes and macaroni again, and she鈥檚 our salvation. Not enough water for washing and shaving so we all look a bit rough, this is our 12th day out of camp, and I鈥檝e had two shaves and one wash.
September 22nd Jerry has not paid the village a visit today, hope he has gone for good, but we are keeping out, in case he does. The RASC as we call them brought a stack of food, but fourteen men want a lot, I sure could do with a good feed, but if possible we shall carry on until our lads come, (that is if Jerry doesn鈥檛 get us first) The news is good, and we don鈥檛 think we shall have long to wait.
September 23rd We had just got to bed last night when they came and brought bread, apples and a box of matches. We have a shave this morning, but not enough for a wash. We are a happy lot at the moment; some of the lads are playing cards, some on stag, plenty of fun and laughter. It takes a lot to get the Tommy down hearted. We had egg flakes; bread and butter for breakfast with tea for drink.
September 24th 5.0p.m. Just got back from fruit hunting got a few apples and grapes. We are out of cigs now, but have a few packets of Itie bacca, which we make cigs, out of toilet roll paper
September 25th 8.0a.m. Recaptured. Had just got coffee boiled, when round the corner, pops a German Officer, he strolls up to us, we all had to smile, including the Officer, it seemed so comical. He was very good and allowed us to pour out the coffee and drink and eat our bread and butter, then let us get all our kit together. So once more we are POW. We were taken to the village, put into a garage, until more were rounded up, in all there came to be about 120, a good haul. All the villagers were out watching but scared. Lorries took us to another village where we spent the night sleeping in the passage of a big house. When morning came Len had got parted from us and gone with a load, but thought we may go to the same place.
September 26th Searched, packed in lorries, cramped up, but a pleasant journey until 鈥淐RASH鈥� I was holding two parcel boxes on the side of the lorry for there wasn鈥檛 room elsewhere, when another lorry passed, hit the side of ours, also my arm, there was nothing to be done until we got to our destination a place called - where about a day Germans got round to me, attended to me as if I was one of there own kind. So each time I鈥檝e come in contact with the Germans so far, they have been kind and acted like men. I was then told that I was to go to Rome Hospital.
Arrived there 4.0p.m. on with another chap of ours who had a bad foot. Change into Hospital suit, particulars taken, then into a ward where there were ten more English and South Africans. Nine had come straight from our camp Hospital; they were unable to go into the hills. The tenth one had been in the hills, and he and his mate had resisted capture but paid for it, its no good attacking men with arms. He got shot through the thigh, and his mate was killed.
Anyway I got some eats, I had been 24 hours without any, so was well ready for some.
September 27th I have my arm x-rayed.
September 29th Have my arm put in plaster, so I have waited 78 hours before setting. But they know their job, but my fingers were badly bruised too, I thought at least one to be broken.
October 2nd x-rayed again, was told that it would have to be operated on later after the wound has healed.
Well I鈥檝e got a lovely bed, spring mattress, sheets and blankets. All clothes washed whenever you want, and plenty to eat! It would have been rough in the hills now, it started to rain the very next day after capture, and has been like it since
October 9th Doctors and Nurses come every day to treat the boys, and are very good to us. One nurse is a princess, and can speak English, she brings books etc. A South African black boy came in, he has been shot in the head, and another quarter of an inch would have killed him.
Red Cross man comes and tells us he will try and get parcels of cigs for us
October 10th Parcels come already- Americans, lovely parcels. First we have had of those, 40 cigs and tobacco, which is a relief also got letters to send home, so is a very good day for us.
Bells are ringing often here. My arm is painful at times. Yesterday the plaster was cut to loose it a bit, it was swollen. Wonder where my mates are, I guess they are in Germany by now. The professor鈥檚 wife (who set my arm) is English.
October 27th Have my arm operated on, a painful do, not put to sleep, two hours on the table. I hope it鈥檚 ok. this time.
October 31st A nice morning. Bells have been ringing this morning, started before daylight. No more parcels, it鈥檚 not the food we want, its cigs, we are all about finished now. I have been a week now, but manage to get one now and again. My big worry is that you are getting no news from me darling. Oh dear. I wonder what will be the end of it all. Pray and hope for the best.
November 4th Another plaster put on, says one month now.
November 30th Very cold, unless we stay in bed, our ward is on the North side of building, and gets no sun. Has been a lot of rain this month. No cigs
December 11th Have plaster taken off, the arm seems useless at the moment, and it is swollen so much, has to stay like this for a few days. Cold days, and lots of rain.
December 13th X-rayed again
December 15th. X-ray satisfactory, but Doctor says I may never be able to get it straight again.
December 18th Start having massages, still lots of rain.
December 25th Christmas Day has some whisky given and veno, also 1944 calendar each. So home sick, how I wish I were home.
December 31st Old year ends with gales and cold. Nine massages up to now and what pain it is.

Footnote
This is where the diaries finish that were wrote on note pads, but among my mothers little diaries, I found a small foreign diary with basic facts in,

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