I.S.9 Officers—Biography

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Dr. Luigi Donfrancesco, nephew of I.S.9 “A” Force agent Andrea Scattini, has discovered a number of online sites that offer information on six key I.S.9 officers.

These officers—Andrew Robb (New Zealand), Richard W. B. Lewis (United States), Bridges George McGibbon-Lewis (UK), Major John Francis Fillingham (UK), Major John Alec McKee (UK), and Raymond Lee Couraud (France)—are mentioned frequently in the official I.S.9 history and in I.S.9 situation reports and war diaries on this site.

The men were active in I.S.9 No. 5 Field Section operations along the the Adriatic coastline of Italy.

Captain Andrew Robb

An entry for Andrew Robb is included in unithistories.com, “British Army Officers, 1939–1945”:
http://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_R02.html

Here are a few details from that entry:

Born March 20, 1901 in Dunedin, New Zealand

Employed by the Colonial Service and lived in Malaya

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I.S.9 Situation Report—November 12–13, 1943

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A one page I.S.9 “SITREP” (situation report) for November 12–13, 1943

The transcription and notes in this post are by Dr. Luigi Donfrancesco, nephew of I.S.9 agent Andrea Scattini.

Access to this document (from the British National Archives) was courtesy of researcher Brian Sims.

See additional reports at “I.S.9 Progress Reports for November 4–21, 1943,” “I.S.9 War Diary—November 17–20, 1943,” “I.S.9 Situation Report—November 3–4, 1943,” and “I.S.9 War Diary—December 16–29, 1943.”

This report is particularly interesting in that it contains lists of POWs rescued on these two dates, including several from P.G. 59.

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I.S.9 War Diary—December 16–29, 1943

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First page of the I.S.9 “progress report” for December 16–29, 1943

The transcription and notes in this post are by Dr. Luigi Donfrancesco, nephew of I.S.9 agent Andrea Scattini.

Access to the war diary (from the British National Archives) was courtesy of researcher Brian Sims.

See additional reports at “I.S.9 Progress Reports for November 4–21, 1943,” “I.S.9 War Diary—November 17–20, 1943,” and “I.S.9 Situation Report—November 3–4, 1943.”

Here are a few abbreviations that occur in this report:

2 Para Bde – Second Paratroopers Brigade
8 Indian Div. or 8 Ind. Div. – Eighth Indian Division
A/Q – acquisition
AMGOT – Allied Military Government for Occupied Territories
Bde – brigade
B.M. – brigade major
DADOS – Deputy Assistant Director, Ordinance Services
ex P/W – ex-prisoner of war
F.S.S. – Field Security Service
H.Q. – headquarters
I.O. – Intelligence Officer or Information Officer
L/Cpl. – lance corporal
N.Z. Div. – New Zealand Division
Re – regarding
S.I.B. – Special Intelligence Branch/Bureau
sd – signed
Sect. – section

MOST SECRET
PROGRESS REPORT – No. 5 ‘A’ FORCE FIELD SECTION
16 DECEMBER – 29 DECEMBER, [19]43

Dec. 16: Visited DADOS at VASTO and on to CUPELLO. Contacted DADOS 8 Indian Div. Sgt. Gillespie maintained daily contact [with] H.Q. 8 Indian Div.

Dec. 17: LANCIANO: picked up agent ZOPITO [di Camillo] at CASALBORDINO. Visited 406 F.S.S. and AMGOT and S.I.B. re. civilian clothing. This was satisfactorily arranged. Sgt. Gillespie brought the news that Capt. LEWIS [Richard W. B. Lewis, U.S. Army Air Force] had come through.

Dec. 18: Clothing hunt. “Made my number” with G.III (I) 5 Div now in this area. Daily contact by Sgt. Gillespie with H.Q. 8 Indian Div.

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The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers K–M

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In 2013, researcher Brian Sims gave me access to his photographs of the complete contents of a booklet entitled Italy: Imperial Prisoners of War Alphabetical List, Section 1, British Army, which is archived at the British National Archives.

The Alphabetical List contains the names of thousands of British prisoners of war interned in Italian camps, apparently compiled in 1942 or the spring of 1943.

This post contains Alphabetical List soldiers K–M who were documented as P.G. 59 internees.

See also “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers A–B,” “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers C–F,” and “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers G–J.”

A key to acronyms and abbreviations follows the list.

Page 72
Kaye, J. R. – Tpr. – 7885909 – R.A.C. – R.O. No.3
Keddie, D. J. T. – Cpl. – T/192321 – R.A.S.C. – R.O. No. 29
Kelly, J. P. – Cpl. – 552447 – R.A.S.C. – R.O. No. 3
Kelly, T. – Tpr. – 7904262 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
Kempton, W. G. – Pte. – 5512026 – Hamp. – R.O. No. 23

Page 73
Kilby, V. Pte. – 7519659 – R.A.M.C. – R.O. No. 30
Killeen, C. – Pte. – 6012148 – Essex – R.O. No. 21
Kimpson, L. W. – Tpr. – 7885915 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
King, A. G. – Gnr. – 1678811 – R.A. – R.O. No. 6
King, M. I. – Pte. – 2754828 – Bk. Watch – R.O. No. 16

Page 74
Kinsey, R. – Fus. – 14209862 – Innis. F. – R.O. No. 17
Kirby, J. – Drv. – T/121147 – R.A.S.C. – R.O. No. 29
Kirkland, R. – Tpr. – 7935537 – R.A.C. – R.O. No.3
Kitchener, A. E. – Gnr. – 1503096 – R.A. – R.O. No. 5
Knapman, P. A. – Tpr. – 7897305 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
Knibbs, H. G. – Tpr. – 7912314 – R.A.C. – R.O. No. 3
Knowles, J. – Gdsm. – 2659152 – C.G. – R.O. No. 12

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Escaped Prisoner Sheltered in Petritoli

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Roberto Lucci’s grandmother, Elvira Lucci (center), was 19 years old when her father sheltered a prison camp escapee in their home.

Roberto Lucci is an Italian who is attempting to find the family of an escaped prisoner who was sheltered by his great-grandfather in 1943–44.

Given the close proximity of his family’s village, Petritoli, to Servigliano, Roberto believes the POW likely escaped from P.G. 59.

Roberto wrote (translated here into English from Italian), “I’m a young man from Petritoli, a village 15km from Servigliano.

“I have started to ask some of the elders who have fragmentary recollections of this man [for help]. I know that William and David are the first or last names.”

Roberto explained that the man’s last name might have been something similar to David—such as Davidson, Davison, Davis, or Davies.

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Charles Simmons’ Recovered Bowling Ring

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I received a note early this month from Katy Bochetto, who wrote, “My grandfather was Charles K. Simmons.

“My Aunt, Trish Harper, submitted copies of the address book and calendar he kept while a POW.” See “Charles Simmons’ Calendar and Address Book” and “Charles Simmons’ 1943 Calendar.”

Katy’s mother, Margaret Simmons, was Charles’ oldest daughter.

In her note, Katy told me about Charles’ gold “300 game” bowling ring that was confiscated by Italians after his capture, but was later surprisingly returned to Charles.

In a follow-up email I received today, Katy said, “The family was together for Christmas and more information was found about my grandfather—specifically the story I was telling you about his bowling ring!”

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A Small, Unexpected Gift

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Edwin A. Wilcher’s dog tag, missing for over 70 years in Italy, which was returned to Edwin’s family in November

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Chiara Allevi’s grandfather Rinaldo and grandmother Luigia assisted Edwin Wilcher after his escape from P.G. 59 in 1943

In May 2009, I received a note from John Garner, who lives in Temple, Georgia.

John wrote, “My great grandfather by the name of Edwin Attaway Wilcher was a POW at camp CC 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13. Have you ever heard anything about him? His number I believe was 34352271 and he was captured December 29, 1943. Thanks for any help that you may provide.”

John explained in a follow-up note that Edwin was born in Georgia on September 27, 1912. He was a private in the U.S. army and he served as an infantrymen after reporting for duty on March 10, 1943. He served in the North African Theatre—in Tunisia.

I wasn’t able to help John at the time.

Then last April I received a note from Chiara Allevi, an Italian woman.

Chiara explained, “Sorry for my poor English…. My uncle found a military plate named EDWIN A. WILCHER (34352271) Augusta Georgia, on my grandmother’s hamlet “AGORE” near ASCOLI PICENO town.

“My grandmother told us that Mr. Wilcher was hiding in a cave in the mountains near her hamlet together other American soldiers.

“She and other villagers brought food to them.”

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Cameron Highlander J. Drum

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Pte. J. Drum

I received a note last month from Del MacPhail, whose grandfather was captured in North Africa in 1940.

J. Drum was interned in P.G. 59 for a time. He is listed in “The Alphabetical List—British Soldiers C–F.”

Del wrote, “I have recently came across your site and would like to thank you for creating it. My Granda was a POW in this camp. He was transferred out of this camp and moved to Poland near the German border.

“Attached is a photo of him. That is an Australian’s hat he is wearing—his mate’s hat. He was a Cameron Highlander.

“He didn’t ever say anything about the war at all. So all I have are his records. My Granda passed away October 1989.

“He married Mary after the war, had five children—three boys and two girls—and 10 grandchildren. He was a scaffolder after the war, he just never spoke about it ever. I think it was too hard for him.”

Italian Helpers—Two Queries

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Two chits on which British soldiers recorded their names and addresses

My friend Anne Copley is researching two situations of Italians providing assistance to escaped prisoners of war.

Anne wrote, “Local Italians are producing ancient pieces of paper with names and addresses” that have been kept since the Second World War.

Query One

The first query came to her from Giordano Viozzi. Giordano shared three documents:

Two scraps of paper with names and addresses written on them, and an Alexander Certificate issued to Oreste Belleggia for his assistance to escaped POWs.

The addresses on the scraps of paper are:

Ronald P. Holmes, Esq.
16, Crundale Avenue
Kingsbury, London, N.W. 9
England/Inghilterra

(On this paper is also written some simple notes about Italian pronunciation.)

George Hart
32 Lynn Street
Oldham
England

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I.S.9 War Diary—November 17–20, 1943

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The transcription and notes in this post are by Dr. Luigi Donfrancesco, nephew of I.S.9 agent Andrea Scattini. Access to the war diary (from the British National Archives) was courtesy of researcher Brian Sims.

WAR DIARY OR INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY [probably from BARI].

November 17–20, 1943

Summary of Events and Information

NOV 17 – Capt. HUNTER returns from TERMOLI. COMDR. [Commander] HOLDSWORTH and MAJOR HEWITT of SOE [Special Operation Executive] call. Lt. Col. [Lieutenant Colonel] BROWN from AFHQ [Air Force or Allied Force Headquarters] arranging for a signal to be sent to TITO – Yugo-Slav Partisan Leader for information about LIEUTS. [Lieutenant] FALVEY’S party. Guide who brought in two BRIGADIERS to 15th Army Group sent to “N” Section for dispatch to TERMOLI. At TERMOLI HUGO [Uguccione RANIERI “di Sorbello”] and party return having failed to reach GRATTAMMARE [GROTTAMMARE] owing to weather.

NOV 18 – Major BARHAM interviews Capt. BENELLO – Italian Army – to arrange supply of Agents. Capt. LOSCO leaves TERMOLI in a fishing smack for CIVITANOVA [Marche, north of Grottammare].

NOV 19 – Capt. HUNTER and FORK [I.S.9 agent] go to TERMOLI with money. Captains DE HAY and McINTOSH of ISSU [perhaps Information Systems Security Unit] 6 called to discuss problems of mutual interest. CAPT. BENELLO is empowered by Italian Commando Supremo [Supreme Command] to find 25 Italian soldiers to be used as Agents. Fishing smack returns to TERMOLI having successfully landed Capt. LOSCO. Naval programme prevents RATBERRY party leaving. Smack [“peschereccio”] arrives from BENEDETTO [San Benedetto del Tronto] with 20 ex P/Ws [ex-prisoners of war], HUGO [Uguccione RANIERI] and Capt. POWER S.A.S. [Special Air Service]

[This is a third boatload, see “I.S.9 War Diary—November 17–20, 1943.”]

NOV 20 – LUSSIN Island reported by ISSU 6 [see above] to be in German hands. Major FILLINGHAM returns from TERMOLI with Capt. HUNTER, Private HOWES and 1 pig, three turkeys and fish. Fishing smack [“peschereccio”] arrives at TERMOLI with 10 ex P/Ws aboard, another part of HUGO’s evacuation [fourth boatload]. Capt. SOAMES reports 73 ex P/Ws brought in by his guides. Total “A” Force rescues since 8 Sept. 43 in ITALY number 1,004.