Footprints of Italian Prisoners of War
Following is a link to the list of articles on the website. They are in a ‘rough’ chronological order. This will allow you to follow the journey of the Italian soldier from recruitment through to repatriation.
From Egypt
India
Italian Prisoners of War in India
A very good reference to life for Italian Prisoners of War in India can be found at Maddy’s Ramblings Maddy also relates the story of Filippo Casella who had been imprisoned in India, returned to Italy then made his way to Australia. The purchase of a small vineyard in 1966 was the beginning of Casella Wines and its well known brand Yellow Tail.
Italian Prisoners of War and Internees in India
https://digilander.libero.it/frontedeserto/diari/santecchiaindia.htm
https://digilander.libero.it/frontedeserto/prigionieri/prigionieriindia.htm
Prigioniero in India. La storia di De Bellis Federico.
Kenya Prisoner of War Camps
Australia
The Italian Farming Soldiers by Alan Fitzgerald published in 1981, it is the first comprehensive book on the subject of Italian prisoners of war in Australia
History of Directorate of Prisoners of War and Internees
Employment of Enemy PW and Internees
South Australia
From Tobruk to Clare is the story of Luigi Bortolotti as recorded in this diary manuscript.
S13 Hostel – Mt Gambier – Mt Burr – Penola Prisoners of war were employed by Conservator of Forestry. S13 Prisoner of War Control Hostel Another reference for – Mt Gambier
Victoria
Gippsland, Colac, Francesco Ponzoni, North East Victoria, Bete Bolong Orbost,
Victorian POW Camps, Broadford, Leongatha and Adolfo Allaria, Murchison, Graytown
Umberto Cofrancesco’s biography covers fighting in North Africa, capture and treatment, life in POW Camp India, transfer to Australia, working in Victoria and repatriation.
Koo Wee Rup 1 and Koo Wee Rup 2 Hostel
V13 Maffra Vincenzo Esposito (b. 1920)
V 6 Orbost Hostel (Bete Bolong)
Myrtleford Camp 5 (for officers)
Tasmania
Italian POWS in North West Tasmania, Quamby Brook, Lulworth the story of Augusto Silvestri, West Scottsdale, Brighton Army Camp, Luigo Pezzotti
Queensland
Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt : Echoes of Italian Voices Family Histories from Queensland’s Granite Belt edited by Francesco and Morwenna Arcidiacono (a chapter on the Stanthorpe POWs)
Kingaroy: We Remember, Italian Prisoners of War 1944/45 by Docas Grimmet (collection of Kingaroy residents’ memories)
Q6 Home Hill Francesco Cipolla
Wallangarra German POWs from Kormoran
New South Wales
The Cowra Family History Group is happy to assist researchers with information on prisoners of war at the Cowra PW & I Camp. Their research staff can be contacted at: cfhg_research@hotmail.com
Cowra PW & I Camp: Cowra, Carlo Vannucci at Cowra ,
N1 Connabaraban: Connabaraban page 15 – 17 Coonabaraban
N5 Canowindra: Adriano Zagonara , Canowindra Bruno Dell Amico,
N8 Orange – Michele Ostorero,Mick Camarda,
N11 Glen Innes: Pietro Gargano at Glen Innes Ch 6 Page 90, Glen Innes
N13 PWCC Moss Vale: Moss Vale POWs
N 16 Mudgee
N17 Wellington: Giacomo Rizzello at Wellington , N17 Wellington
N19 Inverell: Alessandro Luciani at Inverell ,
N20 Murwillumbah: North and North West,
N25 Lismore Koonorigan Wallace Jackson,
N26 Taree N4 Armidale or N19 Inverell
N27 Gunnedah Only Our Gloves On by Pat Studdy-Clift : Donato Capezio, Michele Maido; Don Capezio,
N27 Gunnedah: Frank Foster and POWs,
N32 Ingleburn Hostel,
N34 St Ives: St Ives Hostel and Rick Pisaturo,
N35 Bathurst: Bathurst Hostel Funeral and Deaths,
Western Australia
Northam, Prisoner of War Hut West Bruce Rock, Rosemary Johnston Research, Karrakatta
A book by Bill Bunbury, Rabbits and Spaghetti, tells the story of Internees and Prisoners of War using local stories, experiences and memories.
Zonderwater South Africa
A number of testimonials have been written by Italian POWs at this camp, but their experiences and thoughts would be similar to all Italian POWs regardless of where they were sent. These shared memories especially for their time as a soldier is worth reading.
Zonderwater Prisoner of War Camp and Museum
England POW Camps
Harperley Camp Durham and Pingley Farm POW Camp 81 Lincolnshire
USA POW Camps
Footprints of Italian Prisoners of War in Australia 