At War
Antonino Lumia has had his memories of being soldiers in the Italian army and prisoners of war in Australia recorded for posterity. Lumia’s words were recorded by his grandson Damiano and can be heard via YouTube, Antonino Lumia POW in Australia 1941-1946.
This recording is an invaluable insight into the personal experiences of the ordinary men who were caught up in the politics of war. Lumia had his 28th birthday in the north African desert and was captured at Tobruk.
Special acknowledgement to Damiano Lumia for allowing for his work and the words of Antonino to be reproduced here as part of this project. His assistance is invaluable as these memories provide depth and perspective for this history.
Antonino Lumia was captured at Tobruk 22nd January 1941
.. we embark in the direction of Cyrenaica
We passed close to Tripoli at night …Destination Benghazi. Before arriving in Benghazi, a captain tells us … “Young people, dress up. Tthat night the port was bombed …” “If aviation surprises you when going down, it’s the end of the world” We gathered our things. The blankets on our shoulders. Our guns. The dinner. When the boat arrives at the port in Benghazi … in speed, all … We have moved away from Benghazi. We found refuge under a tree. For a month we waited for the weapons, the cannons. Towards the fortress of Tobruk. Some morning workouts. In the evening … free in Benghazi.
Bardia, Cyrenaica, Libya. C. 1941. An Italian 47mm anti tank cannon used by the Italian Army in operations in the Western Desert and abandoned after its defeat by Allied forces (Australian War Memorial, Image 044455)
After 15 days came the guns … we dragged them. Shells firing … 8 kilometres … In columns, we went to war. We arrived in Barce. And we are stopped.
I found a fountain … … the women filled … … their water reserves …… a knife skin, mounted on a donkey.
I was on duty that day. Soldiers were forbidden to clean their dishes in drinking water.
A young black woman …… fills her reserve. A soldier is always a bit provocative.
I wanted to get close to her to help her …… she pushed me violently shouting. I could not approach her. She then left.
The next day, the order was given: departure for the war. The column was reformed: the colonel at the head, … and we all behind, trailing the guns.
We passed Tobruk. We landed in the desert. The fortress of Tobruk. Everyone had his place.
Our guns, concrete refuges. One day… … the British began the bombing …… the lieutenant calls me …”Lumia” “Tonight will get me to eat” Are you calling me? I’m just a sergeant, a helper …
Call the second lieutenant! “The sub-lieutenant is sick, you’re designated!” … They will think that I am an enemy, pull me off. And if I’m wrong, in the dark… “He is an enemy. “You are appointed.”
Resigned. I take my dinner. He said, “Take this power line in your hand …” … and walking … more …
I took this line in my hands. … you will find the mess of the officers …” I lifted this electric wire …
… and I walked. I arrived at the command post. Come back. in the dark. Again the line in my hands, back. Thorns in my legs, on my skin. I was following the telephone line in my hands. The lieutenant had his dinner. Lieutenant Duca, from Vallelunga. The next day the English bombed us.
With their guns. The American navy approached the port. The US Navy fired shells up to 20 kilometers. Shells fell on us … up to 250 kilos. Luckily they landed on sand.
Most did not explode. There’s something to jump in the air. They silenced us. In the distance, the smoke. The command telephone no longer works. Our commander called Sergeant Traina.
A man from Vittoria, near Canicatti. “Traina, the phone does not work anymore!”
Traina … orphan child of soldiers of the great war …”But, my captain … I’m going to die”
“You have to go, you!” The poor man. Religious sign. On a motorcycle. He’s going there.
Thanks to God, he returned alive.
“Captain, the colonel told me …… we are free. Because in a moment …… the enemies will make us prisoners “.
“To fire, to flee, to surrender … everything is allowed”. The Colonel tells us. “Take with you whatever you want … one moment to the other we will be prisoners”.
Footprints of Italian Prisoners of War in Australia 