Lewis, Peter John (Oral history)

British NCO served with The Artists' Rifles, The Rifle Brigade in GB, 1937-1939; officer served with 2/6th Bn Queen's Royal Regiment in GB and France, 1939-1942; officer served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1943; POW in Italy, 1943; escaped and with Modena Underground movement in Italy, 1943; interned in Switzerland, 1943-1944

REEL 1 Aspects of period as private with The Artists' Rifles, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), 10/1937-6/1939: joining of army; training; commission with 2/6th Bn Queen's Royal Regiment at Bermondsey; officer training. Recollections of period as officer with 2/6th Bn Queen's Royal Regiment and Bde Headquarters in GB and France, 6/1939-6/1942: work in France; evacuation via Cherbourg; arrival in GB and journey to Northumberland; activities in Northumberland; time at Caterham before embarkation to France; move to Kent; Bde Headquarters; travel around Kent; posting as Bde Transport Officer; prior interest in motor cars; work as Transport Officer at Ashford; exercise with Canadians in winter; air activity; defence of aerodrome at Isle on Sheppey; reason for return to unit at Ipswich; role in unit; reason for volunteering for draft. Aspects of voyage aboard Strathaird and New Mauritania from Liverpool, GB, to Egypt, 1942: change of ships at Durban; belief were on way to Far East; knowledge of destination and concerns on journey; work in ship's library. Aspects of period in Egypt, 1942: news of and reason for transfer to 50th Div; reactions to going abroad; arrival at Port Said; first impressions of Egypt; arrival at Infantry Base Depot at Geneifa; activities at Depot; interview for Long Range Desert Group; news of posting to Durham Light Infantry; knowledge of Durham Light Infantry; memories of Spike Galloway; make-up of reinforcements; allocation of battalion at B Echelon; background of officers in draft; reactions to joining Durham Light Infantry; pamphlets read and training; summary of background in army; comparison of B Echelon and forward positions; Aspects of operations as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 6/1942-11/1942: introduction to regiment; journey to B Echelon; impressions of the desert; Bde joined; description of positions; other units in desert. REEL 2 Continues: officers at B Echelon; background of 8th Bn troops; time at B Echelon; German patrols; 8th Bn vehicles; staff at B Echelon; preparation of meals; storage of vehicles; accommodation; clothing and equipment on arrival; further details of uniform; water ration; coping with thirst; filtering of dirty water; importance of good sanitation and problems with flies; latrines; movement of Arabs in No Man's Land; journey to box; units in Bde Box; outposts; layout of Box; anti-aircraft guns; memories of Colonel Beart and George Chambers. REEL 3 Continues: difficulties of navigation; memories of Company Commander Charles Burdon-Taylor and composition of dugouts; details of 15 Platoon, C Coy; details of 15 Platoon, C Coy; earning respect of troops; route march; night patrols; different types of patrols; briefing for patrols; training for patrols; battalion morale; memories of the Intelligence Officer; news of war; scenes from position; slit trenches; area occupied by platoon; communications; calculating arcs of fire; minefields. REEL 4 Continues: dates of service; draft to 8th Bn; journey to Gazala; arrival at Gazala; slit trench; mines used by British; details of minefields; state and make-up of C Coy; opinions of C Coy NCOs; background of troops; standard of turnout in line; who called whom what; Stand To; breakfast; supply of meals; patrols; physical training; other activities before noon; details of Bren gun; afternoons; lunch. REEL 5 Continues: comparison of evening with Alamein; officers mess; dinner; sentries; nights; morale; chain of command; commerce raids at Many Tracks; story of accidental attack on ambulance; purposes of night patrols; story of a B Coy offensive patrol; artillery support; carrier platoon on patrols; story of first patrol and opinion that officer should lead by example; story of a patrol losing its way; sound and communication on night patrols; movement in formation. REEL 6 Continues: selection of troops for patrol and opinion of qualities needed on patrol; background of 8th Bn troops; story of first daylight patrols; make-up of a patrol; navigation and visible landmarks; summary of patrol; taking of prisoners; communication with Italians; resistance to patrols; use of weapons on patrols; pattern of patrols; Italian reaction to being taken POW; opinion of Italian troops; relationship between German and Italian troops; opinion of Italian equipment; frequency of patrols; German advance; defeat of 150 Bde; decision to breakout; method of breakout; route taken; preparations for breakout; forming up; opinion of Burdon-Taylor and Pitt; move to C Coy; health of Bn; illnesses contracted. REEL 7 Continues: forming-up of Bn; preparation of vehicles; movement of column; command of column; platoon's reactions to news of breakout and reliance on Sergeants; journey through German positions; casualties; speeding up after Bir Hacheim; contact with Free French; summary of route taken to Madalena; length of journey; time at Maddalena; equipment left at Gazala; opinion of revolvers; use of weapons on patrols and during breakout; description of action he won Military Cross for; opinion of South African troops and armoured cars; air activity during breakout and at Stricklands Outpost. REEL 8 Continues: journey to Mersa Matruh; breaks on journey; knowledge of wider situation; position taken at Mersa Matruh; first German attack; story of marked map; make-up of Coy and Bn Headquarters; issue of orders during action; format of orders; raid on German lines; attitude of troops to raid; return journey from raid; effect of casualties and uncertainty on troops. REEL 9 Continues: geography around Gazala; description of the 151 Bde Box including units within it; food and water rations; problems with flies; health and sanitation; books in officers mess; memories of Corporal Cutty; routine of a day at Gazala and work on defences; opinion of reason for joining Bn; changes in leadership at Gazala and memories of Jake Jackson; description of Many Tracks; capture of Derna water; defeat of 150 Bde; commerce raids; Axis response to commerce raids; vacation of Box by 9th Bn; description of a dust storm; German troops taken prisoner during storm; tanks at Gazala; recovery of tanks at Point 169; Italian air attack on Strickland's Post. REEL 10 Continues: description of preparation and movement of patrols; trucks on patrols; activities on night patrols; story of final patrol to search bodies for information; story of an Intelligence Section patrol; memories of Intelligence Officer Dennis Neil, Corporal Archie Bark and Lance Corporal Oates; maps; retirement of Bir Hacheim garrison; story of Lance Corporal Archer's navigational error; width of minefield gap; orders for breakout; reactions to order; opinion of commerce raids; plan for breakout; description of breakout; speed travelled at; move to Bir el Talata; news of Tobruk's fall; casualties and missing men. REEL 11 Continues: nickname from Germans; various positions taken at Mersa Matruh; final position on escarpment; attack from Germans in American tanks; attack on 9th Bn; visibility of German positions; opinion of position on escarpment; attacks on Axis convoys; reactions to news of disaster elsewhere; Bn morale; aftermath of battle with 9th Bn; decision to make raid on Mingar Qa'ain; opinion of reason for raid; briefing before raid; description of events on raid and layout of column. REEL 12 Continues: RAF activity; return to Mersa Matruh; opinions of the raid's results; casualties in 8th Bn; role in raid; orders for attack; discussion of Axis troops in raid; move into Box below escarpment; reason for withdrawal; plan for breakout; opinions on withdrawal; troops reactions to decision; arrangement of columns; orders given; opinion for reasons behind withdrawal; story of Ian English's boots; equipment carried away from Gazala; reconnaissance work of Julian Parker; situation in escarpment; approach of German tanks; anti-tank gun counter attack; opinion that Germans reluctant in attack. REEL 13 Continues: forming-up of German infantry and British response; arrival of beer; formation of columns; disappearance of C Coy; movement up escarpment; sighting of German vehicles; description of wadi; attempt to avoid German vehicles; start of German attack; orders passed through column; destruction of first trucks; summary of situation; problems with driving vehicles up and out of wadi; directing of traffic out of wadi; Spike Jennings and Private Fearon's use of Bren guns and mortars from wadi bottom; opinion of German knowledge of situation; use of grenades; description of wadi's sides; close encounter with a German; results of Jennings's and Fearon's work; weapons used by Germans; stories of trucks that did not make it; his role in action; opinion of the strength of German force present; abandonment of Bde liaison officer; vacation of position; D Coy's part in action; troops returning fire at top of wadi; opinion of troops; journey from wadi towards Fukah; truck he travelled in; desert mist. REEL 14 Continues: reason for diversion to Alamein; final portion of journey; activity upon arrival at Alamein; search for separated troops; state and morale of platoon; organisation of rations; discussion over how news of the Fukah diversion may have been received; building of defences at Alamein; troop reactions to seeing activity; minefields at Alamein; state of vehicles; reformation of Bn at El Hammen; vehicles lost in wadi; opinion of Royal Army Service Corps; arrival at Mariopolis; position of Alamein line and opinion of work done before arrival; conditions at Mariopolis; leave in Alexandria; reformation and reinforcement of battalion; situation when posted to 50 Div Rest Camp at Citi Bish; memories of camp commander Harry Idris; rations; routine at camp; visit of Harry Nicholls; size of camp; accommodation; journeys to Alexandria; duties; discipline; visits to Alexandria; relationship with civilians. REEL 15 Continues: activities undertaken by troops in Alexandria; RAF at Mariopolis; officer shortage problem in 8th Bn; Coy formed for Ruin Ridge; own activities at time; story of Ruin Ridge attack and capture of composite battalion; training course at Middle East Training Centre at Sarafand; visits to Tel Aviv; anti-British feeling among civilians; methods of transport; journey to Palestine; terrain at Sarafand; more on training course and liaison with other units; General Montgomery's tour of Alamein line; changes in situation. REEL 16 Continues: reunion with battalion at Mariopolis; changes in Bn; brief posting as mobile reserve; posting to C Coy; make-up of C Coy; B Coy reinforcements; Battle of Alam Halfa; relief of New Zealand Div; problems with positions relieved; opinion of New Zealand Div; story of an accident in a minefield; method of probing minefields; depth mines buried at; opinion of British mines; opinion of Italian grenades; arrival in forward positions; positions of units present; width of front; minefields; geography of area; warning from New Zealanders; activities in September 1942; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; listening posts; activities during day; comparison of positions with Gazala; platoon areas; wiring; support from Cheshire machine guns. REEL 17 Continues: attacks from the Italian 88mm gun; supply of rations; cooking of food in trenches; reserve rations; rations; desert at night; importance of mail; summary of cooking and rations; activities and roles of night patrols; example of Italian trickery; terrain at Alamein; anti-personnel mines; selection of patrols; officer who would not patrol; story of Italian fighting patrol; distance patrols travelled; physical training; rotation of companies. REEL 18 Continues: events involving Greek troops at Alamein; plan for offensive; events in line before battle; new A Coy; memories of Hurst; pep talk from Montgomery; boost in morale from talk; promotions at Alamein; duties as 2nd in Command of C Coy; duties as Coy Commander of B Coy; command of Cheshires in support; shortage of officers in Coy; opinion of Sergeant Majors in Durham Light Infantry; visits to battalion headquarters; description and make-up of Coy Headquarters; communication; visits from top brass and Bn Commander; layout of platoons. REEL 19 Continues: date of promotion to Captain; process of gaining rank; later promotion to Major; notification of promotion; decision to make him Captain; movement of casualties; medical staff; cover from sanitation troops; dealing with a flesh wound; sick parades; start of Battle of El Alamein; reason for posting to northern sector of El Alamein; relief of positions from Greeks; journey north to Beachy Head; conference at Bde Headquarters; plan for Operation Supercharge; Bde Headquarters; creeping barrage; journey to 51 Div positions; transport on arrival; death of Julian Parker; destruction of office truck. REEL 20 Continues: Coy clerk and record keeping; removal of dead; problems from jaundice; religion and Padres; signs of fighting; liaison with Australians; firing activity; air activity; impression of Australians; scene from Australian positions; fortifications; plan for attack; time at start line; barrage; uses of tracer; Axis units faced; march to assembly area; newsreel cameraman; war correspondents; newspapers; time at assembly area; conditions on march to forming-up point; use of sticky bombs; C Coy's alternative; time on start line. REEL 21 Continues; layout of Coy; formation on start line; wait on start line; rum ration; final preparations; start of barrage and advance; scene while following the barrage; German counter-fire; casualties on Australian wire; navigation; attack from spandau; scenes upon arrival at German positions; breaking up of line; fights with Germans; other scenes and events on advance; gradual depletion of force; own thoughts on advance; arrival at first objective; casualties; wound received to leg; re-formation and advance of troops; initial treatment of wound; handover of command to NCOs. REEL 22 Continues: opinion that shock of wound has disturbed his memory; advance of troops in his absence. Aspects of period of hospitalisation in Egypt and Palestine, 11/1942-1/1943: journey back to Coy lines; success of the infantry; POWs in returning party; arrival at 149 Field Ambulance; treatment at South African hospital; time at 15th General Scottish Hospital in Cairo; treatment at Regimental Aid Post; South African hospital; anaesthetic; description of hospital train; treatment received at Cairo and Palestine; time spent out of line; convalescent camp at Netanya; story behind posting back to 8th Bn; journey to Benina. Aspects of operations as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 11/1942-3/1943: reunion with Lieutenant Colonel "Jake" Jackson; reason for being in Alexandria; dangers upon return from sick leave; discovery of casualties; story of Dennis Neil's wounding; state of leg. REEL 23 Continues: story of 8th Bn after Alamein; state of B Coy; training at Benina; mountain warfare training; house and street clearance; opinion that training possibly about lifting morale; mine and booby trap training; situation running up to Mareth; opinion of Rommel and Afrika Korps; discussion of British position and morale at this time. REEL 24 Continues: officer reinforcement; visit of General Horrocks; Divisional and ENSA concert parties; journey to Mareth Line; mines across North Africa; scenes around Tripoli; arrival at Mareth reserve area; description of Mareth Line and Wadi Zigzaou; plan of attack; air support; establishment of outposts; plan for 50 Div assault; Bob Lidwell left out of battle; reasons for need of reconnaissance; night patrols; orders from Commanding Officer and memories of Brigadier Beak; Axis units faced and their tactics; plan for Battalion; use of Scorpion tanks and request for volunteers to lead tanks with light; other support for minefields; other supporting units; air activity; indifference of watching others fall; Coy Commanders' visit to wadi; defences on Mareth Line. REEL 25 Continues: opinion of Colonel Jackson and discovery of booby-trapped bodies; position taken by B Coy; evacuation of Bill Douglas; decision to advance across wadi; reactions of troops; start of advance; premonition of Doug Pinkney; advance across wadi; discovery of Shepherd; effects of Pinkney stepping on mine; handover of command to Randall; German barrage; time in ditch and description of wounds; opinion of American Field Service Ambulance staff; B Coy amalgamation with A Coy; attempted advance of carriers; care of wounded by Corporal Hart; start of work on wadi causeway; problems with crossing wadi; consolidation of positions; advance of Cheshire Regiment; building and completion of causeway; advance of tanks and destruction of causeway; resulting situation for infantry; opinion of strategy in battle; state of battalion; Axis activities; attacks on Axis positions; activities of C Coy; plans from brigade headquarters conference; artillery attack on Italian infantry; evacuation of wounded from C Coy; 6th Bn activities. REEL 26 Continues: completion of causeway repairs; advance of vehicles; morale; casualties; repairs and destruction of causeway; news of German advance; orders; flying kitbags; inferiority of British tanks; C Coy attack on tanks; artillery support; infantry battle; end of wireless communications; opinion of Sergeant Majors Brannigan and Wood; Panzer crushing of 14 Platoon; counter attacks resulting from this; German request for 8th Bn surrender; attack on C Coy; order for withdrawal; position taken in anti-tank ditch; opinion of plan for attack to retake Durham Light Infantry areas; repelling of Germans from anti-tank ditch; withdrawal over wadi; capture of Ian English; charge of C Coy back towards British lines. Aspects of period of hospitalisation, 3/1943-4/1943: move into Bde rest area; success of Mareth attack; evacuation to New Zealand Casualty Clearing Station; treatment for shrapnel wound at Regimental Aid Post; state of neck at Clearing Station; journey to Convalescent Depot at Tripoli; rejoining battalion; time out of battalion; description of Convalescent Depot; visits to Tripoli; harbour fortifications; visit of Queen's Royal Regiment officers; air raid; period spent resting. Aspects of period as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 4/1943-7/1943: reunion with Bn; training at Kebritt. REEL 27 Continues: activities of 8th Bn after Mareth in his absence; reactions of troops to missing end of Africa campaign; memories of Bob Lidwell; personnel changes on rejoining Bn; journey to Sidi Bish and leave in Tripoli along way; arrival at Sidi Bish; leave in Alexandria; details of Combined Operations Training at Kebritt; exercises undertaken; troops on exercises; Coy schemes; opinions of training. REEL 28 Continues: length of time at Kebritt; Exercise Duchess; troops carried in an landing craft; evacuation of landing craft; training at Suez Camp; journey to Aqaba; weapons course at Suez; communication exercise at Aqaba; Bromyard Exercise; talk from Montgomery; role of Bromyard; terrain and landing conditions during Bromyard; return to Suez; practice aboard Ruys; training in wadi at Suez Camp; weapons training; PIAT accident and allowance for accidents; running up escarpment; opinion of PIAT; visit of Montgomery at Suez; knowledge of destination; final exercise; rumours of destination. Aspects of journey from Egypt to Sicily aboard the Ruys, 7/1943: journey away from Suez; arrival at Port Said. REEL 29 Continues: aircraft recognition; discussion of training; talk from General Kirkman; air activity; MT ship torpedoed; convoy; plan for Operation Husky; officers briefing; location of landing; plans for Durham Light Infantry Bde; role of 8th Bn; obstacles on beach and in sea; landing beach for vehicles; beach defences; terrain beyond beach; Div landing area; rations; warnings over wells; passwords; orders about dealing with civilians; guide book; morale; rations landed with; support from 505 Field Coy; opinion of field battery; discussion on the possibility of using ladders for scaling terraces; length of journey; message of Montgomery; physical training; alcohol; progress of voyage; training for disembarkation; turning of weather; scenes of convoy; introduction to landing craft; other boats in convoy. REEL 30 Continues: size of convoy; air preparations; information board; final dinner; visit to Coy; distance anchored from beach; joke played on Ken Kershaw; equipment to be taken ashore; air activity at Syracuse; order for D Coy to disembark; failure of airborne landings; opinion of Company Sergeant Major Brannigan; check of equipment; use of torch. Aspects of operations as officer with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 7/1943: disembarkation from Ruys; state of D Coy; problems with 6th and 9th Bns' voyage; opinion of naval officers; length of delay; landing of 6th and 9th Bns; 8th Bn voyage to beach; activity along coast. REEL 31 Continues: returning landing craft; spotting of route inland; air activity; approach to beach; news of 6th Bn; position landed; problems from field gun; disembarkation and help from navy; beach master; condition upon landing; move up beach; camera operator; march to assembly area; work of the Brick; casualties; breakfast; move to second assembly area before climb up terraces; civilians in cave; formation on climb; presence of German fighters at objective; view from position; time at first assembly area; briefing at Commanding Officer's conference; Italian POWs; 5th Div troops; quiet in area; passing of field hospital; climb to covering position; civilians in cave. REEL 32 Continues: problems of keeping formation; discovery of well; consolidation of positions; terrain forward of position; journey of other 8th Bn column; arrival of transport; skirmish with carriers; search for food; civilians in farm cart; cars acquired; requisition of transport; relationship with civilians; butchering of a sheep; scene at end of first day; arrival of Cheshire Regiment and anti-tank guns; patrols and loss of carriers; quality of maps; troops faced at this time; relief from Highlanders; journey back down terraces; successes of invasion; activities of Italian troops; problems faced by Americans; plans for advance and capture of Primosole Bridge; march to Solarino; opposition faced by 6th Bn; departure of transport; march to Sortino; air activity near Sortino; seizing of Primosole Bridge by paratroopers; march to reinforce Primosole Bridge; story of Brannigan walking into tank; rests on march; formation during march; arrival of 9th Bn; opinion that earlier training made march possible; activities at Primosole Bridge; troops faced at Primosole. REEL 33 Continues: situation at nightfall; plans for 9th Bn; opinion of decision; arrival at Primosole; establishment of Coy Headquarters; Italian armoured car attack on 9th Bn Headquarters; plan for day; destruction and use of car; transport of 18 set and mortars; shelling and terrain on march to Primosole; sunken road beyond bridge; cover by bridge; 9th Bn's attempt to take bridge; support for 9th Bn; description of bridge; topography of ground across bridge; positions taken by 9th Bn after attack; situation; activities of 9th Bn; preparations for second attack; briefing at Bn Headquarters; help from Pearson; postponement of attack; plan for attack. REEL 34 Continues: reconnaissance; signs of nerves among troops; concern among old hands; pessimism of one officer; Luftwaffe rest camp; positioning of tanks; events before attack; barrage from artillery and Cheshires; fording of river; move along river bank; problems of movement through vines; abandonment of positions on Catania Road by Axis troops; mortaring of D Coy Headquarters; A Coy attack on Catania Road positions; problems with A Coy's position; advance deemed a success; problems with communication; advance across bridge of B and C Coys; move into ditches to move up road; opening up of spandaus; casualties in leading platoons; bren's counter fire; move into vineyard; C Coy's attempt to overpower Spandaus; withdrawal of Germans; fighting in vineyard; wounding. REEL 35 Continues: discussion of wound and weapon carried; German officer in vineyard; falling unconscious; stalemate in vineyard; action by remnants of B Coy; discovery of sunken road and embankment; withdrawal of B Coy; German bayonet charge and B Coy's defence of charge; description of embankment; state of C Coy; German counter attack; new position taken up by A Coy; proximity to Germans; positions taken up; importance of holding bridge; description of Bob Lidsell at Primosole Bridge; Andrew Noble's running of the Regimental Aid Post; advance and withdrawal of Shermans; opinion of their use; problems faced by B Coy and their Brens; crossing of carriers; use of mortars; Phillip Hampson's opinion of German troops; work of "Priests"; advance and destruction of Shermans; story of Lieutenant Jackman; discussion about German 88mm gun; casualties in A Coy; breaking up of German counter attacks; opinion of mortar units in action; actions of Corporal Scriven. REEL 36 Continues: artillery falling short; captured Sherman tank; artillery barrage; advances by 6th and 9th Bns; smoke laid by mortars; advance of Sherman tanks; German surrender; burial of dead and evacuation of wounded; reasons why troops may have fired on surrendering Germans; casualties and POWs; description of sunken road following battle; London Times report; opinions on battle; Andrew Clark and Ludwig Heilmann; German bombardment of bridge; extension of bridgehead; withdrawal of 8th Bn; death of Colour Sergeant Marsden; memorial at Primosole Bridge; recovering consciousness in shell hole; abandonment by stretcher bearers; advance and withdrawal of Shermans; Germans setting up Spandau; second advance of Shermans; crawl forward and return of Spandau operators; call for water. Aspects of period as POW in Italy, 1943: evacuation back to German lines; handover to Italians; journey to Catania Hospital; time at hospital; journey to Messina and types of Germans; reception from civilians; argument with German surgeon; time aboard hospital ship; staff aboard ship; arrival at Livorno; journey to Luca Military Hospital; interview with Colonel; length of stay. REEL 37 Continues: arrival at Luca; talks with other patients; length of stay; Italian troops; hospital staff and rations; other patients; exercise and volleyball; opinions of surgeons and surgery; cliques in hospital; radio; disappearance of Italians; reasons for being instructed not to escape; ease of escape from Luca; memories of Italian Sergeant Major; other Italians; story of an escape into roof; arrival of Germans; opinion of German surgeon; proximity of British troops; preparations for embarkation; reactions to coming move; embarkation from hospital; details of patients interned; journey to station; description of train's interior; guards and patrols; latrines; escape discussions; rations and Red Cross parcels; spontaneity of escape talk; contact with Italians; coming night; news of Buskin's escape and method of hiding it; preparations for escape. REEL 38 Continues: drawing lots; method of escape and screening it; critics of plan; checks on numbers; near discovery of escape; memories of escape partner Tony Snell; escape from train. Aspects of period in transit through Italy, 1943: attempt to get away from railway lines; night in ditch; scene from ditch; talk with old Italian man; reconnaissance and change of plans; method for crossing ditch; meals; stories of German staff car and Italian with shotgun; signs that Italians were friendly; night on communal farm near Mantova; codenames given to stop- offs; disguises; embarkation from farm; weather; air activity; stay at Old Faithful and study of map; problems from wounds; reconnaissance near River Po and offer of lift. REEL 39 Continues: directions given on River Po; crossing of the river; desire to stop somewhere for few weeks and reason why not possible; stay at Dead End Kids; walk along country tracks; work on grapevines at The Smart Girls and communication; evening at The Smart Girls; following morning on farm; night at Sweeney Todd; continuing problems with wounds; contact from Italian underground; condition in and shave; state of wounds; arrival of underground and journey to Fabrico; treatment; interrogation; stay with Terzi family; clothing given; instructions from doctor; journey to Modena. Aspects of period in hiding in Modena, Italy, 10/1943-12/1943: walk through Modena to Mario Lugei's house; news from South African officers; walk to flat of Quinto Regginia's flat; accommodation provided; description of Modena underground movement; memories of Lugei family; watching activity in Modena. REEL 40 Continues: air raid warnings; trattoria and jewellery shop; keeping quiet; German artillery column; visits from underground members; other residents in flat; rations; visits to dentist; being punched by German soldier; German policy towards POWs; opinion of the movement's bravery; raiding of a different safe house; move to Senora Martineri's house; news of route through Alps; activity at frontier; accommodation; events; reconnaissance work for route to Switzerland; walks for exercise; nervous walks down stairs; gaining of identity cards; news of embarkation and reactions; memories of helpers; journey to Milan. REEL 41 Continues: arrival in Milan; time at Milan station; handover to Milan businessman; ticket inspector on journey out of Milan; handover to new guide and walk through woods; stay with guide; train journey to Alps; walk to Tirano; stay in pigsty; evening in Tirano; walk across Alps; exhaustion on journey; crossing border. Aspects of period interned in Switzerland from 12/1943: walk and sleigh down mountain; stop at farmhouse; talk with Swiss Guard; contact with British consulate; time in village and arrest; escapees and refugees at camp in St Maarten; mountain guides; situation in Switzerland; accommodation in Lichtenstein; pay; rations; freedom of movement; work as journalist and band; Swiss fear of Germany.