- SURNAME
Bennetts
- FORENAME
Arnold Walter
- UNIT
1 Bn
- RANK
Sergeant
- NUMBER
AN-4202966
- AWARD
Mention in Despatches
- PLACE
Italy 43 onwards
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 18.05.1914
London Gazette 37274, 18th September 1945, Page 4685
CITATION:
Mention in Despatches : BENNETTS was wounded and captured after baling out over SICILY on 13 Jul 13. He was taken to LUCCA P/W hospital.
After the Italian Armistice, acting upon the instructions of the Senior British Officer, BENNETTS escaped from hospital in civilian clothes to ascertain the location of the Germans. He discovered that they were already guarding the gates and it would be impossible for all the prisoners to escape. Having imparted this information to the Senior British Officer, BENNETTS received permission to leave again alone and by carrying a box of grapes, walked unchallenged past the sentries. He swam the ARNO to reach SANTA ELISIO, where he remained to help to organise guerilla warfare until his recapture on 6 Nov 43.
The cell into which he was put was situated on the fourth floor of LUCCA prison. By working all night he chipped the plaster from the edges of the window and was able to lift the whole frame into the cell. The next night he made a rope from his blanket, canvas bed and the electric wiring, but after he had climbed down only a few yards it broke. He injured his hands and face and broke his leg, but managed to crawl away. Upon his discovery by Carabinieri BENNETTS stated that he had been injured in a street accident and was sent to hospitals at LUCCA and FLORENCE.
When in May 44 he was entrained for GERLANY, although he still could not walk properly, BENNETTS participated in an escape attempt. Three men in the truck had got away before the train was stopped and Germans entered the compartments, beat up the remaining P/W, and placed sentries inside.
BENNETTS was taken to Stalag VII A, from where he was repatriated on medical grounds in February 45.
After the Italian Armistice, acting upon the instructions of the Senior British Officer, BENNETTS escaped from hospital in civilian clothes to ascertain the location of the Germans. He discovered that they were already guarding the gates and it would be impossible for all the prisoners to escape. Having imparted this information to the Senior British Officer, BENNETTS received permission to leave again alone and by carrying a box of grapes, walked unchallenged past the sentries. He swam the ARNO to reach SANTA ELISIO, where he remained to help to organise guerilla warfare until his recapture on 6 Nov 43.
The cell into which he was put was situated on the fourth floor of LUCCA prison. By working all night he chipped the plaster from the edges of the window and was able to lift the whole frame into the cell. The next night he made a rope from his blanket, canvas bed and the electric wiring, but after he had climbed down only a few yards it broke. He injured his hands and face and broke his leg, but managed to crawl away. Upon his discovery by Carabinieri BENNETTS stated that he had been injured in a street accident and was sent to hospitals at LUCCA and FLORENCE.
When in May 44 he was entrained for GERLANY, although he still could not walk properly, BENNETTS participated in an escape attempt. Three men in the truck had got away before the train was stopped and Germans entered the compartments, beat up the remaining P/W, and placed sentries inside.
BENNETTS was taken to Stalag VII A, from where he was repatriated on medical grounds in February 45.
WEB LINKS:
• https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37274/supplement/4685NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7377163SERVICE HISTORY:
Name: W A Bennetts . Service number: 4202966 . Date of birth: 18 May 1914 . | The National Archives
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