How Environmental Factors Affected Escaped Allied Prisoners of War in the Abruzzo and Molise Regions, Italy, 1943

Abstract

The current study centred on the journey of a party of three Allied prisoners of war (two New Zealanders and one South African), who escaped from the Prigione di Guerra (PG)78/1 camp (henceforth referred to as PG78/1) at Acquafredda near Roccamorice. In this article, the researcher discusses the environmental conditions they faced on their epic journey to British lines near Campobasso. In particular, the bioclimatological factor was examined, as well as other factors, such as river depth, animal presence, and terrain. The literature review employed for the current study comprised memoirs by escaped prisoners of war, popular histories, and recent studies by South African scholars. A mixed-method methodology was adopted, as meteorological data were obtained from the Italian Meteorological Service (Agenzia ItaliaMeteo, henceforth referred to as “ItaliaMeteo”), from enquiries made to a number of organisations, and during a fieldtrip conducted in the Abruzzo and Molise areas of Italy. The meteorological data provided were excellent; indeed, the study stands by these data. River depth and wildlife were not judged to be major impediments. Enquiries to organisations yielded excellent information, and the fieldtrip provided outstanding context and understanding. It was concluded that the escapees were very fortunate with the timing of the Italian surrender in terms of weather extremes as well as the fact that the local people, the Abruzzesi, went out of their way – at great risk to themselves – to assist the escapees.