207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY

Sgt Eric Morris: escape

Sgt Morris escaped from his PoW camp and although eventually recaptured, managed again to regain his freedom.

The debriefing report on his escape is as follows:

"A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE FROM AN ITALIAN P /W. CAMP (No.59-SERVIGLIANO)
982855 Sgt. MORRIS, Eric,
207 Sqn., Bomber Command, R.A.F.

Shortly after being shot down near MILAN on 17 Jul 43, MORRIS was apprehended and sent to SERVIGLIANO (Camp 59). When, on 14 Sep 1943, this camp was evacuated under the direction of the Senior British Officer, MORRIS spent a month in the surrounding hills. Whilst participating in an unsuccessful sea evacuation scheme on 23 Oct 43, he was recaptured by a German patrol. During November, when R.A.F. fighters machine-gunned MONTURANO Camp, MORRIS attempted to leave, but encountered a Fascist who returned him to custody.

Towards the middle of December with about 35 other P/W he was transferred to MACERATA (camp 53) were they were given wire cutters and told to wire themselves into the hospital, but because their guards omitted to retrieve the cutters, three days later on 15 Dec 43, 17 regained their freedom.

Until the Germans retreated MORRIS stayed with an Italian family at TOLENTINO, and on 26 Jun 44 reported to Allied forces at PESCARA."