Turbulent98
New Member
Would anybody have a figure for the amount of allied prisoners of war taken in North Africa? Where were they held in North Africa and was sea transport the only option of moving them back to Europe?
Prisoners of War
- Thread starter Turbulent98
- Start date
DrG
Active Member
I have not the figure of the exact number of Allied POWs in North Africa, but I have the figures of the British, American and French PoWs held in Italy at some dates and they should provide a good estimate. In fact, unless they had been captured in North Africa they could only have been captured as survivors from sunk ships or from downed airplanes.
Moreover, all the Allied men captured in North Africa were detained in Italy, given that the command of that theater of war was ultimately Italian.
I have never read of air transport of PoWs; maybe, if it happened, it was used only for top ranking prisoners, such as generals.
Moreover, all the Allied men captured in North Africa were detained in Italy, given that the command of that theater of war was ultimately Italian.
30 November 1942 | 31 December 1942 | 31 March 1943 | 30 April 1943 | |
| Degaullist French | 627 | 681 | 2,330 | 1,914 |
| British | 70,155 | 71,227 | 70,521 | 68,898 |
| American | 24 | 446 | 742 | 556 |
I have never read of air transport of PoWs; maybe, if it happened, it was used only for top ranking prisoners, such as generals.
Turbulent98
New Member
Thank you for the figures . My wife’s grandfather was captured at Tobruk. He is deceased now but he used to tell a tale that his wedding ring was taken from him in captivity and was replaced with a cheap ring.
I only offer the following as a comment, not to seriously challenge the story.
Interesting story about your wife's nonno. While taking valuable rings from prisoners is not unheard of, replacing them is quite odd. When I first read your post, my thoughts went directly to the Oro alla Patria campaign from 1935. I don't know if her nonno was married at that time.
Pista! Jeff
Interesting story about your wife's nonno. While taking valuable rings from prisoners is not unheard of, replacing them is quite odd. When I first read your post, my thoughts went directly to the Oro alla Patria campaign from 1935. I don't know if her nonno was married at that time.
Pista! Jeff
