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Private J. D. Caves: The Long Journey Home

Excerpt From Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War

page 75

Excerpt From Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War

This passage describes Campo 51 where Denis spent weeks in transit.

Some of the drafts from Benghazi which arrived at Taranto during September were sent after disinfestation to a new camp three miles north-west of Altamura. It was on a gentle slope in the middle of a plateau of parched and stony land, but the barrenness of the compound was relieved by a shady almond grove which cut across one corner. Like Bari, this camp was only half finished: an administration block and latrines were built, but the only accommodation for the thousand or more prisoners consisted of the groundsheet bivouacs standard in Italian transit camps. Although the amount of food was very small, it was all of excellent quality by contrast with what had been issued at Benghazi, especially the bread, cheese, and fresh vegetables. With this diet, the crystal-clear water and the fresh upland air, men's digestive complaints began to clear up and their appetites, if possible, to increase. After three or four days one Red Cross food parcel was issued to roughly each ten men, much to their delight and amazement, for in two hungry months spent in North Africa since their capture they had almost forgotten that milk, butter, jam, chocolate, and other such foods existed.

Letter sent by Denis from Campo 51. He mentions lectures and lessons which likely took place under the almond trees mentioned in the Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War.

Letter sent by Denis from Campo 51. He mentions lectures and lessons which likely took place under the almond trees mentioned in the Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War.

Fortunately the New Zealanders and Australians were moved before the rains made the camp into a sea of mud. During their stay the mild autumn 'enfolded [them] with sweet peacefulness', and the pleasant Italian vistas helped to restore mental calm after the upheaval and strain they had hitherto experienced. The guards were easygoing and, apart from interminable roll-call parades, interfered little in the prisoners' daily lives. There was a general urge for mental occupation, which bore fruit in classes in languages and in informal lectures and debates under the only almond tree inside the compound. At night open-air concerts in the improvised parade ground gave men a chance to let off pent-up emotion in the community singing of sentimental and patriotic songs. In early October our men were moved north to Gruppignano by train-a crowded and uncomfortable two-day journey through the smiling Italian countryside.