EXAMPLES OF
STATEMENTS
TAKEN BY
60 & 78 SECTIONS, SIB
WHO INVESTIGATED
WAR CRIMES IN ITALY
ALLIED FORCES HEADQUARTERS
WAR CRIMES SUMMARY
Reference No.
SIB. HQ/X/44/27
Area LE VIGNE MR. R0734 DATE COMMITTED 28 AUG 1944
AGNA, RUFINA
VICTIMS 3 women killed.
PRECIS OF FACTS.
On 6 Aug 44, three Italian men and three women, all relatives and of Jewish origin, evacuees from FLORENCE, obtained accommodation at the farm of MUGNAI at CASELLE. On 21 Aug 44, the 3 males left the house to hide in woods to avoid arrest by the German troops, leaving the women at the farm The following day about 40 German troops took over billets at the farm.
On 27 Aug 44, at 1930 hours, owing to British artillery activity, the women decided to leave the farm and join their male relatives in the woods. They packed their belongings but just as they were leaving three of the Germans billetted at the farm, ordered the women to accompany them to LONDA nearby. The women handed their belongings to MUGNAI. The party left and shortly afterwards was heard the sound of machine gun fire from the direction the party had taken. Later the three soldiers returned to the farm alone. That evening the German Unit vacated the farm of MUGNAI.
The following morning (28) MUGNAI, passing on a track near LE VIGNE, came upon the bodies of the three women lying in a ditch. He left and returned later with SPAGNOLI Ginetta, who recognised the women but neither of them examined the bodies, although blood was seen on the track. The bodies were not removed until after the arrival of the British troops in that area. On 21 Sep 44, the bodies were removed and buried at LONDA.
On the 26 Jan 45, a death certificate was obtained, in order that the bodies might be exhumed and reburied at FLORENCE.
Persons or Unit Responsible.
In a report of the I.O. 6 (British) Armoured Div, it states that 2 coy, 334 Eng Bn were responsible for the deaths of the three women.
The following are suspected:-
Unteroffizer EYELER, 2 Coy, 334 Eng Bn.
Gefreiter MUELLER “ “
Lieut SIMMLER “ “
It is known that an Obergefreiter PIPPINGER, Ernst, of 2 Coy, 334 Eng. Bn. can give valuable information, and that he deserted to the 6 Armd Div. He is also known to be working with that Div in Jan and Feb 45. PWIB and O2E gave no record of his name. A request has been sent to 6 Armd Div for information concerning this man, and if traced he will be interrogated.
INVESTIGATION IN HAND BY CSM, CARLILE, R.W.
PENDING 78 Section, S.I.B
CONCLUDED
Signed
N E Middleton, Capt.
DAPM 78 Section. SIB.
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Source National Archives WO 170/7065
WAR CRIMES SUMMARY
Reference No.
SIB. HQ/X/45/6
Area Branzolino MR. M4221 DATE COMMITTED 28 Aug 44
San Tomi Sheet 12 9 Sept 44
Prov Forli Italy 1:200.000
VICTIMS. 10 Male Civilians hanged.
PRECIS OF FACTS.
Between 1 and 4 August 44, four males living in the FORLI area were arrested, presumably by Fascists in civilian clothes and detained in Prison. On 29 Aug 44, their bodies were seen hanging from scaffolds at Branzolino. Two had been shot through the head.
During the period of August and early September, a number of civilians (possibly Partisans or Partisan supporters) were arrested and placed in FORLI Prison. Part of this Prison was under SS jurisdiction.
About midnight on 8 Sept 44, a mine exploded and injured a German soldier. A round up was made by Germans and Fascists and a large number of civilians were assembled in a field near the spot where the mine had exploded. A German Lieutenant then addressed the hostages and stated that a soldier had been injured by a mine, all civilians being held at Forli Prison were to be hanged and if there were further incidents, twenty men would be taken from the village and hanged. About this time 6 of the civilians from FORLI Prison were brought to the spot, stood by the scaffolds and then hanged in front of all assembled
The civilians, although possibly Partisans, were apparently not responsible for the mine incident and were executed as hostages.
UNIT OR PERSONALITIES RESPONSIBLE
Major Guttmacher, Frederick, 525 Heavy Pz. Jager Regt.
2/ Lieut Northhorn, Heinz, Eng Section, 525 Heavy Pz Jager Regt.
Sergt. Daniel, Ernest, 2 Coy, 525 Heavy Pz Jager Regt.
Together with officers and OR’s of the same unit.
INVESTIGATION
IN HAND BY Sjt Hall N W
PENDING 70 Section, SIB.
CONCLUDED
Signed
N E Middleton, Capt.
DAPM, 70 Sect, SIB.
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WAR CRIMES SUMMARY
Reference No.
SIB. HQ/X/45/45
Area LA CISA MR. P 7651 DATE COMMITTED 25 SEPT 1944
IN PROV. OF PARMA Sheet 11, Italy
1:200,000
VICTIMS One British Officer - Captain P L DUDGEON, SAS Regiment
One unidentified OR.
PRECIS OF FACTS.
About 8 Sept 43, ‘A’ Squadron of 2 SAS Regiment, commanded by Captain P L DUDGEON, parachuted from planes and landed near BARBARASSO. Their objective appears to have been to sabotage German war potential and communications. After about two weeks in the area, the Officer told local inhabitants that he was leaving, and also he intended getting a car for this purpose.
At 22.30 hours the same day, the sounds of shots were heard and a little later a wounded German soldier went to a house in the vicinity. The German alleged that he had been wounded, his companions killed by bandits, and that their vehicle had been stolen.
Later during the same night, a German motor car, containing the British Officer and an English Soldier, was stopped in the pass of La Cisa by German troops of Field Replacement Bn 165, who had formed a road block. The occupants of the vehicle tried to escape but were captured.
At 10.00 hrs on 25 Sept, 43, a German Officer of high rank, believed to be a General, arrived at LA CIMA, and one hour later a parade was held for the purpose of choosing volunteers for a firing squad. Shortly after mid-day, Captain DUDGEON and the soldier were taken to a spot about 500 yards from LA Cima and shot and buried.
The body of Captain Dudgeon has been exhumed and identity established. The body of the soldier has also been exhumed and enquiries are in progress in an endeavour to identify him.
Persons and Units suspected:
General Feldstein, Commander 51 Mountain Corps.
2/Lt Schmitt, Field Replacement BN 165, (afterwards 9 Coy, 145 CR).
2/Lt Sogalla, Field Replacement Bn 164, (afterwards 12 Coy, 145 CR).
Together with other Officers and men of Field Replacement Battalion 165.
INFORMATION IN HAND By Sgt Baxendale, J.
PENDING 78 Section, SIB
CONCLUDED
Signed
W J Coutts, Capt, DAPM
The British Officer who was shot was Capt. Patrick Laurence Dudgeon, MC, No. 13167, Royal Corps of Signals and 2 Special Air Service Regiment. He is buried in Florence War Cemetery in IX.H.8.
He was awarded the Military Cross in London Gazette 35821, page 5437, dated 11/12/1942 and was Mentioned in Despatches in London Gazette 37224, page 4372, dated 30/8/1945.
Citation for Military Cross: Special Services Brigade. Lieut. Dudgeon has shown himself to be a most trustworthy and reliable officer, and to be possessed of resourcefulness and determination in action. In addition to the power of leadership which he has displayed, he speaks fluent German, and proved himself invaluable on operation DRYAD (raid on Casque LightHouse, Channel Islands when it was necessary to interrogate German prisoners. On this operation Lieut. Dudgeon’s task consisted on entering one of the buildings alone and overcoming any resistance met with; he took two prisoners in this building and whilst holding them up extracted useful information from them regarding the disposition of arms, number of men on the post and other details. He has proved to be at all times cheerful and willing and to be a brave and courageous officer. Lt. Dudgeon also took part in operation BASALT (raid on Island of Sark,Channel Islands) and as one of those trying the doors and windows of the houses entered did excellently. He was also invaluable as an interpreter.
Recommended by Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations, 12/11/1942.
The British other-rank who was shot was Gnr. Bernard Oliver Brunt, Royal Artillery attached 2 Special Air Service Regiment. He is buried in Florence War Cemetery in 1X. H. 8. He was born and resided in Rotherham, Yorkshire.
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Further War Crime cases can be found in the War Diary of 60 Section SIB in War Officer 170/7052 they dealt with War Crimes against Allied Prisoners of War and War Diary 78 Section, SIB in War Office WO 170/706, they dealt with War Crimes against Italian Civilians.
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Extracts From The War Diary of 78 Section, SIB, WO 170/7065
Caserta, Italy, June 1945.
This unit is engaged solely in the investigation of War Crimes and atrocities committed by the German Armed Forces against the Italian civilian population. My diary of May 1945 gave details of the interrogation of displaced persons, Germans, Austrian and other nationalities - these interrogations were concluded on 12 June 45.
Consequent upon conversion of the Unit, equipment authorised by S.E.L 321/1 and AFG1098-1000, is now almost complete to scale, apart from cars 5 cwt 4 x 4 (Jeeps). Other vehicles are held in lieu but are not entirely suitable for work of investigation in the mountainous areas where the majority of War Crimes have been committed. A deficiency of cars 5 cwt 4 x 4 amounting to 55% still exists.
12/6/1945. Returned from CAPRI at conclusion of interrogation of displaced persons.
14/6/1945. Compiled summary of War Crimes committed at VALLUCCIOL STIA on 13/14 - 4/1944, in which 137 Italian civilians were killed.
17/6/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at BADICROCE on 30/6/ and 17/7/1944. 14 Italian Civilians killed.
25/6/1945. Compiled summary of War Crime committed at BUCINE on 7, 8, and 9/7/1944, in which 21 Italian civilians were killed and a further 5 wounded.
28/6/1945. Compiled a summary of War Crime committed at Villa Dell Albero, RAVENNA, on 27/11/1944 in which 56 Italian civilians were killed.
July 1945.
Caserta, Italy
1/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at LE VIGNE, AGNA, FUFINA, on 27/8/1944, when 3 Italian civilians were killed.
3/7/1945. Compiled summary on war Crime committed at CASTIGLION FIBOCCHI on 11/7/1944, when 14 Italians were killed.
4/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at PARTINA and MOSCAIO on 13/4/1944, when 25 Italian civilians were killed.
5/7/1945. Proceeded to Detachment at FLORENCE for the purpose of administration and general supervision of investigations.
10/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at FUCCECCHIO MARSHES on 6/7/1944, and 23/8/1944, when 184 Italian civilians were massacred.
17/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at MONTEMIGNAIO on 20-29/6/1944, when 16 Italian civilians were killed.
20/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at CASTIGLION FIBOOCHI on 6/7/1944 when 30 Italian civilians were killed.
22/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at VERUCCHIO on 21/9/1944, when 9 Italian Civilians were killed.
23/7/1945. Proceeded to Detachment at FLORENCE for the purpose of administration and general supervision of investigations.
24/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at BRANZOLINO on 28/8 and 9/8/1944, when 10 Italian civilians were killed.
29/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at TOMMASO on 29/9/1944, when 6 Italian civilians were killed.
31/7/1945. Compiled summary on War Crime committed at GUBBINO on 20/23/6/1944, when 40 Italian civilians were killed.
August 1945.
Caserta, Italy.
1/8/1945. Summary compiled on War Crime committed at CIVITELLA on 29/6/1944, when approximately 212 persons were killed by German troops.
8/8/1945. Summary compiled on War Crime committed at PODERNUOVO on 25/- 27/8/1944, when approximately 22 Italian civilians were killed by German troops.
24/8/1945. Lieutenant W E Fox (329498) - Gen List, appointed Captain, DAPM of Unit on departure of Captain N E Middleton, DAPM, to UK on 28 days leave.
30/8/1945. Summary compiled on War Crime committed at LA CISA on 25/9/1943, when a British Officer and one OR were killed by German troops.
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