Posted Message

11.8.1943
Dear old Len,
Just a few lines to you hoping they will find you well and fit, went up and see mother and all when Will had his holiday. First time I have seen them for three and a half years, must say little Jill has got on well she is a little darling and talks nicely. Told me her daddy was a soldier and had got a big gun, so got Doris to give me your address. We are always thinking of you, and talking about the times we had when you were down here. Brian is a big boy now and he says tell Uncle Len he is longing for the time when we will see you here again to take Jill on the beach. Dad thinks the world of her. Our garden is looking well although Will does not have much time to spend on it, have got some chickens and rabbits. Will sends you his best wishes for safe and quick return. All for now Len. God keep you safe to return to Doris and Jill.
With the best of wishes and fondest love.
Gertie, Will & Brian
XXXX
[another hand]Good luck Uncle Len
Brian X

Comments

L. H. Mason, Rifleman in the Queen's Consort Rifle Brigade, was first noted as missing at his duty station on the Western Desert on the 22nd of January, 1942 and was officially reported as Missing in Action on the 3rd of March, 1942. He could have been in the Second Battle of El Agheila against Rommel's second offensive, which occured on January 22 and 23, 1942. If so, he was very lucky indeed to not have been shot on sight, as retreating armies, especially Nazi ones, aren't charitable to prisoners of war, who just slow them down.

This letter was written by- Mrs. W. Jarvis
"Patia"
16 Long Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk

Unfortunately the letter never made it to Uncle Len. It passed through the censors and made it to Italy, but a stamp on the back says "This letter formed part of undelivered mails which fell into the hand of the Allied Forces advancing in Italy. It is undeliverable as addressed and is returned to you. This was because the Allies were advancing quickly at this time and the prisoner of war camps were being moved as the Italian Army retreated.

P. G. 65 was located at Gravina-Altamura Bari, on the eastern coast and right at the heel of the Italian boot.

On August 8th, US troops landed in Sicily. On August 15th, heavy bombing of Italy resumes after a two week pause and the next day Rome is declared "an open city" and the Italian authorites leave it to the Allies in return for no more bombing.

The land invasion of Italy called Operation Slapstick started on September 9th, and within 48 hours the British 8th Army captured Bari as they marched inwards and up the coast. This letter was probably found in the post office at that time and sent back to Lowestoft.

But before the letter would get to him, Len was moved north, to the first camp on the on the German side of the border. Records show a L H Mason, Rifleman, Army was sent to Stalag IV-F in Hartsmannsdorf, Saxony. This stalag wasn't liberated until March of 1945, two years later than the letter.

I haven't found a record of L. Mason's release as a POW or how he ended up. I hope he survived and made it back to Doris and Jill.