John Dodds
Introduction
2025 was the year I started to research my father’s wartime career and the year I became a YouTuber. At the age of 75, I now have a YouTube Channel. It has one video on it. Namely “Escape over Sand and Snow” – the wartime experiences of Arthur Dodds. (the YouTube link is below). So this is a story of my father, of the research process, its impact upon me and of the part played by the MSMT.
Outline of my father’s story
Pilot Officer Arthur Dodds was the navigator and bomb aimer on a Wellington Bomber attacked by a German fighter on 31/05/42. He helped injured crew members bale out and attempted to put out the fires. The Pilot, Bill Astell, was able to crash land in the Libyan desert behind enemy lines. Bill and Arthur walked for five days through the desert but tragically Arthur was captured just metres away from safety. Arthur was a PoW in Chieti Camp (PG 21) in Italy from August 42 to September 43 when he was transferred to Sulmona Camp (PG 78).
Arthur and two others escaped from the camp on 18/10/43 and were sheltered by courageous Italian families, initially in the countryside and then in Sulmona town, surrounded by Germans. On the 12th-14th January 44 they were part of a larger group who were guided to safety though the snows of the Maiella mountains by an Italian shepherd. Their escape route would have been approximately the same as the route used in the annual Il Sentiero della Liberta / Sulmona Freedom Trail. (see below) The three escapees returned together to the UK and remained friends for the rest of their lives.
The research process
Ironically the trigger to start the research was a decision to apply for the Army Records of my Father in Law (not my father). He was at the Siege of Tobruk but the family knew very little detail. I had been warned that I would have a long wait for the records, so I decided to also apply for my father’s RAF Records while I waited. My father’s records came very quickly, confirming the superiority of the RAF! Fortunately my father had published an autobiography, “Desert Harvest”, so I knew the brief outline of his wartime career.
His RAF records provided or confirmed many of the “facts” of dates etc but I then embarked on a wider search both to “flesh out” these facts and for the experiences of wartime comrades, particularly fellow PoWs and escapees. Both Amazon and Google were invaluable.
The MSMT
However I really “struck Gold” when I discovered the MSMT and my subsequent experience epitomises for me much of the value and purpose of the Trust. My first contact was Letitia Blake (Honorary Secretary of the MSMT). Many will know the story of her father, Robert (Bobby) Blake who escaped from Sulmona Camp and after being sheltered by brave Italians, walked over the mountains to reach safety. Bobby was one of five who hid in the roof of their prison hut for 18 days before emerging to escape. The other four were Beverley Edge, Kenneth Lowe, George Burnett and, (as you have probably guessed), my father Arthur Dodds! Upon leaving the camp Lowe and Edge were immediately recaptured but Blake, Burnett and Dodds remained free.
It gets better – I now found that the MSMT Archives contained the memoirs/diaries of no less than three of the original five including the contemporaneous diary and sketches of Edge which had been left in the roof of the hut and were rediscovered in 1964! Together with my father’s autobiography, I could now read the accounts of four out of the five. Striking gold indeed. Because I had access to this wealth of “first hand” material I decided to base the video on quotations as much as possible. The intention was to provide authenticity and I quote extensively from all four accounts in the video. It was fascinating to have access to both their perceptions and recollections of my father and to their sometimes differing accounts of the dramatic events they had shared.
Although we had never met before, Letitia had often met my parents at the regular reunions of George, Arthur and Bobby over the years. In particular she was part of a very emotional trip they all took when they revisited Sulmona Camp in 1993, 50 years after their escape. My video includes two of Letitia’s photos for which I am very grateful. (one of these is shown below)
The ripples widened when I got in touch with Letitia’s sister, the novelist Victoria Blake, who very kindly sent me a copy of her novel “Far Away”, partly based on her father Bobby’s wartime diaries. My father features in the novel (albeit under a disguised name) and this gave me quite a thrill.
Evolving emphasis on the research
My intentions for the project changed during the research process. Initially I saw it as a detailed factual paper record for posterity, just for myself and for the family. Later I thought that an illustrated and narrated PowerPoint presentation might be more accessible, particularly for the grandchildren. I am not at all IT savvy, but I then considered posting it on YouTube as a convenient place for storage and for ease of access for family members, both now and in the future. Once on YouTube, it was also easier to share the story with friends outside of the family. For me, Arthur’s story is notable both at a personal level and historically. So now finally, I see this article as one way of publicising it to those who may already have a particular interest. The MSMT plays such a valuable role in making connections, so one hope is that this article may be seen by descendants of individuals who had wartime contact with Arthur, particularly his fellow PoWs.
What have I learnt and how do I feel now
Firstly, tremendous pride in my father. I have a much fuller understanding of him as a person, for example, the shocked reaction of his comrades, when hiding in the roof, to hear this future Vicar uttering profanities. I cannot recall my father ever swearing, so things must have been really bad! Also his less than honest behaviour to ensure he passed his RAF medical, demonstrating his determination to serve. I also have a much greater awareness of the complexities and historical significance of the events he was involved in. For example the close proximity of Sulmona to the German’s Gustav Line, the scene of months of bitter fighting.
Probably like many other descendants, there is also regret for the missed opportunities to find out more while he was still alive. There are so many questions I wish I had asked. There is my enormous respect for Arthur, Bobby and George for their incredible mental, physical and emotional resilience. But also there is humility in realising that Arthur’s story was not unique. There are so many dramatic stories of escape. So many acts of courage and endurance by so many individuals. Finally there is the vital importance of continuing to remember the bravery and selflessness of the many Italians who assisted escaping Allied prisoners at great risk to themselves.
Dedication
To the MSMT, with sincere gratitude and respect for their important work. The video would not have been possible without their help, particularly the MSMT Archives which provided much of the content. I have tried to ensure accuracy but there are bound to be some errors. Corrections and comments very welcome.
John Dodds