Entry: June 2, 1941

June 2nd, 1941

Syracuse, Sicily

Well, I finally got back from that horrid prison and I am surprised to know that my squadron was moved to Sicily to escort our bombers to raid Malta. However, before I get into that, I will recall the daring operation that freed me from that prison camp...

May 25th, 1941

10km west of Alexandria, Egypt

After the ordeal in the prison, I was drugged. It must have been the water I was given. Anyway, I passed out and woke up in the prison camp. "Welcome to Alexandria!" greeted a guard. Again, I was in a cell, as like before. I was asked my name, rank, and everything else pertaining to my identity and that of my squadron. After that, a British officer went into the cell I was in and he started to ask me questions about Hitler. He asked me about our supply convoy routes, how many planes we had, where Rommel was, etc. I lied to his face. The officer bought it and left without further adieu. I was kept in the cell, only released from them for exercise. Other than that, we did manufacture some parts. Parts of ships, planes, tanks, etc. We were inspected after work for anything we could smuggle in and use to escape. I was honest, and continued until the 30th.

May 30th, 1941

10km east of Alexandria, Egypt

Ahhh, this day I will remember for the rest of my life. It started out rather normally. We got our breakfast, showered, did our things, etc. I was in the machine shop, when all of a sudden, the guards were shot. I didn't know from where, but one by one, the guards fell from their watch towers and from the parapet. Then, the familiar sound of our 8.8 cm guns with 37mm cannon. When enough smoke had cleared, I saw about 45 German and Italian commandos storm the complex. All of the cells were opened. "GO! GO! GO!" yelled one of the commandos. The guards were no match for the commandos and surrendered quickly. All the POWs were evacuated from the complex, myself included. All the prisoners went though the holes made by the heavy guns, and we saw that a u-boat and a small flotilla of Italian torpedo boats were on the shore. I went for the closest torpedo boat. Others had to be evacuated via landing barge. By the end of the day, the prison complex was ablaze and demolition charges were detonated. There was little left of the prison. It took us a good 6 hours to get to Axis occupied Crete. The Royal Navy were unable to catch us, even with their MTB's. After a few things were sorted, I was informed that my squadron had moved to Sicilly and that I was eagerly expected by my squadron. I was given passage to Syracuse via Me-323 Gigant. By the 1st of June, I was already re-attached to the squadron. By the time I had gotten back to base, Hans warmly greeted me, as well as our new replacements. We celebrated and was informed that a mission was scheduled on the 5th of June.

Off we go into Grand Harbor, Malta!