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Timeline of Events

September 1942

Denis transported by boat to the port of Taranto in Italy, from where he moved to Campo 51, a transit camp at Altamura in Southern Italy, north of Taranto and west of Bari. Denis was issued reference number PM 3450.

October 1942

Denis transferred to Campo 57 in Gruppignano, near Udine, in North East Italy, close to what is now the Slovenian border. Denis was issued reference number PM 3200.

6 October 1942

Jean and Denis' family informed that a Vatican City radio broadcast named Denis as a POW in Italian hands.

10 October 1942

Jean and Denis' family received a letter from Base Records retelling of the Vatican City radio broadcast. The letter warns that the Vatican broadcast "not to be regarded as official."

20 October 1942

Jean and Denis' family received official notification letter that Denis is a POW.

12 November 1942

Jean and Denis' family received letter from Base Records that Denis is held in Campo 57, Italy.

3 September 1943

Italian Armistice signed.

4 September 1943

Italian guards deserted Campo 57. The POWs obeyed the War Office instruction to remain in the camp.

7 September 1943

Germans took control of Campo 57.

13 September 1943

Denis and the other POWs were marched to the Cividale railway station and boarded trains bound for Germany.