THE COVENANTER
and light tanks and 1,400 guns. ‘Resources hospitality.
which in actual numbers exceeded [his] by
about 8 to 1 in men and very greatly in guns This is not the place to trace his resumed
and tanks.’ career from early 1945 to mid-1946 when
he took over as Adjutant General. Field
As The Times put it: Marshal Montgomery who had not long
taken over as CIGS summoned him to this
When fortunes in the Second World War were vital post. Soon he had to embark on a long
at their lowest, it was he who advanced 500 series of tours visiting a huge army which
miles in eight weeks, taking 130,00 prisoners, was spread across the world. His first visits
400 tanks and 1,290 guns. In a long and were in UK and then the whole of October
distinguished military career this brilliant was to be spent on the Continent. Of this
campaign was his crowning achievement the first week was to be spent in Italy visiting
for which he will be remembered. many of the Italians who had guided him,
General Neame and Air Vice Marshal Boyd
The second point from the present Times to freedom two years earlier.
article is that he spent a great deal more
than just ‘some time’ as a PoW in Italy. By ‘Gussie’ was visited in Florence and a trip was
a stroke of great misfortune he was captured made out to the monastery at Camaldoli.
by German forces in North Africa on 6 April Next they moved south to stay in Sovera’s
1941. Shortly afterwards he and others were hotel in Cervia, which was no longer troubled
flown from Tripoli to Rome. They were by the presence of the Wehrnmacht! Here he
moved from camp to camp and in all he was also able to make contact with Madam
made three attempts to escape, the last being Teresa Spazzoli. Phipps [his MA] was greatly
successful in the confusion which followed struck by the warmth of the welcome given
the Italian capitulation. His attempts were by these Italians who had risked so much,
nothing if not inventive. He went over a and in many cases suffered so much, to
wall once, tunnelled under another and aid British escapers when virtually nothing
eventually walked through a third. As The could be done for them in return .
Times obituarist has it:
The Times photograph depicts the visit to
‘He and other officer prisoners walked out Italy in 1924 and an early commemoration
disguised in peasant costumes from the of the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. On this
wardrobe of the prison camp dramatic occasion (28 September 1924) it was for
society. Travelling by night and hiding the unveiling of: ‘A memorial to the 7th
in ditches in the daytime they eventually Division, placed on the mainland, opposite
reached the British lines.’ the middle of the Island of Papadopoli’.
But another visit to the battle site should be
A telegram was sent to UK that day telling of recorded as well. In 1930 O’Connor returned
his release. He had dinner that night with to regimental soldiering on a posting to the
General Alexander at his HQ (where the 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish
principle guest was General Eisenhower, the Rifles) in command of the machine gun
Supreme Commander). It was 21 December company. Baynes says :
1943, his wedding anniversary. Their first
stop on the long journey home by air was During 1931 O’Connor and another
Tunis and there they spent time with the Cameronian officer drove in his car from
Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, who was Cairo to London on their annual leave. [A
convalescing from pneumonia. Next stop, not inconsiderable undertaking today in a
Algiers, where they had dinner with Harold modern motorcar!] On the way they visited
Macmillan, the resident Minister. They the Piave river, and crossed to the island of
were then flown to Marrakech and thence Papadopoli to inspect the scene of his battle
to Prestwick, landing on the morning of thirteen years before.
Christmas Day.
Whether he had further occasions to visit
He had been held captive for little short Italy is not known. It seems entirely in
of three years. He bore the Italians no ill character that he placed as a high priority
will, indeed he later wrote at great length the need to thank those who had shown
of the kindness of those who had facilitated him such kindness and consideration when
his escape, telling of their bravery and he needed it most. It is clear that there was
13
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