Mission:
The mission was to aid prisoners of war released by the Italians after
their surrender on Sept. 8, 1943. It was a joint mission with the British
SAS at the request of the “A” Force (also known as I.S.
9) a joint British and U.S. organization whose mission was to assist
escaped POWs and downed airmen behind enemy lines to return to Allied
held territory.
Summary:
Ten of the OGs were parachuted into southeastern Italy, on Oct. 2, 1943.
They were split into three groups so as to cover more area. Five were
assigned to SAS units as interpreters and went in by sea. They remained
behind the lines for varying periods.
The commanding officer and three enlisted men
were captured in January 1944 and spent the rest of the war in POW camps.
The names are listed as they appear in their final reports contained
in the history of Co. A (NARA RG 226, Entry 143 Box 9) pages 35 to 66.
Some of the men were able to return to the company, some were sent home
which was policy then.
Note that very few of these names are found
in the lists of the enlisted men. Sgt. DeLuca was a radio operator who
joined the company in Algiers Sept 8, 1943.
Summary
compiled by Albert Materazzi.
