THE PO VALLEY BREAK (SIGNED & INSCRIBED)

210pp. Map and black and white photographs. Hardcover in original illustrated dust jacket over green boards.

Dustjacket shows wear to edges. Little browning to endpapers. Previous owner's bookplate on FEP. A good copy.

Three patients from a military hospital for prisoners of war at Lucca, Italy, make a daring night escape from a hospital train taking them to a P.O.W. camp in Germany. Two of the strangers the Italian peasants helped were from South Africa - Harry Rose-Innes of the 5th Battery, 2nd Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Cape Town and 'Taffy' Thomas of the 2nd Battalion, Transvaal Scottish Regiment, Johannesburg - while the third was an American fighter pilot, Frank Huff.

Signed and inscribed by the author to previous owner, Ernest Gearing who has also signed the book. Gearing was also a member of 2nd Ack Ack which is an abbreviation of the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

“To Ernest Gearing, fellow 2nd Ack Ack regimental comrade, whose sincerity, depth of character,and sense of purpose in life are still clearly remembered.
With best wishes for your health and happiness in the years to come. Sincerely, Harry Rose-Innis"

And dated "17 June 1980" with the words "Exactly 40 years after joining up!"