TOP SECRET

M.I.9/Gen/ 

MIS-X

PART I.

GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE FOR BRITISH/AMERICAN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR.

1). No: 4342541.                      RANK: Sgt.                  SURNAME: FURNESS.

CHRISTIAN NAMES: Thomas.

DECORATIONS: Palestine 1936-37. North African Star.

2). SHIP (R.N., U.S.N. or MERCHANT NAVY).

UNIT (ARMY) 2^nd Bn, The Parachute Regiment.

SQUADRON (R.A.F. or A.A.F)

3). DIVISION (ARMY), COMMAND (R.A.F. or A.A.F) 1^st Parachute Division.

4). DATE OF BIRTH: 28^th of February 1915.

5). DATE OF ENLISTMENT: 7^th of November 1932.

6). CIVILIAN TRADE OR PROFESSION: Gardener.

(OR EXAMINATIONS PASSED WHILE P/W)

7). PRIVATE ADDRESS: 20 Lynn Park Crescent, Cornforth Lane, Coxhoe, Ferryhill, Co. Durham, England.

8). PLACE AND DATE OF ORIGINAL CAPTURE: 17^th July 1943. ‘Sicily’.

9). WERE YOU WOUNDED WHEN CAPTURED? Slightly in heel & head (superficial).

10). MAIN CAMPS OR HOSPITALS IN WHICH IMPRISONED.

Camp No.                                Location.                                 From                            Till

P.G.66.                                    Capua, Italy.                Approx 28-7-43.                       18-8-43.

Stalag VIII 8 (Later 344)           Lamsdorf – Germany.   Approx 28-8-43.                       24-1-45.

11). WERE YOU IN A WORKING CAMP?

Location.                                             From                Till                   Nature of Work

397 Olbendorf – Silesia. OBER.            Oct 43.             Nov 43.            Brickworks.

12). DID YOU SUFFER FROM ANY SERIOUS ILNESSES WHILE A P/W?

Nature of Illness                       Cause                                       Duration

Broken wrist.                            Instructing physical training.    16 weeks.

(b) DID YOU RECEIVE ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT?

Yes – from British Medical Officers.

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M.I.9/Gen/ 

MIS-X

GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE. PART II. TOP SECRET.

1). No: 4342541.                      RANK: Sgt.                  SURNAME: FURNESS.

CHRISTIAN NAMES: Thomas.

2). LECTURES before Capture:

(a) Were you lectured in your unit on how to behave in the event of capture?

(State where, when and by whom).

Yes – Sousse, North Africa. By Special I.C. Officers.

(b). Were you lectured on escape and evasion? (State where, when and by whom).

Yes – Sousse, North Africa. By Special I.C. Officers.

3). INTERROGATION after capture:

Were you specially interrogated by the enemy? (State where, when and methods employed by enemy).

Specially interrogated by the enemy. Capua, Italy. By threat of shooting. Solitary confinement, with bread & water.

4). ESCAPES attempted:

Did you make any attempted or partly successful escapes? (Give details of each attempt separately, stating where, when, method employed, names of your companions, where and when recaptured and by whom. Were you physically fit? What happened to your companions?)

From Oldendorf, Ober Silesia. Nov 1943. Breaking out through wall in Lager – and using night travel only – Recaptured by Police in railway goods yard at Breslau.

Phys fit, yes. Escaped alone.

From railway transport when passing through Czecho-Slovakia (My companion, Sgt. Thompson. 4342227). Recaptured south of Prague by Gendarmerie. Physically fit. Companion also recaptured.

5). SABOTAGE:

Did you do any sabotage or destruction of enemy factory plant, war material, communications, etc, when employed or working-parties or during escape? (Give details, places and dates.)

No, other than dispose of German Guards rifle bolts when opportunity occurred during line of march.

6). COLLABORATION with enemy:

Do you know of any British or American personnel who collaborated with the enemy or in any way helped the enemy against other Allied Prisoners of War? (Give details, names of person(s) concerned, camp(s), dates and nature of collaboration or help given to enemy).

NIL.

7). WAR CRIMES:

If you have any information or evidence of bad treatment by the enemy to yourself or to others, or knowledge of any enemy violation of Geneva Convention you should ask for a copy of “Form Q” on which to make your statement.

(Note: Form Q is a separate form inviting information on “War Crimes” and describes the kinds of offence coming under this title.)

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M.I.9/Gen/ 

MIS-X

GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE. PART II. TOP SECRET.

(continued)

8). Have you any other matter of any kind you wish to bring to notice?

I would like to pass forward treatment and food issue forced upon British POW’s whilst marching from Ober Silesia to Regensburg.

SECURITY UNDERTAKING.

I fully realise that all information relating to matters covered by questions in Part II are of a highly secret and official nature.

I have had explained to me and fully understand that under Defence Regulations or U.S.A.R. 380-5 I am forbidden to publish or communicate any information concerning these matters.

Date: 6^th May 1945.                                          Signature: T. Furness. Sgt. 4342541.