McSorley, D J H

, ,

Guardsman David James Hanvey McSorley

Family/Last name:
McSorley
Forename(s) and initial(s):
David James Hanvey
Service number:
2700557
Military Unit:
British Army, Scots Guards, 2nd Battalion (Scots Guards)
Rank when captured:
Guardsman
Date of capture:
12/9/1943
Camp
Stalag VIIIA Görlitz, Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf / Stalag 344
Working Party
E768
Data sources
Other Sources (Relative's report)
View a commemorative certificate for this prisoner

John McSorley wrote:

David James Hanvey McSorley

I visited the museum last year and found it very interesting to see where my father escaped from, he was 21 when he was captured.

I don’t know if your interested in it for the museum .

He escaped from the camp with two Australians and a New Zealander a Kiwi but finally ended up with an American airman .

It seems there was quite a few of them waiting at the same place for a guide, while he was waiting he fought with the local resistance, they wanted him to stay .

RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD

Quote:

Account of Escape of 2700557 McSORLEY, David, 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS, 201 Guards Brigade

At 1A is a brief account of the escape from an Arbeitskommando attached to Stalag VIII B (LAMSDORF/LAMBINOWICE), GERMANY, of 2700557 Gdsn. McSORLEY, David, of the SCOTS GUARDS

I recommend this man for the award of M.M.

3 Jan 45

Quote:

2700557 Guardsman David McSORLEY, 2nd Battalion SCOTS GUARDS, 201 Guards Brigade.

Captured in ITALY near SALERNO on 12 September 1943, McSORLEY was imprisoned at GORLITZ (Stalag VIII A) and LAMSDORF (Stalag VIII B ).

With the idea of escape in mind, he volunteered for work and was sent to ARBEITSKOMMANDO 768 at KUMAU. Three other PoW also were determined to regain their freedom, and a fortnight was spent in perfecting plans.

On 28 June 1944 they gained access to the Red Cross stores by removing a panel from one door, securing a key to another, and climbing over a third. Previously they had removed bricks from the outer wall, merely leaving a thin layer of plaster; breaking through this aperture, they reached the outside of the camp.

For eight days they walked towards HUNGARY before a farmer gave them civilian clothes and promised a guided to YUGOSLAVIA. When several weeks later the guide had not appeared, McSORLEY and another member of the party proceeded alone, were betrayed by a civilian, and handed over to the local police. There were interned at GRENAVA and immediately explored the possibilities of escape. Before their arrangements were perfected, however, they were released on the approach of the Germans.

McSORLEY, accompanied by an AMERICAN airman, walked to ROZINDOL, from where their journey was arranged. On 18 September 1944 they were evacuated to ITALY.

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