Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Platoon Commander No.21 Platoon, "D" Company, 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment, 1st Airlanding Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British A

This Officer's glider crashed into the sea off Sicily on the night of July 9th, 1943. Although the glider was several miles from the coast, Lieutenant Davies kept his party together and paddled the glider towards the shore until an Italian motor launch came out and took them aboard as prisoners.
Lieutenant Davies was taken to Capua, from which prison camp he made two attempts to escape; one of which involved digging a tunnel 40 feet long with bare hands.
He was then moved back to Bologna. On 8th September, 1943, the Italians surrendered, and the camp was to be taken over by the Germans. Lieutenant Davies and several other officers decided to make a dash for it, and Lieutenant Davies was elected leader. The break-out was successful in spite of German opposition; and, after a dangerous journey right through the German lines, he reached the American 3rd Division on the evening of October 18th. His perilous journey of 380 miles took him 5½ weeks.
Lieutenant Davies brought back valuable information of other British and American prisoners of war.
He showed courage, initiative and resource of the highest order.