Hi Everyone, My name is Giles Pennington and I'm a retired history and art history teacher from Albuquerque. Now I live most of the year on a beautiful lake in northern New Mexico. My interest is in the Italian campaign, especially the fighting around Arezzo and Florence in August-September, 1944. I lived for many summers at my friend's restored farmhouse in the Casentino Valley north of Arezzo. At the time I was doing Renaissance Art research (that was my cover story anyway). During this time I learned of the many atrocities committed by the Germans against the common people of the area during the period just before and up to September, 1944, when Indian troops liberated the valley. In fact, the house I lived in (along with all of those in the village) had been burned some time in July, 1944. The village was abandoned after the war and only brought back to life when some American and British ex-pats from Rome bought the whole thing in 1978. Also, I found that a POW camp for British officers was only a few miles from where I lived and I passed it almost everyday. Today the site of Campo P.G. 38 is a retirement home. Before the war it was a seminary and before that I think it was a monastery. Anyway, I'm happy to be here and look forward to learning more about Italy in WWII. Regards, Giles
Welcome, you are living in my families traditional neck of the woods. I am a fellow New Mexican and look forward to your views and information having spent time in the areas you have mentioned. I am currently living near Continental Divide next to Cibola forest. Looking forward to your posts.
Great to have you about friend. Enjoy yourself, and remember to post the pictures from your WW2, I mean, art research field trip when you can. You seem sort of familiar, how would that be, hmmmmmmmmmmm....
Welcome, Giles from another retired history teacher, but from Pennsylvania. There is a wealth of information around here, with lots of folks willing to share, suggest, or research. Have fun.
Welcome - I too spent some time in Italy (a summer in Rome during school). During my travels I was able to visit Monte Cassino as well as see a concrete bunker in Cinque Terre - I envy your opportunities...all the same you will still find much to learn here and have come to the right place.
I see what I can do about pics. I'll start a thread shortly with a story about camp P.G 38 and a Greek Jew who survived the war being liberated in May from Moosburg Stalag 7-b.
