Four: Private H. J. Bates, 2nd Battalion, South African Police, Union Defence Force, who was taken prisoner of war during the attempted break out from Tobruk in June 1942, and attempted to escape whilst on the forced ‘Long March’ across Germany, January - April 1945

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed (SAP196993 H. J. Bates) very fine (4) £80-£100

Harold Julius Bates was born in East London, Cape Province, South Africa in May 1914. He was employed as a Constable in the South African Police in Port Elizabeth from 1933. Bates was mobilised to serve with the 2nd Battalion, South African Police and disembarked in Egypt in June 1941. Bates was with the Battalion when it attempted to break out of the Axis cordon surrounding Tobruk, 21 June 1942, ultimately leading to the Garrison’s mass surrender on that date. He was taken prisoner of war by the Italians, and was initially interned at Benghazi, where he suffered from dysentery. Bates was subsequently interned at Campo 75 (Bari), and then detached to form part of a Work Party at Foggia.

Bates was subsequently transferred to Germany and interned at Stalag VIII - C, Sagan, Silesia, before being detached to form part of a Work Party at Breslau Post Office, and for digging air raid shelters for German civilians. He then took part in the forced ‘Long March’ across Germany January - April 1945. Bates’ POW debrief gives the following:

‘Attempted escape whilst on forced march in Germany by burying myself in hay on a farm... Attempt failed owing to use by Germans of trained Alsatian dogs, all recaptured. We were all at this time in very low physical state owing to starvation.

Sabotage: Whilst employed at the Post Office at Breslau from 1/12/43 to June ‘44 I and my comrades sabotaged numerous parcels and misdirected hundreds of mail bags by changing labels...’

Bates was repatriated in July 1945, and returned to service with the Police in Pretoria after the war.

Sold with extensive copied research.