“On 30 October 1943 Sgt Jim Chance was flying as rear gunner in a Wellington Bomber on a mission to bomb Perugia aerodrome in Italy. As they crossed the coast of Italy they experienced engine trouble and crashed in the mountains near Ischia Di Castro. All his crew members were killed while he sustained back injuries, believed to be burns. He approached an Italian shepherd, after three days hiding, who put him in touch with Italian partisans and South African flyers, who the Italians were also hiding in caves. They were fed by the Italians until 11 June 1944 when they were able to escape to allied lines. His parents meantime had been advised that because no of news they ad to assume he was dead, which then led to a telegram from King George 6th. Later when he returned to Britain they received further news from the MOD that he was home. He never talked about his injuries which by then we large scars.”