Dad's War

by Howard Reid

On 6 April 1943, Ian Reid, an officer in the Black Watch, was wounded and captured in Tunisia and sent off to an Italian prisoner-of-war camp. Five months later, when the Germans took over the camp as the Italians pulled out of the war, he escaped. So began a life-or-death game of hide and seek in the heart of the beautiful Italian countryside, living in barns, sleeping in ditches and desperate scavenging for food. He was recaptured - though heroically he was to escape from the Germans a total of five times.

Nearly sixty years later, Howard Reid quite literally followed in his father's footsteps and made the same journey across Italy - though in a rather more relaxed fashion. Starting near Modena, he travelled to Florence and through Chianti, Siena and Orvieto to Rome and beyond, painting an intimate portrait of his extraordinary father and getting closer to the truth of his amazing escapades, which were the subject of a bestselling book in the 1950s.

Along the way, as we are shown the real, modern Italy, Howard mused on father-son relationships, and the deep but invisible scars left by two world wars on each of our personal histories. This poignant and engrossing book is a must for everyone who has ever asked (or wanted, too late, to ask) the question 'What did you do in the war, Dad?'

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2003

Reviews

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing to be able to read this after his father's book (Prisoner at Large), it answers some 'what happened next' questions and hints at the long term impact of some of the traumas his father experienced - but also the benefits of his welcome into so many Italian families even at a time of such great risk to all. Quite moving in places, both in the attempt of the son to connect with his father's experiences, and as a reminder of the brutality of those times but also the bravery and humanity of many Italian civilians.

Ian Reid's original book is hard to get a hold of now, worth reading before this one if you can get a copy, but this book contains enough excepts so that it is not essential.

[Linda Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard Reid retraces his father's footsteps through Italy during his various escapes from the Germans in World War II. Using extracts from diaries that his father wrote whilst on the run and afterwards, this is not as boring as it sounds. Italy has changed in the last 50 years and old paths and tracks are no longer visible. But Howard manages to pick up the trails. He meets many of the people who hid the prisoners and they tell their stories.
The kindness of the Italians shine through, despite the obvious dangers to themselves and their families. This is a lovely book and a recommended read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best war stories I've read in a long time. What a great tribute to the people of Italy who helped the POWs who escaped the German camps. Would love to read the father's, Ian Reid's , book now.

[jimmyharkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faither,a fitsteps

A honour to read, a credit to the Red Hackle,

Thank you for the pleasure and memories evoked of my own fathers unwritten war

[Phil Ferri · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent account of one mans retracing of his fathers journey . Poignant and dramatic with sensitive disclosure of war time experiences .