JOURNAL ARTICLE

THE GREAT TRAIN RAID.

  • Published In: History of War, 2025, n. 153. P. 62 1 of 3

  • Database: Historical Abstracts with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: LEWIS, DAMIEN 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on a daring mission by the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II to rescue prisoners from the Pisticci concentration camp in Italy in September 1943. The mission, known as Operation Loco, was initiated after a Yugoslav prisoner, Zeljko Ljubo, alerted the Allies to the imminent evacuation of inmates to Nazi Germany. Major Oswald Cary-Elwes and Captain Robert Couraud led the operation, which involved hijacking a train to transport SAS troops to the camp, where they successfully liberated prisoners, including notable figures like Prince Filippo IV Andrea Doria Pamphilj Landi. Despite the mission's success, the SAS received limited recognition for their efforts, with only a few members receiving awards for their bravery. The operation marked the beginning of a series of SAS missions aimed at rescuing Allied prisoners of war throughout Italy. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:History of War. 2025/12, Issue 153, p62
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Military History and Science
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:2054-376X
  • Accession Number:189723718
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