WWII Freedom Trails – The Long Range Desert Group

Our Freedom Trail – LRDG trek, brings to life part of the story of two members of the Long Range Desert Group, LRDG. Cyril Sidney Malcolm Richardson, of the Coldstream Guards Regiment and his friend, John Albert Pratt of Scots Guards Regiment made a daring escape across enemy territory. Alpine Walks is bringing to life the journey they made together across the Alps to reach neutral Switzerland in September 1943.

The Long Range Desert Group, LRDG picture

LRDG, G Squadron 1941. John Pratt is included in this picture, but it was taken prior to Cyril Richardson joining the unit. John has been identified by his daughter as being 5th from right, front row, kneeling.

The escapee’s

Cyril and John were both members of G Squadron, Long Range Desert Group, otherwise known as the LRDG. The LRDG was an elite military unit the specialised in operating behind enemy lines, initially during the Africa Campaign 1940-1943. LRDG’s primary roles were the observation of enemy supply movements, feeding information back to the allied high command. LRDG intelligence supplied was vital to help predict what the enemy’s next move would be. The Long Range Desert Group patrols would also attack ‘targets of opportunity’ when ordered to or when able to. The various squadrons operated hundreds of miles behind enemy lines, sometimes for weeks on end. In 1941, when Cyril and John joined, the LRDG regiment was made up of several other squadrons as well. It bought together soldiers from Rhodesia and New Zealand as well as other British units.

Captured on patrol

Cyril and Johns ‘Patrol’ were captured by a larger German force, on the 12th December 1941, after carrying out attacks on a supply route behind enemy lines. They were being hunted by axis forces. After capture and initial interrogation, where they told the axis forces they were Guardsmen, they were taken across the Mediterranean by ship. Landing in Italy and were incarcerated several Prisoners of War camps before ending up at campo di prigionia 133, Novara, Piemonte.

Prisoners of War

By mid 1943 Cyril and John had volunteered to work on a farm in Piemonte, up in the north of Italy. Working on a farm meant you stood a better chance of being fed more than you would be in a Prison Camp. Although it wasn’t always a lot more, there were opportunities to trade. Prisoners could exchange cigarettes and other red cross parcel items for local food and wine.

Escape

When Italy Surrender to the allies, on the 8th September 1943, Cyril and John made the decision to leave the farm. With the help of the farmer they headed north for Switzerland. Staying put would have meant recapture by the German’s and sent back to a prison camp. They made their escape journey between the 20th and 28th September, a journey which Cyril recorded in a diary he had been keeping.

This trek follows the more mountainous second half of their journey to freedom…

WWII Freedom Trails – The escape of Cyril Richardson & John Pratt, members of G Patrol, Long Range Desert Group.

About

Our route follows historical journey follows the Coldstream Guards soldier Cyril Richardson and Scots Guards soldier John Pratt. After Italy capitulated in September 1943, Cyril and John escaped from an Italian work camp farm, just outside the city of Novara, on the Piedmontese plains. John and Cyril were heading for Switzerland, a neutral country, only some 70 kilometres away, as the crow flies.

The route

We pick up their trail in the small town of Varallo, in the pre alps. Cyril and John reached the outskirts of Varallo, 4 days into their escape. For reasons of security, Cyril and John never got to visit the town and after sleeping overnight in the surrounding forest, they continued north the following day.

We follow John and Cyril, sometimes on the exact trail, sometimes in the spirit of the route taken. This is usually where, in 1943, they walked an empty road, nowadays we will need to use a nearby footpath. Throughout the trek your guide will be able to relay to you, Cyril and Johns story from their capture in 1941.

A bit more background to the LRDG

In the meantime, if you want to find out more about life in the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and specifically G Patrol, the G stands for ‘Guards’ and was made up of volunteers from the Scots and Coldstream Guards regiments of the British Army, then pick up a copy of, ‘G Patrol, The Guards Patrol of the Long Range Desert Group’ by Michael Crichton-Stuart.

Day 1 – Arrival at Varallo, Piedmont

Meet at the Albergo D’Italia Hotel, in the centre of town of Varallo at. Meet your guide, who will run some more of the history of the route and talk through the itinerary in more detail. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 – Varallo to Fobello

A short drive by private taxi takes us to the trail head at Centro From here we climb due north across forested mountains before decending into the Mastallone Valley at Fobello. We overnight at the Rifugio Oro Delle Balme (a small private refuge of 14 beds where Pamela & Fabio will welcome you.

There is the option to return to Varallo for a second night (Private transport arranged – 30 minute drive)

Distance: 10 Kilometres Height gain: 1,229 metres Time: 6 hours

Day 3 – Fobello – Bannio, Valley Anzasca

Today we must cross the ultimate mountain range, still completely in Italy. The Colle Dorchetta pass, at 1818 metres, offers a fantastic panoramic view if the Alps on the Swiss Italian border, including the Mondelli Pass, which we will reach in 2 days. We descend into the small village of Bannio and the Albergo Passo Baranca (Half board Hotel accommodation).

Distance: 13.25 Kilometres Height gain: 1,000 metres Time: 7 hours

Day 4 – Bannio to Mondelli, Anzasca Valley

This morning we start with a short stroll down to the floor of the Anzasca Valley. We then follow paths and some short sections of road as we follow the Anza river west along the valley. The final section is a steep climb (300 metre height gain) to reach the village of Mondelli. This is the last civilization on the Italian side of the border.

Distance: 13.5 kilometres Height gain: 750 metres Time: 6 hrs 15 min

*Due to lack of accommodation we will be transferred by private taxi to the Dream hotel in Macagnaga (10 minutes drive). This village is a small ski resort and was also used as an escape route during WW2 (see our other Freedom Trail which follows this route).

Day 5 – Mondelli – Sass Almagell

Today we have the biggest climb of the trip to the Swiss border at the Mondelli pass. When Cyril and John undertook this in 1943, Cyril wrote in his diary of the initial failure to make the summit due to difficult navigation, poor weather and fatigue. And who can blame them! But for us it is different and we have an enjoyable climb, fantastic views on the pass and after descending to the far end of the Mattmark Reservoir on the Swiss side, our journey is complete and we will spend our final night in the Hotel Mattmark in the village of Sass Almagell. Here you can learn the outcome of Cyril and John’s amazing journey to freedom.

Height gain: 1,658 metres Distance: 13 kilometres Time: 7-8 hours

Day 6 – Departure

This is the end of your WWII freedom trails Italian holiday. Full details of transport options to descend to the Rhone Valley and Visp, where there is a mainline rail connection for Geneva, Zurich or Milan (nearest airports) will be made available.

Included:

Guiding services each day
5 nights half board in hotels
Packed lunches each day
Taxi’s as required in the itinerary

Excluded:

Transfer to start point, Varallo, Piedmont, Italy.
Drinks with meals
Transfer from end of trip, Sass Almagell, Switzerland

Additional Information

Information on how to arrive at the start point of the trek from any airport/rail station will be included in your welcome instructions on receipt of booking. Likewise, return journey information will be included to get from Sass Almagell by Postbus to Visp, in the Rhone Valley. From here you can connect to anywhere in Europe by train!

£1,220.00 per person is based on shared twin/double room in hotel. Single supplements are possible.

Dates available in 2024

This WWII freedom trails walk runs from:

Sunday 1st September to Friday 5th September 2024.

If you have alternative dates in mind, just contact us and we will try to organise a tour to meet your requirements.

How fit do I need to be?

This trip is suitable for anyone who is a regular walker. You will need to carry a medium sized rucksack (a maximum of 30 Litres in size) and the total weight based on the kit list provided should not exceed 10 kilograms.

How long will we be walking for each day?

You should expect to be trekking for 5-8 hours per day, based on a walking speed of 3 kilometres per hour, known to some as ‘Alpine plod’. It’s not a race and there is plenty of time for taking in the scenery and stopping for picnic lunches on route. The tracks and paths are rocky in places, but of good quality.

Can we customise the experience?

Alpine Walk’s guided walking tours are all about the personal touch. We will plan your journey along a range of different routes that provide different challenges based on what you want from your walking break. Do you want the best views? Do you want the chance to experience some of the local wildlife?

You should also consider the different types of accommodation available on these routes. Spending a night in a hut does not necessarily involve sharing a dormitory with 30 other people! Some huts have smaller private rooms.

So if you are considering this journey and need to discuss your requirements, please feel free to contact us. We’ll arrange a chat on Skype to discuss your personal tour.