Italian President Ciampi is back to the Freedom Trail after 57 years - Prince Charles from the UK says Abruzzo saved British soldiers. Ciampi will visit Taranta Peligna, then Sulmona and Scanno. The reunion of former POW's became a reality thanks to the efforts of historian Raleigh Trevelyan.

57 years ago Ciampi arrived in Taranta after 3 days in the Maiella, under the guidance of resistance fighters Carlo Autiero and his brother. In Scanno he met again Maria Concetta Puglielli, the woman who offered him ospitality. And now that young Italian officer is the President of the Republic.

In Forme Virginia Nathan and George Mc Hattie met again for the first time after 1943. George McHattie was a POW, a Scotsman, Virginia Nathan was the daughter of a jewish mayor. She was in hiding with her family in Forme, near Avezzano, and used to take tea together. Trevelyan's book "Roma '44", where a picture with 3 POW's appeared (George was one of them) helped to put them in contact again.

The Freedom Trail was organized by the "Monte San Martino Trust", founded by Keith Killby, a POW in Abruzzo in 1943. Thanks to donations of the Patrons Sir Alan Campbell, Sir Patrick Fairweather, Lord Gibson, Stuart Hood, Eric Newby and Brian Gordon Lett (Chairman) they have donated over 140 scholarships. Their letter in full in the article.

The "San Martino Trust" has collected and published reports of former POW's, among them John Furman, Anthony Laing, Lord Gibson, Hugh Cruddas, Edward Tomkins. All their reports in the article.

On the Tiburtina Valeria, between Piano d'Orta and Tocco da Casauria you can stop at Il Postiglione, an ancient resting post for waggons and carts to taste original Abruzzese food and meals, accompanied by Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Il Postiglione Contrada Pozzo Bolognano Tel 0335 6952507

The «Giornate abruzzesi» organized by the 'Istituto italiano di cultura will examine the relations between Gabriele D'Annunzio and the British Isles.