I am writting on behalf of an Italian friend Mr Luigi Riboni, who was a prisoner on the Italian ship the "Caio Duilio" situated off the Baia di Marsa Scirocco, Malta from Sept 1943 to June 1945.
During this period a gentleman enlisted in the RAF named Juian (from London but no surname) was sent from La Valletta as a radiotelegrapher onto the Italian ship where he struck up a friendship with Mr Riboni through their mutual interest, music. When they finally parted they exchanged photos and Juian was given a photo of Luigi taken in Venice in the 1930s.
The only other info I have to offer is that the "Ciao Duilio" was under the control of Admiral Alberto Da Zara , first office Francesco Ruta.
I quite understand that the info is very limited but if there is any way in which you could help frind details about Juian I would be most grateful.
Thanking you for you time in advance,
Yours faithfully
Norma Souster
Hi Norma,
Although possibly not of direct assistance to you in your search, but hopefully a thread which may jog someone's memory. Please take a look at the photo believed to have been taken on or just after 10th September 1943 possibly on board the 'Duilio' mis-spelt 'Dvili' in my father Sgt.Thomas Barker's war-time Malta Diaries (published on this website). The photo is believed to be of some of the surrendered Italian crew whilst at anchor outside St Thomas's Bay- the direct link to this photo is:-
I would be very interested to know whether Mr Riboni recognises any of those in the photo! If you would like a higher quality scan of this photo to print out for Mr Riboni, then please let me know via the webmaster.
