Torssell, Neil (1920-2016)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8610#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Neil Torssell was born on April 18, 1920, in Wisconsin. Torssell describes his experiences with the 322nd Signal Aviation Company as a photographer during World War II. He discussed traveling to England on the Queen Mary and what England was like. Torssel talked about the build-up for the North African invasion, going to North Africa, and what he did during the war. He gave a detailed account of his camera equipment and how he used it to photograph enemy positions and where bombs were dropped. He also described being shot down in Italy and tells what it was like being a prisoner of war and finally escaping and making it back to the U.S. He and his wife Elfrieda married in 1946 and had four children: Steve, Marlene, Teresa, and Carol. Torssell passed away on October 16, 2016 and is buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: Neil Torssell was born on April 18, 1920, and joined the Army in 1940. He was assigned to the 322nd Signal Aviation Company as a photographer. He described his travel and training experiences at the start of the war as he moved about the United States and then was shipped to England. He was part of the preparations for the invasion of Africa and described camp life and interactions with civilians in both England and North Africa. As a photographer he accompanied at least 16 bombing missions of Italy, taking aerial photographs for intelligence and analysis purposes. On July 5, 1943, the bomber he was in was shot down. Torssel was wounded and captured by Italian forces. He moved from various camps in Italy and described both camp life, the spirit among American POWs, and interactions with the Italians. As Italy was in transition and close to surrender, the behavior and attitude of the Italians, particularly guards, are described. Torssell detailed life in the POW camp and the various people he interacted with. He participated in a large, impromptu escape and spends the next 10 months moving across eastern Italy with other American POWs, working on farms and evading capture. He gave a detailed description of the work he was asked to do and the tension that came from possibly being discovered. He was repatriated by American forces on June 29, 1944, and rejoined his unit before being sent home in 1945. He discussed his efforts to return to civilian life and reflected on the impact his experiences had on him.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material