He was no longer a young man , when the Italian war effort collapsed .
Bill and two companions managed to escape into the mountains of Italy and were on the run for over two weeks , diverting enemy troops from the front , to search for them .
Although he was no longer a young man , when the Italian war effort collapsed , Bill and two companions managed to escape into the mountains of Italy and were on the run for over two weeks , diverting enemy troops from the front , to search for them .