In September 1943, as the Allies invaded Italy, many of the Italian guards deserted the POW camp. Weaver and another officer escaped the camp, scaling two wire fences and a 16-foot wall. Using forged papers to fool German guards, the pair travelled about 300 miles to Allied lines. When he was roughly 20 miles from Allied positions, Weaver sprained his ankle, yet he managed to ride a mule to British lines on September 25.