50086 Colour Sgt. Peter Till Army The Royal Hampshire Regiment My Grandad Peter Till has written his story
I offer my story as follows, and trust it will enlighten, and at the same time ease the mental stress, which I experience at times. I am sure that true ‘comradeship’ carried us through.
I was captured in Tunisia, 1 March 1944. After POW Camps in Italy, and the German Army was retreating northwards, I was moved to Germany in May 1944. I went to Stalag V11 A at Moosberg – just outside Munich. It was relief to us, as we were de-loused, clothes fumigated, then after a shower, dusted over with DDT powder. We were all given a metal identity disc. On mine, which I still have in Stalag V11A No 129824: which means I must be on some records somewhere. Maybe Red Cross, who know.
From empty tins we made little stoves to brew tea in, from the Red Cross parcels. This meant that you needed fuel to burn in your little stove. Well the wooden floor of the huts was completely gone, just bare ground. You guessed right it had been used to ‘brew up’ by previous prisoners.
When Red Cross parcels were issued, it was always 1 between 2. The first time I ate some of the rich food, I was really ill with stomach pains, which meant I sat for a long time on the outdoor toilet, which consisted of a trench with a pole across, supported by a trestle at each end. Oh! Well enough of that.
I did not stay long at Stalag V11A as a party of us were moved to a working camp No 3911 in Munich.
Stalag V11A would have been released by the American 9th Army about 1 March 1945, as they advanced across Europe.
True British spirit was always the mainstay of our existence, we had our ups and downs, what more can I say.
Lots of stories, but I only trust, and really sincere in wishing peace and happiness to all your family. Thank you.
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