POW Camp Index

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Stalag 9A Prisoner of War Camp Arbeitskommando 965, Stalag 9a    Stalag 9A Prisoner of War Camp was situated at Ziegenhain (now Trutzhain) Most of the 50,000 PoWs lived and worked in the 3000 Arbeitskommando working camps under administration of Stalag IXC.        Arbeitskommando no. 965 was located at Niedermöllrich.   14th May 1940 218 Squadron Battle lost 22nd Jul 1941 Parcels 23rd Jan 1945 Transferr 22nd Mar 1945 Arrival 3rd Apr 1945 Liberation  Memorial If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Those known to have been held in or employed at Stalag 9A Prisoner of War Camp during the Second World War 1939-1945. Bailey Eugene G.. Staff Sgt. Bailey Eugene G. Staff Sergeant Coston Robert W.. Sgt. Dalton Harold. Douglas . Daniel Robert. Pte. Ford Benjamin Isaac. Sgt. Freedman Henry Edward. T5 Cpl. Guedon Fernand. Joubert John Adriaan. Gnr. Lansley William. Driver Maier Ralph E.. 1st.Lt. Renusch Purple Heart. Rogers F. Corporal Renusch Purple Heart. Rogers F. 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There are:76 items tagged Stalag 9A Prisoner of War Camp available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. Corporal Rogers F Renusch Purple Heart Field Artillery My brother Rogers F. Renusch, was captured on or around December 12th, 1944 and sent to Stalag 9, camp 017 at Ziegenhein Hessen-Nassau by railroad car. He said that on Christmas Eve while the POWs were crowded in the rail car that they began to sing "Silent Night" and the German soldiers outside the car began to sing along. He said for those few moments there were no enemies. He was a Corporal with the United States Army, Field Artillery and received the Purple Heart. RoseMarie Miller Add to this record. Corporal Rogers F Renusch Purple Heart Field Artillery My brother Rogers F. Renusch, was captured on or around December 12th, 1944 and sent to Stalag 9, camp 017 at Ziegenhein Hessen-Nassau by railroad car. He said that on Christmas Eve while the POWs were crowded in the rail car that they began to sing "Silent Night" and the German soldiers outside the car began to sing along. He said for those few moments there were no enemies. He was a Corporal with the United States Army, Field Artillery and received the Purple Heart. RoseMarie Miller Add to this record. Staff Sergeant Eugene G Bailey Company K 28th Infantry Division, 112th Regiment My dad, Eugene G. Bailey, was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army, 28th Infantry Division, 112th Regiment, Company K during WW2. He was in four campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge where he was taken prisoner on December 17, 1944. He arrived in Bad Orb Stalag IX B on December 29, 1944 and remained there until late January 1945 when he was transferred to Stalag IXA. This information is from a journal he wrote during his time just before the Battle of the Bulge. The dates of this journal are from December 13, 1944 until the end of March 1945. However, there are not any entries for Feb. My dad did not talk about his time in the service or about being a POW. I do know that he weighed only 79 pounds upon his return to the states. Diana Thomas Add to this record. T5 Cpl. Henry Edward Freedman 422nd Infantry Regiment Henry Freedman served with the 422nd Infantry Regiment, US Army in WW2. He was captured 19th of December 1944 at Bliealf, Germany and arrived as a POW at Stalag IXB Bad Orb, 25th of December 1944 and was segregated in barracks 32. On 25th January 1945 he was sent to Stalag IXA, Zeigenhain and was liberated 30th of March 1945. Henry spent a month in hospital in France and arrived back in the States 9th of May 1945 to be discharged 24th of November 1945. Henry just celebrated his 98th birthday living in Suwanee, Ga. Add to this record. 1st.Lt. Ralph E. Maier 707th Bomb Squadron 446th Bomb Group Lt. Ralph E. Maier landed at Cluntoe, Northern Ireland on 5th of May 1944, and trained for combat. On May 29th, he joined the 446th Bomb Group, at Flixton, near Bungay. He was the pilot of Pistal Packin' Bomma II. His B-24 was shot down by flak on 24th of August 1944 after bombing Waggum Air Base near Brunswick. He was severely burned while trying to rescue his crewmen in the exploding bomber. After being shot while parachuting, a German soldier saved him from a group of farmers with pitchforks. At Lazarett for Stalag IX-A/H at Hania, a British nurse found him still alive after lying for three days with the dead, and she saved his life. Then he was sent to Lazarett IX-C(a) and IX-C(b). While at Lazarett IX-B in Bad Soden, the well respected Dr. Major David Charters, RAMC, performed a skin transplant to his lower eyelid, which he had learned by a correspondence course with Dr. Archibald McIndoe, RAF. Afterwards by refusing to transfer Lt. Maier to Stalag IX-B in Bad Orb, he probably saved his life. A theater program and photographs show Lt. Maier in a New Years 1945 play called Yankee Doodle presented by Major Geoffrey Bedding, 2NZEF, and directed by Forrest W. Howell. It includes one scene with Major Charters. He also brought home a cap from a German guard, which is on display in England. Ralph performed the burial rights for Cpl. Charles Hayes, who had been awarded the Medal for Gallantry by the King. The names of others spelled phonetically were: Licht, Hodges, Statham, Masay, Anderson, Wiseman, Butz and McHead. Additionally, four photographs show a funeral at the POW cemetery about a mile from the hospital. It was for the last American POW to be buried in a casket, before common graves were used when the death rate jumped. The first shows a procession of German guards, a casket draped with a US flag, and POW's marching. Next, a German guard presenting a Wreath at the grave, and then an American presenting a wreath. The last shows a bugler playing Taps, more than 28 POW's in a line saluting, while three German guards fire a rifle salute. On 31st of March 1945, the 11th Armored Division liberated Lazarett IX-B at Bad Soden. After artillery fire damaged the hospital, Major Charters helped arrange a cease fire. The German guards deserted the hospital. A boy fired at the Americans, but they held their fire. Ralph was one of the first Repatriated American Military Personnel sent to Camp Lucky Strike. On 24th of April 1945, he was flown to Britain, and then to New York. He was finally discharged from an army hospital on February 12, 1946. He lived with his wife Mary and six children until he died in 1991. He earned the Air Medal with 3 oak leaves. Add to this record. Sgt. Robert W. Coston Company A. 423rd Infantry Regiment Robert Coston served in Company A, 423rd Infantry, 106th Division. He was captured at the Battle of the Bulge, on 16th of December 1944, age 35. As a Prisoner of War he was held at either Stalag 9A Ziegenhain, or Stalag 9b, Bad Orb, Germany. Originally stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, he was eepatriated on the 9th April 1945. He died in 1978. Michelle Add to this record. Gnr. John Adriaan Joubert Artillery This is my grandfather's War Diary that is in my cousin's possession. I took the time to type it up and place the 2 books in chronological order. The Truth When danger is near and trouble is high God and the soldier Is everyone's cry When troubles are over And danger is righted God is forgotten And the soldier is slighted 1941 Departed Durban - 29/9/40 Arrived Mombassa - 4/10/40 Do Gil Gil - 6/10/40 Departed Gil Gil - 4/11/40 Arrived Marsebit - 7/11/40 Departed Marsabit - 30/1/41 ived Dukana - 1/1/41 Departed Dukana - 13/2/41 Arrived Kunehuarra - 13/2/41 Departed do - 5/3/41 Arrived Mega - 5/3/41 Departed Mega - 14/3/41 Arrived Yavello - 14/4/41 eparted Yavello - 20/4/41 Arrived Megga Luba - 21/4/41 eparted do - 28/4/41 Arrived Seghelli - 30/4/41 Departed do - 31/4/41 Arrived Uadarra - 31/4/41 Arrived Adola - 15/5/41 Arrived Hula - 26/5/41 Do Uindo - 27/5/41 Do Scioloi - 29/5/41 Do Omo River - 30/5/41 Departed Omo River - 13/6/41 Arrived X Rd Fiume Indodo - 14/6/41 Departed do - 21/6/41 Arrived G (J)imam - 1/6/41 Do Dembi Dola - 24/6/41 Returned Gimma - 31/6/41 Departed do - 19/7/41 Departed Adis for Asmara - 24/7/41 Webra Sina, Giarra, Alomata, Wessil, Mia Biu, Madani Alem, Quiha, Uogora, Adigrat, Sanafi, Adi Caih, Saganetti, Weeamere Asmara - 28/7/41 Nefasit, Ghinda, Dolngollo Basar, Massawa. Arrived Egypt - 7/8/41 Sindi Regegh - 23.11.41 1942 Captured Tobruk - 21.6.42 Arrived Benghazi - 26.6.42 Do Brindisi - 13.7.42 Had fist hot meal 14.7.42 for 3 weeks. Received Red Cross Parcel 16.7.42 split between 4 men what a feed up we had. 21.7.42 - Wrote Card Home. 2.7.42 - wrote better card receiving a Red Cross parcel 2.23.7 - got our parcel today but what a poor one 27.7 - Left Bari at 3:30 for labor camp at Co? Camp Colle de Compito 29.7 - Received one parcel to five men, quite a good parcel 30.7 - Worked for a painter received ten cigarettes in payment ?.8 - Worked in cookhouse for the day + had a good meal for a change. 12.8 - Wrote home again for a change, have received no parcel for 7 days ?.6.8 - had water and sweet milk today costing about 2 lire not much to eat but very welcome. 17.8 - still no red+ parcel, all the lads looking forward to getting one 18.8- Had two peaches + 4 tomatoes today costing me 1 lira it was very tasty indeed it also included 2 pieced garlic 23.8 - Had 4 peaches +3 pears today Red Cross parcel. 2.9 - Had writing paper today and wrote home, no signs of cigs which we have not had for over a week. Still no signs of the red+ parcels yet. Canteen fruit also getting very scarce now. 4.9 - Got Red cross parcel today 1 to 2 men can have a good feed again. 6.9 - Oscar and myself had porridge for breakfast. Oatmeal supplied by parcel. Made an apple pudding and had a good dinner in the evening. A good day it was 14.9 - The Rev Burger and another padre has arrived in our camp as 15.9 - Musical instruments have arrived in camp for our entertainment 16.9 - Red Cross representative paid us a visit today and promised a more even flow of parcels 17.9 - We received a lot of canteen fruit today and had a good feed again for a change. I think it was it was only to make an impression upon 1.10 - Received one red cross parcel per man today Canadian type we all feel that we are living, and it is a real God sent to us. 4.10 - Had Holy communion today the first since I joined up in the army. 4.11 - There is a general move on again where to no one knows yet. Had drunken mealie porridge this morning with boiled milk and how enjoyable it was. 11.11 - we observed a? muster? this morning as usual and it makes one think very far. 13.11 - A man T.C. Lee died this morning on his way to the station. 15.11 - Had holy communion for the last time at Lucia camp. 16.11 - Left Colle de Campito, arrived at camp 65. 18.11 - In bitter cold weather to find no parcels awaiting us. 22.11 - our food Sunday in new camp, parcels today 23.11 - It is one year today since we made such a desperate stand at Sidi Rezagh. I met a lot of my pals in this camp that were captured there. It was quite a reunion for us after not having seen each other for. 1943 30.1.43 - I have not entered anything in this book for a long time now because I have not had anything worth writing in we have not had red cross parcels for a long time now. 10 men were confirmed tonight the second lot since I have been a prisoner. 31.1 - We had Holy communion this evening the first in this sector in Gravina Camp 25.2 - the Pope's delegate paid us a visit today and sympathized with us and promised us that his Holiness would pray for us. 26.3 - Today the Rev Guido Coma visited us, I was quite surprised to know that he is a Wesleyan minister and that the authorities allows him to visit POW's Any way he is quite a nice stick 4.4 - Major Hunter and several SA medicals left today on repatriation. I hope we will follow soon. 11.4 - I went to my first concert last night since coming to this camp it really helped to show the blues away. 6.5.43 - Received my first letter from home today since I have been captured. 26.5 - We today arrived in the province of Taranto at a place called Mottola we are going to do farm work. 3.7 - I celebrated my second birthday today in Italy we are doing Farm jobs around here mine being wall digging. 23.7 - we arrived in the province of Foggia, at a farm outside San Ferdinando, this is a better farm that the one we were on at Mottola, but we have not met the owner yet. 6.7 - Today we heard that??? Mussolini has left this country and that Marshall Badoglio has taken over, so the end of this country must be in sight. 18-8 - the Fighting in Sicily finished yesterday according to the Iti Press it finished this morning so it cannot be many more months before this life will cease. 20.8 - Left San Samuele this morning on foot for Cerinola and were dumped in an abattoir. 22.8 - After two days in Cerinola we left for Foggia by train. 23.8 - we passed through Foggia on foot this morning and found the town in ruins after being bombed by the RAF and the 192 no trains were able to pass through so we had to walk 10 ?? to the next station. 25.8 - We arrived this morning at Camp 82 Situated in mountains at a place called Laterina, rather a queer name. It is rather nice here and I like the surroundings. I have also met a lot off my old pals here. 27.8 - No cigarettes or parcels here we arrived at camp 65 in similar circumstances 10 months ago and as it is we have had no issue of cigarettes for two months now. Out on the working parties. I seem to have the misfortune to get into a sector where there are always a lot of colored men. 30.8 - There seems to be great expectations in the air everyone seems to be talking of nothing else but peace, I hope it will not be long before Italy withdraws from the war and we can return home again but, these Itis seem to be very stubborn and think they are still going to win the war. We had 10 English cigs today for a change. 4.9 - Very strong rumors today that our forces landed in Italy yesterday and the Iti Sentries recon it will only be ten days then we will be free men again. I hope they are right about it. 9.9 - Last night we heard that the Italians had capitulated and the men took it with great joy. I have just come in from outside and cold see Italian soldiers and civilians running in all direction. Nobody seems to know what all the excitement is about, rumors have it though that the Germans are coming to take over the camp and of our men seem to be very worried about it? Why? I do not know. 11.10 - At 4PM this afternoon there was a concerted escape from this Sector led by the French Foreign Legion. I am sorry to say that some S Africans also took part in it. For my part I would have nothing to do with it as I value my life too much. A certain section is still busy breaking down the barbed wire fence and breaking down he poles. 12.9 - The Italians deserted us this evening leaving us to our own cares, a few of the officers at least had the decency of remaining with us. The camp is in a chaos especially in this sector, the fences being down prisoners are roaming around the fields. 13.9 - Last night more Iti soldiers turned up but by 12 noon they had all departed again, two German officers paid us a visits in the ordinary course of their duties and found us all by ourselves, but said that if the prisoners kept in the camp they would leave us alone, so it is up to the men now to behave themselves if they do not want the Germans taking over. 14.9 - The Germans took the camp over last evening but found it quite in order and very calm. From now on news is going to be very scarce in this camp, so we have to rely solely on rumors which is rather dangerous in a P.O.W. camp. Any way we have it on good authority that the Itis threw open the camps at Genora & Milan and that the Germans are having a busy time rounding up P.O.W. any way they have a thou? From this camp as well. 9.9 - We arrived in this camp this afternoon from Italy in pouring rain. We had rather uncomfortable trip, though through pleasant country, Austria especially is very attractive, so is Germany only too many factories in the Towns, the Germans also treated us very well on the journey over and is still doing so, and I must say very much better than the Italians did. 20.9 - We had rather a busy day as we had to be registered again and we received POW numbers and we find that we are at Stalag V1110. I wonder for how long. The weather is still not treating is well as it is very cold after the rain. 29.9 - The weather is still bad here at Sagan, evidently they have a very early winter around these parts of the country. We have had no Red Cross parcels since coming here and the German supply of food is very little so I hope they will hurry with the red cross parcels so we can have our daily fill. 4.10 - The Germans gave us a sort of Mealie Porridge for lunch today but on the whole the food had been very poor this last week unlike the first week we were here. It is also 3 years today that I arrived up north. There is talk of a working party leaving this camp this week. Up to now we have had no writing material to write home. I recon it is a poor show. 12.10 - Left Sagan yesterday and arrived at Hubereashof today, commencing work in sugar factory this evening. We had a very good breakfast on arriving here. 1.11 - We had a heavy frost last night and it as not too pleasant this morning loading sugar beat on to the trucks. 5.11 - Today we had a slight fall of snow throughout the day and it may continue through the night. This is only the beginning and I dread working in the cold, cold snow. 16.11 - We awoke this morning to a heavy fall of snow, which lasted until about 11 o clock. It was only a few inches deep but of course more is expected. 21.11 - We arrived in Breslan today at a locomotive factory, the food is good and the bread is excellent in the event of an air raid we are well within the target area. 10.12 - It is Eliza's birthday today and oh how I longed to be home. It has also been snowing continuously since yesterday and we had a bit of afternoon fighting during the day. 25.12 - Well another Christmas has come around and I am still in the work house. I hope it will be the last one in captivity, as usual the Red Cross supplied good Christmas fare and we all had a good meal, the clerk of the weather also obliged by making it a white Christmas as it started to snow this afternoon after we had been thinking there was going to be nothing but ice we also had beer which the boys enjoyed very much, but I of course only had a very little having given myself over as a TT lad. I enjoyed myself as much as possible in the circumstances so I pray that 25.12.44 will not find me behind any more barbed wire but at or well on the way. 1944 25.1.44 - We had the first sunshine today for nearly 2 months it was really enjoyable to stand and bask in it. The first SA mail arrived at our working camp today, we also had the news that some men who escaped in Italy had got home safely. 24-2 - After having had snow continually since the 14th we had sunshine again today. Also the first daylight air raid alarms since coming here. 13. - Received my first letter in Germany today. How nice it is to receive news again from the old country. 17.3 - Received another two letters from home today to my great satisfaction and joy. 3.4 - Received another letter from home today. 4.4 - We had some photos taken this evening by a German woman and her father. It was strange to see a woman in the billets she was rather cheerful and could also speak English. 19.5 - Received 13 letters today being addressed to Italy. 6.6 - Heard this morning that the Invasion of France started at midnight. It has been raining here most of the night and morning so I wonder what the weather was like in France. Also received 4 letters 4 from Italy one being over a year old. 13.7 - I celebrated my 3rd birthday today in captivity. It was not so bad though. I had rather many well wishes. Also received a bunch of flowers and a packet of fresh fruit mixed but oh, how I longed to be home with my own darlings. 30.7 - Started on our way to Sagan en route for rest camp. 2.8 - Arrived in the middle of the night at the rest camp after a trying train journey. 4. - Went to Reich's Sports field today it was quite an interesting tour. 6.8 - Had quite an air raid close to this camp today. First experience of Yank high altitude Bombing. 8.11 - Had another air raid yesterday evening lasting hrs. 12.8 - Another Air Road last night this evening we are having a fancy dress cabaret 13.8 - Cabaret a huge success followed by an air raid 15.8 - Another very heavy air raid last night. Capt. Burger arrived here this morning, was very glad to see him again. 18.8 - Went to Potsdam City today to view old historic sights, saw the old castle of Frederick the Great one ???? new castle Sans Souci palace, Garrison Church and Church of Peace. 19.8 - Capt. Henrico also arrived here this morning. 25.(8) - We heard today that Romania capitulated today. 3.9 - Arrived back at work last night, I wonder how long it will still be to the end of the war. 7.10 - It is a long time since I entered anything in this book. The Allied forces are already on the German soil and this evening this town Breslan had its first air raid lasting almost 2 hours. 17.11 - Had my first parcel from South Africa after it had been 19 months on its way also had the first fall of snow yesterday 15.11 - I have had no letters now from home for two months and life is getting very monotonous. Still we are full of expectations that the war will not last long now anymore since the Anglo Americans has reached the Rheine River 22.12 - Capt. Burger paid us a visit here longer and held A service for us and I of course was very glad to see him again being old friends 24.12 - Well this is Christmas eve and rather dreary, having no red X parcels and haven't had any for a long time now. Anyway this is a good sign for us we hope the boys are trying to be happy and I must also say trying to indulge on community singing but their minds seem to be far away somehow we have had some very nice sing songs here in the past. 25.12 - Christmas passed rather quietly, then one cannot expect men to be very happy on a Christmas in a life like this we also did not have any snow. 1945 31-12-1-1-45 - We had a concert here tonight staged by men of this Xdo and then hasred the rest of the night with community singing which lasting well into the morning. 11. - Received one parcel to 3 men again today after not having had any for a long time. 18-1 - Had another air raid this evening lasting an hour. The RG have started pushing again and coming on well. 19.1 - Received our Christmas parcels today one to 2 men rather late than never. 20.1 - Got orders to stand by to move at any time men are all packing. RS reported to be well on their way to this place. 22.1 - The Jerrys are evacuating Breslan in a hurry, we are even dismantling machinery for removal from here. 24.1 - We did go out to work today gunfire has been heard all night and today. Jerry ??? not taken away to Frankfort. 1943 Sept Italian days seems to be starting all over again for us, and expectations are great at the present for us. 6.2 - We have now travelled through snow, sleet and mud and are having our first days rest. The Jerries also shot one of our chaps accidentally while shooting at a Russian. We have also had to discard our sleighs for wheeled carts. 8.2 - We have passed by one Stalag and on our way to own now. 15.2 - The weather has turned out for the better and again we have passed our own Stalag 25.2 - Arrive last night at Stalag IX C but were told this morning to be on our way again so we still live on the road and being starved as rations are few and far between and mostly we live by bartering our own personal bit. 27.2 - Were strafed by Anglo American fighters this afternoon and lost six killed and nine wounded. Wally Sheppard of my dept. also being killed. 8.3 - Went out bartering today among the German civilians and had a good feed from them as well, expect to arrive at a Stalag tomorrow. 10.3 - Arrived at Stalag IX A yesterday which is situated in S.W. Germany anyway it is not a good camp it is as bad as our first camp in Italy if not worse from the food point of view the excuse again is that it is a French Stalag and not British. A peculiar thing I have noticed in this part of Germany is the strange way woman dress and make up their hair it reminds one of the dress of woman about 1900 17.3 - Cooked meals are quite good in this camp but could do with more bread ration very small, 7 men to one load and 10 men to one loaf on Fridays, we are all feeling the hunger already and are wishing that our troops were here. Cigs are also very scarce and which to make life very miserable. 20.3 - We are still sleeping on the hard floor and no blankets issued yet we are getting very hungry now and some men are already suffering from black gut ours are very good and it seem to be well pleased for?????????? 21-3 - Today I started writing UP in this book as the other one is full, had to go and work for the Germans outside with no extra ration and big complaint on our side, getting hungrier by the day. Mad Yankee Fighter pilot strafed our camp, killing 12 Frenchman and wounding 50. This is my second experience of Yankee strafing. 22-3 - Bad rumours today of 10 men to a loaf of bread as from Monday 26th it is bad enough now on 7 to a loaf, anyway Jerrys end must be in sight. Protective Power representative also in camp today, suppose it will be the usual old promises and nothing done, no news yet of Red Cross parcels. 24.3 - Germans announce General Montgomery big offensive in Northern sector of West front news is generally good for us, Hundreds of Flying Fortresses passed over here this afternoon, dropping only smoke bombs or flares or whatever they were no on knows. Men are still dying in this camp, most from exhaustion, 9th man to date was buried today. 27.3 - It is one month today since we were strafed by Yanks on the Reich Autobahn, food is deteriorating by the day in this camp, news is very good for us and perhaps we will be free men by the end of this month. Anyway we have heard artillery fire in and before we reached this camp. Roll on the big day and CompoPacketo 28.3 - 3 PM Marching orders just came through to us and we will once again be on our way tomorrow morning at 8 how are we going to last on this trip as we are all in a weak condition, we have just marched west now we are marching back east again. I don't know why but I think I am with a Jonah crowd as I seem to miss liberation by the skin of my teeth every time, according to news our forces are not far from here. 8.4 - We have now been on the road for 11 days again and the men are in a bad condition. For the past week we have been getting a cup of thin soup only and then we have had to stand in a queue for hours to get bread, we have not had for a whole week now, The Germans are also marching us by night so we are not going down in condition owing to lack of food but also through lack of sleep as the best. part of the day is spending in waiting for soup 11-4 (1944?) At least the Germans have decided to give us a rest day, but incidentally we cannot do any cooking for ourselves though we have potatoes and wheat of our own to cook, of course we put it all down to reprisals. The Germans still have not come up with any bread rations. Last night a lot of us even went without our broth (drop) of soup and had to walk all night on an empty stomach, of course we got a couple of Red Cross Parcels from somewhere, which we had to share 1 to 25 men so of course Jerry must have thought we had a royal feed though it was just a bare taste for us. Anglo American planes are now flying around this country as if it belongs to them, especially fighter planes are very active strafing all vehicles on roads. The German Air force seems to be non-existent as we have not on any occasion yet seen any of their planes in action against ours. Still no news of when we will be reaching a Stalag again. Anyway roll on the end of the march, roll on victory and peace and Bread. Last night before leaving billets my muckers and myself pinched a rabbit and have just managed to give it at rather bribed a woman to cook it for us, so we are hopefully looking forward to a bit of a feast for three. Roll on the peace bells. Later we have just had a rabbit and spuds which we all agree was the best. meal we have had for 10 days now. 12-4 - Had horse meat first thing this morning, I have always frowned upon horse flesh, but whether it is from hunger I do not know, but it tasted very well, in fact I should say better than beef. 17-4 - I have now been travelling for 3 days with the sick I have been suffering for 14 days with dysentery and still no sign of it coming to a stop, this morning we were left with the major of the village with our guards, but the major seems to be anxious for us to be on our way again, we at least got a very small piece of bread each, which the major thought was a great treat for us. Yesterday we enjoyed some coffee with milk which the farm woman gave us 18-4 - Yesterday passed quite well for us in this village of Langenhau, I've even had some fresh eggs the first I have had in Germany? we are still stopping here and we are quite contended to remain here, as the American force are not very far from here and there just may be a chance of being released. I am now getting weaker by the day and do not know if I will be able to manage a? 30 km walk now. 19-4 (1944) - Last night we were taken to a big town Eder to be handed over to the military authorities again but were refused so we returned to our old cam(p) again. Thousands of bombers have passed over here in the last few days. Today the town near here were heavily machine gunned from the air artillery fire is also much neared today, and our hopes are still high for a speedy release. 20 - The fighting came right UP to this village last night and is still continuing this morning and our hopes are still high for our release 21 - well the town of Selb is supposed to be in the hands of the Yanks and two civvies came along to fetch two of our men away to go to Selb to contact the Yanks at Selb and we are anxiously awaiting their return. Later. The Americans have arrived here with some cigs and chocs and at last we are free men again after 2 years and 10 months to the day. Hooray. Later still we marched into Selb this afternoon and we were received right royalty by the Americans, they simply showered us with cigs and fed us till we could not eat anymore, then found us accommodation and send us in more food which I cooked and have just finished it 11-30 PM. What a treat to be free men again 22 - Believe it or not we did not sleep a wink on the first night of our liberation, though we had an excellent house at our disposal and beds with spring mattresses and white sheets we could not. perhaps it was over eating or drinking too much coffee, these yanks sure have good coffee and I drank dozens of cups of it. This afternoon we moved forward with the yanks nearer to the front and were then promptly sent off from there to Bayreuthe were are supposed to get a plane from here tomorrow to Blighty 23 - we did not leave Bayreuthe today to our disappointment but are leaving tomorrow morning for Erlangen and rumour has it that we will leave from there by plane, so we are all hoping that this is true. Frikkie Els, Pimple Abbot, Nobby Clark, Laurie Gibson and myself today celebrated our liberation with two roast Chickens, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, so I am only hoping that it is not going to have any after effects on me, as my stomach seems to be getting right now, owing I think to eating good food again 24 - We were supposed to have left this morning at 7-30 for Erlangen Port on our way to England but the transport did not arrive until 2-20. I got browned off and made the boys a baked custard in the time of waiting. Any way we arrived at Herzogenaurach aerodrome this afternoon late were disinfected and leave tomorrow for Blighty. 25 - There were thousands coming in and out we arrived at Brussels Air Port at 3:30 and are staying overnight, it is quite delightful to be in a city again that is all lit up and where English is predominant 26 - We left Brussels this afternoon at 5-30 for Ostend by train to catch a boat for England. I am a bit disappointed as I really hoped to fly there. Anyway another day is wasted in getting to England. 27 - Left Ostend at 1-30 this afternoon TBS Vienna, a very smooth running ship though the channel is a bit rough and cold. We landed at Tilbury Docks and were taken for dinner which we enjoyed very much as it was the first lamb we had for many years. 28 - We arrived in Brighton this morning had a good breakfast and then started filling in various, it was like joining the army all over again. Francois Joubert Add to this record. Harold Dalton My Grandfather Harold Dalton was a POW at Stalag IX. Does anyone know anything regarding him please? J Southall Add to this record. Driver William Lansley 2nd Searchlight Rgt. Royal Artillery My grandfather, Bill Lansley was POW 31049 in Stalag IXA from 1940 until 1943. On 19th May 1940 he was a driver/mechanic with the 2nd Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery when they were captured by the Germans. During the battle his leg was so badly damaged it had to be removed. He went to a hospital in Delans, onto Devens, then to Belgium and finally to Germany, where he remained in Stalag IX until he was repatrited in 1943. Lorraine Add to this record. Fernand Guedon I have moved to Bazoges En Pareds, Vendee, France to an old farm building which contains some pencil writings and drawings. I wondered if they mean anything to anyone, or if anyone can steer me in the right direction. There are several names written, although most are hard to make our or are worn away with time. The two main ones are: Fernand Guedon and Auguste Guedon, Stalag IXA, Komando: 1004 Gefangimmen (the rest is illegible) 1460. 15 May 1940 Prisoner de Guerre. Another word which is a little vague: pebusenfrei and other names: Maurice Chaveau, Hoetrol Chataiganei, Marie Jouepose, Bonnie Jerome 1942. These surnames are pretty much a guess but I would be grateful if anyone can let me know if someone would be interested in viewing this or knowing the details. Update Try contacting the local `ancien combattants' group (like the British Legion). If you google it, they have a website. Failing that, the local press may be interested in the story. (Pete) Wendy Banks Add to this record. Sgt. Benjamin Isaac Ford My grandfather, Sgt. Benjamin Isaac Ford, arrived at Stalag 9A sometime between January 25th and March 21-25. He wrote about it in his service man's notebook. I am looking to make contact with anyone else who has a relative that may have known him during the war. He passed a few years back, but I would still like to find out if there is anyone who knew him still out there. Dave Ray Add to this record. Pte. Daniel Robert Douglas 4th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders My Father Daniel Robert Douglas, of the 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders joined the army on the 15th of July 1939 and was taken POW on the 6th of June 1940, captured at Abbeyville. He was allocated POW No. 542 and held at Stalag 9 in Bad Sulza, Germany. Marlene Malcolm Add to this record. Staff Sgt. Eugene G. Bailey Company K 112th Infantry Regiment My Dad, Staff Sergeant Eugene G. Bailey 28th Division 112th Infantry Company K. Was caputured during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17th, 1944. He never talked about his time in the war. However, he was in four campaigns, Normendy, Northern France, Rhineland and the Ardennes. He received a bronze metal for following a line which lead to a Germen Bunker. In turn the bunker was taken out. As a pow he was held at both Stalags IXB and IXA. He arrived at Stalag IXB on December 26, 1944 and was transfered to Stalag IXA on January 26, 1945. I found in his Bible a picture of a group of men all in uniforms on the back of the picture it is written it was taken in April 1945 after liberation of pow camp. I really would like to know who the other men are in the picture and if they remember my dad. I do not know if this was his unit or the other men from the Stalag IXA. Eugene Bailey (back row, fifth from the right) after his liberation, in Paris during April 1945 I also have his hand written journel it reads: December 12th 1944 - left for Paris December 13th 1944 -arrived Paris December 14th 1944- sick December 15th left Paris stayed in Reames December 16th arrived Orwen on Belgium Luxburg Germany Boarder - Heavy Arty-bombing December 17th Heavy arty, bombing 2000 - Town surrounded 2010 - Captured Watch taken Walked all night December 18th walked all day- 1/3 Loaf bread cheese, marmalade December 19th in PW cage December 20th walked all day December 21st walked all day December 22nd walked all day December 23rd Boarded train no food December 24th on train no food no water December 25th on train no food little water December 26th 1/6 loaf, little meat 0100 on train December 26th left train at 0900 Bad orb Stallager (IXB) Stew at 1200 Bread 1/6 at 1600 December 27th Life in Pw Stew ¾ lieder per day Bread 1/6 loaf …… No recreation at all December 28-31 Same Jan 1-24 continue Same-meat -cottage cheese - marmalade One or twice a wk Jan 25th 1945 Boarded train Jan 26th Arrived STL. 9A No food Jan 27th- Stew & Bread Food Tea better Jan 28th Same Jan 29th Same Food Better but very insufficient French PW donating a few smokes From RC packages Jan 30th Situation unchanged Getting very thin & weak News excellent Russians - 65 miles from Berlin Jan 31 Food same-cottage cheese no butter A break in the weather thawing At this point in the journal I do not know if the dates are for Feb. or March the first entry looks to me like it is 3-1 Situation unchanged 2-3 same 3-4 shaved 1st time since Dec 14 1944 5 war news0 rosins 25miles from Berlin 6 situation unchanged 7 2 letters one card 8 red cross Box 1 per 4 men 9 dined well, smoked well 10 same 11 grub gone smokes too. 12 -20 grub poor-no smokes recreation (I can not tell what it says) This ends the dates however there is more on the paper. Marshall imaan 19098805 Blankets-NO GI Bed NU 8 Alex Justus = 36376532=2456 Blankets=No-GI Bed Ndill Landberg+36220111=2430 Blankets (unreadable) Lam Mrchunee=20320737=24015 Blankets NO GI Bed NO 108 Wed- 1000-1100 Stockseb by Bolger Sat. 1000- 1100 making up of a newpaper by jones Thur Quiz contest 1000-1100 I cont from each section Fri. winners- Fri. There are other man named in my dads journal. I have researched the names some are from Stalag IXB. My dad was almost 6 feet tall and weigh in 1979. Reseaching all of this has made me a very proud daughter. Thank you for your time. Diana Thomas Add to this record. Corporal Rogers F Renusch Purple Heart Field Artillery My brother Rogers F. Renusch, was captured on or around December 12th, 1944 and sent to Stalag 9, camp 017 at Ziegenhein Hessen-Nassau by railroad car. He said that on Christmas Eve while the POWs were crowded in the rail car that they began to sing "Silent Night" and the German soldiers outside the car began to sing along. He said for those few moments there were no enemies. He was a Corporal with the United States Army, Field Artillery and received the Purple Heart. RoseMarie Miller Corporal Rogers F Renusch Purple Heart Field Artillery My brother Rogers F. Renusch, was captured on or around December 12th, 1944 and sent to Stalag 9, camp 017 at Ziegenhein Hessen-Nassau by railroad car. He said that on Christmas Eve while the POWs were crowded in the rail car that they began to sing "Silent Night" and the German soldiers outside the car began to sing along. He said for those few moments there were no enemies. He was a Corporal with the United States Army, Field Artillery and received the Purple Heart. RoseMarie Miller Staff Sergeant Eugene G Bailey Company K 28th Infantry Division, 112th Regiment My dad, Eugene G. Bailey, was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army, 28th Infantry Division, 112th Regiment, Company K during WW2. He was in four campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge where he was taken prisoner on December 17, 1944. He arrived in Bad Orb Stalag IX B on December 29, 1944 and remained there until late January 1945 when he was transferred to Stalag IXA. This information is from a journal he wrote during his time just before the Battle of the Bulge. The dates of this journal are from December 13, 1944 until the end of March 1945. However, there are not any entries for Feb. My dad did not talk about his time in the service or about being a POW. I do know that he weighed only 79 pounds upon his return to the states. Diana Thomas T5 Cpl. Henry Edward Freedman 422nd Infantry Regiment Henry Freedman served with the 422nd Infantry Regiment, US Army in WW2. He was captured 19th of December 1944 at Bliealf, Germany and arrived as a POW at Stalag IXB Bad Orb, 25th of December 1944 and was segregated in barracks 32. On 25th January 1945 he was sent to Stalag IXA, Zeigenhain and was liberated 30th of March 1945. Henry spent a month in hospital in France and arrived back in the States 9th of May 1945 to be discharged 24th of November 1945. Henry just celebrated his 98th birthday living in Suwanee, Ga. 1st.Lt. Ralph E. Maier 707th Bomb Squadron 446th Bomb Group Lt. Ralph E. Maier landed at Cluntoe, Northern Ireland on 5th of May 1944, and trained for combat. On May 29th, he joined the 446th Bomb Group, at Flixton, near Bungay. He was the pilot of Pistal Packin' Bomma II. His B-24 was shot down by flak on 24th of August 1944 after bombing Waggum Air Base near Brunswick. He was severely burned while trying to rescue his crewmen in the exploding bomber. After being shot while parachuting, a German soldier saved him from a group of farmers with pitchforks. At Lazarett for Stalag IX-A/H at Hania, a British nurse found him still alive after lying for three days with the dead, and she saved his life. Then he was sent to Lazarett IX-C(a) and IX-C(b). While at Lazarett IX-B in Bad Soden, the well respected Dr. Major David Charters, RAMC, performed a skin transplant to his lower eyelid, which he had learned by a correspondence course with Dr. Archibald McIndoe, RAF. Afterwards by refusing to transfer Lt. Maier to Stalag IX-B in Bad Orb, he probably saved his life. A theater program and photographs show Lt. Maier in a New Years 1945 play called Yankee Doodle presented by Major Geoffrey Bedding, 2NZEF, and directed by Forrest W. Howell. It includes one scene with Major Charters. He also brought home a cap from a German guard, which is on display in England. Ralph performed the burial rights for Cpl. Charles Hayes, who had been awarded the Medal for Gallantry by the King. The names of others spelled phonetically were: Licht, Hodges, Statham, Masay, Anderson, Wiseman, Butz and McHead. Additionally, four photographs show a funeral at the POW cemetery about a mile from the hospital. It was for the last American POW to be buried in a casket, before common graves were used when the death rate jumped. The first shows a procession of German guards, a casket draped with a US flag, and POW's marching. Next, a German guard presenting a Wreath at the grave, and then an American presenting a wreath. The last shows a bugler playing Taps, more than 28 POW's in a line saluting, while three German guards fire a rifle salute. On 31st of March 1945, the 11th Armored Division liberated Lazarett IX-B at Bad Soden. After artillery fire damaged the hospital, Major Charters helped arrange a cease fire. The German guards deserted the hospital. A boy fired at the Americans, but they held their fire. Ralph was one of the first Repatriated American Military Personnel sent to Camp Lucky Strike. On 24th of April 1945, he was flown to Britain, and then to New York. He was finally discharged from an army hospital on February 12, 1946. He lived with his wife Mary and six children until he died in 1991. He earned the Air Medal with 3 oak leaves. Sgt. Robert W. Coston Company A. 423rd Infantry Regiment Robert Coston served in Company A, 423rd Infantry, 106th Division. He was captured at the Battle of the Bulge, on 16th of December 1944, age 35. As a Prisoner of War he was held at either Stalag 9A Ziegenhain, or Stalag 9b, Bad Orb, Germany. Originally stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, he was eepatriated on the 9th April 1945. He died in 1978. Michelle Gnr. John Adriaan Joubert Artillery This is my grandfather's War Diary that is in my cousin's possession. I took the time to type it up and place the 2 books in chronological order. The Truth When danger is near and trouble is high God and the soldier Is everyone's cry When troubles are over And danger is righted God is forgotten And the soldier is slighted 1941 Departed Durban - 29/9/40 Arrived Mombassa - 4/10/40 Do Gil Gil - 6/10/40 Departed Gil Gil - 4/11/40 Arrived Marsebit - 7/11/40 Departed Marsabit - 30/1/41 ived Dukana - 1/1/41 Departed Dukana - 13/2/41 Arrived Kunehuarra - 13/2/41 Departed do - 5/3/41 Arrived Mega - 5/3/41 Departed Mega - 14/3/41 Arrived Yavello - 14/4/41 eparted Yavello - 20/4/41 Arrived Megga Luba - 21/4/41 eparted do - 28/4/41 Arrived Seghelli - 30/4/41 Departed do - 31/4/41 Arrived Uadarra - 31/4/41 Arrived Adola - 15/5/41 Arrived Hula - 26/5/41 Do Uindo - 27/5/41 Do Scioloi - 29/5/41 Do Omo River - 30/5/41 Departed Omo River - 13/6/41 Arrived X Rd Fiume Indodo - 14/6/41 Departed do - 21/6/41 Arrived G (J)imam - 1/6/41 Do Dembi Dola - 24/6/41 Returned Gimma - 31/6/41 Departed do - 19/7/41 Departed Adis for Asmara - 24/7/41 Webra Sina, Giarra, Alomata, Wessil, Mia Biu, Madani Alem, Quiha, Uogora, Adigrat, Sanafi, Adi Caih, Saganetti, Weeamere Asmara - 28/7/41 Nefasit, Ghinda, Dolngollo Basar, Massawa. Arrived Egypt - 7/8/41 Sindi Regegh - 23.11.41 1942 Captured Tobruk - 21.6.42 Arrived Benghazi - 26.6.42 Do Brindisi - 13.7.42 Had fist hot meal 14.7.42 for 3 weeks. Received Red Cross Parcel 16.7.42 split between 4 men what a feed up we had. 21.7.42 - Wrote Card Home. 2.7.42 - wrote better card receiving a Red Cross parcel 2.23.7 - got our parcel today but what a poor one 27.7 - Left Bari at 3:30 for labor camp at Co? Camp Colle de Compito 29.7 - Received one parcel to five men, quite a good parcel 30.7 - Worked for a painter received ten cigarettes in payment ?.8 - Worked in cookhouse for the day + had a good meal for a change. 12.8 - Wrote home again for a change, have received no parcel for 7 days ?.6.8 - had water and sweet milk today costing about 2 lire not much to eat but very welcome. 17.8 - still no red+ parcel, all the lads looking forward to getting one 18.8- Had two peaches + 4 tomatoes today costing me 1 lira it was very tasty indeed it also included 2 pieced garlic 23.8 - Had 4 peaches +3 pears today Red Cross parcel. 2.9 - Had writing paper today and wrote home, no signs of cigs which we have not had for over a week. Still no signs of the red+ parcels yet. Canteen fruit also getting very scarce now. 4.9 - Got Red cross parcel today 1 to 2 men can have a good feed again. 6.9 - Oscar and myself had porridge for breakfast. Oatmeal supplied by parcel. Made an apple pudding and had a good dinner in the evening. A good day it was 14.9 - The Rev Burger and another padre has arrived in our camp as 15.9 - Musical instruments have arrived in camp for our entertainment 16.9 - Red Cross representative paid us a visit today and promised a more even flow of parcels 17.9 - We received a lot of canteen fruit today and had a good feed again for a change. I think it was it was only to make an impression upon 1.10 - Received one red cross parcel per man today Canadian type we all feel that we are living, and it is a real God sent to us. 4.10 - Had Holy communion today the first since I joined up in the army. 4.11 - There is a general move on again where to no one knows yet. Had drunken mealie porridge this morning with boiled milk and how enjoyable it was. 11.11 - we observed a? muster? this morning as usual and it makes one think very far. 13.11 - A man T.C. Lee died this morning on his way to the station. 15.11 - Had holy communion for the last time at Lucia camp. 16.11 - Left Colle de Campito, arrived at camp 65. 18.11 - In bitter cold weather to find no parcels awaiting us. 22.11 - our food Sunday in new camp, parcels today 23.11 - It is one year today since we made such a desperate stand at Sidi Rezagh. I met a lot of my pals in this camp that were captured there. It was quite a reunion for us after not having seen each other for. 1943 30.1.43 - I have not entered anything in this book for a long time now because I have not had anything worth writing in we have not had red cross parcels for a long time now. 10 men were confirmed tonight the second lot since I have been a prisoner. 31.1 - We had Holy communion this evening the first in this sector in Gravina Camp 25.2 - the Pope's delegate paid us a visit today and sympathized with us and promised us that his Holiness would pray for us. 26.3 - Today the Rev Guido Coma visited us, I was quite surprised to know that he is a Wesleyan minister and that the authorities allows him to visit POW's Any way he is quite a nice stick 4.4 - Major Hunter and several SA medicals left today on repatriation. I hope we will follow soon. 11.4 - I went to my first concert last night since coming to this camp it really helped to show the blues away. 6.5.43 - Received my first letter from home today since I have been captured. 26.5 - We today arrived in the province of Taranto at a place called Mottola we are going to do farm work. 3.7 - I celebrated my second birthday today in Italy we are doing Farm jobs around here mine being wall digging. 23.7 - we arrived in the province of Foggia, at a farm outside San Ferdinando, this is a better farm that the one we were on at Mottola, but we have not met the owner yet. 6.7 - Today we heard that??? Mussolini has left this country and that Marshall Badoglio has taken over, so the end of this country must be in sight. 18-8 - the Fighting in Sicily finished yesterday according to the Iti Press it finished this morning so it cannot be many more months before this life will cease. 20.8 - Left San Samuele this morning on foot for Cerinola and were dumped in an abattoir. 22.8 - After two days in Cerinola we left for Foggia by train. 23.8 - we passed through Foggia on foot this morning and found the town in ruins after being bombed by the RAF and the 192 no trains were able to pass through so we had to walk 10 ?? to the next station. 25.8 - We arrived this morning at Camp 82 Situated in mountains at a place called Laterina, rather a queer name. It is rather nice here and I like the surroundings. I have also met a lot off my old pals here. 27.8 - No cigarettes or parcels here we arrived at camp 65 in similar circumstances 10 months ago and as it is we have had no issue of cigarettes for two months now. Out on the working parties. I seem to have the misfortune to get into a sector where there are always a lot of colored men. 30.8 - There seems to be great expectations in the air everyone seems to be talking of nothing else but peace, I hope it will not be long before Italy withdraws from the war and we can return home again but, these Itis seem to be very stubborn and think they are still going to win the war. We had 10 English cigs today for a change. 4.9 - Very strong rumors today that our forces landed in Italy yesterday and the Iti Sentries recon it will only be ten days then we will be free men again. I hope they are right about it. 9.9 - Last night we heard that the Italians had capitulated and the men took it with great joy. I have just come in from outside and cold see Italian soldiers and civilians running in all direction. Nobody seems to know what all the excitement is about, rumors have it though that the Germans are coming to take over the camp and of our men seem to be very worried about it? Why? I do not know. 11.10 - At 4PM this afternoon there was a concerted escape from this Sector led by the French Foreign Legion. I am sorry to say that some S Africans also took part in it. For my part I would have nothing to do with it as I value my life too much. A certain section is still busy breaking down the barbed wire fence and breaking down he poles. 12.9 - The Italians deserted us this evening leaving us to our own cares, a few of the officers at least had the decency of remaining with us. The camp is in a chaos especially in this sector, the fences being down prisoners are roaming around the fields. 13.9 - Last night more Iti soldiers turned up but by 12 noon they had all departed again, two German officers paid us a visits in the ordinary course of their duties and found us all by ourselves, but said that if the prisoners kept in the camp they would leave us alone, so it is up to the men now to behave themselves if they do not want the Germans taking over. 14.9 - The Germans took the camp over last evening but found it quite in order and very calm. From now on news is going to be very scarce in this camp, so we have to rely solely on rumors which is rather dangerous in a P.O.W. camp. Any way we have it on good authority that the Itis threw open the camps at Genora & Milan and that the Germans are having a busy time rounding up P.O.W. any way they have a thou? From this camp as well. 9.9 - We arrived in this camp this afternoon from Italy in pouring rain. We had rather uncomfortable trip, though through pleasant country, Austria especially is very attractive, so is Germany only too many factories in the Towns, the Germans also treated us very well on the journey over and is still doing so, and I must say very much better than the Italians did. 20.9 - We had rather a busy day as we had to be registered again and we received POW numbers and we find that we are at Stalag V1110. I wonder for how long. The weather is still not treating is well as it is very cold after the rain. 29.9 - The weather is still bad here at Sagan, evidently they have a very early winter around these parts of the country. We have had no Red Cross parcels since coming here and the German supply of food is very little so I hope they will hurry with the red cross parcels so we can have our daily fill. 4.10 - The Germans gave us a sort of Mealie Porridge for lunch today but on the whole the food had been very poor this last week unlike the first week we were here. It is also 3 years today that I arrived up north. There is talk of a working party leaving this camp this week. Up to now we have had no writing material to write home. I recon it is a poor show. 12.10 - Left Sagan yesterday and arrived at Hubereashof today, commencing work in sugar factory this evening. We had a very good breakfast on arriving here. 1.11 - We had a heavy frost last night and it as not too pleasant this morning loading sugar beat on to the trucks. 5.11 - Today we had a slight fall of snow throughout the day and it may continue through the night. This is only the beginning and I dread working in the cold, cold snow. 16.11 - We awoke this morning to a heavy fall of snow, which lasted until about 11 o clock. It was only a few inches deep but of course more is expected. 21.11 - We arrived in Breslan today at a locomotive factory, the food is good and the bread is excellent in the event of an air raid we are well within the target area. 10.12 - It is Eliza's birthday today and oh how I longed to be home. It has also been snowing continuously since yesterday and we had a bit of afternoon fighting during the day. 25.12 - Well another Christmas has come around and I am still in the work house. I hope it will be the last one in captivity, as usual the Red Cross supplied good Christmas fare and we all had a good meal, the clerk of the weather also obliged by making it a white Christmas as it started to snow this afternoon after we had been thinking there was going to be nothing but ice we also had beer which the boys enjoyed very much, but I of course only had a very little having given myself over as a TT lad. I enjoyed myself as much as possible in the circumstances so I pray that 25.12.44 will not find me behind any more barbed wire but at or well on the way. 1944 25.1.44 - We had the first sunshine today for nearly 2 months it was really enjoyable to stand and bask in it. The first SA mail arrived at our working camp today, we also had the news that some men who escaped in Italy had got home safely. 24-2 - After having had snow continually since the 14th we had sunshine again today. Also the first daylight air raid alarms since coming here. 13. - Received my first letter in Germany today. How nice it is to receive news again from the old country. 17.3 - Received another two letters from home today to my great satisfaction and joy. 3.4 - Received another letter from home today. 4.4 - We had some photos taken this evening by a German woman and her father. It was strange to see a woman in the billets she was rather cheerful and could also speak English. 19.5 - Received 13 letters today being addressed to Italy. 6.6 - Heard this morning that the Invasion of France started at midnight. It has been raining here most of the night and morning so I wonder what the weather was like in France. Also received 4 letters 4 from Italy one being over a year old. 13.7 - I celebrated my 3rd birthday today in captivity. It was not so bad though. I had rather many well wishes. Also received a bunch of flowers and a packet of fresh fruit mixed but oh, how I longed to be home with my own darlings. 30.7 - Started on our way to Sagan en route for rest camp. 2.8 - Arrived in the middle of the night at the rest camp after a trying train journey. 4. - Went to Reich's Sports field today it was quite an interesting tour. 6.8 - Had quite an air raid close to this camp today. First experience of Yank high altitude Bombing. 8.11 - Had another air raid yesterday evening lasting hrs. 12.8 - Another Air Road last night this evening we are having a fancy dress cabaret 13.8 - Cabaret a huge success followed by an air raid 15.8 - Another very heavy air raid last night. Capt. Burger arrived here this morning, was very glad to see him again. 18.8 - Went to Potsdam City today to view old historic sights, saw the old castle of Frederick the Great one ???? new castle Sans Souci palace, Garrison Church and Church of Peace. 19.8 - Capt. Henrico also arrived here this morning. 25.(8) - We heard today that Romania capitulated today. 3.9 - Arrived back at work last night, I wonder how long it will still be to the end of the war. 7.10 - It is a long time since I entered anything in this book. The Allied forces are already on the German soil and this evening this town Breslan had its first air raid lasting almost 2 hours. 17.11 - Had my first parcel from South Africa after it had been 19 months on its way also had the first fall of snow yesterday 15.11 - I have had no letters now from home for two months and life is getting very monotonous. Still we are full of expectations that the war will not last long now anymore since the Anglo Americans has reached the Rheine River 22.12 - Capt. Burger paid us a visit here longer and held A service for us and I of course was very glad to see him again being old friends 24.12 - Well this is Christmas eve and rather dreary, having no red X parcels and haven't had any for a long time now. Anyway this is a good sign for us we hope the boys are trying to be happy and I must also say trying to indulge on community singing but their minds seem to be far away somehow we have had some very nice sing songs here in the past. 25.12 - Christmas passed rather quietly, then one cannot expect men to be very happy on a Christmas in a life like this we also did not have any snow. 1945 31-12-1-1-45 - We had a concert here tonight staged by men of this Xdo and then hasred the rest of the night with community singing which lasting well into the morning. 11. - Received one parcel to 3 men again today after not having had any for a long time. 18-1 - Had another air raid this evening lasting an hour. The RG have started pushing again and coming on well. 19.1 - Received our Christmas parcels today one to 2 men rather late than never. 20.1 - Got orders to stand by to move at any time men are all packing. RS reported to be well on their way to this place. 22.1 - The Jerrys are evacuating Breslan in a hurry, we are even dismantling machinery for removal from here. 24.1 - We did go out to work today gunfire has been heard all night and today. Jerry ??? not taken away to Frankfort. 1943 Sept Italian days seems to be starting all over again for us, and expectations are great at the present for us. 6.2 - We have now travelled through snow, sleet and mud and are having our first days rest. The Jerries also shot one of our chaps accidentally while shooting at a Russian. We have also had to discard our sleighs for wheeled carts. 8.2 - We have passed by one Stalag and on our way to own now. 15.2 - The weather has turned out for the better and again we have passed our own Stalag 25.2 - Arrive last night at Stalag IX C but were told this morning to be on our way again so we still live on the road and being starved as rations are few and far between and mostly we live by bartering our own personal bit. 27.2 - Were strafed by Anglo American fighters this afternoon and lost six killed and nine wounded. Wally Sheppard of my dept. also being killed. 8.3 - Went out bartering today among the German civilians and had a good feed from them as well, expect to arrive at a Stalag tomorrow. 10.3 - Arrived at Stalag IX A yesterday which is situated in S.W. Germany anyway it is not a good camp it is as bad as our first camp in Italy if not worse from the food point of view the excuse again is that it is a French Stalag and not British. A peculiar thing I have noticed in this part of Germany is the strange way woman dress and make up their hair it reminds one of the dress of woman about 1900 17.3 - Cooked meals are quite good in this camp but could do with more bread ration very small, 7 men to one load and 10 men to one loaf on Fridays, we are all feeling the hunger already and are wishing that our troops were here. Cigs are also very scarce and which to make life very miserable. 20.3 - We are still sleeping on the hard floor and no blankets issued yet we are getting very hungry now and some men are already suffering from black gut ours are very good and it seem to be well pleased for?????????? 21-3 - Today I started writing UP in this book as the other one is full, had to go and work for the Germans outside with no extra ration and big complaint on our side, getting hungrier by the day. Mad Yankee Fighter pilot strafed our camp, killing 12 Frenchman and wounding 50. This is my second experience of Yankee strafing. 22-3 - Bad rumours today of 10 men to a loaf of bread as from Monday 26th it is bad enough now on 7 to a loaf, anyway Jerrys end must be in sight. Protective Power representative also in camp today, suppose it will be the usual old promises and nothing done, no news yet of Red Cross parcels. 24.3 - Germans announce General Montgomery big offensive in Northern sector of West front news is generally good for us, Hundreds of Flying Fortresses passed over here this afternoon, dropping only smoke bombs or flares or whatever they were no on knows. Men are still dying in this camp, most from exhaustion, 9th man to date was buried today. 27.3 - It is one month today since we were strafed by Yanks on the Reich Autobahn, food is deteriorating by the day in this camp, news is very good for us and perhaps we will be free men by the end of this month. Anyway we have heard artillery fire in and before we reached this camp. Roll on the big day and CompoPacketo 28.3 - 3 PM Marching orders just came through to us and we will once again be on our way tomorrow morning at 8 how are we going to last on this trip as we are all in a weak condition, we have just marched west now we are marching back east again. I don't know why but I think I am with a Jonah crowd as I seem to miss liberation by the skin of my teeth every time, according to news our forces are not far from here. 8.4 - We have now been on the road for 11 days again and the men are in a bad condition. For the past week we have been getting a cup of thin soup only and then we have had to stand in a queue for hours to get bread, we have not had for a whole week now, The Germans are also marching us by night so we are not going down in condition owing to lack of food but also through lack of sleep as the best. part of the day is spending in waiting for soup 11-4 (1944?) At least the Germans have decided to give us a rest day, but incidentally we cannot do any cooking for ourselves though we have potatoes and wheat of our own to cook, of course we put it all down to reprisals. The Germans still have not come up with any bread rations. Last night a lot of us even went without our broth (drop) of soup and had to walk all night on an empty stomach, of course we got a couple of Red Cross Parcels from somewhere, which we had to share 1 to 25 men so of course Jerry must have thought we had a royal feed though it was just a bare taste for us. Anglo American planes are now flying around this country as if it belongs to them, especially fighter planes are very active strafing all vehicles on roads. The German Air force seems to be non-existent as we have not on any occasion yet seen any of their planes in action against ours. Still no news of when we will be reaching a Stalag again. Anyway roll on the end of the march, roll on victory and peace and Bread. Last night before leaving billets my muckers and myself pinched a rabbit and have just managed to give it at rather bribed a woman to cook it for us, so we are hopefully looking forward to a bit of a feast for three. Roll on the peace bells. Later we have just had a rabbit and spuds which we all agree was the best. meal we have had for 10 days now. 12-4 - Had horse meat first thing this morning, I have always frowned upon horse flesh, but whether it is from hunger I do not know, but it tasted very well, in fact I should say better than beef. 17-4 - I have now been travelling for 3 days with the sick I have been suffering for 14 days with dysentery and still no sign of it coming to a stop, this morning we were left with the major of the village with our guards, but the major seems to be anxious for us to be on our way again, we at least got a very small piece of bread each, which the major thought was a great treat for us. Yesterday we enjoyed some coffee with milk which the farm woman gave us 18-4 - Yesterday passed quite well for us in this village of Langenhau, I've even had some fresh eggs the first I have had in Germany? we are still stopping here and we are quite contended to remain here, as the American force are not very far from here and there just may be a chance of being released. I am now getting weaker by the day and do not know if I will be able to manage a? 30 km walk now. 19-4 (1944) - Last night we were taken to a big town Eder to be handed over to the military authorities again but were refused so we returned to our old cam(p) again. Thousands of bombers have passed over here in the last few days. Today the town near here were heavily machine gunned from the air artillery fire is also much neared today, and our hopes are still high for a speedy release. 20 - The fighting came right UP to this village last night and is still continuing this morning and our hopes are still high for our release 21 - well the town of Selb is supposed to be in the hands of the Yanks and two civvies came along to fetch two of our men away to go to Selb to contact the Yanks at Selb and we are anxiously awaiting their return. Later. The Americans have arrived here with some cigs and chocs and at last we are free men again after 2 years and 10 months to the day. Hooray. Later still we marched into Selb this afternoon and we were received right royalty by the Americans, they simply showered us with cigs and fed us till we could not eat anymore, then found us accommodation and send us in more food which I cooked and have just finished it 11-30 PM. What a treat to be free men again 22 - Believe it or not we did not sleep a wink on the first night of our liberation, though we had an excellent house at our disposal and beds with spring mattresses and white sheets we could not. perhaps it was over eating or drinking too much coffee, these yanks sure have good coffee and I drank dozens of cups of it. This afternoon we moved forward with the yanks nearer to the front and were then promptly sent off from there to Bayreuthe were are supposed to get a plane from here tomorrow to Blighty 23 - we did not leave Bayreuthe today to our disappointment but are leaving tomorrow morning for Erlangen and rumour has it that we will leave from there by plane, so we are all hoping that this is true. Frikkie Els, Pimple Abbot, Nobby Clark, Laurie Gibson and myself today celebrated our liberation with two roast Chickens, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, so I am only hoping that it is not going to have any after effects on me, as my stomach seems to be getting right now, owing I think to eating good food again 24 - We were supposed to have left this morning at 7-30 for Erlangen Port on our way to England but the transport did not arrive until 2-20. I got browned off and made the boys a baked custard in the time of waiting. Any way we arrived at Herzogenaurach aerodrome this afternoon late were disinfected and leave tomorrow for Blighty. 25 - There were thousands coming in and out we arrived at Brussels Air Port at 3:30 and are staying overnight, it is quite delightful to be in a city again that is all lit up and where English is predominant 26 - We left Brussels this afternoon at 5-30 for Ostend by train to catch a boat for England. I am a bit disappointed as I really hoped to fly there. Anyway another day is wasted in getting to England. 27 - Left Ostend at 1-30 this afternoon TBS Vienna, a very smooth running ship though the channel is a bit rough and cold. We landed at Tilbury Docks and were taken for dinner which we enjoyed very much as it was the first lamb we had for many years. 28 - We arrived in Brighton this morning had a good breakfast and then started filling in various, it was like joining the army all over again. Francois Joubert Harold Dalton My Grandfather Harold Dalton was a POW at Stalag IX. Does anyone know anything regarding him please? J Southall Driver William Lansley 2nd Searchlight Rgt. Royal Artillery My grandfather, Bill Lansley was POW 31049 in Stalag IXA from 1940 until 1943. On 19th May 1940 he was a driver/mechanic with the 2nd Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery when they were captured by the Germans. During the battle his leg was so badly damaged it had to be removed. He went to a hospital in Delans, onto Devens, then to Belgium and finally to Germany, where he remained in Stalag IX until he was repatrited in 1943. Lorraine Fernand Guedon I have moved to Bazoges En Pareds, Vendee, France to an old farm building which contains some pencil writings and drawings. I wondered if they mean anything to anyone, or if anyone can steer me in the right direction. There are several names written, although most are hard to make our or are worn away with time. The two main ones are: Fernand Guedon and Auguste Guedon, Stalag IXA, Komando: 1004 Gefangimmen (the rest is illegible) 1460. 15 May 1940 Prisoner de Guerre. Another word which is a little vague: pebusenfrei and other names: Maurice Chaveau, Hoetrol Chataiganei, Marie Jouepose, Bonnie Jerome 1942. These surnames are pretty much a guess but I would be grateful if anyone can let me know if someone would be interested in viewing this or knowing the details. Update Try contacting the local `ancien combattants' group (like the British Legion). If you google it, they have a website. Failing that, the local press may be interested in the story. (Pete) Wendy Banks Sgt. Benjamin Isaac Ford My grandfather, Sgt. Benjamin Isaac Ford, arrived at Stalag 9A sometime between January 25th and March 21-25. He wrote about it in his service man's notebook. I am looking to make contact with anyone else who has a relative that may have known him during the war. He passed a few years back, but I would still like to find out if there is anyone who knew him still out there. Dave Ray Pte. Daniel Robert Douglas 4th Btn. Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders My Father Daniel Robert Douglas, of the 4th Battalion Cameron Highlanders joined the army on the 15th of July 1939 and was taken POW on the 6th of June 1940, captured at Abbeyville. He was allocated POW No. 542 and held at Stalag 9 in Bad Sulza, Germany. Marlene Malcolm Staff Sgt. Eugene G. Bailey Company K 112th Infantry Regiment My Dad, Staff Sergeant Eugene G. Bailey 28th Division 112th Infantry Company K. Was caputured during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17th, 1944. He never talked about his time in the war. However, he was in four campaigns, Normendy, Northern France, Rhineland and the Ardennes. He received a bronze metal for following a line which lead to a Germen Bunker. In turn the bunker was taken out. As a pow he was held at both Stalags IXB and IXA. He arrived at Stalag IXB on December 26, 1944 and was transfered to Stalag IXA on January 26, 1945. I found in his Bible a picture of a group of men all in uniforms on the back of the picture it is written it was taken in April 1945 after liberation of pow camp. I really would like to know who the other men are in the picture and if they remember my dad. I do not know if this was his unit or the other men from the Stalag IXA. Eugene Bailey (back row, fifth from the right) after his liberation, in Paris during April 1945 I also have his hand written journel it reads: December 12th 1944 - left for Paris December 13th 1944 -arrived Paris December 14th 1944- sick December 15th left Paris stayed in Reames December 16th arrived Orwen on Belgium Luxburg Germany Boarder - Heavy Arty-bombing December 17th Heavy arty, bombing 2000 - Town surrounded 2010 - Captured Watch taken Walked all night December 18th walked all day- 1/3 Loaf bread cheese, marmalade December 19th in PW cage December 20th walked all day December 21st walked all day December 22nd walked all day December 23rd Boarded train no food December 24th on train no food no water December 25th on train no food little water December 26th 1/6 loaf, little meat 0100 on train December 26th left train at 0900 Bad orb Stallager (IXB) Stew at 1200 Bread 1/6 at 1600 December 27th Life in Pw Stew ¾ lieder per day Bread 1/6 loaf …… No recreation at all December 28-31 Same Jan 1-24 continue Same-meat -cottage cheese - marmalade One or twice a wk Jan 25th 1945 Boarded train Jan 26th Arrived STL. 9A No food Jan 27th- Stew & Bread Food Tea better Jan 28th Same Jan 29th Same Food Better but very insufficient French PW donating a few smokes From RC packages Jan 30th Situation unchanged Getting very thin & weak News excellent Russians - 65 miles from Berlin Jan 31 Food same-cottage cheese no butter A break in the weather thawing At this point in the journal I do not know if the dates are for Feb. or March the first entry looks to me like it is 3-1 Situation unchanged 2-3 same 3-4 shaved 1st time since Dec 14 1944 5 war news0 rosins 25miles from Berlin 6 situation unchanged 7 2 letters one card 8 red cross Box 1 per 4 men 9 dined well, smoked well 10 same 11 grub gone smokes too. 12 -20 grub poor-no smokes recreation (I can not tell what it says) This ends the dates however there is more on the paper. Marshall imaan 19098805 Blankets-NO GI Bed NU 8 Alex Justus = 36376532=2456 Blankets=No-GI Bed Ndill Landberg+36220111=2430 Blankets (unreadable) Lam Mrchunee=20320737=24015 Blankets NO GI Bed NO 108 Wed- 1000-1100 Stockseb by Bolger Sat. 1000- 1100 making up of a newpaper by jones Thur Quiz contest 1000-1100 I cont from each section Fri. winners- Fri. There are other man named in my dads journal. I have researched the names some are from Stalag IXB. My dad was almost 6 feet tall and weigh in 1979. Reseaching all of this has made me a very proud daughter. Thank you for your time. Diana Thomas Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices.

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