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Stalag 17B Prisoner of War Camp
22nd Jul 1941 Parcels
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Want to know more about Stalag 17B Prisoner of War Camp? There are:105 items tagged Stalag 17B 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. |
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Edward J Kelso 96 Group 337 Squadron I found my uncle Edward Kelso's photo on file as a POW at Stalag 17b about 18 months ago. Through his daughter I began the search for his discharge papers. I just got a copy of these and gave them to friend who has researched lost fliers. He found him last night with the 337th Squadron. As chance would have it he also had the 96th's Group Book.
We learned that he went down on June 22nd on a mission to Huls, Germany. The aircraft was 42-5877. The Pilot was Harold C Russell and Radioman Robert Clark is listed as KIA.
On behalf of my first cousin Pamela Kelso Winkler, we would like to
inquire if anyone has any information about the crew and who may still
be living and where the plane crashed after being shot down.
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Edward J Kelso 96 Group 337 Squadron I found my uncle Edward Kelso's photo on file as a POW at Stalag 17b about 18 months ago. Through his daughter I began the search for his discharge papers. I just got a copy of these and gave them to friend who has researched lost fliers. He found him last night with the 337th Squadron. As chance would have it he also had the 96th's Group Book.
We learned that he went down on June 22nd on a mission to Huls, Germany. The aircraft was 42-5877. The Pilot was Harold C Russell and Radioman Robert Clark is listed as KIA.
On behalf of my first cousin Pamela Kelso Winkler, we would like to
inquire if anyone has any information about the crew and who may still
be living and where the plane crashed after being shot down.
|
Pte. George Victor Oldham Kings Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment During the war, George Oldham was captured by the Germans and interned at Stalag XVII-B in Gneixendorf, Austria. His POW number was 155543.
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Pte Roger Lee Hymer 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) My father, Roger Hymer served with 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards). Recruits were trained at Bourton on the Hill, Moreton in Marsh, Cotswold.
Roger served in the 150th Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division at Arras, fighting for the BEF in France. Later to withdraw to Dunkirk after heavy fighting.
The unit was then sent to North Africa where the 150th Brigade, located at the Caldron became depleted of ammunition and were captured.
The prisoners were taken to PG 66 Capua and PG 53 Sforzacosta Macerata in Italy then finally to Stalag XVII B in Austria.
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1st Lt. Scott Andrew Briley 545th Squadron 384th Bomber Group From the after action report of the lost plane and crew.
About 20 min from the bombing target at Schweinfurt, Germany on 13th of April 1944 at 13.54 in the afternoon, the B-17 formation came under attack by German FW 190 fighter planes. Lt Scott Briley was the pilot of B-17 42-97233, flying his 13th mission, when his plane caught fire and exploded. He and another crewman fought the fire while the rest of the crew either jumped or were sucked out of the airplane. One man was badly wounded in the face and was thrown out by Lt Briley, but all 10 men were able to deploy their parachutes.
Lt Briley observed several of his men being picked up by Red Cross ambulances. He and his left waist gunner, SSgt James W McClain, were on the loose for 5 days prior to capture by the enemy.
Lt Briley was first sent to Stalag 17-B and later moved to Poland. He was liberated from Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12 in June 1945.
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T/Sgt. Joseph James Freeborn 422nd Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group   On Mission No. 61. Target, Saint-Nazaire Submarine Pen,
Aircraft B-17F-55-BO 42-29531 was flown by T/O Chelveston and was shot down by German fighters. The right engine caught fire and the crew bailed out. The aircraft broke in half and crashed at St. Bihy, 12 miles South West of St. Brieuc in France. One of the crew was killed, 6 were taken POW and 3 evaded capture. T/Sgt. Joseph J. Freeborn was the radio operator and the flight engineer was Sgt. Milasius.
These two men had parachuted out of the plane over France and after getting rid of his parachute and equipment, Sgt Milasius ran out of the village and found Sgt. Freeborn laying in a field. The radio operator landed so hard that he broke his leg along with sustaining multiple injuries including broken ribs and severe lacerations to the face.
A French policeman arrested Sgt. Freeborn as he was being carried to the hospital by civilians. Sgt. Freeborn's next two years would be spent at the infamous Stalag VII B Braunau Gneikendorf, Germany, near Krems, Austria.
Sgt. Freeborn would eventually be liberated and repatriated back to the United States. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received in combat.
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Gnr. Patrick Mckeane Royal Artillery Patrick Mckeane was taken a POW in the Western desert where he operated a 25 pounder and transported to Italy. From there to Germany. He spent time in Reserve Lazarett Bad Freienwalde (Oder) 101 which was attached to this camp. Patrick was also in Stalag 17b. At this time I am not sure which camp was first
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SSgt. Earl Cornell "Sonny" Fahl 338th Bomb Squadron 96th Bomb Group Earl Fahl, Sonny, my fondly-remembered uncle, was born in 1924 and passed away in 1981. He lied about his age to enlist early and served as a B-17 tail gunner, arriving in England during the summer of 1943. These early days of the war were deadly for the heavy bombers. Usually without fighter escort, they were exposed to the full strength of the Luftwaffe in full daylight.
If I recall correctly, his ship was shot up once so badly of France that they had to bail out shortly after returning across the Channel. Later in 1943, on 13th of December (my mother's, his sister's birthday), he was shot down again on a mission to Kiel, Germany. Enroute to the target their plane (a B-17F SN: 42-30602, named "Dry Run IV") was damaged by flak. On the return, a Ju-88 finished the job. The crash site was near Groningen, Netherlands. Unusually, the entire crew successfully bailed out. Sonny spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft XVII-B.
After the war, he returned to live in St. Albans, Vermont. I'm told that he was able to meet with several of his former crew mates.
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Gnr. Patrick Mckeane Royal Artillery Patrick Mckeane was captured in the western desert, transported to Italy and from there to Stalag XVII at Krems Austria, where he spent the rest of the war. I believe Pat was in hospital at the time of liberation, so I am not sure if he was subjected to the long march. I do not know any more details as yet. I would love to hear any more information if anyone has any.
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Pte. Harry Edward Dolton Coldstream Guards Harry Dolton was my father. He was captured in North Africa around 1942, by Italians and passed over to the Germans. He suffered frost bite and conditions were over crowded while at Stalag 17b.
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Dvr. William Roy Emmett I have a series of P.O.W. letters sent home by Driver Emmett. Letters are very bland dealing with his health, weather conditions and his trying to keep busy.
He was in P.O.W. Camp P.G. 65, P.M. 3450, Gravina Altamura before being transferred to, P.G. 53 P.M. 3300, Sforza Costa by August 1943. Then transferred to, Stammlager XVII B, Gneizendorf (Austria) by May 1944.
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S/Sgt. Robert Earl "Bob" Tye Group 1 Bob Tye was shot down and marched for 18 days before being imprisoned in Stalag 17B
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Alton W. Kramer 8th Air Force My grandpa Alton W. Kramer fought in WWII and flew out of England with the 8th Airforce. He spent 13 months in POW camp Stalag 17B in Krems, Austria after his B24 Bomber was shot down. That is about all I know. He does have several medals and ribbons. He did not like to talk about those experiences, and unfortunately, he has passed on. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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William Shepard I have found out my nan's brother Bill Shepard was held as a POW at Stalag 17B from around 22nd November 1943 until 13th March 1944 onwards. His POW Number was 155751. I was wondering if anyone knew him or could tell me any more about him or what happened.
In his message home (restricted to 25 words) he writes: "Dear Mum, I am in hospital as POW with a slight neck wound through a bomb. Have a good bed and plenty of good food. Love William (this was dated 22nd November 1943). He was in the British Navy as a chef on one of the ships.
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Harold Jackson 365 Squadron 305th Bomb Group My dad, Harold Jackson, was with the 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb Group 365 Squadron. He was shot down on his second Schweinfurt Raid on 14th October 1943. He was injured when he bailed out and, after the treatment in hospital, was in Stalag 9c for a brief time. He then went to Stalag 17b until the march and literation. Does anyone remember him?
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Edward J Kelso 96 Group 337 Squadron I found my uncle Edward Kelso's photo on file as a POW at Stalag 17b about 18 months ago. Through his daughter I began the search for his discharge papers. I just got a copy of these and gave them to friend who has researched lost fliers. He found him last night with the 337th Squadron. As chance would have it he also had the 96th's Group Book.
We learned that he went down on June 22nd on a mission to Huls, Germany. The aircraft was 42-5877. The Pilot was Harold C Russell and Radioman Robert Clark is listed as KIA.
On behalf of my first cousin Pamela Kelso Winkler, we would like to
inquire if anyone has any information about the crew and who may still
be living and where the plane crashed after being shot down.
|
Edward J Kelso 96 Group 337 Squadron I found my uncle Edward Kelso's photo on file as a POW at Stalag 17b about 18 months ago. Through his daughter I began the search for his discharge papers. I just got a copy of these and gave them to friend who has researched lost fliers. He found him last night with the 337th Squadron. As chance would have it he also had the 96th's Group Book.
We learned that he went down on June 22nd on a mission to Huls, Germany. The aircraft was 42-5877. The Pilot was Harold C Russell and Radioman Robert Clark is listed as KIA.
On behalf of my first cousin Pamela Kelso Winkler, we would like to
inquire if anyone has any information about the crew and who may still
be living and where the plane crashed after being shot down.
|
Pte. George Victor Oldham Kings Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment During the war, George Oldham was captured by the Germans and interned at Stalag XVII-B in Gneixendorf, Austria. His POW number was 155543.
|
Pte Roger Lee Hymer 4th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) My father, Roger Hymer served with 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards). Recruits were trained at Bourton on the Hill, Moreton in Marsh, Cotswold.
Roger served in the 150th Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division at Arras, fighting for the BEF in France. Later to withdraw to Dunkirk after heavy fighting.
The unit was then sent to North Africa where the 150th Brigade, located at the Caldron became depleted of ammunition and were captured.
The prisoners were taken to PG 66 Capua and PG 53 Sforzacosta Macerata in Italy then finally to Stalag XVII B in Austria.
|
1st Lt. Scott Andrew Briley 545th Squadron 384th Bomber Group From the after action report of the lost plane and crew.
About 20 min from the bombing target at Schweinfurt, Germany on 13th of April 1944 at 13.54 in the afternoon, the B-17 formation came under attack by German FW 190 fighter planes. Lt Scott Briley was the pilot of B-17 42-97233, flying his 13th mission, when his plane caught fire and exploded. He and another crewman fought the fire while the rest of the crew either jumped or were sucked out of the airplane. One man was badly wounded in the face and was thrown out by Lt Briley, but all 10 men were able to deploy their parachutes.
Lt Briley observed several of his men being picked up by Red Cross ambulances. He and his left waist gunner, SSgt James W McClain, were on the loose for 5 days prior to capture by the enemy.
Lt Briley was first sent to Stalag 17-B and later moved to Poland. He was liberated from Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12 in June 1945.
|
T/Sgt. Joseph James Freeborn 422nd Bomb Squadron 305th Bomb Group On Mission No. 61. Target, Saint-Nazaire Submarine Pen,
Aircraft B-17F-55-BO 42-29531 was flown by T/O Chelveston and was shot down by German fighters. The right engine caught fire and the crew bailed out. The aircraft broke in half and crashed at St. Bihy, 12 miles South West of St. Brieuc in France. One of the crew was killed, 6 were taken POW and 3 evaded capture. T/Sgt. Joseph J. Freeborn was the radio operator and the flight engineer was Sgt. Milasius.
These two men had parachuted out of the plane over France and after getting rid of his parachute and equipment, Sgt Milasius ran out of the village and found Sgt. Freeborn laying in a field. The radio operator landed so hard that he broke his leg along with sustaining multiple injuries including broken ribs and severe lacerations to the face.
A French policeman arrested Sgt. Freeborn as he was being carried to the hospital by civilians. Sgt. Freeborn's next two years would be spent at the infamous Stalag VII B Braunau Gneikendorf, Germany, near Krems, Austria.
Sgt. Freeborn would eventually be liberated and repatriated back to the United States. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received in combat.
|
Gnr. Patrick Mckeane Royal Artillery Patrick Mckeane was taken a POW in the Western desert where he operated a 25 pounder and transported to Italy. From there to Germany. He spent time in Reserve Lazarett Bad Freienwalde (Oder) 101 which was attached to this camp. Patrick was also in Stalag 17b. At this time I am not sure which camp was first
|
SSgt. Earl Cornell "Sonny" Fahl 338th Bomb Squadron 96th Bomb Group Earl Fahl, Sonny, my fondly-remembered uncle, was born in 1924 and passed away in 1981. He lied about his age to enlist early and served as a B-17 tail gunner, arriving in England during the summer of 1943. These early days of the war were deadly for the heavy bombers. Usually without fighter escort, they were exposed to the full strength of the Luftwaffe in full daylight.
If I recall correctly, his ship was shot up once so badly of France that they had to bail out shortly after returning across the Channel. Later in 1943, on 13th of December (my mother's, his sister's birthday), he was shot down again on a mission to Kiel, Germany. Enroute to the target their plane (a B-17F SN: 42-30602, named "Dry Run IV") was damaged by flak. On the return, a Ju-88 finished the job. The crash site was near Groningen, Netherlands. Unusually, the entire crew successfully bailed out. Sonny spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Stalag Luft XVII-B.
After the war, he returned to live in St. Albans, Vermont. I'm told that he was able to meet with several of his former crew mates.
|
Gnr. Patrick Mckeane Royal Artillery Patrick Mckeane was captured in the western desert, transported to Italy and from there to Stalag XVII at Krems Austria, where he spent the rest of the war. I believe Pat was in hospital at the time of liberation, so I am not sure if he was subjected to the long march. I do not know any more details as yet. I would love to hear any more information if anyone has any.
|
Pte. Harry Edward Dolton Coldstream Guards Harry Dolton was my father. He was captured in North Africa around 1942, by Italians and passed over to the Germans. He suffered frost bite and conditions were over crowded while at Stalag 17b.
|
Dvr. William Roy Emmett I have a series of P.O.W. letters sent home by Driver Emmett. Letters are very bland dealing with his health, weather conditions and his trying to keep busy.
He was in P.O.W. Camp P.G. 65, P.M. 3450, Gravina Altamura before being transferred to, P.G. 53 P.M. 3300, Sforza Costa by August 1943. Then transferred to, Stammlager XVII B, Gneizendorf (Austria) by May 1944.
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S/Sgt. Robert Earl "Bob" Tye Group 1 Bob Tye was shot down and marched for 18 days before being imprisoned in Stalag 17B
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Alton W. Kramer 8th Air Force My grandpa Alton W. Kramer fought in WWII and flew out of England with the 8th Airforce. He spent 13 months in POW camp Stalag 17B in Krems, Austria after his B24 Bomber was shot down. That is about all I know. He does have several medals and ribbons. He did not like to talk about those experiences, and unfortunately, he has passed on. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
|
William Shepard I have found out my nan's brother Bill Shepard was held as a POW at Stalag 17B from around 22nd November 1943 until 13th March 1944 onwards. His POW Number was 155751. I was wondering if anyone knew him or could tell me any more about him or what happened.
In his message home (restricted to 25 words) he writes: "Dear Mum, I am in hospital as POW with a slight neck wound through a bomb. Have a good bed and plenty of good food. Love William (this was dated 22nd November 1943). He was in the British Navy as a chef on one of the ships.
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Harold Jackson 365 Squadron 305th Bomb Group My dad, Harold Jackson, was with the 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb Group 365 Squadron. He was shot down on his second Schweinfurt Raid on 14th October 1943. He was injured when he bailed out and, after the treatment in hospital, was in Stalag 9c for a brief time. He then went to Stalag 17b until the march and literation. Does anyone remember him?
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Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
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Kriegies & GoonsJames H Lang
Kriegies & Goons is an unadorned and engaging retelling of author James H. Lang's experience as an American airman and German POW during World War II. Author Lang takes the reader from his early years as a B-25 radio operator and gunner, through his capture off Libya and journey across Axis controlled Europe, and eventual incarceration at a prison camp in Austria. It was there that a contraband camera landed in his possession, allowing him to capture the unique images of prison camp life included within these pages. Concluding with his liberation, Lang shares in his own unfiltered words the thoughts and feelings he experienced throughout his ordeal. This is as real as it gets and is a must read for anyone with an interest in World War II history.
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