Although the 49sqn connection with stalag 357 began later in the war, a history of the camps might be useful. Inside ww ii prisonerofwar camps is a comprehensive look inside wisconsins 38 branch camps that held 20,000 nazi and japanese prisoners of war during world war ii. Stories categorised in a prisoner of wars diary from stalag viiib 1940 to 45 the photograph album of george irving beck. This instruction prolonged the war for hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers and airmen, forcing them into misery, starvation and, in some cases, death. On 19th july 1944, an order was issued by hitler calling for the preparations to be made for moving of all prisoners of war to the rear. Imprisoned in stalag xxb in malbork marienburg, poland. The group includes south african peter pienar centre who was blinded in north africa in 1942. Video, sound and images can be embedded with the code we offer here, and images can also be downloaded. Stalag xib and stalag 357, both near fallingsbostel, were liberated by the 7th armoured division. Stalag 357 prisoner of war camp in the second world war. The group includes south african peter pienar centre who was blinded. British prisoners of war in poland, 19401945 imperial. The media for this item are free to reuse for noncommercial purposes under the iwm non commercial licence.
By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies. Stalag 357 was located in kopernikus, poland, until september 1944, when it was moved to the old site of the former stalag xid, near the town of fallingbostel in. In november 1944 british paratroops captured at the arnhem arrived at stalag 357. Digital copies of group photographs, scrapbooks, autograph books, photo albums. Stalag xib and stalag xid 357 were two german world war ii prisonerofwar camp stammlager located just to the east of the town of fallingbostel in lower. The german pow camps stalag xxa and 312 were located in thorn torun. John grehan has written, edited, or contributed to more than three hundred military history books, journals and magazines. This story may be incorrect about the pow camp but it appears that he was part of. This turbulent and gutsy play shows a group of american prisoners lodged in a. Dad was on this march from fallingbostel and wrote in his book of.
The beginning of october 1944 saw some 400 british paratroopers, pows captured at arnheim arrive at stalag xib. The wartime memories project stalag 357 prisoner of war camp during the second world war. Stalag 357 prisoner of war camp in the second world war, the wartime. A group of prisoners at stalag 357 at fallingbostel, liberated by 7th armoured division.
Stalag xib and stalag 357, both near fallingsbostel, were liberated by the 7th armoured division the desert rats. On the wings of dawn is a historical narrative based on the world war ii. The history of stalag luft 4 prisoner of war camp near gross tychow, germany. Cut story crowds of prisoners rush to open gates at approach of allies at. Over 4,000 airmen ended up in stalag 17b, just outside of krems, austria, in barracks made for 240 men. Media in category stalag xib 357 the following 8 files are in this category, out of 8 total. Stalag 357 was moved from thorn in poland to oerbke, italian pows helped to construct a newer compound on the. Irving of the royal army service corps, army service number 155097, pow number 16930. Thorn apparently for three weeks although the camp official history suggests this was more like. In september 1944 stalag 357 was moved from thorn in poland to the site of the former xid, with construction being carried out by the italian pow from xib. Many of these prisoners blended with the local community, drinking at taverns and even dating local girls. This new camp was used to house mostly british and commonwealth pows.