Sag, wo die Soldaten sind...
August 2, 2011 2:16 PM Subscribe
My grandfather was a German POW in England during WWII, and he would really like some help finding out what happened to some of his old campmates.
He was a POW in Bishop Auckland until 1947-8 when he married an English woman and settled in Lincolnshire. At that point he lost contact with his campmates, and is not aware of what happened to them. He has provided a few names and approximate ages, and more information is likely available to identify the correct person, if we knew where to look.
If possible, we would like advice on 1) how to find out if they remained in England, or 2) if they returned to Germany where the best place to search for them might be.
We realize that given their age most of them have probably since died, but any help is appreciated.
Bonus points!: can you point us to prisoner processing documents for Kriegsmariners captured in northern France by Canadian soldiers in 1944?
He was a POW in Bishop Auckland until 1947-8 when he married an English woman and settled in Lincolnshire. At that point he lost contact with his campmates, and is not aware of what happened to them. He has provided a few names and approximate ages, and more information is likely available to identify the correct person, if we knew where to look.
If possible, we would like advice on 1) how to find out if they remained in England, or 2) if they returned to Germany where the best place to search for them might be.
We realize that given their age most of them have probably since died, but any help is appreciated.
Bonus points!: can you point us to prisoner processing documents for Kriegsmariners captured in northern France by Canadian soldiers in 1944?
I realise he has their names etc but in case there are any he cannot remember this http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/powbritishhands.htm?WT.lp=rg-3178 might be a good place to look.
posted by southof40 at 3:12 PM on August 2, 2011
posted by southof40 at 3:12 PM on August 2, 2011
This perhaps sounds completely stupid, but try the phone book. I once found an academic my friend couldn't trace in the phone book. You can search all of Germany in one go here and the UK here. (The BT phonebook only gives first initials, which would make it a long shot, unless you have some surnames that would be uncommon in Britain.) This runs the risk of phoning someone's widow, which is awkward, of course.
posted by hoyland at 4:03 PM on August 2, 2011
posted by hoyland at 4:03 PM on August 2, 2011
Have you tried Forces Reunited?
That's for members of the British Armed Forces; Jehan's grandfater was in the Kriegsmarine, the German Navy.
Although come to think of it, it's possible someone in the British Army might be able to point you in the right direction. They almost certainly kept detailed records, so a public relations person might well be able to direct you to whomever can provide access to those records.
posted by Justinian at 4:44 PM on August 2, 2011
That's for members of the British Armed Forces; Jehan's grandfater was in the Kriegsmarine, the German Navy.
Although come to think of it, it's possible someone in the British Army might be able to point you in the right direction. They almost certainly kept detailed records, so a public relations person might well be able to direct you to whomever can provide access to those records.
posted by Justinian at 4:44 PM on August 2, 2011
Oops, my bad. I read it as an Englishman in a German POW camp.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:11 PM on August 2, 2011
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 5:11 PM on August 2, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the replies! I think we've located one of them (or at least a business they founded).
posted by Jehan at 10:44 PM on August 8, 2011
posted by Jehan at 10:44 PM on August 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mdonley at 2:33 PM on August 2, 2011