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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Ridgeback on Sunday 13 November 16 18:44 GMT (UK)
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Hello
My Grandfather was captured by the Germans on the 27 May 1918 and spent some time in the Munsterlager prison.
Attached is a postcard can I assume it was sent from the Prison, if so how did it arrive in the UK?Regards
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This was one of the functions of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Lots on the net about their activity, here's one:
http://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/prisoners_of_war
Have you checked whether his POW card is to be found?
However, from the date on the right hand side it looks as if it was sent when he was waiting to be repatriated or he could have brought home with him as a "souvenir". Equally, it would not have had a picture of the camp if sent while the war was in progress so my feeling is that the card was one for the German army to send to their loved ones that he obtained. It would also have had "Kriesgefangensendung" stamped upon it if it had been sent during his captivity. Makes no real difference, nice that you have something of his.
maxD
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interesting site here- https://www.worldwar1postcards.com/ww1-prisoners-of-war-postcards.php
not sure it answers your question...but still a good site.
do you have his pow record from the red cross ?
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He had been his own mailman.
"On 13 December 1918, the armistice was extended and the Allies reported that by 9 December 264,000 prisoners had been repatriated." (wikipedia)
Rudolf
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Probably, via the Red Cross.
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Further. The picture is that of the camp at the Truppenübungsplatz Munsterlager - the Army ranges at Munsterlager - in the north of Germany in Lower Saxony (not to be confused with Münster in North Rhine Westphalia). ie where the German troops stayed when they were training on the training area. There was a POW camp in/near Munster in the area run by XX Army Corps but this is not it (although it may have looked much like it!).
maxD
Brought back some memories!
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Munsterlager became POW camp with 20.500 POW in 1914.
There had been 5000 Russians in March 1919. Munsterlager became Dulag for returning German POWs.
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Rudolf
Not quite clear from your post if you are saying that the picture, despite its clear title as Truppenübungsplatz Munsterlager is of the POW camp?
maxD
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Thank you all very much for your interesting and informative replies, you have certainly given plenty of information on this subject for more research.
I have just had a look at the postcard and there is no "Kriesgefangensendung" on the back so as "Maxd" said probably a souvenir.
Regards to researching my Grandfathers POW record card how do I go about that?
Kindest regards
David
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Hi Ridgeback,
Regards to researching my Grandfathers POW record card how do I go about that?
Kindest regards
David
The international Red Cross POW Archives website is the place to look, link here: http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/
You could also post your grandfathers name, regiment & number here on this thread & one of us may be able to help you locate his pow record.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
David
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Thanks for that, will have a look tomorrow eve after I've finished work
Cheers
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Munsterlager
- training area (since 1892, Friedenslager)
-- (since 1897, Offizierslager am Hanloh)
- POW Camp (1914 in tents, 1915-1920 Risloh-Lager with 94 barracks)
- production of gas weapons (since 1917, Breloh-Lager)
...
The railway connection to Munsterlager was built with the help of POW in 1918. So the postcard might be a souvenir.
Rudolf
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Splendid old photos on this site:
http://www.munsterlager.com/index2.html
maxD
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Hi Ridgeback,
Regards to researching my Grandfathers POW record card how do I go about that?
Kindest regards
David
The international Red Cross POW Archives website is the place to look, link here: http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/
You could also post your grandfathers name, regiment & number here on this thread & one of us may be able to help you locate his pow record.
Hope this helps.
Kind regards
David
Hello
Finally got around researching the RC POW Archives web site and did find my Grandfather's POW card (see attachments) I note that he was wounded (I assume gunshot) and then transported to Soltace??..
Anymore info you can glean from these records I would love to hear
Thanks
:) :)
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That would be Soltau, in Germany..one my rellies was there too:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205124127
Carol
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Thank you for reply
It's strange to think that my Grandfather and one of your rellies could possibly sat together and had breakfast!!!! :)
David