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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Ridgeback on Sunday 13 November 16 18:44 GMT (UK)

Title: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Ridgeback on Sunday 13 November 16 18:44 GMT (UK)
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



 
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: MaxD on Sunday 13 November 16 19:02 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: gortonboy on Sunday 13 November 16 19:02 GMT (UK)
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 ?
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Rudolf H B on Sunday 13 November 16 19:03 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: jim1 on Sunday 13 November 16 19:03 GMT (UK)
Probably, via the Red Cross.
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: MaxD on Sunday 13 November 16 19:19 GMT (UK)
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!


Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Rudolf H B on Sunday 13 November 16 19:36 GMT (UK)
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.
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: MaxD on Sunday 13 November 16 19:49 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Ridgeback on Sunday 13 November 16 20:50 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: DavidJP on Sunday 13 November 16 20:59 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Ridgeback on Sunday 13 November 16 22:06 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that, will have a look tomorrow eve after I've  finished work

Cheers
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Rudolf H B on Monday 14 November 16 00:05 GMT (UK)
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
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: MaxD on Monday 14 November 16 09:15 GMT (UK)
Splendid old photos on this site:

http://www.munsterlager.com/index2.html

maxD
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Ridgeback on Thursday 23 December 21 14:32 GMT (UK)
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

 :) :)

 
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 23 December 21 15:00 GMT (UK)
That would  be Soltau, in Germany..one my rellies was there too:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205124127

Carol
Title: Re: Grandfather was a Prisoner in Germany in World War1
Post by: Ridgeback on Thursday 23 December 21 20:09 GMT (UK)
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