p.o.w in BAB 21

[corkie37]

hi
I am trying to find out more about the camp my grandfather was held in for five years. The area was Blechhammer in poland. the camp was BAB21. have been told it was a forced labour camp. My gran never knew if he was alive or dead for about three years. Was that normal ? I have sent for his service records but until i get them I'll not know what they contain. I would be grateful for any information.
He was in the Highland light infantry 9th bt.
regards lesley

[Wendi]

Hi Lesley and Welcome to Rootschat !!!

You might find this link to Tracing PoW's helpful !

Wendi 

[ADM199]

Can you give us a name Lesley

[corkie37]

Hi My grandfather was George Hill
regards Lesley

[ADM199]

Lesley,
         checked the 1944 lists and he was at BAB21 at that time also POW No. 5504
You could check at Kew to see if he made a Report when Liberated WO344/144/1 is the File. The majority of ex POW made a report but not all.

I also have a Report dated 15/3/45 that says; "The 1193 POW in BAB 21 had been ordered to Stalag 344 Lamsdorf and then were to proceed further. No final destination is given".  St 344 was evacuated on the 22nd and 23rd of January on a Westward march.

[corkie37]

thanks for your info and pointers

[kyt]

have been told it was a forced labour camp.

Just wanted to say that Bau und Arbeits Battalions were not forced labour, even though the work wasn't pleasent. Under the terms of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of POWs, enlisted men could be made to work, as long as it was not directly in work that would aid the enemy's war production ( a rather arbitory term seeing as in a total war everything was, in some way, war production).

Many men chose to work because it was better than sitting in a camp, and also in some case it entitled them to a few perks. And also the possibility of meeting civilians, and even the possibility of escape.

NCOs and Officers were not required to work. Hardly any officers chose to but NCOs made decisions individually or on a camp by camp basis.

As for BAB 21, have you seen the photos on:

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/pow/pSt_BAB21.htm

There are a number of other sites that can be found via google that have mention of the camp and/or individuals held there

K

[corkie37]

thanks yes I've found many sites useful.
the more i dig the better informed i am becoming
only started looking into Grandfathers military history so i have still got to sort through heresay and family rumour, as grandfather died when i was very young and he never spoke much about his time as a pow. which i can understand.
regards Lesley

[totemtwo]

Hi. My father in law was also at BAB21, I have extensive research on the camp along with many photos, I am in touch with two surviving inmates, I also have details on the march, which began on the 21st of Jan 1945, they had to return to camp, due to deep snow, they could not get through to the camp at Riegersfeldt, they left again the next day, they were liberated from Moosburg by Patton, 29th April 1945.
If I can help in any way, please let me know.
Regards. K