DeptName
Documents
IDNO
1810
OtherNumber
92/14/1
ItemName
Private Papers of G W Scott
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Ms journal (57pp, 6 December 1941 - 10 March 1942) containing excellent and vivid descriptions of the scenes, atmosphere and morale in Singapore before and after war was declared, life during the bombing raids, war news and propaganda (he was a volunteer broadcaster with the Malayan Broadcasting Corporation, when not working with the Asiatic Petroleum Company), reactions to events - especially to the sinking of HMS PRINCE OF WALES and HMS REPULSE - civilian evacuations, and his hazardous escape (14 February) on the launch MV MUTIARA to Sumatra, the route across Sumatra to Padang, and his escape to Ceylon from Emmahaven, Sumatra (1 - 10 March 1942) on the Dutch collier PELALEH; also a ts extract from a friend's letter (Peter Lucy; 2pp, 8 September 1945) describing conditions as a prisoner of war in Changi and on working parties on Blakang Mati, Singapore (February 1942 - August 1945), his feelings about the Japanese and the 1945 surrender.
MakerName
Scott
Forenames
G W
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
839
OtherNumber
91/14/1
ItemName
Private Papers of C Meadows
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Ts transcript (7pp) of an account, based on a contemporary diary, describing his service as a leading telegraphist RN in MTB10, the Senior Officer's boat of the 2nd MTB Flotilla, during the defence of Hong Kong against the Japanese in December 1941 and their escape in the boat to mainland China following Hong Kong's surrender on 25 December and subsequent journey, with the Chinese Admiral Chan Chak and other MTB crews and Army personnel from Hong Kong, across China and into Burma, January - February 1942.
MakerName
Meadows
Forenames
C
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
13/09/2007 05:50:06
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
841
OtherNumber
91/14/1
ItemName
Private Papers of J D Taylor
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Well written and very informative ms joint narrative (138pp) compiled in India between May 1942 and January 1943 by Taylor and three other former NCOs in 15 Field Security Section, Intelligence Corps (18th Division) and covering the unit's service and training in the United Kingdom (June 1940 - October 1941), their passage in convoy out to Singapore in the troopships DUCHESS OF ATHOLL and MOUNT VERNON via Canada, South Africa and Kenya (October 1941 - January 1942), their life and service in Singapore during the final stages of the Malayan campaign (January - February 1942), their selection for inclusion in an official escape party, their voyage in the tug SIONG AIK from Singapore to Sumatra and their evacuation from Padang to Ceylon in the cruiser HMAS HOBART (February - March 1942). The narrative is a particularly good account of conditions, as seen through other rank eyes, on board troopships and in South Africa and of the deteriorating morale in Singapore before capitulation.
MakerName
Taylor
Forenames
J D
Style
Lieutenant
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
843
OtherNumber
91/14/1
ItemName
Private Papers of J H Wagstaff
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
A vivid and detailed ms narrative (110pp), with ts transcript with maps (44pp), compiled in 1946 and describing how he and several fellow officers in the Signals Battalion, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force escaped from Singapore in an oarless sampan on the night following its surrender in February 1942, successfully made their way to the east coast of Sumatra by island hopping across the Rhio archipelago in the sampan and other small boats, were transported to Padang on the west coast and evacuated on 1 March in the PALIMA, a small coastal steamer, which safely completed the passage to Colombo, Ceylon on 10 March. The narrative contains some interesting comments on the behaviour and morale of other escapees whom they encountered (including Major General Gordon Bennett), the organisation of the escape route across Sumatra and the hazards and privations which they experienced during their journey.
MakerName
Wagstaff
Forenames
J H
Style
Major
RelatedIWMItems
See also the papers of Flying Officer S Y Turner (91/14/1)
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
7931
OtherNumber
98/21/1
ItemName
Private Papers of J E Brearley
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Very detailed and interesting wordprocessor memoir (92pp), written in the 1990s but based on contemporary notes, describing how he and a fellow NCO stationed in Singapore Fortress HQ at Fort Canning escaped from Singapore a few hours after its surrender on 15 February 1942 by making their way to the waterfront and locating a native boat and, after a hazardous series of voyages from island to island in a variety of small boats in the company of other evaders, reached the Indragiri river on the east coast of Sumatra, travelled across Sumatra to the port of Padang by river transport, bus and train and obtained a passage on the small Dutch cargo ship DE WEERT, which completed the passage to Ceylon on 9 March 1942. Brearley, who had embarked for Singapore in August 1940 with a draft for the 2nd Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and had been posted the following year to Singapore Fortress HQ where he was transferred to the RASC, emphasises individual strokes of good fortune and the willing assistance of local people as among the key factors in their successful escape.
MakerName
Brearley
Forenames
J E
RelatedIWMItems
See also DPH (DOC 603-604)
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
9566
OtherNumber
99/82/1
ItemName
Private Papers of N Flekser
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Well written ts memoir (112pp) of his Second World War service as a South African Air Force pilot flying Hurricanes with No 40 Squadron SAAF in the Western Desert in support of Eighth Army operations, being shot down by Luftwaffe ace Hans-Joachim Marseilles in May 1942, medical treatment at Derna before being taken to Stalag Luft III, Sagan, where he became part of the organisation which planned the 'Great Escape' in March 1944, describing his part in the devising of the tunnel lighting system and his relationship with some of the key personalities involved in the project, the failure of the plan (illness prevented him from participating in the breakout) and his removal to England via Sweden on grounds of sickness shortly afterwards; also colour copies of various official documents associated with Flekser's wartime service, and two photographs of him taken in 1941.
MakerName
Flekser
Forenames
N
Style
Flight Lieutenant
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
10357
OtherNumber
Misc 116 (1832)
ObjectType
Miscellaneous Documents
ShortSummary
Collection of forged and original passes and identity documents used by the Escape Committee at Stalag IVB prisoner of war camp, Muhlberg, Germany during the Second World War, together with a notebook and ms list of potential escapees, guidelines on procedure when caught by the enemy, names and addresses of prisoners who had especially aided the Committee and a series of hand-drawn and printed maps and plans including one of the camp and one of Lonnewiez Aerodrome and a technical drawing of the cockpit of a Ju-88.
RelatedIWMItems
See also DCAR (DEAF)
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Documents
IDNO
10852
OtherNumber
P355
ItemName
Private Papers of H Champion
ObjectType
Private Papers
ShortSummary
Ts account (25pp) of his capture by the Germans, after having been shot down on a RFC patrol over the German lines in Belgium, his brief spell as a prisoner of war in Germany, and his subsequent escape to Switzerland with Herbert Ward, with whom he escaped from a train transferring them between prisoner of war camps and then walked over twenty miles to the Swiss border without being spotted, thereby carrying out the second successful British escape during the First World War. The account includes details of life in a prisoner of war camp and gives a full description of the escape, February - April 1916.
MakerName
Champion
Forenames
H
Style
Colonel
RelatedIWMItems
See also the papers of Herbert Ward
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
published
UncatTransferDate
23/06/2006 12:46:31
URLEncodedDeptName
Documents
Access
Unrestricted
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
212
ProductionDate
1974
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Painting, Thomas H xxx
Pitcairn Campbell, William
Edward VII, King
Wolsley, (Field Marshal Lord)
Wilson, George <VC>
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Aldershot, Hants <Salamanca Barracks>
GB, England & Portsmouth, Hants
GB, England & Salisbury, Wilts
GB, England & London
GB, England & Newcastle upon Tyne, Northd
FR
FR & Rouen, Seine Maritime
FR & Hautesvesnes, Marne
FR & Soupir, Aisne
FR & River Aisne, Aisne
FR & River Marne, Marne
FR & Verneuil, Aisne
FR & Lille, Nord
BE
BE & Ypres area, West Flanders
BE & Passchendaele, West Flanders
BE & Gheluvelt, West Flanders
BE & Mons, Hainaut
BE & Givry, Hainaut
DE
DE & Gustrow <POW camp>
DE & Kaltenkirchen <POW camp>
DE & Tinglev <POW camp>
DE & Osterterp <POW camp>
DK
DK & Gedtedbro
DK & Ribe <Hospital>
DK Copenhagen
EG
EG & Alexandria
EG & Alexandria <Ras el Tin Camp >
EG & Cairo
EG & Cairo <Kasr el Nir Barracks>
IndexUnits
GB.A & King's Royal Rifle Corps, Bn 1
GB.A & King's Royal Rifle Corps, Bn 3
GB.A & King's Royal Rifle Corps, Bn 5
GB.A & King's Royal Rifle Corps, Depot, Winchester
GB.A & Royal Artillery & RFA & Bty, 70
GB.A & Bde, 6
GB.A & Div, 2
GB.A & Barracks, Salamanca, Aldershot
GB.A & Barracks, Kasr el Nir, Cairo, Egypt
GB.A & Camp, Ras el Tin, Alexandria, Egypt
GB.A & Command, Southern
GB.N & Sicilia
GB.O & Railway, London and North Western
DE.A & POW Camp Gustrow
DE.A & POW Camp Kaltenkirchen
DE.A & POW Camp Tinglev
DE.A & POW Camp Osterterp
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British NCO served with 1st Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps in Egypt, GB and on Western Front, 1909-1914; POW in Germany, 1914-1915; escaped via Denmark to GB, 1915
FullSummary
REEL 1: Background: employment in various capacities with London and North Western Railway in Midlands, 1899-1906: interest in Boer War, 1899-1901; father's career with railway. Recollection of enlistment with King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1907: parents' reaction. Story of fight with recruit during training at King's Royal Rifle Corps Depot, Winchester, 8/1906-11/1906. Aspects of period with 3rd Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps at Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot, 11/1906-1/1907: conditions of service; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1906. Voyage aboard Sicilia to Alxandria, Egypt, 2/1907: conditions; exchange of garrison troops at Crete. Recollections of period with H Coy, 1st Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps in Egypt, 2/1907-2/1909: joining part of unit at Ras el Tin Camp, Alexandria.
REEL 2 Continues: tent accommodation; swimming activities; reunification of unit in Kasr el Nir Barracks, Cairo; situation as part of Army of Occupation; relationship with British civilian tourists; sandstorms; relationship with Egyptian civilians. desert trek during course as mounted infantry including fatal accident, story of falling into Nile and horses used.
REEL 3 Continues: state of health; bed bugs; story of officer's servant's dog found in barrack room during day. Aspects of period at Portsmouth , 2/1909-2/1912: recreations; lining streets of during Edward VII's funeral in London, 20/5/1910. Aspects of period as lance corporal at King's Royal Rifle Corps Depot, Winchester, 1912-1913. Aspects of period with B Coy, 1st Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps at Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot, 1913-1914: participation in funeral procession of Field Marshal Lord Wolsley; question of approach and length of war with Germany; mobilisation and arrival of reservists, 8/1914. Journey to Rouen, France, 12/8/1914-13/8/1914. Initial movements, 13/8/1914-21/8/1914: reception from French; learning French phrases; march to Mons, 21/8/1914. Recollections of operations in Mons area, 21/8/1914-23/8/1914: march to take up positions at Givry, German success in locating and shelling 70th Bty Royal Field Artillery using of aerial reconnaissance; beginning of retreat.
REEL 4 Continues: Recollections of events during retreat from Mons, 8/1914: route; view of French troops; food rations; acting as rearguard in rotation. Recollections of operations during Battle of Marne, 10/9/1914: successful attack advancing in sections of B and C Coys on German positions at Hautesvesnes, capture and evacuation of German POWs; rain storm; fire and movement tactics in advance in section; rate of rifle fire. Recollections of operations in Aisne, 14/9/1914-13/10/1914: attack in Soupir sector, 14/9/1914, including close escape from German machine gun fire whilst acting as company range finder, successful attack by Private George Wilson on machine gun for which he was awarded VC; relief and retirement to support positions.
REEL 5 Continues: relief and retirement to support positions; subsequent problem over loss of range finder; collection of wounded and burial of dead; casualties from German shellfire in Verneuil sector; nature of trenches; story of German shell bursting amongst group of men and minor shrapnel wounds received. Move to Ypres area, 10/1914. Aspects of operations in Ypres area, 20/10/1914-2/11/1914: initial movements and actions in support role; casualty from stray bullet; NCO's close escape; attack on Passchendaele, 27/10/1914.
REEL 6 Continues: attack on Passchendaele, 27/10/1914; makeshift dugout; role as platoon commander; rum ration; effects of German shellfire, 31/10/1914; story of visiting company commander's headquarters; story of providing story illustrating response of two soldiers to death of friend during exchange of rifle fire; situation and state of unit on being moved into line in Gheluvelt sector; circumstances of being captured following German breakthrough, 2/11/1914. Initial period as POW, 11/1914: story of coming under British shrapnel shellfire; personal morale.
REEL 7 Continues: retention of pay book; reaction to German casualties; move to Lille; reactions to German accusation of using dum dum bullets; train journey to Gustrow; attitude of French civilians during move to Lille; train journey to Gustrow; refugees during retreat from Mons, 8/1914. Recollections of conditions during period at Gustrow POW camp, Germany, 11/1914: kitting out; tent accommodation; food; latrines; mixed nationalities; separation of officers and other ranks; early contact with GB; theft of tobacco; tent accommodation; assistance from German NCO who had lived in GB.
REEL 8 Continues: assistance from German NCO who had lived in GB; working parties creating mounds of earth at camp entrance; rejection by Irish POWs of invitation from Sir Roger Casement to join Irish Brigade fighting for Germans; move into hut accommodation, 1/1915; lice problem; burial services; visiting friend in camp hospital; question of roll call; punishment of British POW for writing home complaining about food; story of being hit by German guard. Recollections of period in Tinglev camp, 2/1915-7/1915: incomplete nature of camp on arrival; administration based on huts; relationship with German officers.
REEL 9 Continues: raid on German food store; cold weather and story of lending clothes to men who subsequently died; work parties; improving conditions with warmer weather; forming band using impromptu instruments; collapse of German seating area during performance of play; band concerts and redistribution of entrance charges; question of planning for escape and importance of establishing geographical location; boxing bout; storing food for possible escape. Aspects of period at Kaltenkirchen Camp, Germany, 7/1915-8/1915: reception.
REEL 10 Continues: wet weather; story illustrating British POWs' state of morale; boxing match with French POW; sketching map during train journey to Osterterp. Period at Osterterp Camp, Germany, 8/1915-11/1915: layout of camp; working parties; story of dispute and beating from German NCO during working party digging drainage channels; period of solitary confinement.
REEL 11 Continues: period of solitary confinement; relationship with German NCO; failure of attempt to cut through barbed wire using file; escape with working party attending to camp acetylene lights, 11/1915. Recollections of journey to Denmark, 11/1915: meeting other escapees at rendezvous travelling at night; success in evading German frontier sentries.
REEL 12 Continues: Danish signs; visit to hotel and arrest by Danish authorities at Gedstedbro; washing; escort; discovery of frost-bitten foot during bath and subsequent recovery in Ribe hospital; relationship with Danish civilians; question of motivation for escape and subsequent award of Military Medal 1919; story of British POW working on German farm; Danish decision to repatriate them as civilians; question of alarm being raised on escape; reads letter illustrating Danish civilians attitude to escaped Allied POWs.
REEL 13 Continues: relationship with Danish civilians; journey to Copenhagen; issue of passport and documentation; voyage aboard Zito to Newcastle upon Tyne and reception in Newcastle, 12/1915: story of being given white feather for not wearing Derby armband; refusal of Railway Transport officer to advance Painting money; train journey to Winchester including overnight stay in Salvation Army hostel. Aspects of period in King's Royal Rifle Corps Depot Camp, Winchester, 12/1915-1/ 1916: disciplinary problem for leaving camp to visit donor of POW food parcels; interview with Lieutenant General Sir William Pitcairn Campbell at Southern Command, Salisbury.
REEL 14 Continues: interview with Pitcairn Campbell at Southern Command, Salisbury; death of mother and family situation; interview with press; problems with foot; marriage by special licence. Posting as musketry instructor with 5th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps, 1/1916: story of trial and acquittal of conscientious objector; motivation for escape; opinion of POW welfare activities.
ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1914-1919: Western Front, 1914-1918
Prisoners Of War, 1914-1918
Duration
210
NumberOfParts
14
OtherFormats
Full : 85pp
MakerName
Painting, Thomas Henry
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
000212S01.mp3
000212S02.mp3
Painting-prisoners.mp3
Painting2-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
InTheBag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
25 June 2007
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
315
ProductionDate
1974
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Mitchell-Fox, Thomas xxx
Gribble, Julian R <VC>
IndexPlaces
GB, Scotland & Glasgow, Lanark <City Hall Recruiting Office>
GB, England & Blandford, Dorset, <Camp>
TR & Helles, Gallipoli
FR & Welsh Ridge, Pas de Calais
FR & Gavrelle, Pas de Calais
DE & Rastatt, /// <POW Camp>
DE & Mainz, /// <Citadel POW Camp>
DE & Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
DE & Rhine, River
IndexUnits
GB.A & Div, 63
GB.N & Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
GB.N & Royal Naval Div, Bn Benbow
GB.N & Depot, Crystal Palace
GB.N & Camp, Blandford
DE.O & Soldiers' Councils
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British seaman served with Hood Bn Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli, 1915; officer served with Hood Bn Royal Naval Division on Western Front, 1914-1917; POW in Germany, 1917-1918
FullSummary
REEL 1 Recruitment underage with Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve at City Hall Recruiting Office, Glasgow, 10/1914. Aspects of training with Victory III section and Benbow Bn Royal Naval Division at Crystal Palace Depot and Blandford Camp, 10/1914-5/1915: formation of Royal Naval Division; inadequately trained troops used on Antwerp expedition; formation of battalions; maintenance of naval traditions; composition and equipment of Royal Naval Division.
REEL 2 Continues: drumming out ceremony for court martialled soldier. Aspects of operations as seaman with Hood Bn Royal Naval Division at Gallipoli, 1915, and as officer with Hood Bn on Western Front, 1917: efforts to make Royal Naval Division into conventional army division; use of chloradyne and chocolate to treat dysentery at Gallipoli; treatment of shrapnel wound in leg received at Gavrelle, 4/1917; situation and conditions of service at Gallipoli. Recollections of capture during operations at Welsh Ridge, France, 12/1917: story illustrating comparison between British and German cigarettes; ersatz coffee; German NCO's efforts to take boots; question of quality of German troops. Aspects of period as POW at Rastatt Camp, Germany, 1918: Russian POWs.
REEL 3 Continues: food ration. Aspects of period as POW at Citadel Camp, Mainz, Germany, 1918: barrack accommodation; daily routine and conditions; story illustrating effects of starvation diet; forcible vaccination programme and resulting deaths including Julian Gribble VC; camp concert party activities; educational courses; techniques to distract German guards during escape attempts; successful escape of POW in laundry van; German newspapers; contact with German civilians and store of civilian clothing acquired by bartering Red Cross parcels; signs of unrest amongst German soldiers and eventual formation of Soldiers Councils; story of mass unopposed escape and first news of armistice during journey aboard Dutch barge down Rhine to Cologne, 11/1918.
ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1914-1919: Western Front, 1914-1918
Military Operations, 1914-1919: Gallipoli, 1915
Prisoners of War, 1914-1918
Naval Operations, 1914-1919: Royal Naval Division, 1914-1918
Duration
45
NumberOfParts
3
OtherFormats
Full : 30pp
MakerName
Mitchell-Fox, Thomas
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedIWMItems
Photograph (1918) in typescript
RelatedSoundFile
000315S01.mp3
000315S02.mp3
MitchellFox-prisoners.mp3
Mitchellfox2-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
InTheBag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
6095
ProductionDate
1982
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Vickers Wellington
IndexPeople
Foinette, Eric Norman xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
FR
FR & Boulogne
DE
DE & Hamburg
DE & Sylt
DK
IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 12
DE.O & POW Camp, Spangenburg
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag Luft III, Sagan
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag III, Luckenwalde
DE.O & POW Interrogation Centre, Dulag Luft, Frankfurt
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British officer served as navigator with 12 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1941-1942; POW in Spangenburg, Stalag Luft III, Sagan and Stalag III, Luckenwalde, 1942-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1940-1941: background to call up, 1940; character of navigators training; behaviour of instructors; opinion of operating in Vickers Wellington. Recollections of operations as navigator with 12 Sqdn, RAF, 1941-1942: joining squadron, 8/1941; character of Merlin engined Vickers Wellington; wartime history of squadron; initial raid on Boulogne; navigation problems during raid on Hamburg; anti-aircraft damage over Sylt; bailing out over Denmark. Aspects of capture and interrogation at Dulag Luft, Frankfurt, 1942: handing over to Germans by Danish Police; question of missing opportunity to escape; removal to Dulag Luft, Frankfurt; attempts to gain information at Dulag Luft.
REEL 2 Continues: question of negligible effects o bombing on Germany. Aspects of period as POW at Spangenburg, 1942: POW morale; relations between new RAF POWs and long standing army POWs; character of POW castle; escape attempts; relations with French POWs. Recollections of period as POW in Stalag Luft III, Sagan, 1942-1945: appearance of camp; German precautions against escape from huts; accommodation in huts; ablution facilities; layout of camp; confining aircrew to camps; news of war's progress; corruption of German guards; punishment of German civilian contractor after contact with POWs; organisation and discovery of Great Escape.
REEL 3 Continues: reaction of POWs to execution of Great Escapers; German attitude towards POWs behaviour; effect of execution of Great Escapers on escape attempts; selection of those to be executed; RAF investigations of executions; baiting of German over Nazi salute; incident of stealing of German officer's pass; camp organisation; character of Foodacco scheme; disposal of camp money; efficient working of Foodacco scheme; lack of conflict between POWs.
REEL 4 Continues: question of discipline; POW gambling; lack of sexual problems; POW activities; female roles in plays; acquisition of theatre equipment; personal studying and effect on his later career; contact with home; use of RAF code to send intelligence; receiving escape materials from GB; German photography; his comfortable POW room; German treatment of Russian POWs; attitude towards approach of Russian Army.
REEL 5 Continues: evacuation of camp, 27/1/1945; character of journey from Sagan to Stalag III, Luckenwalde including problems with prolapse. Aspects of period as POW at Stalag III, Luckenwalde, 1945: appearance and character of POWs; favoured treatment of officer POWs; liberation by Russians, 5/1945; impressions of Russian troops; fight to take control of former German officers camp; food supply problems; problems between Americans and Russians over repatriation; promotion during period as POW; attitude towards German guards; effect of imprisonment on his attitudes; cases of psychological breakdown.
ContextDescription
Prisoners of War in Europe, 1939-1945
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945
Duration
150
NumberOfParts
5
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Foinette, Eric Norman
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
006095S01.mp3
006095S02.mp3
006095S03.mp3
Foinette1-prisoners.mp3
Foinette2-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
TheCamps
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
8276
ProductionDate
1984
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
book: The Great Escape
IndexPeople
Nelson, Thomas Robert xxx
Bushell, Roger
Long, 'Cookie'
Brickhill, Paul
IndexPlaces
GB, England
DE
DE & Gorlitz
IndexUnits
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag Luft III, Sagan
DE.O & Geheime Staats Polizei <Gestapo>
DE.O & Prison, Gorlitz
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British officer POW in Stalag Luft III, Sagan in Germany, 1942-1945 including participation in Great Escape, 3/1944
FullSummary
REEL 1 Recollections of period as POW during tunnelling preparations for Great Escape at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, 1943- 1944: move to new compound; potential for escapes; how he was selected for working with X escape committee under Squadron Leader Roger Bushell; German counter tunnelling activities; incentives for tunnelling; tunnel dimensions; construction of tunnels and half way houses; discovery of tunnel 'Dick'; removal of excess sand; use of trolleys; design and use of air pumps and ventilation system.
REEL 2 Continues: tunnel lighting system; selection of escape date; selection of escapers and their order of escape; categories of escapers; method of dispersing of tunnel sand; fate of three tunnels; length and direction of 'Harry' tunnel. Recollections of escape during Great Escape from Stalag Luft III, Sagan, 3/1944: assembling of escapers, 24/3/1944; problems with exit of tunnel; method of escape from tunnel exit; method of hauling escapers in tunnel.
REEL 3 Continues: lighting problems during escape; collapse of tunnel during Cookie Long's escape; exiting tunnel; discomforts of season; decision to seek shelter after two days; capture by civilians; removal to Gorlitz Prison; conditions on imprisonment; conduct of interrogations by Gestapo; disappearance of escapers from prison; return to Stalag Luft III and punishment; attitude of POW's to solitary confinement; German announcement of fate of escapers; opinion of Paul Brickhill's book 'The Great Escape'; fate of escapers.
REEL 4 Continues: second hand account of German discovery of tunnel; POWs reaction to execution of escapers; opinion of reasons for German execution of POWs; question of what part his surname played in his survival; reasons for planning such a large escape; conduct of Gestapo interrogations and his response; conditions in Gorlitz Prison, 3/1944-4/1944.
REEL 5 Continues: POW lack of respect for Gestapo as result of earlier camp searches; explanation of term 'Hard Arser'; conduct of lottery to choose escapers.
ContextDescription
Prisoners Of War In Europe, 1939-1945
Duration
150
NumberOfParts
5
OtherFormats
Full : 42pp
MakerName
Nelson, Thomas Robert
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
008276s01.mp3
008276s02.mp3
008276s03.mp3
008276s04.mp3
008276s05.mp3
Nelson-prisoners.mp3
Nelson2-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
TheCamps
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
10643
ProductionDate
22/Mar/1989
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexObjects
aircraft, British: Vickers Wellington
glider, British: Colditz Glider
IndexPeople
Welch, Patrick Palles Lorne Elphinstone xxx
Bushell, Roger
IndexPlaces
GB, England
NL
NL & Amsterdam
DE
IndexUnits
GB.F & Operational Training Unit 25
GB.F & Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag Luft III, Sagan
DE.O & POW Camp, Oflag IV C, Colditz
DE.O & POW Interrogation Centre, Dulag Luft
ShortSummary
British NCO served as flying instructor in GB, 1938-1942; officer served as pilot with 25 Operation Training Unit, RAF in GB, 1942; POW at Stalag Luft III, Sagan and Oflag IV C, Colditz in Germany, 1943-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Aspects of period as sergeant flying instructor with RAF in GB, 1939-1941: background to enlistment in Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1938; attitude towards Nazi Germany; reaction to outbreak of Second World War; role as flying instructor in GB, 1939-1941. Recollections of operations as officer with 25 Operational Training Unit in GB, 1942: acting as second pilot during Thousand Bomber Raids, 1942; flying Vickers Wellington; shooting down over Netherlands, 1/8/1942. Aspects of capture and interrogation at Dulag Luft in Germany, 1942: capture by Germans; escape attempt in Amsterdam.
REEL 2 Continues: interrogation at Dulag Luft; train journey to Stalag Luft III at Sagan. Recollections of period as POW at Stalag Luft III at Sagan, 1942-1943: role making escape equipment; memories of Roger Bushell; details of his escape from camp; escape equipment carried; attempt to steal aircraft; recapture by Germans on airfield attempting to start aircraft. Recollections of period as POW at Oflag IV C, Colditz, 1943-1945: reasons for being sent to camp; physical setting of castle.
REEL 3 Continues: account of his involvement in construction of Colditz Glider; question of myth and accuracy of presentation of Colditz story; friends he had in camp; POW mentality; access to radio; liberation by US Army; question of adjusting to daily life after period as POW; attitude towards Germans. Question of how his aircraft was shot down over Netherlands.
ContextDescription
Air Operations, 1939-1945: Bomber Offensive, 1939-1945
Prisoners Of War In Europe, 1939-1945
Duration
90
NumberOfParts
3
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Welch, Patrick Palles Lorne Elphinstone
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
010643s01.mp3
010643s02.mp3
010643s03.mp3
Welch-prisoners.mp3
Welch2-prisoners.mp3
Welch1-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
TheCamps
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
Educational use only
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
15336
ProductionDate
1/May/1995
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Wilson, John Carson xxx
Harris, Arthur
Sinclair, Michael
Bader, Douglas
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Felixstowe, Suffolk
PI
DK
LY
IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn 6
DE.O & POW Interrogation Centre, Dulag Luft
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag Luft 1, Barth
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag Luft III, Sagan
DE.O & POW Camp, Oflag IV C, Colditz
ShortSummary
British officer served as pilot with 6 Sqdn, RAF in Palestine, 1938-1939 and in North Africa, 1940-1941; POW in Stalag 1, Barth, Stalag Luft III, Sagan and Oflag IV C, Colditz in Germany, 1941-1945
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Felixstowe and Brighton, 1916-1938: family; education; securing short service commission with RAF, 1937. Recollections of period as staff officer with RAF and 6 Sqdn, RAF in Palestine, 1938-1940: reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; background to taking over staff job at King David Hotel in Jerusalem; potential Arab threats to life of Air Vice Marshal d'Albiac; memories of Arthur Harris and his wife; posting to 6 Sqdn, RAF; character of air pin operations, 1939; aircraft types used; use of Westland Lysanders for army co- operation; lack of personal contact with civilians. Aspects of operations as officer with 6 Sqdn, RAF in Western Desert, 1940- 1941: move from Palestine to Western Desert, late 1940; German Air Force harrissing attacks, from 3/1941; reconnaissance mission to Gulf of Sirte when aircraft was hit by flak.
REEL 2 Continues: setting fire to his Hawker Hurricane; initial treatment by Italian and Germans, 3/1941. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa and Germany, 1941: reaction to capture; flight from North Africa to Munich aboard Junkers Ju 52; how German officer sent letter to his parents; reaction to being sent to German sergeant mess; interrogation at Dulag Luft Interrogation Centre; period as POW in Stalag Luft I Barth, 1941-1942: removal to camp, 1941; his escape attempt from train taking POWs from Barth to Sagan, c1942; first escape from camp; escape to Denmark and recapture.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of period as POW in Stalag Luft III, Sagan in Germany, 1942-1944: teaming up with Czech officer Haloupla for escape attempts; method of confusing appel count; capture with Haloupla whilst cutting through camp's wire perimeter; collusion with Austrian guard for a second escape attempt and recapture attempting to get under wire; decision to send Wilson and Haloupla to Colditz; question why he attempted to escape; how he and Haloupla were put high on list for Great Escape but did not go. Recollections of period as POW in Oflag IV B, Colditz, 1944-1945: receptions from inmates; effect of being in Colditz; premonition he had about living conditions and extreme cold; reaction to viewing television drama about Colditz; how he became RAF representative on escape committee; glider project in attic space; look out system; memories of Michael Sinclair.
REEL 4 Continues: Michael Sinclair's escape attempt and shooting by German guards; story of disrespect for commandant and potato assault on guards; relations between different nationalities; level of fitness; corruption of guards; opinion of prominentes; German infiltrator; code system using German-English dictionary to pass information; use of illicit radio; liberation of camp by US troops; foraging for food in countryside; memories of Douglas Bader.
ContextDescription
Prisoners Of War In Europe, 1939-1945
Duration
120
NumberOfParts
4
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Wilson, John Carson
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
015336s01.mp3
015336s02.mp3
Wilson-prisoners.mp3
Wilson2-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
15557
ProductionDate
5/Jul/1995
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Temple, Guy xxx
Miller, Loris B
Lombard, Chris
Morah, George
Farrar-Hockley, Anthony
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Weymouth, Dorset
KR
KR & Hill 327
KR & Pusan
KR & River Imjin
KR & Solma-Ri
KP
KP & River Yalu
IndexUnits
GB.A & Gloucestershire Regt, Bn 1, Coy C, Platoon 8
KP.O & POW Camp, Bean Camp , North Korea
KP.O & POW Camp, Mining Camp, North Korea
KP.O & POW Camp, Pak's Paradise, North Korea
KP.O & POW Camp, Camp 2, North Korea
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British officer served with 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt in Korea, 1950-1951; POW in North Korea, 1951-1953
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1928-1950: family; education. Recollections of operations with 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt in Korea, 12/1950-4/1951: attitude towards war; reception on arrival in Pusan, 12/1950; attitude of South Koreans to United Nations' troops; role as signals officer during capture of Hill 327, 1/1951; cold weather conditions and effects of cold on equipment; positive effect of Ridgway taking command; lack of United Nations' control; taking up positions on River Imjin, spring 1951; taking over as commanding officer of 8 Platoon, C Coy; composition of 8 Platoon. Recollections of the Battle of the Imjin River, 4/1951: patrol towards River Imjin; calling down artillery onto Chinese crossing of River Imjin; opposition to Chinese crossing and withdrawal.
REEL 2 Continues: question of number of Chinese casualties; question of personal morale during engagement; reaction to engagement; disposition of other companies; amalgamation of remnants of B and C Coys, with Temple being made second-in-command; taking positions to south of Solma-Ri; physical condition after three nights without sleep, c24/4/1951; 'Battle of the Bugles'; Chinese assault on L-shaped ridge of Solma-Ri, c25/4/1951; orders to break out of encirclement; attempted break-out, 26/4/1951. Recollections of period as POW in North Korea, 1951-1953: capture by Chinese; initial Chinese treatment of POWs; eating 'bug dust', Chinese soldiers combat rations; view of Chinese soldiers.
REEL 3 Continues: question of escape on trek north; account of first escape attempt and recapture; treatment by North Koreans who recaptured him; period in North Korean gaol with North Korean Christians; period in Bean Camp then Mining Camp; attempt of Chinese to get POWs to make a radio talk; decline in POW morale; second escape attempt and recapture; punishment in stockade in Bean Camp; contrast in attitude between white and black US troops; contracting gangrene through being tied up and how maggots ate gangrene.
REEL 4 Continues: medical and physical condition in camp; move to 'Pak's Paradise', interrogation centre; demands made on POWs; interrogation by 'The Professor'; role with US POW Loris B Miller as cooks for work party; teaching Korean NCOs English with South African, Chris Lombard; different attitude of North Korean and Chinese armies to officer status of POWs; orders to evacuate 'Pak's Paradise'; conditions in 'Traitor's Row'; memories of US POW Sergeant George Morah; death rate from dysentery and 'give-up-itis'; move to Camp Two on River Yalu, 1/1952; gradual recovery and timber unloading duties, summer 1952; improvement in conditions, winter 1952-1953; availability of literature.
REEL 5 Continues: nature of literature; state of health during last yearin captivity; Anthony Farrar- Hockley's show performed in camp; coded messages to War Office; plan to escape which never came off; delayed release as 'reactionary'; viewing of film of Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second; question of insistence on trying to escape. Effects on him of POW experience and of talking to his family after captivity.
ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1945-1975: Korea 1950-1953
Duration
135
NumberOfParts
5
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Temple, Guy
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedIWMItems
Photo (1956) in file
RelatedSoundFile
Temple-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
16910
ProductionDate
6/Nov/1996
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Hoggard, John Wellesley xxx
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Catford, London
MI
AC, North
DE
DE & Travemünde
DE & Lübeck
DE & Wilhelmshaven
DE & Cuxhaven
IndexUnits
GB.N & Voltaire
DE.N & Thor
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag X B, Sandbostel
DE.O & POW Camp, Marlag Nord
DE.O & POW Camp, Oflag IV C, Colditz
DE.O & Newspaper, Völkischer Beobachter
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British officer served aboard HMS Voltaire in Mediterranean and Atlantic, 1939-1941 including sinking by German raider Thor, 4/4/1941; POW in Stalag X B, Sandbostel, Marlag Nord and Oflag IV C, Colditz in Germany, 1941-1942
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1919-1936: family; education; joining Merchant Navy, 1936. Recollections of operations as officer aboard armed merchant cruiser in Mediterranean and Atlantic, 1939-1941: appointment to ship, 1939; contraband control in Mediterranean, 1939-1940; convoy escort work in Atlantic, 1940-1941; sinking of ship by German raider Thor off Cape Verde Islands, 4/4/1941; period in sea and rescue by crew of Thor. Recollections of period as POW at Stalag X B, Sandbostel in Germany, 1941-1942: arrival at Cuxhaven and propaganda photograph for Völkischer Beobachter; how news of sinking of HMS Hood was announced by German commandant of the camp; German treatment of Russian POWs, summer 1941; role in tunneling escape attempt, 11/1941-4/1942.
REEL 2 Continues: escape from Stalag X B, 4/1942; method of obtaining Reichsmarks in camp; attempts to get to Sweden via Lübeck and Travmünde; recapture in Baltic area; treatment by Gestapo at Travmünde. Period as POW at Marlag Nord, 5/1942-7/1942: reasons for transfer from Marlag Nord to Colditz including initial impressions of Colditz; transfer of Merchant Navy POWs from Stalag X B to Marlag Nord, 5/1942; prior recollections of interrogation by Germans at Wilhelmshaven, 1941. Recollections of period as POW at Oflag IV C, Colditz, 1942-1945: friends, accommodation and cooking facilities; German rations for POWs; role during escape attempts.
REEL 3 Continues: German response to call of 'Goons up'; the Colditz glider; blackmail of German guards; escape equipment that arrived from GB; German investigation of contents of Red Cross parcels; coping with loss of freedom; liberation of camp, 4/1945; readjusting to freedom in GB and re-joining Royal Navy in Pacific; opinion of Germans.
REEL 4 Continues: behaviour of Germans in charge of Colditz especially during liberation, 4/1945. Story relating to treatment of German security officer at Marlag Nord.
ContextDescription
Naval Operations, 1939-1945: Atlantic, 1939-1945
Prisoners of War in Europe, 1939-1945
Duration
100
NumberOfParts
4
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Hoggard, John Wellesley
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedIWMItems
Booklet about Colditz in file, includes photograph of Hoggard
RelatedSoundFile
016910S01.mp3
016910S02.mp3
Hoggard-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
18735
ProductionDate
11/Mar/1999
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Edlmann Ernest Lorne Campbell xxx
Bader, Douglas
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Cheltenham, Glous
GB, Wales
GB, Wales & Pembroke Dock
DE
DE & Munich
DE & Thier
FR
FR & Cassel
BE
BE & River Escaut
BE & Oudenaarde
BE & Bastogne
BE & Petegem
IN
PI
KE
KE & Thompson Falls
IndexUnits
GB.O & Public School, Wellington
GB.A & Royal Military Acedemy, Sandhurst
GB.A & BA, Shorncliffe
GB.A & BA, Borden
GB.A & Command, Aldershot
GB.A & Div 44
GB.A & Kent Regt, East (The Buffs), Bn 2, Coy Headquarters
GB.A & Kent Regt, East (The Buffs), Bn 1, Coy A
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag 7 C, Laufen
DE.O & POW Camp, Stalag 18 A, Wolfsberg
DE.O & POW Camp, Oflag 7 B, Eichstaett
DE.O & POW Camp, Oflag 9 A/Z , Rotenburg
ShortSummary
British cadet with Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, GB, 1933-1934; officer served with 2nd Bn The Buffs in GB and Palestine, 1934-1939; served as intelligence officer with Headquarters Coy, 2nd Bn The Buffs in France and Belgium, 1940; POW in Germany, 1940-1945 including escape, 4/1945; commanded A Coy, 1st Bn The Buffs in Kenya, 1953-1954
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in India and GB, 1914-1933: father's death in First World War, 1915; return to GB, 1916; nature of education in Cheltenham and Wellington School; origins of family name; reasons for enlistment in army, 1933 . Period as cadet at Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, 1933- 1934: opinion of officers and instructors; character of education and training; learning to ride a horse; social divisions within college; weapons training; length of terms; reasons for lack of promotion; character of accommodation; emphasis on infantry tactics; teaching of military law and military history.
REEL 2 Continues: story of interview with Duke of Wellington regiment. Period as officer with 2nd Bn The Buffs in GB, 1934-1939: interview to join regiment; joining unit at Shorncliffe, 1934; understrength character of unit; attitude of officers in unit who had served in First World War; training at Borden Camp, Aldershot Command; effect of Hore-Belisha's changes to army structure, 1937-1938; visit by Brigadier Alexander; learning to handle troops; awareness of German tactics and growing militarism; degree of integration with armour and air support during training exercises.
REEL 3 Continues: aspects of leave trips to Germany during 1930's including attitude of German immigration official, sight of German alpine troops training, story of seeing Adolph Hitler at opera, returning photographs to dead German soldiers family for fellow Buffs officer and sight of anti-Semitic exhibition in Munich; role as battalion intelligence officer and weapons training officer; introducing Bren gun to unit; operating PIAT gun; use of Bren gun in unit; change in role of unit to infantry pioneer battalion at Pembroke Dock, 1938; engineering courses; flight in Short Sunderland flying boat. Recollections of brief period with 2nd Bn The Buffs in Palestine, 1936: reasons for move to Palestine; length of service in Palestine.
REEL 4 Continues: weekend leave breaks; construction of sangars; issue of tropical kit. Reaction to declaration of war, 3/9/1939. Story of finding suicide case, 4/9/1939. Recollections of period with 2nd Bn The Buffs in France, 1939-1940: arrival in France; role of unit guarding supply dumps in western France; death of soldier in ammunition dump; relationship with French civilians; move to Belgian border; guard duties; construction of defences on Gort Line; short period as staff office, early 1940; weather conditions, winter 1939-1940; role as horse transport officer; attachment with Sherwood Foresters in the Maginot Line, 11/1939; opinion of French Army. Recollections of operations with 2nd Buffs in Belgium and France, 5/1940: sight of British Hurricane attacking German bomber.
REEL 5 Continues: move across Belgian border; transfer of unit into 44th Home Counties Div; role as intelligence officer; meeting with Duke of Norfolk who had been ordered home. Recollections of action at Oudenaarde, Belgium, 5/1940: taking up positions at Oudenaarde on River Escaut; finding British battledress left by German fifth column; removal of Belgium population; degree of RAF and German Air Force activity; sight of withdrawing 2nd Corps troops; start of German attack, 20/5/1940; battalion headquarters at Petegem; problems with communications; reconnaissance patrol and limit of German penetration over River Escaut; unit counter-attack; loss of company commanders; using Bren guns against advancing Germans; condition of unit after battle; orders to withdraw Dunkirk:
REEL 6 Continues: Recollections of retreat towards Dunkirk, 5/1940: withdrawal of unit; German Air Force attacks and loss of battalion transport; reading from German propaganda leaflet dropped on unit; question of possibility of being capture; lack of evasion training; orders to remain and fight south of Cassel, France; surrounding of unit by Germans; carrying wounded man; orders from commanding officer to 'push on'; wounding of adjutant and taking over role as adjutant; refusal to leave commanding officer; flagging down British truck and filling it up with wounded; capture by German troops; reaction to capture;. Recollections of period as POW in France,5/1940- 6/1940: initial treatment by Germans; effect on personal morale of capture; march across France; separation of officers and other ranks; British troops attitude towards officers on surrendering; question of lack of escape training; joining up with survivors of Calais garrison; sharing rations; daily routine on march to Bastogne, Belgium.
REEL 7 Continues: opinion of advice on escape given by senior British officer; treatment by German railway official in Bastogne. Period as POW in Trier Their, Germany, 1940: short stay in castle at Their; sight of captured French general; nature of rations. Recollections of period as POW in Stalag 7 C, Laufen, 1940-1942: character of Polish POWs; story of German shooting of British officer; working on escape tunnel including provision of air and electricity, role collecting wood for tunnel, story of consequences of not saluting German commandant, and role during digging of tunnel; improvement in camp conditions, 1940-1942; rations and relaxation; question of having to expect long period in POW camp; baiting German guards; incident of British officer who escaped from camp disguised as German officer.
REEL 8 Continues: Recollections of period as POW in Stalag 18 A Wolfsberg, 1942: nature of camp; account of escape from camp and recapture including aid given by Douglas Bader, 4/1942. Period of confinement in German civilian prison, 6/1942 including second escape attempt and meeting with German panzer officer. Recollections of period as POW in Oflag 7 B, Eichstaett, 1942-1943: winter conditions and contracting chilblains; move to hospital. Recollections of period as POW in Oflag 9 A/Z , Rotenburg, 1943-1945: camp commander Brigadier Nicolson' s suicide.
REEL 9 Continues: sight of Allied air armadas; reaction of German civilians to bombing; role providing news service for POWs; changing treatment of German guards. Recollections of escape from POW column, 4/1945. Liberation by US troops in middle of attack against German forces, 4/1945. Journey from Germany to GB via Brussels, 4/1945 including reception in GB. Recollections of operations as commander of A Coy, 1st Bn The Buffs in Kenya, 1953-1954: flight to Kenya, 4/1953; move to Thompson Falls; arrival of family, 1954; Mau Mau tactics and role of unit; relations with civilians; opinion of Kenya; degree of success of unit against them; organisation of operations against insurgents; role of King's Africa Rifles in operations; acting role as battalion commander including planning operations.
ContextDescription
Military Operations, 1939-1945: France And The Low Countries, 1939-1944
Duration
270
NumberOfParts
9
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Edlmann, Ernest Lorne Campbell
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
018735S01.mp3
Edlmann-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
Educational use only
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Sound
IDNO
20308
ProductionDate
9/May/2000
ObjectType
IWM interview
IndexPeople
Garrad, Sidney Arthur xxx
Edward MacKnight-Kaufer
IndexPlaces
GB, England
GB, England & Fulham, London
GB, England & Colchester, Essex
IT
IT & Capua
IT & Maturata
IT & Bari
EG
EG & Cairo
GR
GR & Larissa
GR & Crete
LY
LY & Tobruk
LY & Derna
LY & Benghazi
IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Artillery
GB.A & Royal Artillery, Survey Training Regt 4
GB.A & Popski's Private Army
IT.O & Hospital, Caserta
IndexConcepts
POW
ShortSummary
British artist served as gunner with 4th Survey Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa and Greece, 1940-1942; POW in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1943; escaped and evaded capture in Italy, 1943-1944
FullSummary
REEL 1 Background in Fulham, 1916-1939: family; education; memories of Edward MacKnight-Kaufer; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939. Period with Royal Artillery in GB, 1939-1940: character of training at Colchester, 5/1940; posting to 4th Survey Training Regt, Royal Artillery; attitude of commanding officer to non-Geordies getting promotion, c10/1940. Period with 4th Survey Training Regt, Royal Artillery in Egypt, 1940-1941: arrival in Egypt; recreational activities in Cairo; attitude towards Egyptians; coaching boys to play cricket in Cairo; relations with commanding officer; sound ranging in desert. Recollections of operations with 4th Survey Regt, Royal Artillery in North Africa and Greece, 1941-1942: attempt to rescue barbed wire supplies under Stuka attack at Larissa, Greece; obtaining rations supplies at Larissa; Greece; role spotting aircraft in North Africa; attitude of Greeks to British soldiers.
REEL 2 Continues: memories of Sergeant-Major Boss; destruction of equipment during evacuation from Greece; story of shooting down of German Air Force during relief of Tobruk; conditions in Crete; evacuation from Crete; opinion of commanding officer; opinion of Italian Bersaglieri troops; sight of Italian POWs at Gazala. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa, 1942: opinion of South Africans garrisoning Tobruk; capture at Tobruk, 6/1942; wrecking his rifle before capture; transfer into hands of Italians; Mussolini's inspecting of POWs at Derna; story of how Mussolini was manhandled by German NCO to get him to show respect for British dead; contracting dysentery and hospitalisation in Benghazi; hearing Italian classical music in Benghazi; interest Italians showed in his artistic skills; commission from Italians to paint a morgue; transfer in hospital ship to Naples, Italy. 10/1942.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as POW in Italy, 1942- 1943: recovering in Caserta Hospital; reasons why POW meat rations ended up in Church funds; attitude toward religion; punishment for Italian doctor who sold POWs' mustard and pepper; counter-acting theft from Red Cross parcels in camp at Capua; different attitude of Italian and German guards to POWs; providing entertainment; swapping items for bread; character of camp interpreter; baiting Italian guards; escape at Maturata c8/1943. Recollection of evading capture in Italy, 1943-1945: aid from civilians; disagreement among escapees about what to do.
REEL 4 Continues: civilian who wanted intimate relations with him; evader who was a thief; decision to leave group; civilian who wanted to shelter him; living with Italian family; contact with one- eyed South African officer; relations with optician; attempt to round up officer evaders to help with RAF drop to partisans; narrow escape from re-capture by Germans; partisans' relations with civilians; precautions against re-capture; how he was freed by Popski's Private Army; sight of German retreat; treatment of ex- POWs at Bari. Attitude to authority in army. Effects of death of his wife in V1 raid, 1944.
ContextDescription
British Prisoners Of War In Europe, 1939-1945
Duration
120
NumberOfParts
4
OtherFormats
None
MakerName
Garrad, Sidney Arthur
ProductionCompany
IWM
MakerGender
Male
Language
English
RelatedSoundFile
Garrad-prisoners.mp3
Weighting
750
900
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
WebStatus
Published
UncatTransferDate
17 November 2006
URLEncodedDeptName
Sound
Access
IWM copyright
Nationality
British
DigitalAsset
Y
DeptName
Exhibits
IDNO
EPH 809
ItemName
shaving brush, with concealed information, British
ObjectType
escape equipment
IndexPeople
Shaw, J W (Major)
IndexPlaces
Germany & Holzminden
IndexUnits
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps
IndexHistPeriod
First World War
FullSummary
Shaving brush (modified to contain documentation useful for escapees) associated with the First World War experiences of Major J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany.
During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King Edward's Horse, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Flying Corps. He was taken prisoner at Messines in 1917 and held at Freiburg. He escaped from this camp and when recaptured was imprisoned in Holzminden POW camp. While there he assisted in the construction of the famous 'Holzminden Tunnel' through which 29 officers escaped. Major Shaw was the 31st in the queue and the tunnel subsided and collapsed on the man in front. During the Second World War he served as Assistant Military Liaison Officer, No 6 (Southern) Region, Reading December 1939-August 1945.
RelatedIWMItems
EPH 810-838
RelatedImageFile
EPH_000809.jpg
Weighting
1000
900
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
UncatTransferDate
24/05/2007 05:50:24
URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits
FormatDescription
shaving brush, two sections of which unscrew to reveal a hollow interior containing escape documentation: a hand-drawn map of the Aachen area and train timetable for rail services between Holzminden and Aachen.
Access
On display at IWM London
IndexPlace
Holzminden, Lower Saxony, Germany
Theme
Prisoners of War 1914-1918
CoLStatus
Published
DigitalAsset
Y
IWMImageOwned
Y
DeptName
Exhibits
IDNO
EPH 2206
ItemName
hairbrush, escape
ObjectType
escape equipment
IndexPeople
Humphreys, William Edward
IndexUnits
GB.O
FullSummary
Made by William Edward Humphreys of G.B. Kent Ltd., London Road, Apsley End, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. According to Charles Fraser Smith, MI9 asked him if escape equipment could be concealed in hairbrushes as they were natural items for prisoners of war to have with them. He wrote: 'I took the problem to G. B. Kent & Sons at Hemel Hempstead. Their experts came up with a wonderful brush for me in no time at all. It appeared to be all in one piece but could be opened - rather like a Chinese puzzle - in such a way that nobody who did not know its secrets could possibly have come upon them by accident. The back was hollowed out to hold a compass, a large map and a nine-centimetre ridged, double-edged saw. The joint was hidden by a coating of dandruff. It was a most ingenious gadget but, unfortunately, had to be hand-made. Production was therefore restricted to only one or two a week.' See 'The Secret War of Charles Fraser-Smith: The Q Gadget Wizard of World War Two' by Charles Fraser-Smith with Gerald McKnight and Sandy Lesberg (Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1981), p. 57.
ProductionCompany
G.B. Kent Ltd
RelatedIWMItems
EPH 2207
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 11:14:35
URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits
FormatDescription
rectangular hairbrush, with concealed silk map and compass
Access
On display at IWM North
DeptName
Exhibits
IDNO
EPH 2722
ItemName
belt
ObjectType
personal equipment
IndexPeople
Vrba, Rudolf (Walter Rosenberg)
Unglik, Charles
IndexPlaces
PL & Auschwitz
IndexHistPeriod
Second World War
FullSummary
The belt was worn by Charles Unglik at the time of his foiled escape attempt from Auschwitz. After his death in 1944 Rudolf Vrba took possession of the belt. He wore it as a good luck memento when he escaped, with Alfred Wetzler, from Auschwitz on 7 April 1944, and when he fought as a partisan with the Slovaks against the Germans.
See Rudolf Vrba's book 'I cannot forgive' (London: Sidgwick and Jackson, 1964) in DPB 23(=437)/5 [ Vrba, Rudolf]
RelatedImageFile
EPH_002722.jpg
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
UncatTransferDate
19/12/2007 05:50:19
URLEncodedDeptName
Exhibits
FormatDescription
leather belt (L 112mm x W 35mm). The following contemorary inscriptions are inscribed in ink on the inside of the belt: 'AU-BI
25.1.1944' (signifying the date of Unglik's death); 43(645?) (denoting Unglik's prisoner number)
Access
Access by prior appointment
IndexPlace
Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland
IndexEvent
Holocaust
Theme
Holocaust
CoLStatus
Published
DigitalAsset
Y
IWMImageOwned
Y
DeptName
Film
IDNO
NTB 318-2
ProductionDate
29/9/1917
ItemName
WAR OFFICE OFFICIAL TOPICAL BUDGET 318-2 [Main]
IndexObjects
engineering, military, British: road building
supplies, British, movement [FA] - misc
transport, British military - animal
transport, British military - truck
ceremonies, French - event-related: commemoration of Captain Guynemer
ceremonies, British - event-related: investiture, VC
aircraft, Italian - combat: SIA 7B & [-]
recreation, Italian air civil - general: Turin to London flight, 1917
IndexPeople
Guynemer, Georges M L J
George V, King
Insall, Gilbert S M
Edwards, Alexander
Ackroyd, Harold
Laureati, Giulio (Marquis)
Tonzo, Michael Angelo
IndexPlaces
GB, England & London, SW <Buckingham Palace>
GB, England & Hounslow, Middx
IndexUnits
FR.A & Air Corps
GB.A & Royal Army Medical Corps
GB.A & Royal Flying Corps
GB.A & Seaforth Highlanders
IT.A & Air Corps
ShortSummary
I. A motorised transport column on the Western Front.
II. Commemoration of French air ace Captain Guynemer.
III. King George V holds a public investiture at Buckingham Palace and decorates eight VCs.
IV. Italian aviator Giulio Laureati flies from Turin to London.
FullSummary
I. 'DIFFICULTIES OF TRANSPORT. Some of the troubles to be overcome by the transport to keep in touch with the advancing troops.' Wagons, carts, 18-pounder artillery and a convoy of motor lorries pass left and right along a muddy road. A column of troops also pass along the far side. Despite the heavy traffic, men are at work widening the road, and trying to keep it clear of mud and fill in holes.
II. 'CAPT. GUYNEMER VICTOR OF 53 FIGHTS. Capt. Guynemer who has brought down 53 German machines, is reported to have fallen into the sea while attacking a German squadron.' French military band leads march past of troops. Watched by the men of his squadron the already medal-bedecked Captain Guynemer is received into the Legion of Honour.
III. 'INVESTITURE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. HM. the King held a Public Investiture at the Palace and decorated eight V.C.'s. Lieut. Install (sic) V.C. the airman who escaped from Germany.' Soldiers of the Reserve Battalion Grenadier Guards present arms as the King enters the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Lieutenant Insall comes forward and receives his VC. Sergeant Edwards of the Seaforth Highlanders receives his VC, followed by Private Ratcliffe (?) and Skinner (?). In the background, an Army photographer covering the ceremony sets up his camera on a tripod. 'POSTHUMOUS V.C. The widow and son of the late Capt. Ackroyd receive the Victoria Cross and Military Cross, awarded that gallant officer.' The widow, dressed in black, and her small son, wearing a white sailor's suit with black armband, are each given one of Ackroyd's medals. Cut to MS pan over the VC winners as they wait their turn before the King: right to left they are John Skinner, King's Own Scottish Borderers (unimpressed by the proceedings, he is chewing gum), William Ratcliffe, South Lancashire Regiment, Sergeant Ivor Rees of the South Wales Borderers, Sergeant Alexander Edwards, Seaforth Highlanders, Sergeant Edward Cooper, King's Royal Rifle Corps, Sergeant Robert Bye, Welsh Guards, and Lieutenant Insall. Mrs Ackroyd stands with her son in the background. Bye steps forward to receive his award. Cut to the men departing after the ceremony - most walk straight off, one to be embraced by his mother, but Lieutenant Insall is introduced to some French officers.
IV. 'ITALY TO ENGLAND IN SEVEN HOURS. This was the time taken by Capt. Laureati to fly from Turin to London, a distance of 683 miles.' Italian officers stand on airfield pointing up at the arriving aircraft - they are part of a small crowd that has gathered to greet the Marquis on his arrival. LS as the SIA 7B touches down. MS of the pilot, Captain the Marquis Giulio Laureati, and his passenger, Air Mechanic Michael Angelo Tonzo, surrounded by the Italian party.
ContextDescription
Summary (item II): Guynemer was shot down on 11 September. No trace of his body or aircraft was ever found.
Summary (item IV): early part of this sequence was subject to nitrate deterioration and the centre of the picture has gone
Duration
3 mins
Format
P 2/35/A
Colour
B&W
Sound
Silent
NumberOfParts
1
Dimensions
272 ft
ProductionSponsor
War Office
ProductionCompany
Topical Film
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
None
LanguageMainTitles
None
LanguageSubtitles
English
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
MythsAndHeroes
UncatTransferDate
30/06/2006 09:20:43
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
IWM
DeptName
Film
IDNO
RMY 64
ProductionDate
2/11/1944
ItemName
PATHE GAZETTE [Main]
IndexEvents
17/5(144).7 [1944.2.18 Amiens]
IndexObjects
aircraft, British - combat: De Havilland Mosquito
aircraft, British - combat: Hawker Typhoon
casualties, British dead - graves, formal
combat, British - air raid
destruction, French military - aimed: bomb
operations, British air - preparation
IndexPeople
Pickard, P C
IndexPlaces
France & Amiens, Somme <prison>
IndexUnits
GB.F & Sqdn, 21
AU.F & Sqdn, 464
ShortSummary
"The Jailbreakers." Newsreel item on the Mosquito raid on Amiens Prison in 1944.
FullSummary
Eighteen Mosquitos (including planes of 464 RAAF Squadron and 21 Squadron) under the command of Group Captain Pickard (seen adjusting his parachute harness) prepare for the raid on Amiens prison on 18 February 1944. Map traces the approach route and a model of the prison shows walls which must be breached to enable French Resistance workers under sentence of death to escape. Typhoons join the Mosquitos crossing the Channel in a snowstorm. Camera plane films the prison after it has been bombed while smoke is still pouring out. Arrows over slow-motion film reveal damaged prison outlined against the surrounding snow-covered fields. A high percentage of the prisoners are reported to have escaped with the loss of only two Typhoons and two Mosquitos. Pickard however was killed and film shows his grave with a wreath upon it. Release of film was delayed for security reasons.
Duration
5 mins
Format
P 1/35/N
Colour
B&W
Sound
comopt
NumberOfParts
1
Dimensions
421 ft
ProductionCompany
Pathe
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
English
LanguageMainTitles
English
LanguageSubtitles
None
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
UncatTransferDate
06/10/2008 05:50:19
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
NON-IWM
DeptName
Film
IDNO
A70 288-10
ProductionDate
2/4/1945
ItemName
[SCENES IN GRONAU-IN-WESTFALEN, GERMANY, AFTER ITS OCCUPATION BY 53RD (WELSH) DIVISION] [Allocated]
ShortSummary
Knocked out 88mm gun. Escaped French and Dutch prisoners of war who had been shielded by the local people.
Format
35mm
Colour
B&W
Sound
Mute
ProductionCompany
Army Film and Photographic Unit
ProductionTeam
Walker, G J (Sergeant): cameraman
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
None
LanguageMainTitles
None
LanguageSubtitles
None
OtherReferences
dopesheet
shotsheet
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
UncatTransferDate
13/01/2009 05:50:21
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
IWM
DeptName
Film
IDNO
A70 294-5
ProductionDate
10/4/1945
ItemName
[ESCAPED BRITISH PRISONER, PRIVATE ALEXANDER SMITH OF 1ST BATTALION THE BLACK WATCH, WITH THE 22ND ARMOURED DIVISION AT OKEL, NEAR BREMEN, GERMANY] [Allocated]
Format
35mm
Colour
B&W
Sound
Mute
ProductionCompany
Army Film and Photographic Unit
ProductionTeam
Blakeley, Albert (Sergeant): cameraman
ProductionCountry
GB
Language
None
LanguageMainTitles
None
LanguageSubtitles
None
RelatedIWMItems
Smith, Dennis M (Sergeant): photographer
OtherReferences
dopesheet
press report by Captain J H Jeffers
shotsheet
Weighting
1
SubThemeTag
EscapeAndEvasion
UncatTransferDate
13/01/2009 05:50:21
URLEncodedDeptName
Film
Access
IWM