Tracing Luftwaffe POWs shot down over England

Tracing Luftwaffe POWs shot down over England

Author
Discussion

Roy Lime

Original Poster:

594 posts

134 months

Friday 26th July 2013
quotequote all
Hello

Can anyone point me in the right direction please? I'm trying to trace what happened to four airmen who were captured in 1941.

So far I've had no luck with the National Archive and no luck with the Bundesarchiv, Abteilung Militararchiv.

I know their names, ranks, squadron and who shot them down - after that the trail goes cold.

Does anyone have any idea where else I might try?



Edited by Roy Lime on Friday 26th July 14:20

Steve_W

1,496 posts

179 months

Friday 26th July 2013
quotequote all
If you know who shot them down, might that person's squadron records provide any info? That's assuming it wasn't anti aircraft guns!

jonnyb

2,590 posts

254 months

Friday 26th July 2013
quotequote all
Try the IWM. I think they have a lot of the POW records now.

951TSE

600 posts

159 months

Friday 26th July 2013
quotequote all
Well this page on the National Archives website:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/researc...

Suggest that either the Red Cross:

http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/icrc-archives/

or:

http://www.dd-wast.de/frame_e.htm

Could be a good place to start.

Roy Lime

Original Poster:

594 posts

134 months

Friday 26th July 2013
quotequote all
Thanks, I've seen those already. The Germans don't like giving info out to non-family members and the Red Cross need six months to look at it (with no guarantees). I could do with moving a bit more quickly.

Hooli

32,278 posts

202 months

Saturday 27th July 2013
quotequote all
They've probably already escaped the UK...

Roy Lime

Original Poster:

594 posts

134 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Hooli said:
They've probably already escaped the UK...
Good point.

Nobody able to help other than above then?

dr_gn

16,196 posts

186 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Were they fighter pilots? I have a Canadian contact who is an expert on Luftwaffe fighter aircraft and pilots of WW2. A lot of captured airmen ended up in Canada as POW's.

The person in question helped a lot with research I was doing into a particular Bf109 that I was modelling at the time. It was shot down and subsequently displayed to raise mony for the war fund (and visited by my late father). He identified the pilot, and some of his history.

When I finished the model and put it on a forum, I was astounded to recieve an e-mail form the pilots granddaughter in Germany, who had been doing her own research into her grandfather. My model thread was one of the only places on the internet with both his name and aircraft mentioned. It turned out the pilot in question certainly had an interesting life...

Eric Mc

122,216 posts

267 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Model builders often have a fund of knowledge greater than some pure researchers.
I was reading in Aeroplane Monthly a while ago about how a restoration company which was rebuilding a Hawker Demon/Hart were able to get the correct colours and markings through liaison with a modelling group.

dr_gn

16,196 posts

186 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
I read a great thread a while ago where the CIA had contacted some random modeller in the UK regarding a new type of spy plane that this modeller had built as a "what if" project. IIRC he'd touched a few nerves with his assumptions.

Simpo Two

85,826 posts

267 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Anything here? http://www.unithistories.com/units_index/default.a...

Hmm, not showing page - here's a straight copy/paste:



Addresses for Information and Research

The following listing is of a number of important contacts for information on WWII German soldiers, various units, matters of importance to familiy members or relatives, and details on MIAs and KIAs. It consists of the main organization, archives, groups, museums, governmental offices, etc, that should be contacted if you are searching for any of the above types of information. Included are archival contact addresses as well addresses for individual unit organizations and veterans groups.

Whomever you contact, the process will not likely be a quick one, and waits of a number of months are often common. Certain contacts also require proof of family relation when seeking information on a specific person, as kinship or family relation is a requirement for some organizations.

It is best to attempt to write the contact first and gauge if they are able to process your request for help before jumping head-long into a detailed query. Written request can be made in English if needed, although keep in mind, your sending mail to another country, and people across the planet don't always speak your first language. Depending on the contact, replies will often not be in English.

When you contact any of these various groups and organizations, please take the time to mention this web site!

Bundesarchiv - Militärarchiv
Federal Records Office - Military Archive

Mission:

Address:

Postfach, 79024 Freiburg
Wiesentalstrasse 10
79115 Freiburg
Deutschland

Phone: ++ (0761) 47817-0
Fax: ++ (0761) 47817-900

Bundesarchiv - Zentralnachweisstelle
Federal Central Record Office

Mission:

The offical Institution which houses documents and information of historical importance to the German Federal Republic. A great deal of information it holds relates to WWII, and is available for use by researchers and authors. As per the Bundesarchiv: "Everybody shall upon application have the right to use Federal archival documents more than 30 years old unless legal stipulations provide otherwise..."

Address:

Bundesarchiv-Zentralnachweisstelle
Abteigarten 6
D-52076 Aachen
Deutschland

Phone: ++ 024 081470
Fax: ++ 024 0811437

On the web:

http://www.bundesarchiv.de

Bundesarchiv-Personalarchiv
Federal Records Office - Personnel Archives

Mission:

As a branch of the German Federal Archive system, this office is a contact point for information on specific personnel questions relating to those who survived WWII. For information on German veterans MIA or KIA during WWII, please see WASt below.

Address:

Bundesarchiv-Personalarchiv
Abteigarten 6
52076 Aachen
Deutschland

Phone: 011-49-2408-1470

Bundesministerium der Verteidigung
Ministry of Defense

Mission:

Address:

Bundesministerium der Verteidigung
Postfach 13 28
53003 Bonn
Deutschland

Deutsche Dienstelle (WASt)
Wehrmacht Information Office for War Losses and PoWs

Mission:

For the notification of next-of-kin of members of the former German Wehrmacht who were killed in action. The WASt can help with the following:

Provide certificates confirming a person was killed in action.
Providing supporting documentation when applying for death certificates.
Help solve MIA cases.
Help decode Wehrmacht identity discs.
Help decode Wehrmacht Field Post Office Numbers.
Provide known locations of war graves.
Aid in the administration of personal effects.
Provide records of Military Service.
Provide certificates required by the Social Security Services, Ministry of Pensions, etc.
Provide proof of time spent as a POW.
Provide proof of decorations and Honour Awards.
Provide proof of nationality.

Please note that in accordance with the German Data Protection Law the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) is only allowed to provide information to the persons concerned, their relatives or their legal heirs, or to Authorities in the carrying out of their legal duties.

History of the WASt:

Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the National Information Office was opened in Berlin W 30, in accordance with Article 77 of the Geneva Convention of 27.07.29 dealing with the treatment of prisoners-of-war. It took up its duties on 26.08.39 as Office of the Wehrmacht High Command with the title "Wehrmacht Information Office for War Losses and P.o.W.s" or WASt. In addition to providing information about foreign prisoners-of-war its main tasks were the registration of German Wehrmacht casualties (wounds, illness, deaths, MIAs), the processing of these cases including personal status control and official grave service. In August 1943 the Wehrmacht Information Office was moved to Thuringia, part of it being stored in Saalfeld and part in Meiningen. After the occupation of Thuringia, from the 12.04.45 onwards, the WASt worked under the supervision of the American Military Commission. On the 01.07.1945, immediately before Soviet troops took over in Thuringia, the Americans moved the WASt to Fürstenhagen near Kassel. At the end of January 1946 the WASt returned to Berlin and received its present name, which is a literal translation of the American designation. On the 14.06.46 the Allied Control Commission decreed that the WASt was to continue its work created by national and international commitments. At the same time the French section of the Control Commission took over the administration of the WASt. During the early post-war years the Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt) received many comprehensive records of other military and para-military organisations. In addition, in December 1990, it took over a large amount of records of the one-time Wehrmacht for evaluation. These records had been stored in the Military Archives Potsdam and the State Archives of the one-time GDR substation Dornburg near Zerbst/Anhalt. Owing to post-war laws the original task of the WASt has increased considerably. Because of its unique material the Information Office is approached by private individuals as well as authorities dealing with cases which concern Wehrmacht service and its effect in numerous areas. After an Administration Agreement on the 09.01.51 between the Federal Government and the Land Berlin the Information Office (WASt) became an Authority of the Land Berlin. It is part of the Senate Adminstration of Health and Social Security subordinate to the President of Department of Health and Social Security Berlin.

Address:

Deutsche Dienstelle (WASt)
Postfach 51 06 57
D-13400 Berlin
Deutschland

Phone: +49 (030) 41904-100
Fax: +49 (030) 41904-100

On the web:

http://www.com-de.pair.com/wast

Munin Verlag/Der Freiwillige/HIAG:
Munin Publishers/The Volunteer/Waffen-SS Mutal Aid Association

Mission:

Munin Verlag is the publisher of a number of very detailed and very highly regarded books on the Waffen-SS and German Wehrmacht. Munin also publishes the Waffen-SS veterans magazine Der Freiwillige. Munin Verlag is also the contact point for information on the main Waffen-SS veterans organization, HIAG, which serves as the Waffen-SS veterans relief organization.

Address:

Munin Verlag GmbH
Postfach 30 23
49020 Osnabrueck
Deutschland

Update!

Munin-Verlag stopped it's production some years ago. Although it appears Der Freiwillige is still being published, the other Munin Verlag titles are now being regularly reprinted by the following publishing house:

DVG Postfach 1180
D-32352 Preußisch Oldendorf
Deutschland

Phone: 05742/930444
Fax: 05742/930455

Verband des Krieges
German War Veterans Organization

Mission:

Address:

Verband des Krieges
Wurzerstr. 2-4
D-53175 Bonn
Deutschland

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz
German Red Cross

Mission:

The German branch of the international Red Cross, the world-wide emergency relief organization. The DRK was active during WWII, and also maintains a great deal of documents and information pertaining to WWII.

Address:

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee
D-5300 Bonn
Deutschland

or

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz
Suchdienst München
Chiemgaustrasse 109
D-81549 München (Munich)
Deutschland

On the web:

http://www.rotkreuz.de/

Heimatort Kartei
Expellee Card-Index

Mission:

The Heimatort Kartei is a church supported organization (Caritas) which collects former addresses and present whereabouts of Germans from the areas of Germany that are now Polish or Russian territory.

Address:

Heimatort Kartei
Auf dem Kreuz 41
86150 Augsburg
Deutschland

Internationaler Suchdienst Arolsen
International Tracing Service Arolsen

Mission:

Address:


Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge
German War Graves Commission

Mission:

This commission maintains German war graves all across the world. It has an extensive database of fallen or missing German soldiers, with the location of their graves (if known). They help to promote peace and understanding while at the same time preserving the graves and last resting places of hundreds of thousands lost during WWII, in Germany and abroad. They also promote grave restoration projects, reburials, memorial dedications, and youth education projects on the fallen of WWII.

Address:

Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräbefürsorge
Werner-Hilpert Strasse 2
D-34112 Kassel
Deutschland

On the web:

http://www.volksbund.de/homepage.htm

Arbeidsgemeinschaft für Kameradenwerke und Traditionsverbaende e.V.
Kameraden Veterans Magazine

Mission:

This is the veterans publication known as Kameraden. Kameraden is the official veterans newsletter for German WWII veterans. It lists reunions, has WWII-related articles, personality profiles, editorials, and also covers the combat activities of the modern Bundeswehr in the Balkans. The annual international subcription rate is 85 Deutsche Marks ($47). It comes out 10 times a year. Each issue is between 40-60 pages long.

Address:

Arbeidsgemeinschaft für Kameradenwerke und Traditionsverbaende e.V.
Tuebinger Strasse 12-16
D-70178 Stuttgart
Deutschland

Phone: 00-49-711-2260620
Fax: 00-49-711-2260794

Norwegian War Veterans from Finland
Norwegian War Veterans from Finland

Mission:


Address:

Pb 2348 Solli
N-0201 Oslo
Norway

Institute for Norwegian Occupation Research
Institute for Norwegian Occupation Research

Mission:


Address:

Pb 3239
N-0208 Oslo
Norway

Aid organization for Norwegian Volunteers
Aid organization for Norwegian Volunteers

Mission:


Address:

Pn 1407 Vika
N-0115 Oslo
Norway

Sint Maartensfonds
Flemish WWII Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information on the Flemish Axis volunteers and their units during WWII.

Address:

Sint Maartensfonds
Blancefloerlaan 165/33
2050 Antwerpen
Belgium

Gemeinshaft der Luftwaffe Jagdflieger
Organization of Air Force Fighter Pilots

Mission:

This is the main contact for information on Luftwaffe fighter groups and associations in Germany, as well for information on living and deceased Luftwaffe fighter pilots. This organization also publishes a newsletter called Jagerblatt which covers various topics related to the Luftwaffe and its pilots and veterans.

Address:

Gemeinshaft der Jagdflieger
Vereinigung der Flieger
Deutscher Streitkrafte e.V.
Willi Gobel
Krahwinkeler Strasse 34A
D-53797 Lohmar
Deutschland

I.SS-Panzerkorps (1.SS-Pz.Div. und 12.SS-Pz.Div.)
1st SS Panzer Corps (1st and 12 SS Panzer Divisions)

Mission:

Contact point for information on the I.SS-Panzerkorps

Address:

Patrick Agte
Zurmaiener Str. 57
D-54292 Trier
Deutschland

2.SS-Panzer-Division Das Reich
2nd SS Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Waffen-SS 2.SS-Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

Heid Rühl
Im Rheinfeld 18
D-64521 Groß-Gerau
Deutschland

9.SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen
9th SS Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Waffen-SS 9.SS-Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

Helmut Hennig
Am Wintersberg 3
D-63619 Bad Orb
Deutschland

10.SS-Panzer-Division Frundsberg
10th SS Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Waffen-SS 10.SS-Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

Karl Godau
Semmelweisring 16
D-38440 Wolfsburg
Deutschland

17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen
17th SS Armored Infantry Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Waffen-SS 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division during WWII. Be warned, it is said that Günther is not willing to lend any assistance to Americans!

Address:

Helmut Günther
Lohweg 3
D-35282 Rauschenberg.
Deutschland

Wehrmacht Heer 2.Panzer-Divsion
Army 2nd Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Wehrmacht Heer 2.Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

2.Panzer-Div.
Franz Steinzer
PO Box 159
A-1061 Wien
Osterreich

Wehrmacht Heer 9.Panzer-Division
Army 9th Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Wehrmacht Heer 9.Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

9.Panzer-Div.
Rudolf Wallner
PO Box 63
A-1061 Wien
Osterreich

Wehrmacht Heer 11.Panzer-Division
Army 11th Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Wehrmacht Heer 11.Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

11.Panzer-Div.
Karl Heinz Loschke
Haferkamp 37
D-38112 Braunschweig
Deutschland

Wehrmacht Heer 13.Panzer-Division
Army 13th Panzer Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Wehrmacht Heer 13.Panzer-Division during WWII.

Address:

13.Panzer-Div.
Gen.Maj. a.D. Helmut Fischer
Am Stadion 6
D-32602 VLOTHO
Deutschland

Wehrmacht Heer Panzer-Lehr-Division
Army Panzer-Lehr Division Veterans Organization

Mission:

Contact point for information about members and units of the Wehrmacht Heer Panzer-Lehr-Division during WWII.

Address:

Panzer-Lehr-Div
Bernd Hillmann
Auf dem Kampe 23
D-29355 Beedenbostel
Deutschland

Other known addresses for this unit:

Kameradschaft Panzerlehrdivision und Panzerlehrbataillon 94. e.V.
Wenzigerstrasse 18
79291 Merdingen
Deutschland

Phone: 076 6878 94

Oberst a.D. Juergen Boss
Fuggerstrasse 3
49811 Lingen/Ems
Deutschland

Phone: 059 0696 0040

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 2nd August 08:43

Roy Lime

Original Poster:

594 posts

134 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
This is good stuff, thank you.

Doc, you have mail.

dr_gn

16,196 posts

186 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Roy Lime said:
This is good stuff, thank you.

Doc, you have mail.
& replied, Ta.