International Committee of the Red Cross WW2 POW Archives

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by brispencer, Mar 26, 2009.

  1. The Viking

    The Viking Active Member

    good afternoon guys, I do have to say with disappointment at the moment I don't own any records from ICRC as I keep missing the window but I do plan on ordering them next time, I do believe he was the first wave of POWs to enter the camp but wasn't sure thanks for confirming that for me,

    been an amateur of this research I didn't know of any records for the working party's so this is new to me and something i am interested in leaning more of, what sort info could I learn from searching these out ? and could you point me in the right direction on where to get these records
     
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    EDITTED -
    Hi,

    The only details I’ve seen about Work Camps on the forum is when members have posted ICRC Stalag visit reports and were able to visit a handful of “attached” work camps.

    The reports I’ve seen don’t list names of work camp POW’s and are more concerned with camp conditions. The work camp leader and/or man of confidence isn’t usually named.

    Sorry I can’t post a list to the reports I recall having sight of. A search of National Archives catalogue may turn up ICRC inspection reports

    The only personal recollection I can add is that my late father spoke of being taken from his Stalag 17 B work camp at Mistelbach to see ICRC inspection team at Wiener Neustadt in summer 1944. I’ve never searched for the report.

    Steve
     
  3. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    FYI

    Anyone who managed to submit an ICRC application in the very short window of opportunity 17th September 2018 ought to be receiving the ICRC reply shortly. I received mine today.

    Steve
     
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  4. The Viking

    The Viking Active Member

    Hi steve could you confirm when the next window is ?
     
  5. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

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  6. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

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  7. The Viking

    The Viking Active Member

    A few weeks ago I contacted the ICRC spoke to a decent bloke on the other end via email.

    I explained iv tried 3 times in the window that is opened for requests without success. I explained who stanley Conway and what I am looking for and he kindly has put in a request for me which I am very grateful for. Now it is just a waiting game I think iv heard someone waited a year for a reply and was given some good stuff for his research.
     
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  8. Tim091

    Tim091 Active Member

    I was waiting at the crack of dawn on 23rd Sept (!) and got my request through when they "opened".

    Question to those who have used this service before: all I got was a "thanks for your request..." web page when I finished but have had no email confirmation of my request. Is that usual? Hate to think my request got lost somewhere in the process!
     
  9. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I’m afraid that’s all you get from ICRC:rolleyes:

    The next thing you ought to receive is a letter - containing copies of any ICRC papers - through the post in 4+ months time.

    Steve
     
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  10. Tim091

    Tim091 Active Member

    Great, thanks Steve. Put my mind at rest.
     
  11. The Viking

    The Viking Active Member

    Yeah that's all I got too. I'm still waiting for a letter exciting waiting through :)
     
  12. Tim091

    Tim091 Active Member

    Yeah, it is! I have my relative's Mi9 questionnaire, I have just applied for his army record (they quoted me six months for that!) and there is his POW record in National Archives which is closed until 1st January 2020. I don't know why it is closed by I am looking forward to getting it in January.
     
  13. Tim091

    Tim091 Active Member

    ICRC info came through this week. Photocopy of his record card and capture card. Sadly no information that I didn't already know but it is great to have the copies to add to my file.
     
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  14. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    I’ve submitted a Red Cross POW enquiry this morning. Pleased to see that they have improved the system and now generate an acknowledgement confirming safe receipt of the enquiry when it is submitted.

    Steve
     
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  15. The Viking

    The Viking Active Member

    I received my letter nothing much in it tbh just his pow number and things I already knew.
     
  16. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

  17. Tim091

    Tim091 Active Member

    They could easily charge a reasonable fee (£20 - £30?) and therefore perhaps be able to recruit more researchers?
     
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  18. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I think the issue is that POW research on “wars of yesteryear” isn’t a priority as ICRC have enough on their plate dealing with today’s humanitarian crises.

    They don’t see themselves as moneymakers in the commercial sense - unlike UK MOD - or they wouldn’t have digitised their WW1 records for free internet access.

    The plan was to also digitise WW2 records for free internet access but that project was cancelled. The current 4 month minimum reply period is better than the one year plus reply period of 10 years ago.

    Steve
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2020
  19. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Whilst reading this thread, I just looked through my files and can't believe it was January 2008 when I sent of to the ICRC for my grandfather's details.
     
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  20. Tim091

    Tim091 Active Member

    Fair enough, it wasn't a criticism and totally agree they have more important things to do!
     
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