Indian POWs in Europe

Hi,
Some years ago I was researching the POW Hospital in Lucca (PG202) and Vitellino found me a photo on Facebook of what is to thought to be some of the POW medical staff there. The link is no longer working.
There are at least 3 men who have an Indian 'look'
My interpretation is the ones dressed in white shirts are orderlies, the dark shirts are officers/doctors

 

Hello
I am very interested to learn more about the Indians and or Gurka’s. Whilst researching I came across this website and had to join and get involved.
I have the privilege of having a ww2 transit camp later a POW camp in my garden and have been digging, recording accounts and researching since 2009.
I have in my collection 31 readable stalag IVD ZW identity tags which may belong to Indian soldiers.
3 stalag VII/A
3 stalag VIII/C
5 stalag XII A on the reverse side stalag XII C
Also what looks like a ceremonial necklace from either the Indian or Gurka’s.
Question is , how and where to look to add names and possible faces to these identity tags.
Any information would be very appreciated.
The indian soldiers where here in August 1945
Wynches camp 411 Much Hadham.

 

digger411,

Welcome aboard. There are members here whose expertise and focus is POW matters (Germany).

When you are ready please post up images of the badges and hopefully help will appear.

If you search online with the camp details so for example: "Stalag V11/A" or "Stalag" + "V11/A" that may identify threads here.

Are there any books on Indian POWs in WW2?

 

Hi Digger411,

The main centres (there were about 20 all told) for Indian Army ex-POWs were around Thetford and Brandon in Norfolk. There was also a centre at Fornham which is not too far away near Newmarket and another at nearby Chippenham. I believe that while the Chippenham site was being readied that some returned POWs were temporarily held in Much Hadham before being moved to Chippenham. Your best bet is to visit the old India Office Library records held at the British Library in London - IOR/L/WS/1/704 and 705 (Indian POW Reception War Diaries) should be worth consulting, especially as the latter contains info on No 42 Reception Camp at Much Hadham in 1945. Worth noting that IOR/L/WS/2/43 also covers Indian POW Reception Camps.

Happy Hunting!

Col

 

Hello, I’m looking for information on my maternal grandfather. All I know is that he served in the India Army during WW II, was caught in Greece and taken as a POW to Germany for 5-7 years. He was presumed dead back in India but showed up in his village 5-7 years later. I believe the POWs were related and taken to England and then back to India. Can anyone help me with this? Thank you.

 

Something to follow up in January 2027 is the records of the ICRC Archives in Geneva

• ICRC Archives in Geneva has records for the Second World War. Previously there was a four monthly "quota" for enquires, due to staff numbers but if the quota had been exceeded, you could apply at the beginning of the next period, in January, May and September, commencing 8am (CET). However, due to a digitisation project, application will now only be allowed once a year. Details are linked from the page Requests for information about people held during Spanish Civil War or Second World War where it is stated the next application will be 25th of January 2027 at 8 AM (Geneva time). Previously it was stated that the demand for this service is very great, and as the quota may be filled within two hours of opening, it was suggested to check from 7am UK time on the day the quota opens. The quarterly quota was around 250 each time (2024 October), 2027 yearly quota unknown.

(Copied from the FIBIS Wiki page British Army - FIBIwiki )

Maureen

 

Thank you so much for this information!

 

H Gill welcome aboard,

There are several members here whose focus is the Indian Army in WW2.

Could you (if known) please add his full name, Date of Birth, known unit and Service Number? It will help others to help you.

Do you have any documents to help?

The best place for a new thread on him would be in: Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy It will also get more attention, see for an example of how the forum can work: IMS / IAMC commission type — Captain Stanislaus Mascarenhas MC, MZ 21826

Guidance on uploading / scanning is within: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image

A visual guide to ‘Start’ is in Post 19 in: George William Knock

Personally I am puzzled about your reference to he:

I am not aware that Indian troops were sent to Greece in March 1941. Wiki shows none either. See: Battle of Greece order of battle - Wikipedia

Indian POWs taken in North Africa were transferred by agreement between Germany and Italy to Italy, by ship, mainly to Bari and some escaped when Italy left the war in September 1943. Those who stayed in the camps were promptly removed by the Germans to camps mainly in Poland, and Germany.