Letter from a German POW.

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by John Condie, Jun 2, 2021.

  1. John Condie

    John Condie New Member

    Hello All,

    I am new to this forum and hoping this may be a helpful resource.

    My grandfather was in the 14th Coast Artillery Harbor Defense and the 106th Infantry. He served in France, Germany, and Belgium and was in the Battle of the Bulge.

    After he passed, I was gifted his army belt. Of course I checked all the pockets and found a letter written by a German POW (pictures and translation attached).

    Ultimately I am trying to find any resources that may lead me to getting this letter back to the man's family. I know if the situation was reversed I would be happy to receive the same (although you never know in this situation). I understand this is an incredibly challenging endeavor, but worth a shot.

    Also, here is a link to an interview with my grandfather in case anyone is interested:

     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Reading the translation it seems all we know about this man is that his name is Erich Biste

    Ancestry - I cannot fully access these files as they are outside my subscription

    All results for Erich Biste
    Germany, Military Killed in Action, 1939-1948
    (6 total images in packet)
    Casualties
    Name
    Erich Biste
    Birth dd mm year location
    Death dd mm 1942 location

    So I guess not this one as he was a POW in 1945

    The second result shows :
    Germany and Surrounding Areas, Address Books, 1815-1974
    City & area directories
    Name
    Erich Biste
    Residence year city, Polen (Poland)

    But without access to the file its difficult to know if this man was living pre or post WW2

    TD
     
  3. Aixman

    Aixman War Establishment addict Patron

    Suggest "train" in the translation should rather read "platoon". The German word "Zug" has both meanings, and context (Gruppe/group) should be observed.
     
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  4. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

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