POW diversions and escape plans Oflags Laufen, Biberach, Warburg, Eichstatt and Moosburg

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by Tallkatee, Feb 27, 2012.

  1. Tallkatee

    Tallkatee Junior Member

    Hello

    Im helping someone write their memoirs for his grandchildren and the idea is growing into wider research into what we hope will be a book about his personal experiences

    It will cover the fighting withdrawal of 51st Highland Division to St Valery (I have seen the other thread on here too. see '51st Division May 1940 to St Valery....'..)... then the separation from his men at surrender ... the month long march... Oflag Laufen and beyond...

    He was an officer with 1st Blackwatch, 154th Brigade.

    Its a very long shot to see if anyone else has information that would help up build up the background/prompt his memory with other diaries. We are very interested in any more detail that can be shed on anything:

    about the 'University of Laufen' - when the younger officers were encouraged to keep their minds active (after their primary responsibility of escaping) with learning and entertainments such as drama, music and dancing

    about the spirit of Scotland that remained in the camps through the Highland Division POWs

    The red cross eventually sent in chanters and squeeze-boxes and Highland piping and Highland Dancing became possible etc

    he remembers everybody (including very senior officers) learning to knit..

    His roommate played the saxaphone repeatedly!

    One of his friends passed his Bar exams

    He had good friends as POWs from 4th Seaforths and 7th Argylls and Sutherlands

    Any more information that would help to paint the background from anyone who has a relation who was an Oflag POW would be amazing

    Apparently by the time he was in the last POW camp he was in a group/room which was known collectively as "The Nursery" because they were all, comparatively young.

    Many thanks

    Kate
     
  2. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Hi Kate,

    would you have the name and rank of that officer?
     
  3. G H Liddle

    G H Liddle Junior Member

    Hi Kate
    My grandfather, Thomas Reynolds was captured at St Valery while attached to 51st Highland, and marched/embarked to Laufen, arriving July 1940, leaving Laufen for Posen in March 1941.

    George
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Attached Files:

  5. Tallkatee

    Tallkatee Junior Member

    Thanks Owen, that really is a great picture - I have never seen one like that, or the former palace from that angle. [Thanks to so many people's help, I have spent the summer putting all the information in order and typing up all my notes and I now have a really good story to tell.... now to get writing....]
     
  6. Tallkatee

    Tallkatee Junior Member

    Hi Kate
    My grandfather, Thomas Reynolds was captured at St Valery while attached to 51st Highland, and marched/embarked to Laufen, arriving July 1940, leaving Laufen for Posen in March 1941.

    George
    Thanks George. It's interesting to know about your grandfather. What was his view of the Jocks I wonder? From what I know, the 7th Norfolks were planned to be the rearguard on the western perimeter of St Valery should an evacuation have taken place. I think they must have been in a hellish position there in the face of the German onslaught.
     

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