Hi my grandfather was liberated from Stalag 11b in April 1945. How long would've it been until he was back home in U.K.? I have a picture of him and my gran and my dad and he is still fatigues. Also when home was he de-mobbed right away or returned to unit. Thanks.
Hi djcr, As no one has replied yet, I'll have a go. From what I have read, some POWs were assisted to fly back quite quickly whilst others were told they had to make their own way to airport departure points- involving hitch hiking or train travel or walking. It seems to depend on the resources available where they were found. Regarding de mob - I have read they weren't de mobbed straight away, but sent to barracks fora while first where they were required to be de-briefed on their experiences. In cases where ex POWs were in a sicknor emaciated state, they were kept in the forces for treatment. Hope that helps a bit. B
Hi, OP hasn't been on the forum since November 2016 but I'll chip in with my fathers experience. Having been marched out of a Stalag 17B work camp at Mistelbach, Austria in late March 1945 into Czechoslovakia - to avoid Russian Army - his column were abandoned by their German guards in early May and were found by elements of General Pattons 3rd Army on 7th May (VE Day). He was sent down the American lines and ended up at Regensberg. He was re equipped with American kit and flew from Regensberg to Nancy, France and thence to Cherbourg before landing in the south of England. His post release questionnaire is dated 12th May 1945. He was sent home within 2 days of arriving in England and started 3 months leave during which time he was called for a medical. As a pre War regular soldier he was asked whether he wished to continue, go to a POW resettlement camp (for assessment/therapy re PTSD etc) or seek civilian training. He elected to take his discharge (Class B Reserve). At the conclusion of his leave he was did not return to his regiment but was extra regimentally employed on posting to several RAC/RAOC Depots. He started his discharge leave in February 1946 and was demobilised in May 1946 to commence a civilian trade training course. Steve Y
The RAF were deeply engaged in Operation Exodus,the repatriation of POWs by air from areas throughout Europe to RAF Stations around London which were set up as POW Reception Centres. Operation Exodus....Air Crash,POW:Sapper HAROLD WILLIAM ATKINSON FINDLAY 2072609, 226 Field Coy., Royal Engineers Generally speaking after being progressed through the Reception Centres,POWs were given leave and then the next stage would be enacted,that of the demob process.....some who were regular servicemen would be posted as appropriate for their future engagement.
My great grandfather ended up in Stalag XIB in February 1945 having spent years in various other camps. I believe the camp was liberated on the 16th of April and he was flown back home in time for his story to appear in the local paper on the 24th.
In my dads case after walking almost thousand miles from stalag xxa Thorn Poland and crossing elb river ending somewhere Stendal Germany area. Sent to some type holding area for pows. Sounds like Americans in control. He said he was watching some American entertainers with his mates, bunch Frenchman in front them blocking there view, they were pretty much emasculated, they asked some yanks whether not they could have better view, after looking at them “British pows”, cleared whole works Frenchmen out of area, to a much complaining Frenchmen. After that he said they had great view, laughed after that. Have to remember these veterans a good many from 1940 and figured Frenchmen let them down in 1940. They were flown back to England and where sent to arming camp to retrain and get physically fit after years starving. Some of there retraining was running for miles but he told me ex pows told officers to go get stuffed because they were much delusion with war and military because of what they saw and were physically mentally done in. He said pretty well couldn’t do much with ex pows. Had minds of there own. Looking at his army records he was caught smuggling booze into camp. He was punished. Put in Brig and leave canceled. After year he was demobbed and returned to British Colombia Canada where he was from. Came home to Canada paid for by the W Black funded,Black was conservative MP from Yukon who help veterans that had no money who were trying to get back to Canada after war so he said. Anybody know where that holding area was before flown out to England ?
