I had a e-mail today from the son of a former Canadian POW, whose Dad was captured at Dieppe and interned at Stalag IXC. I have referred him to another site which can give him specific information on camp life and conditions etc. However, there is one piece of information which intrigues him most, namely the American Unit which liberated his Dad and his fellow soldiers. The POW's had left the camp at Bad Salza and on April 17 1945, were at a small village called Radisleben (which is approximately 40 Kilometres, South East of Magdeburg) when American soldiers freed them. Do any of our American cousins have any knowledge of which Divisions were likely to be in this vicinity on or around the dates mentioned. Any information, would be much appreciated. Robert
Some of the POW's were forced to march West in March 1945 to escape the Russians and those who were left were liberated by elements of 6th Armoured Div in April. Hope this helps. Macca
Macca I've checked and the US 6th Armoured Division (found a site with copies of their equivalent of war diaries) were a lot further south and east on the dates I've got. Must have been other POW's they liberated. I should imagine that there were a large number on the road at the time. Thanks anyway. Robert
Hi Robert, It certainly was a mess with POW's sent all over the place often with no directions or even guards. I know that 6th Armd liberated Buchenwald and Stalag IXC on the same day (they are 35km apart). Radisleben is 111 km north of Bad Sulza so you would be right saying that it was unlikely to be 6th that found the men you are enquiring about. I would suggest that it was the division north of the 6th that may have found these men. I know that 4th, 6th 65th Inf and 76th Inf were transferred from 3rd Army to 1st together and these may be the units to investigate more. I am currently researching a POW story myself and will let you know if I come across anything. Macca
Macca From the war diary of Combat Command C of the 6th Armoured, it suggests that the 9th Armoured and the 2nd Armoured were North of themselves. From the personal recollections of a POW from Bad Salza, it suggests that they were made to walk 20 miles a day for a number of days, so the distances involved sound about right. Good luck with your own search.. Robert
ok my dad was from stalag 9c ...he was liberated on april 8 1945 by pattons 8th army group. not sure where they were .Still looking for story that was published..my dad had to run across an open field with a couple of other guys hoping thew americans would not shoot them. They must have looked a sight. there were warning shots over there heads but nobody was shot. And this is how a group of about 62 prisoners we liberated from stalag 9c. Others were on a different march 9c had a few locations. I have got a better trace on what group of Pattons group liberated just not at my fingertips right now...hope this help
Just a quick note to all. Thanks your info did put me in the right direction. I have found the what U.S. Army units liberated my Dad. as far as i have narrowed it down it was the 345th infantry regiment, part of the 87th infantry div. which was part of the Third army. with the help of this website I have been lucky enough to track down photographs of him thanks to this website. Now just trying to get the best pics i can. Have not yet stumbled across the article written about him but still searching. I have been doing this research for about 3 or so years and the rewards have been great..thanks
