Stalag VIIIB E494 Gleiwitz O/S

I hope I have posted this in the right place! I hope someone is able to help me. I am searching for information on the above working camp that I believe my uncle (Charles Andrews) was sent to between July - October 1940. He was admitted to military hospital, Res. Laz. Scharley from here with a stomach complaint in October 1940. All my enquiries around this camp have only revealed details in 1942/43 but nothing before this. I am in the process of having his pow card translated but this shows entries, such as
Lg 6478, Lg 7133, Lg 7749. Can anyone tell me what this means. It shows that he earned wages too.

Many thanks for any assistance.

Barb

 

Barbara,

When you say his POW card, are you talking about his Liberation Questionnaire available from Kew? This shows the camps he was in, both main and working camps, and a few other facts.

They were paid a wage, as such, in Lagerfeld which was a currency particularly printed for the POW's but they used the black market in their Red Cross parcels to much greater effect.

Regards,

Nick

 

Thanks for your response Nick. No I am not talking about a liberation questionnaire. Apparently Kew do not have one for him. I mean the POW card which went with him wherever he was sent during his time as a POW. He was repatriated in 1943 and I was told by someone at Kew that as he probably never filled out a LQ. I only recently received a copy of the card from the MoD but it is written in German and difficult to understand in parts. I am thinking the numbers after "Lg" are working camps (Lager meaning Camp) as it shows the amounts earned in a different column. By the way these cards are in the process of being transferred to TNA by the MoD and should be available for viewing there by the end of the year. It has taken me nearly 2 years to obtain it and so frustrating that I can't read it.


Cheers Barb

 

Barbara,

Well done for getting his POW index card and whilst l never give up on those Liberation Questionnaires, l have to agree that repats did not complete them.

Could you post a copy of his POW card on here for us to have a look at.

Regards,

Nick

 

Nick

Not sure how to do that but I will give it a go. Wish me luck

 

View attachment 125593

 

View attachment 125593

 

Seem to be making a real hash of this task. Now managed to post part of the card three times. So sorry,my technical skills leave a lot to be desired. Hope what I have posted so far may help. Will get some assistance before posting the rest Nick.

Regards. Barb

 

Hi,

Wow! Thanks for posting this info.

It is like seeing "the Holy Grail" for those of us who had POW relatives - my late father in my Avatar (left). I understand that they have a picture attached - is that correct?

I have heard mention of these POW index cards and even contacted the ex POW society Secretary but got no helpful information on how or where to apply.

If a digitisation process hS started and the records passed to NA I presume it is to late to apply to MOD?

Look forward to seeing all the documents once you have sought advice.

Thanks

Steve Y

 

Hi Steve
Glad the info was useful - it will be a few days before I can post the rest, but thought I should give you what I know about cards. You are right the card sometimes has a pic attached and a thumb print. For some reason my copy hasn't. I will view the original at Kew later in the year. In the last 2years I have been given the runaround by all and sundry about the cards, including false info. In desperation I wrote a letter of complaint to the MoD and as a result I got the copy, although I was told that they didn't have to give me this at this stage as they will be available at the archives 'in the future'. I can confirm that the latest is that they will not be digitised and are in the process of transferring them by hand to TNA. This should have happened by the end of the summer ready for accompanied viewing by the end of the year. I wouldn't hold your breath on the timescales given! I have it in my diary to contact them in September.

Will continue to post soon.

Cheers. Barb

 

Hi Barb,

Thanks for the info. I am sure it is of interest to many members so much so that I hope you don't mind if I suggest you post the documents in a new topic with a title similar to GERMAN POW INDEX CARD OBTAINED FROM MOD.

I am sure more members would spot it under a separate title than under a Stalag 8B topic.

I would also ask for a translation from a German speaking member.

Regards

Steve Y

PS Just for clarification POW money was called Lagergeld. I remember my Dad had a few notes and coins. I understand British authorities did not pay all back due on repatriation on the basis POW's were paid by German authorities (in worthless money!).

 

Thanks Owen.

Steve Y