Hello, just joined, trying to find out about my fathers time in Egypt during WW2. He would NEVER discuss the war, so he obviously did not have an easy time, but then again, no-one did. From what I can see from the attached, he was wounded in Sept ‘41, and back to his unit in November of the same year and became a POW in 1942?
Is that "Missing Tobruk 20/6"? I'm interpreting that as June 20, 1942, which is in the period when the Germans assaulted Tobruk and captured it. If I was a POW for three years I might not want to talk about it either.
You should get his official service records for the complete picture: Requests for personal data and service records: a detailed guide You left off his service number which is James Pritchard 1476589. Wounded Cyrenacia serving with 5/2 Lt AA Regt on 25/9/41 Missing 20/6/42 then reported POW then wounded and POW POW No 125681 Camp 7A (Moosburg) also Camp 54
Moosburg (mentioned above) was the largest POW camp in Europe it was north of the Brenner Pass in Bavaria. Moosburg Online: POW camp Stalag VII A Most POW's from N Africa were sent to Italy followed by the train journey from Modena to Moosburg after Italy capitulated in September 1943. They were then distributed to various labour camps around Germany and Poland. Forum member Viitellino has written several books about these trains and the War Crimes associated with them. She might pick up on this thread. They were the same trains that were used to take people to the concentration camps. At Modena Sidings there was a large compound for POW's and a large a one (if not the same one) for deportees to Auschwitz). There was even a POW camp E715 next to Auschwitz where POW's making chemical products for IG Farben. Members on the forum may be able to tell you much, much, more so I will leave you to them.
Some basic info on 2 LAA Regt here. 2 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 You will see 5 Battery there , that explains 5/2 LAA on that card.
#3 also mentions Camp 54. See the accompanying link. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridge-Allerona-Janet-Kinrade-Dethick/dp/1291110526 Perhaps this might be justification to send off for his Full Service Records.to investigate his time as a POW and possibly what he went through. The forum members can assist you in deciphering them and give you help with your research if you want. Good Luck in your endeavours.
