MORE ABOUT THIS SITE

This website aims to provide as complete a picture as possible of the experiences of the prisoners from Commonwealth countries who were interned at Lamsdorf, as a historical record and a resource for research, but most importantly as a lasting tribute to all those servicemen who suffered imprisonment there, some for almost six years.

There is still a great deal of material to be loaded onto this site, which will take some time to complete. Please browse and return again to see how it develops. You can contribute to the site by emailing:
  mail@lamsdorf.com

Please browse, read the history of the Camp and the satellite work-camps, the experiences of the former prisoners-of-war and the memories, queries and comments that have been posted to the Guestbook. This website is always growing, thanks to the contributions of many people, and will be a substantial historical record for future generations, and a tribute to those who endured so many years of their lives as prisoners-of-war.

This website replaced the former website: www.lamsdorf.webs.com. The many guestbook comments left on that website are gradually being incorporated into this website.

MORE NEWS

Culture and Creativity in the Stalag

A recent item from BBC News
Click HERE for this news item.


Test Match Cricket at Stalag 344! 
Click here


An article about Prisoner of War websites, May 2009,
from BBC 'Who Do You Think You Are?' magazine.
Click Here

Bryn Roberts

On 22nd May 2011 BBC Radio 4 broadcast a programme about a survivor of Lamsdorf, and several other camps. It was a moving and fascinating programme, and particularly focussed on how he had a portrait of his wife painted by an inmate of Auschwitz.

Here is a link to the programme, which is still available at the moment:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010y36c

Eva Maria Delesko and Uncle Cyril

My Uncle Cyril Rawlinson was captured at Dunkirk and transported to Stalag VIIIB where he spent much of the war.  Towards the end he somehow escaped and was taken in by a Polish family.  As the Russian forces advanced he was asked to marry the daughter of the family.  This he did and the two were later released by the Russians and shipped back to the UK from Odessa.

Whilst this may sound exaggerated but it was true.  As a youngster of 12 years I can remember meeting Eva Maria Delesko at my Grandmother's house.  She was introduced as Uncle Cyril's wife and my memory is of a raven haired beautiful woman. Sadly it was a marriage of convenience and soon afterwards they were divorced, Eva moving to the south coast where she ultimately became a paediatric nurse or doctor.  Uncle Cyril did re-marry and had a good life in Halifax.

Whilst I was given the story by my Grandmother, Uncle Cyril was always reticent to enlarge on the basics.  
Who knows? someone visiting this site may know a little more of this "romance".

brian.hodgins@talktalk.net

CAN YOU HELP?
These are the latest requests for information.
(More can be found on the 'Can You Help?' page - CLICK HERE)

JIM McQUEEN
is looking for fellow POWs. Jim says:
Was Sgt WAG in RNZAF in Wimpey shot down Belgium August 1942. Spent 2½ years in Air Force compound. Did the march to Zeigenhain and released by Butch Patton Good Friday 1945. Mucker was Douglas Boston Patterson from Owen Sound Ontario-since deceased. Through contact with Canadian Tex Hyde who was official photographer for escape committee,
I got to operate various radios from which source Harry Whelan, RAF navigator, linguist, and others produced newsletter.
Would be interested to hear from families of either of the parties mentioned as to whether they ever wrote of the connection.
Now heading for 01 so time as they say is of the essence.
rayjim@xtra.co.nz

DOES ANYONE RECOGNISE
THIS FORMER POW?

The name on the back is Pte A. McIlwain. William McAleer says: "I have recently been going through some old family photos and came across a photo of a gentleman who I am not familiar with within my family tree, but I have a feeling that he was one of my mother's uncles. He is in uniform and on the rear of the photo is a stamp mark Stalag V111B GeprUft: Nr.28. The soldiers name is Pte. A.McILwain ( 15499) and the photo is addressed stalag-VIII B--(E360), Germany. It would be great if someone could supply some more info on his identity or history it would be of great interest to me". If you have any more information you can contact William through the guestbook. Does anyone have any more information about E360?  William's email address is:  williammca1@aol.com

KARL BRUCKNER

My father Stanley Gordon Jones, who is still alive today, was a POW  at Lamsdorf. He was a private in 2nd/7th Battalion in The Australian Army taken at Crete. He worked in the coal, sugar mines in Breslau now known as Wroclow.
He also was picked out from a line-up to work for Karl Bruckner to paint the enormous Gasometers. My Father told me of Karl and he would love to know if he has any family still living. My Father is not certain on how Karl spelled his surname. If anyone has any information on the now Wroclow gasometers I would appreciated any information. 


       POLISH GIRLS SMUGGLING FOOD TO POWs

My father has a photo of a young girl from the time he was in Stalag VIIIB . Her name is Mariska. Does anyone know of a Polish girl smuggling food to the POW’s?

Marlene Kluzek klampet@bigpond.com Victoria, Australia


Please email your requests for information to lamsdorf@hotmail.com or put them on the Guestbook.