Dufour, H V
Henry Victor Dufour
Just to advise you that I found a record indicating my father was held at Stalag 344. He was the only survivor after his Short Stirling Bomber was shot down during a 1941 raid on Hamburg.
His military records show how badly he was treated there. He worked in the mines. He was electrocuted and placed for long periods in solitary confinement.
He died in 1965, not surprising considering he weighed 5.5 stone when he left this place. He had nightmares until the day he died. He told my mother that men would be lined up and one would be shot dead in front of the others. If anyone flinched they would be selected the following day.
Despite his experience he was otherwise a really cheerful and spirited resourceful man.
With French/Native American roots he was bilingual and we have been told he tried to escape a few times, which could explain his treatment.
He loved playing the harmonica. No doubt he would have had one on him in the camp.
My brother has photos of the camp and it shows a number of theatrical performances as well as football matches.
What a surreal place.
Because his father was a WWI US Veteran they kept a special diary provided by the US Govnt to all US Forces men and women after WWI. He has some records of his training as an Air Gunner in Scotland.
After the war he settled in England, Surrey holding an Alien Passport where he met my mother in the early 1960s. He had to go to the local police station on a regular basis.
Charmaine Morgan
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