International Committee of the Red Cross WW2 POW Archives

Discussion in 'Prisoners of War' started by brispencer, Mar 26, 2009.

  1. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    So, would it be fair to say that, while accurate for the the most part, the Red Cross records may not be 100% infallible?
     
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    IMHO the accuracy of ICRC information relies on the detaining power providing regular updated information on the location and movements of detained persons.

    BTW my fathers Red Cross papers did accurately reflect what he had recorded in his Liberation Questionnaire.

    Steve Y
     
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  3. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    I should have clarified my last post. I was trying to say exactly what you've written here that the records are only as good as the information supplied to them by the Axis powers. From what I can gather the documenting of prisoners by the Germans appears to have been fairly well handled (although his personellkarte looks to have gone missing). Unfortunately I don't have a liberation questionnaire to cross reference with what they sent me. Before getting the Red Cross information I had a few dates and place names written down in my great grandfather's diary and the photos he stuck in it along with the POW lists now held by Find My Past etc. From that I was able to work out a rough timeline of dates and places which the Red Cross information has largely confirmed. The photos of other camps are the only anomalies which I can't account for now if I take the Red Cross information to be 100% accurate. The most obvious solution would be to assume that these other photos are just snapshots he collected while he was a prisoner - maybe some of the blokes listed in his diary are in them. I may never know for sure.
     
  4. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I received the reply to my ICRC enquiry this morning. Letter dated 16th Jan and envelope same date Geneva postmark.

    Lots of new information for me. Relative transferred from 8B to 4C Jan 1944. Now thinking funeral photographs I posted on this thread may be from his time there.

    There is a handwritten letter from him 26th July 1942 in reply to ICRC enquiry (presumably on behalf of family in UK) regarding his state of health. He was then at Stalag 8B Arbeitskommando E220 - no internet hits yet on that working camp.

    Steve Y
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2017
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  5. Mr B

    Mr B Junior Member

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  6. andy007

    andy007 Senior Member

    Thanks Mr B. That explains why I haven't heard anything yet. Must have put my request through about then too.
     
  7. chick42-46

    chick42-46 Senior Member

    Received a reply in the post from the ICRC today - postmark on envelope dated 24 February but seems to have come to me via an address in Bermondsey! So about a month from my inital request to the ICRC sending a reply - not bad!
     
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  8. Mr B

    Mr B Junior Member

    I just received a response from ICRC, I sent it off Jan 21st, letter was dated 6th and postmarked 7th March. They advised they found my uncle in the archives but unfortunately they don't have much information on him and they only know he is on a list of ex-prisoners of war eligible for Japanese compensation and have directed me to TNA to continue my research.

    Now I'm wondering if this will be the same for most if not all of the FEPOWS or if I was just unlucky. Anyhoo back to the drawing board.

    Barry
     
  9. andy007

    andy007 Senior Member

    I take the below back. I was pleasantly surprised to arrive home to an envelope from the ICRC this evening.

    Not too much in the way of new information, but little tid bits that I didn't have before...such as his POW number!

     
  10. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Just for info - CWGC website now updated today with usual application form for POW enquiries for 2nd quarter 2017.

    Steve
     
  11. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

  12. Lettsm2

    Lettsm2 Member

    Received my response today, postmarked 15/5/17. Lots of new bits as well as corroboration of previously known info. I was like a kid in a sweet when I saw the letter on the mat!
     
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  13. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Has anyone else had a reply to an enquiry submitted in that very short period of time after 1st April when ICRC accepted enquiries?

    I made an application but have heard nothing.

    Steve Y
     
  14. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    FYI - I've just received the ICRC reply to the enquiry I submitted 3rd April.

    Steve Y
     
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  15. Incredibledisc

    Incredibledisc Well-Known Member

    Any new information for you or just confirming what you knew already?

    I recently contacted the German Red Cross after hearing they might have additional records and they passed my query on to the following organisations...

    X Deutsche Dienststelle (WASt),
    Eichborndamm 179, D – 13403 Berlin
    □ Internationaler Suchdienst (ITS),
    Große Allee 5-9, D – 34444 Bad Arolsen
    □ Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge e.V. (VDK)
    Werner-Hilpert-Str. 2, D – 34117 Kassel

    I'll let you know if they turn up anything.
     
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  16. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Nothing new in the package I'm afraid although it was nice to see the postcard he sent to his NOK on arrival at Stalag VIIIB from Italy. I presume that was the norm on transfer from Italy to Germany as a postcard was included in my fathers package.

    I've never seen a similar postcard from a POW on arrival in Italy - presume they just notified ICRC and relied on them to inform NOK via U.K. military/government channels.

    Steve Y
     
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  17. Emma Squibb

    Emma Squibb Well-Known Member

    Hey, I’m planning on applying for this on behalf of my Nan for my Great Grandad who died as a POW in Japan. What details exactly do I need to send them, obviously as much as I know about him eg name, service number, etc etc. Are they going to want any proof I’m a relative? Do I just sent all of his details in an email on Monday to the email on this link?

    What kinds of things will they send, I thought it was just the pow card but reading this seems some people get more records? I’m also applying for his war records on the government site thru the MOD, is that something different?

    Many thanks

    Requests for information about people held during the Spanish Civil War or the Second World War: Quarterly limit reached
     
  18. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I’ve copied your post and numbered the points you raised for ease of response -

    1.Hey, I’m planning on applying for this on behalf of my Nan for my Great Grandad who died as a POW in Japan.

    What details exactly do I need to send them, obviously as much as I know about him eg name, service number, etc etc.

    You will see an online application form when you use the below link sometime on 15th Jan. There is a drop down list including the info you quote plus a few more.

    2. Are they going to want any proof I’m a relative?

    No proof required.

    3. Do I just sent all of his details in an email on Monday to the email on this link?

    As at 1 above use the online application form when it appears but be quick as it will likely close for applications after 2 to 3 days. The downside is that when you submit the form you don’t get an automated email informing you it has been received. You hear nothing until the Postie pops an envelope through your letter box about 3 months later.

    4.What kinds of things will they send, I thought it was just the pow card but reading this seems some people get more records?

    Although I’ve made 3 applications last year all were for German POW’s. I don’t know what you you may receive for FEPOW.

    5.I’m also applying for his war records on the government site thru the MOD, is that something different?

    2 totally different applications. MOD provide a copy of his Army service file which will usually include 2 lines re POW - one that he was captured and second saying he was released (or died). It costs £30.

    Red Cross hold details of his time in captivity and provides details of all camps he passed through. I got 2 postcards in my replies - again I don’t know what FEPOW applicants will receive but it is a free service.


    6. Many thanks

    You’re welcome.

    Steve


     
  19. Emma Squibb

    Emma Squibb Well-Known Member

    Wow thanks for such a quick and detailed response! I’ll be straight on it Monday so I don’t miss out!
    He died in Japan when my Nan was just 8, she’s now 82 so this would be great if I could get this to go with the other bits I’ve collected this week for her. Postcards would be a great thing to have.

    Thanks again :)
     
  20. Emma Squibb

    Emma Squibb Well-Known Member

    If he had kept a diary would this be with these records?
     

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