Does Germany provide POW records

Hello

My grandfather was in the 1st battalion The Black Watch, and along with most others in The 51st Highland Division surrendered to the Germans near St Valery in 1940.

I can see the Stalags he was a prisoner in and the dates. I was wondering if The German Government would have records on him? Date and place of capture etc and any camp records.

Thanks

 

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

The British seized the central German POW Index cards at the end of the war. They are available online at UK National Archives in file series WO 416. You can request a digital copy.

Im not aware that the records maintained at an individual stalag survived the Libération.

You can request an individual’s POW history from Swiss Red Cross 27th May. It’s a free service. You need to be quick off the mark and visit the site when the enquiry window opens. Speedily complete the online application form that will pop up as the enquiry window closes with a couple of hours. You get a reply by email after about 8 weeks. See below link.

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

Steve

 

Hi Steve

Thank you so much.

Appreciated.

Dave

 

Is the screenshot from a his Liberation questionnaire? If so it should have his POW and Army number on it - use either to search here for the cards Tullybrone mentioned in his post: War Office: German Record cards of British and Commonwealth Prisoners of War and some Civilian Internees, Second World War | The National Archives using the numbers should bring up his card whereas using his name might bring you multiple matches.

 

Yeah I got him with just his name as not common, but do have his number if it was needed. Thanks again.

 

There are German archives in Bad Arolsen which you can try. I never had any luck getting anything from them but you never know. Between the Questionnaire and the record card you will pretty much have most of the info you're loolking for. With a list of dates and camps you will probably be able to unearth a few more puzzle pieces that will help you build up a picture of what his experiences were like. Also, if you have a British Newspaper Archive subscription you can try searching for him there - if his name is uncommon he should be easier to filter. If you don't let me know his name and I'll do a search for you. Local newspapers quite often printed photos of men killed, missing or captured

 

Thanks again for your reply.

Stewart Matthewson and 2751943 was his army number. He was a regular and joined up in 1928.

Very much appreciated.

Dave

 

You’re in for a bonus if you get his POW cards from the National Archives as it appears that they include a copy of his POW photo

 

Yeah. I have ordered them, but did not know about the photo or even what they have. Looking forward to it. I have also ordered his army records and when the Red Cross window opens up again will order too.

As always grateful for any reply or information.

Dave

 

Hi Dave,
if you need any local German assistance, please send me aPM
Stefan.

 

Thank you Stefan.

 

I have a blank of the Red Cross request form. If they are still using the same one I can put a link up. Having it prefilled gives you the edge over the other punters.

 

Hi,

Not too sure if sight of the “old” blank form will suffice. The last application I made - in the last application window 2 months ago - was a drop down “online” form in a different format to the “old” form that could not be saved offline (could do a screen print) but if the OP has sight of the “old “ form he/she/they could save time as he/she/they will then have knowledge of the questions that need answering - NOK etc.

Steve

 

Cheers. Did wonder if they had possibly updated the process.