Kriegie Dog Tags

here is a picture of genuine POW Dog tags as worn by a former member of the Seaforth Highlanders who was captured when the 51st Div laid down their arms in 1940.

The string attached to the tags, is the original article

 

How interesting. The first example I have ever seen. My Father was a P.O.W. and in 6 or 7 camps and was not issued any I am sure.
Attached are copies of his R.A.F dog tags (also with original string) issued in 1940.

 

The POW tags are in the same 'one-part' style that the German military used, except that the military ones were generally oval in shape.

The tag is left around the neck and the lower half is snapped off along the perforated line and removed. They were designed this way in order to prevent the rattle of having two seperate tags.

 

How interesting. The first example I have ever seen. My Father was a P.O.W. and in 6 or 7 camps and was not issued any I am sure.
Attached are copies of his R.A.F dog tags (also with original string) issued in 1940.

I was issued with similar ones when i joined in 1976!

 

Here is the message telling his family that he was a POW. They had him down as dead!

 

morse can you tell us more about this chap?
What's the story behind it all?
How have you been able to obtain these items?
Please do tell.

He is the late father of a woman who I work beside. She was left them along with a load of photographs. She let me take them home to scan, something i could not scan was a hankerchef with a large hand coloured Seaforth badge.

I have scanned some which show a funeral attended by the POWS and officiated by a German Padre. i shall put them on the boards. A firing party of German soldiers is also shown. In addition, there is a photo of the SBO and the camp commandant and it looks like two friends out for a stroll! The wearths are well made of german design, there is even a civilian grave digger present! Some thing that intrigues me about the funeral is that there was a Army padre there but he was no taking part.

What is fascinating about the photographs, is not only the subject matter, there are lots of photos taken showing sports events and concert parties as well as the funeral; but it is clear that the photographer had free access to a camera and film from german sources!!! The photo were printed on german paper!

The images of the POWS, show that they were well cared for as they look fit and healthy, as well as being well fed!

 

It is very possible that the Pardre was of another denomination (normally catholic or prodestant) and there was someone of the right denomination there to take the service (methodist? presbitarian?). It's not seen as disrespectful for a Pardre of one denomination to stand to the side and a senior officer of the correct denomination to take the service. He is after all there for the wellbeing and welfare of the troops and he will always abide by what was, or even thought to be, the soldiers wishes.

Only my views, and may be out of the ball park on this occasion, but it is the way things are done and if the camp had lots of scots they can be very sectarian in their views.

 

It is very possible that the Pardre was of another denomination (normally catholic or prodestant) and there was someone of the right denomination there to take the service (methodist? presbitarian?). It's not seen as disrespectful for a Pardre of one denomination to stand to the side and a senior officer of the correct denomination to take the service. He is after all there for the wellbeing and welfare of the troops and he will always abide by what was, or even thought to be, the soldiers wishes.

Only my views, and may be out of the ball park on this occasion, but it is the way things are done and if the camp had lots of scots they can be very sectarian in their views.

German Padres were there to serve the Germans personnel only

 

here is some of the photos!

 

funeral photo

 

funeral photo2

 

Funeral photo 3

 

funeral photo4