Thanks for posting those photos WhiskeyGolf. The Russian ones are particularly haunting! Did your Grandfather take these too?
Yes he did Andy - he was a nurse in the war, and when in the POW camp ended up nursing the Russians - he was appalled at how they were treated. Wendy
Thanks Wendy, It is absolutely appalling how the Russian POWs were treated by the Germans (and the other way round as well!). It always strikes me in my research that, something as simple as a signing a piece of paper (in essence) prevented the deaths of thousands of British, commonwealth, American and other allied POWs.
Remarkable stuff WG. It's always interested me just how PoW-made photos were taken and processed (or the films hidden for later). Did Grandad ever explain any of this?
Cheers Wendy, That seems remarkable to me really - I can't imagine German PoWs being allowed to take photos in our camps (though I'll doubtless be proved wrong by someone more clued up on this stuff.)
Wendy and von Poop you will be interested to know that there was an Official New Zealand war photographer by the name of Lee Hill who was captured in North Africa and allowed to carry on taking photos even while in the camps (some of his photos are online), probably went through much the same procedures as your Grandfather.
Many thanks, Wendy for sharing your photos......An extrange sensation invaded me viewing these images. Jan.
Wendy, a pair of questions: I note that you titled any of the photos as: "Padre John Ledgerwood on right.jpg" An this word, obviously is the spanish treatment for the catholic clerygman. Is habitual? Seems rare.....almost for me. Any explain? .....Hi Adam Pop said that they were allowed to take photos - but they were screened before the POWs got them back. Many of the photos are stamped on the back - Stalag XV111A...... Do you could scan one back of a photo? Particularly of interest, if is possible capture, an detail of the mark of the photographic paper. Thanks in advance. Jan.
Hi Jan, I think you will find that 'Padre' is the name given to clergymen of any domination in the armed forces of English speaking nations.....However I am sure someone of more knowledge will be able to clear this up for you
Hi Jan, I think you will find that 'Padre' is the name given to clergymen of any domination in the armed forces of English speaking nations.....However I am sure someone of more knowledge will be able to clear this up for you Thanks for your explain, Andy! However, curiously, in the Spanish Armed Forces.....this name are in Latin: Pater Jan.