I'm trying to unravel my uncle's war story: served with the Rifle Brigade and the 1st Armoured Division, captured in May 1940 during the fall of Calais and, as far as I can tell, then held for the duration of the war at Stalag XXA in Thorn. Family memory suggests he was liberated through Odessa via Port Said. Do passenger lists exist for those ships which brought our servicemen home from Odessa? Also, his hard-to-decipher Army record says: (PRPW) Now in Allied hands (Moscow report). Any idea what those abbreviations and "Moscow report" refer to? Mod edit: 2 Threads merged.
New to the site and still unfamiliar with correct posting protocol. I have posted the message below elsewhere on the site, but figure it probably belongs here. Forgive the duplication. I'm trying to unravel my uncle's war story: served with the Rifle Brigade and the 1st Armoured Division, captured in May 1940 during the fall of Calais and, as far as I can tell, then held for the duration of the war at Stalag XXA in Thorn. Family memory suggests he was liberated through Odessa via Port Said. Do passenger lists exist for those ships which brought our servicemen home from Odessa? Also, his hard-to-decipher Army record says: (PRPW) Now in Allied hands (Moscow report). Any idea what those abbreviations and "Moscow report" refer to?
Hi, Welcome to the forum. Can’t help re your “PRPW” (might be an idea to post the original document) but Moscow report suggests Russian authorities likely updated the British Embassy with details of POW “in their hands” and British Embassy likely communicated the details to Foreign Office/War Office in London and from there the updated status would be communicated to NOK and more widely through the official casualty lists released to the media. I doubt the Embassy telegrams from Moscow still exist. You may want to apply to Swiss Red Cross 27th May for copies of the man’s POW records held by them. It’s a free service. You need to check the site at the given opening time when a drop down online application form will be visible. Complete and submit it speedily as the enquiry window can close within 90 minutes or so. You will get an e mail acknowledging receipt of your enquiry and a comprehensive reply by email within 2 to 3 months. Requests for information about people held during Spanish Civil War or Second World War: Quarterly limit reached Good Luck Steve PS Forum member Dave alieneyes collaborated with the late Tricky Dicky on Odessa research. He may be able to assist you.
2 threads now merged Welcome to the forum. PRPW - Previously reported Prisoner of War See Tags for possible related topics. odessa | WW2Talk repatriation | WW2Talk
Hello, The "Moscow Report" comes from No. 30 Military Mission, Moscow (part of the UK Embassy). Several (maybe 20 or so) British, Canadian, Aussie, NZ etc officers and enlisted men were sent to Russia and Poland and assigned to various points where liberated Allied POWs would come in contact with the Soviet army. Odessa was one of these places. Your uncle would have shown up in Odessa, made contact with any of the officers from No. 30 Mission who would then have their cipher man send a telegram to Moscow who would then forward that information to London. Unfortunately, there is no master list available of British ex-POWs who transited via Odessa. It may exist. I've never seen it or heard of anybody having it. Regards, Dave
TNA link - Repatriations from Odessa of prisoners of war from German P.O.W. camps | The National Archives
Hi Dave. A bit late back to this, but thanks so much for the background and the advice. Really appreciate it. cheers Terry
Might be of interest found it some time ago: Prisoner of War POW Stories German Camps Ron Redman Eventually Odessa - billeted in an empty hotel - again interrogated, felt strangely uneasy.
