Hi folks, I'm a Brit currently working on US Army Garrisson Hohenfels. I've recently found out that the base was used a PoW CAMP for British servicemen among others. As a user of the PoW thread myself I thought as I was in situ I would try and find out if the base held any info on the activities that took place here during WW2 for anyone who might be researching the PoW camp. I am still looking into this but I have come across a presentation that the US Army have done on the whole history of the area of Hohenfels which includes a large section the second world war and the PoW's held here. So here's the Link Home - Official Website of the Hohenfels KONTAKT Club click just under the main logo where it says "presentation" Hope it is of some use to someone. I will also carry on with some more research to see what else I can turn up!! Cheers Deano
Hi folks, I'm a Brit currently working on US Army Garrisson Hohenfels. I've recently found out that the base was used a PoW CAMP for British servicemen among others. As a user of the PoW thread myself I thought as I was in situ I would try and find out if the base held any info on the activities that took place here during WW2 for anyone who might be researching the PoW camp. I am still looking into this but I have come across a presentation that the US Army have done on the whole history of the area of Hohenfels which includes a large section the second world war and the PoW's held here. So here's the Link Home - Official Website of the Hohenfels KONTAKT Club click just under the main logo where it says "presentation" Hope it is of some use to someone. I will also carry on with some more research to see what else I can turn up!! Cheers Deano Deano, My father was in Stalag 383 from Aug 42 to May 45 when released by the American Army. I have lots of photos if you would like to see them. Is it difficult to visit the old Stalag area as it is a military establishment? regards Steve
Hello, I'm sure the two of you are aware, but just in case....... There's a really good book from just after the war called 'Barbed Wire Memories of Stalag 383'. Plenty of cartoons and anecdotes from former prisoners.
Hi Steve I would be really interested in looking at any photo's that you might have of you fathers time at Stalag 383. I work at Hohenfels US army base as a fuels contractor, where my Bulk Fuel Installation stituated is where the old P.o.W huts where. Unfortunetly there is nothing left as far as I know of the P.o.W camp. The whole camp is a miliatry training area now,very similar to Sailsbury Plain. I am aware afew decendents of P.o.W's that have since come back to look around so I know it would be possible if you where interested in a trip over? How you go about this I am not entirley sure but I could look into it for you? Did you see the link to the Kontact club history page? that has some good foto's on there of what the camp was like. Also below is a link to a set of youtube video's of a P.o.W survivor recalling his stay here at Hohenfels which is really good. Part 1: My War as a Prisoner of War - Stalag 383 WW II POW - YouTube Hope you find some of it interesting Cheers Deano
Hi Deano, please see below some photos I have scanned in from dad's time at Stalag 383. View attachment 71705 View attachment 71707 View attachment 71709 A quick description. Photo 1: Hut 25, dad is the Sgt centre front rank. Photo 2: A group photo of the Notts contingent from the Sherwood Foresters captured in Norway. Dad is the tall fellow centre of rear rank; he must have been fed up playing soldiers that day as he is in his M&S cardigan! Photo 3: Reverse of first photo. Photo 4; Group shot, dad is kneeling between the two fierce looking RSMs! Photo 5: Gardening group. Photo 6: Funeral cortege leaving main gates. Photo 7: Shot of Stalag 383, you may recognise some of the surrounding countryside. Photo 8: Dad prior to deploying to Norway with 8th Sherwood Foresters. He was in Stalag 383 from Aug 42 to May 45 after transferring from Stalag XXA in Poland. 383 seemed to be very much as per the "Great Escape" image of a POW camp. It was for Senior NCOs and there appeared to be a military atmosphere to the camp, whereas the photos from XXA I have showed underfed soldiers trying to survive. I hope they have been useful. Would welcome some advice on who to apply to for a visit at the end of May. Regards Steve
Hi Steve, Those photo's look great! I'm on my iPhone at the moment but will look on my works comp alittle bit closer tomorrow. I will also start to try and find out who I need to speak to to try and arrange some kind of visit, like I said before I am not 100% sure how to go about this but will try and make some in roads for you. Did you manage to see the link to the Hohenfels Kontact club link?
Hi Steve, try this link http://www.kontaktclub-hohenfels.org/resources/History+on+slides.pdf another couple of links to site's about Stalag 383, might be of some interest The Wartime Memories Project - STALAG 383 POW Camp Stalag 383
Hi Deano, I managed to open that link, very interesting military history. Have you noticed that one of dad's photos of Stalag 383 is the same one as on your website. Steve
Are you still at Hohenfels? I have been here for many years in the Army and now out. I just found this site. If you are still around we can link up. Hi folks, I'm a Brit currently working on US Army Garrisson Hohenfels. I've recently found out that the base was used a PoW CAMP for British servicemen among others. As a user of the PoW thread myself I thought as I was in situ I would try and find out if the base held any info on the activities that took place here during WW2 for anyone who might be researching the PoW camp. I am still looking into this but I have come across a presentation that the US Army have done on the whole history of the area of Hohenfels which includes a large section the second world war and the PoW's held here. So here's the Link Home - Official Website of the Hohenfels KONTAKT Club click just under the main logo where it says "presentation" Hope it is of some use to someone. I will also carry on with some more research to see what else I can turn up!! Cheers Deano
Hi Warhog, If your in the Local area i.e Amberg or Parsberg yeah give me shout and we could have a chat. I dont really know too much on the stalag 383 so if you know anything that would be great. Message me direct on here if you like. Cheers Deano
Steve Foster - I'd love to include your father's exploits in my next book, 'Newark in World War 2' because I understand he hailed from the Nottinghamshire town. Can we meet..?
Hi, Steve hasn't been on the forum fir a couple of weeks. I've sent him a PM to alert him to your post. Good Luck. Steve Y
Whilst on a working visit to the former CMTC OPFOR in November 1994, this was the only ‘of the period’ building I saw: No recent additions to the thread, but I wonder if it is still there? Looking back to #5 above, another of the Sherwood Foresters at Hohenfels was a chap called Hampson from Trent Road in Beeston; can’t offer any further detail though.
Hi Geoff, You kindly sent me a copy of the handwritten address my Grandad gave to you father Bill. (FJ Best, 9 Strides Lane, Market Place Ringwood.) I am wondering if you could answer a couple of questions please, I'm trying to build a location timeline for my Grandad. He was captured at St Valery en Caux, 12th June, 40 was on the march to Poland and 1st stayed at Stalag 20A Thorn, moving to Stalag 20B later. I'm trying to find out more details, such as: What working parties he was in and where, all I know / think is he worked on farms? When did he transfer to Stalag 383 and meet up with Bill? Any info would be great thank you, in particular any photos's, I'm trying to find one with Johnny in? I am finishing the route of the march next May, ending up in Thorn, Poland ready for the POW memorial day on the 8th, can't wait! Many thanks Scott Best Gunner F.J Best, 44 Bat 101 LAA / AT Royal Artillery
Hi, Geoff C has not been on the forum since 2012 so he is very unlikely to respond to your message. The answer to some of your queries may be held in the Swiss Red Cross files. You need to apply for your grandfather’s ICRC POW records at the next opportunity - 26th September 2022. Requests for information about people held during Spanish Civil War or Second World War: Quarterly limit reached You will need to be quick off the mark and complete the online application form that will be visible on the site that morning. The window of opportunity can close within 2 hours of opening due to over subscription so you do need to act with some alacrity. You will get a reply by email after 8 weeks or so and may even get a copy of the capture card he completed soon after his arrival at his first camp. You also need to look in U.K. National Archives for his returning POW questionnaire. Not all POW completed one. They are not digitised and my need a personal visit to Kew. You may also find that his German POW central registry index card is available to download via U.K. National Archives in series WO416 that is currently in the process of digitisation - in alphabetical order. Steve EDIT TO ADD WO416 entry link below Search results: 1532653 Francis John Best WO416 | The National Archives
