Why *TWO* POW Cards? Same camp, same info., different photos.

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by RiverdaleDIY, Jan 15, 2023.

  1. RiverdaleDIY

    RiverdaleDIY Member

    Looking for help interpreting the info. on TWO POW cards I’ve recently obtained, belonging to my Grandfather (In-law). I’ve shown them both below and they generally corroborate all the other info. I’ve discovered about him over the past 3 years. So that is encouraging.

    TLDR: Why are there *TWO* essentially identical POW cards for the same person at the same camp with the same info., but two different photos?

    Full Discussion:
    Why would there be TWO cards, seemingly from the same camp (Stalag VIIA) but apparently (based on the photos) from different dates? Could one be from his arrival and the other one, with an updated photo, created upon his departure?

    The first card shows his location as Stalag VIIA, which is under the Main Administrative Authority of “Oflag Luft 3” and his POW#90062, plus a photograph. Then the second card again shows Stalag VIIA, but with his POW changed to #77 (which I knew about), with a clearly different picture.

    So as I said, I’m wondering why the 2 cards?

    Is it possible (typical?) the first one was the one he brought with him, with his existing POW#90062, presumably issued at Dulag Luft? Then a new card, the second one, was redone with his “new” POW#77 once he arrived and was officially processed at Stalag VIIA?

    But if this is the case, why does the first one say Stalag VIIA, and not Dulag Luft? Or is there another obvious reason, that I’m missing, for him having 2 cards which appear to have been issued at the same location? Is it related to the big "E" stamp along the left hand side, what does that mean?

    I do know he was at Stalag VIIA Moosburg from ~ Dec. 17, 1941 until ~Sept. 15, 1942 when he was transferred to Stalg 383 Hohenfels. This was the time period when the camp was transitioning from Oflag IIIC to Stlag 383. As he was one of the very first arrivals there, it makes sense his "new" POW # would be so low, i.e. #77 when he was inducted there.

    As an aside….Why on earth, with all the other critical information detailed on a POW card, did they not include a DATE‽

    Any insight most appreciated. Thank you.

    Dad Stalag VIIA Information COPY.jpg Second POW Card.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2023

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