Stalag Luft I
Prisoner of war camp
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 10019 - Prisoners of war, including Colonel Hubert Zemke of the 479th Fighter Group at Stalag Luft I.
Connections
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Detailed History
Allied aircrew shot down during World War II were incarcerated after interrogation in Air Force Prisoner of War camps run by the Luftwaffe, called Stalag Luft, short for Stammlager Luft or Permanent Camps for Airmen.
Germany held nearly 9,000 USAAF and RAF airmen at Stalag Luft I during WWII. Stalag Luft I was located two miles northwest of the village of Barth, Germany, on the Baltic Sea. The first Allied prisoners entered the camp on 10 July 1940 (French and British POWs). The German garrison left the camp several days before the arrival of Soviet forces on 2 May 1945. The POWs were evacuated by 8th Air Force B-17s on 12-13 May 1945.
Further detailed information, photographs and stories can be found at :
http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag1.htm
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13200624
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner and Armorer (MOS 612)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16088844
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-767604
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
![Second Lieutenant James E. Zengerle and Second Lieutenant Albert B. Millin of the 388th Bomb Group, talks about their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed "Tom Paine" to Professor Frank Dobie. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943. [stamp] and '289761.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. Associated Press Photo Shows: Left to right: 2nd Lt James E Zengerle, Pilot of the Flying Fortress](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380288.jpg.webp?itok=DnBn50IK)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-745728
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-682498
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Revisions
Associated prisoners of the 457th Bomb Group from http://www.457thbombgroup.org/POW/POW.html
Associated prisoners of the 457th Bomb Group from http://www.457thbombgroup.org/POW/POW.html
Additional history added from b24.net : http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag1.htm
Roy, Morris. Behind Barbed Wire. Published in 1946; Zemke, Hubert (and Freeman, Roger). Zemke's Stalag. Published in 1991.