Stalag Luft III

Prisoner of war camp
media-36335.jpeg UPL 36335 "Aerial view of Stalag Luft III, German prisoner of war camp for air force personnel, at Sagen, Germany. Thousands of American air force prisoners were imprisoned here. In addition, the camp held British and other allied air force personnel who were captured during the air offensive against Germany. This entire camp was evacuated the latter part of January 1945 and all prisoners of war were marched westward as the advancing Russian armies drew near. 17 Sept 1944."

Object Number - UPL 36335 - "Aerial view of Stalag Luft III, German prisoner of war camp for air force personnel, at Sagen, Germany. Thousands of American air force prisoners...

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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.



Stalag Luft III was situated in Sagan, 100 miles south-east of Berlin, now called Zagan, in Upper Silesia, Poland.



This POW camp was one of six operated by the Luftwaffe for downed British and American airmen. Compared to other prisoner of war camps throughout the Axis world, it was a model of civilized internment. The Geneva Convention of 1929 on the treatment of prisoners of war was complied with as much as possible, but it was still war, still prison, and still grim.



Further detailed information, photographs and stories can be found at :

http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag3.htm

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16029314 / O-664487
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37449939
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-738808
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 364th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14100768 / O-807140
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-726121
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Revisions

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Contributorkgonnam
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Contributor466thHistorian
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Chris Brassfield

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Associated prisoners of the 457th Bomb Group from http://www.457thbombgroup.org/POW/POW.html

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Associated prisoners of the 457th Bomb Group from http://www.457thbombgroup.org/POW/POW.html

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Added further detail from http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag3.htm.
Associated media.
Further detailed information, photographs and stories can be found at :
http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag3.htm

Date
ContributorAnthony
Changes
Sources

Flight Officer Moore's Diary and Flight Manifest. Wyatt replaced James Garrison on this flight. Garrison was the Assistant Flight Engineer and Waist Gunner.

Stalag Luft III: Gallery (36 items)