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 17B was situated 100 meters northwest of the village of Gniekendorf. This village is located six kilometers northwest of Krems, Austria.

Air Corps NCO's were held at this camp and they regretted they were not in an Air Force camp. They considered that they were entitled to a special camp and the privileges of aviators.

Further detailed information, photographs and stories can be found at :
http://www.b24.net/pow/stalag17.htm

As the war was winding down, the Russians were advancing from the east and the POWs were forced marched west, across Austria, and ended up at Braunau Am Inn, on the Danube.
Any POW that couldn't walk faced either execution by the Germans or interment by the Russians.