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| Aerial Photo taken in March 1945 of Stalag 6 in St. Wendal taken
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Last
Name:
ANDERSON |
First
Name Middle Initial:
JOHN H |
Nick
Name:
Static |
| Street:
PO BOX 13753 |
City
& State: MEXICO BEACH, FL |
E-Mail:
elja22@aol.com |
| Zip:
32410 |
Phone:
(850) 648-8533 |
Spouse:
wife and 6 children, 13 grandchildren 7 greats |
| Conflict:
WWII |
Service
Branch: Army Air Corp |
Unit:
8 AF 388 BG 561 BS |
| Theater:
ETO |
Where
Captured: Berlin |
Date
Captured: 08/06/44 |
| Camps
Held In: First night in jail in Berlin, Oberusal, Dulag Luft
at Wetzlar, Stalag Luft 6 at St. Wendel, Stalag Luft 4 at Gross Tychow,
Stalag XIB at Fallingbostel |
How
Long Interned: 253 days |
| Liberated
/ repatriated: liberated |
Date
Liberated: 04/16/45 |
Age
at Capture: 21 |
| Medals
Received: Air Medal w/3 Clusters |
| Military
Job: Radio operator-gunner on a B-17 |
Company:
Asst. Prof. Univ. of GA; Music Dept. Head Bethel College; Chairman of
Fine Arts Columbus College |
| Occupation
after War: College music teacher and administrator |
Bio:
At the National Convention in Tacoma, WA last year a letter from a
German historian was read to the group in the Stalag Luft IV gathering
on Friday, September 26, 1997. He wanted information about the POW camp
at St. Wendel, Germany. Since I was in the first contingent of troops
sent to St. Wendel I wrote him a letter on October 27 and he responded
on December 1, 1997. He enclosed an aerial photograph done in March 1945
by a USAAF Reconnaissance Unit. He wrote that "It’s the only
photo I was able to find from Stalag Luft VI in St. Wendel." In the
letter he asked a number questions which you might be able to help me
answer. Here they are verbatim:
"You wrote about the air raids and alerts. Could you identify the
type of planes that flew this raids? Had that been high altitude raids
or low altitude? Did they attack your camp? Was the town defended
against air raid? Was there any anti-aircraft-fire for, positions near
your camp? During the raids how or where did you take shelter?
"How was your contact with your guards? How many guards had
there been, any dogs? Did the Germans speak English? Do you remember
names and/or ranks?
"The Highway you could see in the distance - how far away
was it and which direction belonging to the town? Can you remember
special buildings in or outside the town, i.e. the big church in the
middle of the town or the monastery to the east?
"You wrote about the Italians around camps. Did they work or
live there?
"Let me say again thank you for your help. And if you should
meet Ex-Pows from St. Wendel, please, tell them best regards and say we
are sorry not to know about them and their stay in our town.
Letter was from Roland Geiger - you may e-mail your answers directly to
him at Rolgeiger@aol.com
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Message to Future Generations:
While in Luft 4 I was challenged by the great possibilities of
teaching music under difficult circumstances. Drawing staff lines on
Cigarette wrappers was the entrance test to study music theory. A pump
organ came into the compound on Nov. 22. Choir rehearsals were MWF at 1.
Glee Club rehearsals were TTS at 1 and included the Catholic boys. They
sang a group of football songs on program on Dec. 14. On Christmas eve
the Glee Club sang in the middle of the compound at midnight and were
heard by Chris Christiansen, YMCA representative, who was visiting at
the time. A minstrel show was given Jan. 24-26. Starting in January a
meeting was held every night in Barracks 1 in C Lager which included
discussions, music appreciation hours, lectures, debates, spelling bees.
and other activities. They were quite successful. The maarch put an end
to all the good times we had in camp. We should concentrate more on the
good times we had rather than the bad times during the march. While in
camp I had a great time and learned a lot that helped me later in life.
For one who had to "go down in flames" it was a great
experience. |
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