Belaria

The Other Stalag Luft III

Compiled by Roy L. Compton
96 S. Harrington Lagoon Road
Coupeville, WA  98239

Much has been written about the five main compounds of Stalag Luft III, the place of the “Great Escape” and the mass exodus in Jan. 1944.

 The compound of “Belaria” was opened at the beginning of 1944, and seemed to be a more secure compound used to incarcerate those kriegies who were suspected of being trouble makers or part of escape attempts. I was one of the approximately 113 Americans sent to this compound, probably due to the over crowding of the other sites. 

At the beginning of 1944, the Germans opened the new compound, “Belaria” which was a short distance northeast of the city of  Sagan. 

The camp was opened with about 500 British prisoners from the East and Center compounds. In February some men from the North compound, Wally Floody the Canadian mining engineer and tunnel chief, together with a half dozen key diggers of the tunnel for the great escape were suddenly transferred to Belaria. The Germans obviously knew some unauthorized activity was in progress. 

It had previously been a training camp for German troops, and then a camp for NCO Air Force prisoners. It had been designated Stalag Luft IV. This name was sent with the prisoners to Grosstychow. 

Located on a barren hill, the six original barracks were built on post and block, with these foundations open, so all activities under the building could be observed. In about July of ‘44, four more barracks were constructed as the population increased. 

THE LOG, the camp newspaper of 10 July 1944, reported “The present personnel of the camp is 728 officers and NCO’s. The figure is made up of the following: British 449; Canadian 184; Australian 40; New Zealand 28; South Africa 27; and three rabbits of uncertain parentage. 

The first of the approximately 113 Americans arrived the second week of November 1944, with another group coming a week later. 

The compound operated as a separate unit, but received some support from the main Stalag. No facilities for hot water, or baths, so the prisoners were marched around the town to the other camp for showers and delousing. 

Belaria was the last compound evacuated. Alerted at 9:30 PM Friday the 27th of January to leave in 30 minutes, the actual departure was not until 5AM on Sunday the 29th. This was a lucky delay, as there was time to build sleds, distribute any excess clothing, and consume as much of the food saved that could not be carried. 

The route traversed to Spremberg was different than the others, being north and more direct to Muskau. At Spremberg, the Americans were separated and sent to Moosburg, while the others were sent to Luckenwalde. 

Squadron Leader Bryce Cousens, RAF, Editor of THE LOG published a book in 1947 and sent it to many of the Kriegies of Belaria. This history is a great journal of the thoughts, humor, and hopes of persons who in some cases had been prisoners since 1939.