Private John Chipchase
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3328
Name: B.37584 Pte. Chipchase, John.
Unit: Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 2nd Canadian Division.
Captured: Dieppe, 19th August 1942.
Liberated: Muhlhausen, 4th April 1943.
Left: Germany, 8th April 1945.
Arrived: U.K., 8th April 1945.
Date of Birth: 17th July 1920.
Date of Enlistment: 18th April 1940.
Peacetime Profession: Labourer.
Private Address: Aylmer, Ont., Canada.
1. CAPTURE.
I was captured at DIEPPE on 19 Aug 42 and was wounded in both legs.
2. CAMPS IN WHICH IMPRISONED.
Hospital, ROUEN. - 20 - 27 Aug 41.
Hospital 1249, OBER MASSFELD. - 5 Sep - 23 Oct 42.
Hospital, KLOSTERHAINA. - 25 Oct 42 - Feb 43.
Zweiglager 865, MOLSDORF. - Feb - May 43.
Working Commando 278, ERFURT. - May - Jun 43.
Punishment Camp, MASSBACH. - Jun - Aug 43.
Working Commando 761, BADEN. - Aug - Oct 43.
Working Commando 737, MINTERODE. - Oct 43- 29 Mar 44.
Zweiglager, MUHLHAUSEN. - Apr 44.
Working Commando 119, MERKERS. - May - 10 Jun 44.
Zweiglager, MUHLHAUSEN. - Jun - Jul 44.
Working Commando 119, MERKERS. - Aug - Oct 44.
Zweiglager, MUHLHAUSEN. - Nov 44 - 4 Apr 45.
3. ATTEMPTED ESCAPES.
(a) On 25 Mar 43 whilst at the Zweiglager 865 in MOLSDORF (GERMANY, 1:250,000, Sheet M.51, J 26) I made an escape with Sgt. R. WATSON, R.A.F. and Pte. J. HILL, Durham Light Infantry.
We escaped in uniform but we were in possession of maps and a compass. Our intention was to go into FRANCE and there get into touch with the Underground.
At about 2215 hours on the night of 25 Mar 43 we left the Camp by a tunnel from our sleeping quarters to a ditch outside the fence. The tunnel was approximately 35 feet long and we had worked at it about eight weeks.
Through this tunnel 52 others escaped during the same night, but we split up into different parties. All of these were recaptured within three days. The tunnel was discovered because one of the escapees left his pack in the ditch near the exit of the tunnel and it was discovered by a German civilian who reported it to the Camp Commandant.
The three of us walked all night in the direction of GOTHA (Sheet M.51, J 06). Our intention was to board a goods train in GOTHA. We were hiding in a bush near the goods yard all day.
However, in the afternoon at about 1600 hours, we were discovered by six members of the Landwehr and taken back that same night to the Camp.
I received 21 days in the Punishment camp in MASBACH, which, however, developed into nine weeks.
(b) During May 43 whilst in the Working Commando 278 in ERFURT (J 36) I attempted another escape with Pte. George [SKHAD?] (British). We had a map and enough food, but no compass. We were working at that time at the railway siding in ERFURT.
On 24 May we dug a hole under our sleeping quarters and got outside the Camp which did not have a barbed wire fence at that time. We left about midnight.
We caught a goods train going North. After we had gone about 30 kms. the train was stopped and taken back to another siding in ERFURT.
For some reason the train was searched and we were discovered. They thought at first that we were Russians and nearly let us go away. However, after a closer investigation with a lantern they learned that we were British.
We were taken to the Gestapo H.Q. in ERFURT from where we were returned to the Working Commando.
I received no punishment for this escape as all the records of escapees which were in KASSEL were destroyed during a bombing raid in Jul 43.