Prisoner of War Questionnaires

The following information has been taken from questionnaires completed by liberated Prisoners of War. The collection is held by the National Archives, catalogue reference WO 344, and it can be viewed on the Ancestry website, https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/62114/

2719762 Guardsman David Abel

        Unit: 2nd Battalion The Irish Guards

        Work Camps: Sonderhausen (Salt Mine, March to July 1942), Ronhild (Stone Quarry, November 1942), Hambach (Salt Mine, November 1942 to August 1943), Marsbach (Stone Quarry, September to November 1943, Erfurt (Seed Factory, August 1944 to March 1945)

        Illnesses: Conjunctivitis & Corneal Ulcers (eyes). Cause: Excessive dust & general condition. Duration: Nov 42 to Aug 43. Appropriate medical treatment: yes.

        Escapes: From Sonderhausen in August 1942. No companions. Recaptured at Gusten 2 days later. From Hambach November 1942 recaptured Giesa 4 days later by Police official. From Hambach August 1943 recaptured Hambach 6 days later by Wehrmacht. From when waiting on salt transport to Switzerland.

        To: D.D.M.I. (P/W), War Office, Room 327, Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London W.C.2. M.I.9/Gen/74277.

                In reply to your letter of the 14th inst. requesting information other than given on your questionnaire which I completed on 12th May 1945 I have pleasure in giving you the following information which I hope will prove adequate for your purpose.

                1. (a) From a Working Camp No 739 Stalag IX C August 1942, exact date unknown. The escape was made from the factory by walking through the back entrance in civilian clothes. (b) No Companions. (c) No experience of any note worth recounting. 3 days freedom. Re-captured by German Railway Police, owing to lack of identification papers. (d) Assistance given by Lt.Col. Swinburn i/c Escape Committee, Oflag IX A/H. Supplied with Compass, Map and Currency. All of which retained after re-capture.

                2. (a) From a Working Camp No 135b Stalag IX C November 1942, exact date unknown. Escape made by cutting wire of surround during the daylight. Actual escape made during the following evening. (b) Regimental particulars of my 3 companions unknown. Number of persons escaping on the same evening was 34, 5 eventually reaching England. (c) Owing the lateness, conditions were extremely cold and as this escape was made on foot travelling was confined to the nights, taking to the woods in the daytime. Period of freedom about five days. Recaptured by State Police who were looking for slave workers, whilst we were resting in a field hut and sheltering from the persistent rain. Marched from this place to the town gaol, about three miles, without supports for trousers and no laces for boots and hands above the head.

                3. (a) From Camp 135b Stalag IX C July 1943. Escape with companion made while being taken out to work with a party of six men and a German Guard. We were in the first file and going round the corner of a building it was necessary to run about 15 yds before the Guard who was about 2 yds behind came round the aforementioned corner. Escape was discovered about 2 minutes afterwards, but owing to the excellent concealment in a part of the factory discovery was impossible, although search was made immediately by a number of military and civilian personnel for about 4 hours. Joined by two more companions following day. (b) Regimental particulars of three companions not known. (c) Owing to presence in the factory being known by the German Authorities we were enforced to sit in concealment until such times as it was possible to get through the net which was thrown round the factory. Searches were made every day, searching to within a few feet of our hide-out. After seven days of liberty, whilst replenishing our water supply we were re-captured by German Military Personnel.

                David Abel Gdsm 2719762 Signal Platoon, No.4 Co. T.B.I.G., Hobbs Barracks, Lingfield, Surrey.