German POWs

[mtaylor]

I am undertaking the MA in British WW1 Studies at Birmingham Uni and am considering topics for my dissertation. There seems to be very little information about German PoWs - how we 'acquired' them, interogated them, passed them down the line, fed, watered and housed them and ultimately set them to work. This is not surprising given that sources seem to be scattered, but before writing this off as a topic I wonder if forum members might be able to help by pointing out sources and references which they have come across. Some unit war diaries must include info on prisoners. Perhaps in total this will provide info for an overview? All info greatly welcome and all sources will be acknowledged if I take up the topic.

[Doug Johnson]

MTaylor,

FO383 contains large amounts of documents relating to German prisoners of war and their treatment etc. There are Red Crosss reports on the conditions in the camps, discussions on repatriation, working arrangements, parcels and food supplies and complaints from prisoners. Documents also include reports on the deaths of prisoners in captivity.

These are not available on line but the documents can be found in the NA on line index and copies obtained through various means.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...REF=FO+383%2F19

To see more just change the last two numbers. There are several hundred of theses files. The first line of the index should be Germany. If it isnt then it may be of no interest.

Photographs of German prisoners frequently turn up on E-bay showing prisoners being escorted from the front, in wire cages etc. Especially the Daily Mail ones.

I have no references to published works but I have seen some first hand accounts which I think are in print. There is a list of all the British PoW camps, throughout the Empire, currently available.

Doug

[stevem]

The POW camp in Leigh, Lancashire was been written about, the details are as follows:

The German Prisoner of War Camp at Leigh 1914 - 1919 by Leslie Smith

Published by Neil Richardson in 1986

The book gives a chronological account of the camp based on information from the Leigh Chronicle.

It is well illustrated and worth reading.

if you decide to do dissertation on German POWs let me know as I have some more information about Leigh, regulations for working parties etc.

Regards

Steve

[mtaylor]

Doug - many thanks for the info, I'll check it out

[mtaylor]

Steve - thank you for the info re the Leigh publication - I'll get a copy and get back to you if any follow up needed.

[Guest nnicol]

I am undertaking the MA in British WW1 Studies at Birmingham Uni and am considering topics for my dissertation. There seems to be very little information about German PoWs - how we 'acquired' them, interogated them, passed them down the line, fed, watered and housed them and ultimately set them to work. This is not surprising given that sources seem to be scattered, but before writing this off as a topic I wonder if forum members might be able to help by pointing out sources and references which they have come across. Some unit war diaries must include info on prisoners. Perhaps in total this will provide info for an overview? All info greatly welcome and all sources will be acknowledged if I take up the topic.

NNicol Aug 06

There were approximately 1000 places used to intern both Civilian and Military personel in the UK during the First World War. These ranged in size from half a dozen that helped a farmer to 28,000 held on the Isle of Man. I have a collected a lot of data on many of these camps

[AndyMacdonald]

I am undertaking the MA in British WW1 Studies at Birmingham Uni and am considering topics for my dissertation. There seems to be very little information about German PoWs - how we 'acquired' them, interogated them, passed them down the line, fed, watered and housed them and ultimately set them to work. This is not surprising given that sources seem to be scattered, but before writing this off as a topic I wonder if forum members might be able to help by pointing out sources and references which they have come across. Some unit war diaries must include info on prisoners. Perhaps in total this will provide info for an overview? All info greatly welcome and all sources will be acknowledged if I take up the topic.

Feel free to email or PM as I have info on German POWs held in New Zealand, and the interrogation of these and others (mostly nabbed in France and Belgium).

Andy M