83rd Inf. Div. at Stalag IIIA, Luckenwalde, May 1945

Hello, greetings from Canada, and thanks for welcome me to your group. My research into my Grandfather (In-Law) has brought me here. Forgive me if you've seen this request elsewhere, as I've posted in a few of the obvious places. Anyway, I’m looking forward to reading all the fascinating stories etc. on here. Plus I shall give a short explanation, and a much longer one, below of how I ended up here.

Essentially I’m looking for any stories, memoirs, reports, photographs from the US perspective, specifically about Stalag IIIA in Luckenwalde, Germany, during the period April 22-May 8, 1945.

SHORT VERSION:

This camp was ~30 km’s *EAST* of the Elbe River, which is why the 83rd Inf. Div. connection. This camp was liberated by the Soviets on April 22 and apparently its presence remained unknown to US troops until an accidental discovery by a War Correspondent. He was traveling with the 30th Inf. Div., on May 4, in the Town of Luckenwalde. He reported back and the 83rd was quickly sent to collect everyone, but the Soviets weren’t quite ready to let them go.

I have numerous eye witness reports about the arrival of the Soviets, and a few mentions of the arrival of the US troops. However, these are ALL from the perspective of the POW’s themselves.

LONG VERSION:

My Grandfather (In-Law), Stan Konarzewski, was Polish and eventually an Air Gunner in the RAF, was shot down, and held as a POW for 3.5 years. (As an aside, his incredible overall journey is summarized further below).

After the accidental discovery by the War Correspondent, the GI’s took him back to the camp and explained the Soviet situation.

At least two photographs (I'll post them later) were taken, by T/4 John E. Freeney, 168th Signal Photo Co., on that day. May 4, 1945, showing first US contact with POW's at Stalag IIIA. Including apparently “meeting men of 125th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron, of the 83rd”.

Although I cannot currently explain the inconsistency between the presence of both the War Correspondent with the 30th AND the presence of the 125th/83rd noted in the photograph caption.

Shortly afterwards, the 83rd was sent in with supplies and ambulances to collect everyone, but the Soviets wouldn’t allow it. Various attempts were made by the 83rd during the following days but it turned into somewhat of a tense stalemate.

During this delay a large number of POW’s (~1,700) ignored the “Stay-put” order and snuck out on their own. Many were able to meet up with the US trucks a few miles from camp. They were then typically transported back across the Elbe at Schonefeld, then onto Hildesheim (via Magdeburg and Brunswick) Airfield where they were then flown to Brussels and eventually home.

As I said at the beginning, I’m looking for any information from in and around the camp, from the perspective of the US troops involved. I’m hoping somebody here may be able to point me to some reports, stories, photos I haven’t already uncovered on my own. There was a lot going on in those final days of war in the ETO, the initial crossing of the Elbe, the bridge building at Barby, “meeting the Soviets” at Torgau, etc. So understandably trucking a bunch of POW’s back from Stalag IIIA in Luckenwalde seems to have mostly been lost in the shuffle.

Thank you so very much in advance for any insight or tips you might be able to pass on. It is truly appreciated.

====================

STAN’s JOURNEY:

Stan Konarzewsk (RAF #784818) fought in Poland with the Polish Air Force (PAF), fled to France via Romania and Beirut, Lebanon, arrived in France (likely via Marsielle), then Camp Carpiagne and onto Lyon-Bron. Sent to St. Jean d’Angely and trained in radio communications. Then was evacuated via Operation Aerial, June 1940.

After arriving in Blackpool, joining the RAF, and significant training across the UK, he eventually joined the RAF/PAF No. 300 Bomber Squadron, as an Air Gunner, and also met/married his wife, in 1941.

He was subsequently shot down over France in a Wellington bomber (BH-U, R-1705), on night of Nov 7/8, 1941, was captured, and became a POW for 3.5 years. He was in Dulag Luft, Stalag VIIA, 383, Luft VII, then the Long March, ending up at Stalag IIIA. He had three unsuccessful escape attempts from these camps.

That last camp was liberated by the Soviets, April 22, 1945, and after leaving camp against the “Stay put” order, he FINALLY made it safely back to the UK on May 10, 1945. He had been gone for 3 years, 6 months, and 3 days! It’s a truly amazing story, which the family was almost entirely unaware.

Thank you.

 

Source/Descriptions from Wiki Commons for these public domain photographs:

First Photo:
4 May, 1945.
Photographer: T/4 John E. Freeney, 168th Signal Photo Co.
Source SC 335544 - Liberated British and American prisoners in Nazi camp at Luckenwalde, first released by Russians.
Author Signal Corps Archive from United States

Second Photo:
4 May, 1945.
Photographer: T/4 John E. Freeney, 168th Signal Photo Co.
Source SC 335543 - British and American prisoners held by Nazis in camp near Luckenwalde, greet men of 125th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of 83rd Division.
Author Signal Corps Archive from United States

 

Any daily reports, or personal memoirs from those first few days in May, maybe from the 83rd Inf. Div, or perhaps the 125th Calv. Recon., or even the photographer's 168th Signal Co.?

Plus, given there was a "War Correspondent" right there, you would think that some sort of story got written. I've looked at the Thunderbolt (The 83rd's newspaper) and it mentions the Germans at relatively nearby Stalag XIB (Altengrabow) surrendering the camp and all its POW's to the 83rd. But so far nothing on Stalag IIIA at Luckenwalde.

Any leads most appreciated.

 

The Republic Columbus, Indiana 25 Jul 1949, Mon • Page 1 & 2

 

The Sault Star Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada 10 Nov 2009, Tue • Page 6

 

THE BOSTON HERALD. Sunday, Jan 20, 1946 Boston, MA Page: 36




THE BOSTON HERALD. Sunday, Jan 20, 1946 Boston, MA Page: 41

 

Great stuff, thank you very much for posting these!