Browse Items · IBCC Digital Archive

Warrant Officer A. Elson. R.A.F. V.R. No. 751538

A brief account of Albert Elson's service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during which time he trained as an air gunner, flew 39 operations, was shot down and captured and finally repatriated. It also describes how he returned to Belgium…

Albert Elson forced march record

A record of a forced march from Stalag VIIIA at Görlitz to Stalag IXA at Zeigenhain over a period of 31 days. A daily tally of distance walked, rations provided and sleeping locations is given. Below this is a summary of the previous march from…

Tags: prisoner of war; Stalag 8B; the long march

Biography of Kenneth James West

Kenneth James West grew up in Birmingham. He enlisted in the RAF and trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. After postings across the UK, he joined 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. His Lancaster W4135 was shot down over Holland…

Tags: 97 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; Dulag Luft; evading; Lancaster; prisoner of war; RAF Woodhall Spa; shot down; Stalag Luft 3; the long march; training; wireless operator / air gunner

Report on forced march made by occupants of Stalag Luft 7

Gives a detailed account of "death march" by 30,000 allied prisoners of war from Poland during last months of the second world war, in appalling weather conditions, as the Russian advanced. He tells of thousands of German civilians also making their…

Tags: prisoner of war; Stalag 8B; Stalag Luft 7; the long march

In the camp

A group of 25 airmen in uniform, all with side caps. outside a wooden building with brick foundations and glass windows. They are arranged in rows with three sitting cross legged on the ground, four sat behind, 13 standing and five standing on a…

Tags: aircrew; prisoner of war; Stalag 8B

Sergeant McMahon's address book

A compilation of names and addresses. Includes Thomas' service and prisoner numbers and identifies his camp barrack as 17A.

Tags: aircrew; prisoner of war

General questionnaire for British/American ex-prisoners of war

Debrief questionnaire. Gives personal details of Warrant Officer Thomas McMahon including list of the prisoner of war camps and hospitals he was in as well as his state of health, lectures attended before capture and interrogations after capture.…

Tags: 77 Squadron; prisoner of war; RAF Leeming; Stalag 8B; the long march

Merry Xmas

Christmas greetings sent by Thomas to his mother. Includes Thomas' service and prisoner numbers, a sketch of a guard tower with fencing in woods and a map of Great Britain. Printed 'A Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year' and 'Drawn by K.V.Wood, P.o.W.…

Tags: prisoner of war; prisoner of war arts and crafts; Stalag 8B

Letter to John Taplin's Parents from John

ETaplinJATaplinWJ-[Mo][Date]-05-Part.pdf

He writes from prisoner of war camp. He has had influenza but is better. He has received his first parcel and is very pleased with it. One sentence has been censored. He expects Christmas to be a bit different.

Tags: aircrew; prisoner of war; Stalag 8B