Browse Items (844 total)

  • Tags: Stalag Luft 3

AHolmesEA160129.mp3
Ernest Holmes joined the RAF and served as a pilot, flying operations first with 76 Squadron and then on Pathfinders. Gives a vivid and detailed account of when he was shot down over Holland: how he was given shelter by a farmer’s family and moved…

MElliottJD19200425-210211-01.pdf
Experiences of the prisoners of war in the Belaria camp of Stalag Luft 3 by Squadron Leader Bryce Cousens. It contains stories, poems and illustrations.

SBakerDA19210428v20169-0003.jpg
Writes she had had no letter from him since 24 June. Comments on how long war might go on. Wonders how he is and what weather is like. Writes that they were having a nice holiday in Cape Town and catches up with family news and talks about their…

YPattissonC1264245v1.pdf
Transcription of day by day account of activities from 19 April 1942 to 3 October 1942. Commences with photograph of Squadron in front of Halifax and of pilots on training course (Pattisson top left), Records daily activities, casualties, losses of…

PClarkeC1501.jpg
Charles Clarke joined the RAF aged 17 and began training as a pilot but he became ill with mumps and later trained as a bomb aimer. His aircraft was shot down on an operation to Schweinfurt and he became a prisoner of war. He took part in the Long…

AJohnsonM160830.mp3
Mark Johnson reminisces about John Blair. He discusses family life in rural Jamaica as a mixed-ethnicity person, highly respected by everyone. He was a qualified teacher, a lawyer, and a farmer. Reminisces other Caribbeans who volunteered and served…

ALyonJK180202.mp3
Jack Lyon was a navigator/ bomb aimer and a prisoner of war for almost four years. Born in 1918, he was employed with the London Gas Company as a bookkeeper until August 1939 when he transferred to Shell. At the outbreak of the war, Shell closed…

APeelPAG170831.mp3
Mike Peel was a Lancaster pilot and served on two squadrons before becoming a prisoner of war late in 1944. He was an active sportsman and played tennis in his eighties but unfortunately is no longer with us. Using his logbook, letters, and…

PShackletonH.jpg
Henry Shackleton listened to Chamberlain’s speech on the radio and hoped to be a Spitfire pilot. He began his training and was selected as a flying instructor and was posted to Canada. On his return to the UK he was posted to his operational…

PSimmondsJE1701.jpg
Jack Simmonds was the son of an RAF serviceman. As a result his childhood was spent moving around a great deal including a few years in Egypt. He joined the RAF and began training as a pilot. He joined 51 Squadron as a Whitley pilot at RAF Dishforth…

SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v260002.mp3
Les Rutherford was called up for the Army just short of his twenty first birthday. He was in France at the time of Dunkirk and made it to the beach of St Valery where they were under constant bombardment. He and another soldier found a door and…

SBakerDA19210428v20078-0001.jpg
Writes that he is in a new camp and life is tolerable there. Hopes to see an acquaintance there soon as he believes all air force prisoners will come there sooner or later. Says no letter from them yet but expecting soon. In a room with three South…

SBakerDA19210428v20079-0001.jpg
Reports arrival of eleven letters and thanks her. Latest was dated 8 March and came via Cairo. Not sure which direction was fastest. Discusses his mail to her and reassures her he is well. Ask her to contact anyone in Portuguese East Africa or any…

SBakerDA19210428v20080-0001.jpg
Writes that he had now received fifteen letters and that via Cairo was quickest. Although she still seem anxious hopes his recent letters have reassured her. Catches up on home news and talks about weather. Mentions he received a clothing parcel from…

SBakerDA19210428v20081-0001.jpg
Reports that he had now received most of her letters to 19 April as well as other mail which was taking between two to four and a half months to arrive. Writes about a recent variety show and a cricket match in which he played. Mentions also playing…

SBakerDA19210428v20082-0001.jpg
Reports arrival of latest letters and notes that via London they take four to five months. Mentions letters from others and catches up with news. Says do not worry about war and he is looking forward to seeing them again. Mentions playing cricket and…

SBakerDA19210428v20083-0001.jpg
Lets her know he fit and he had received no further mail. Mail from England was regular with some taking as little as ten days. Says there is not much in his letters as not much to write about. Mentions concert and that famous fighter pilots Tuck and…

SBakerDA19210428v20093-0001.jpg
Reports arrival of a number of her letters and mentions that Egyptian food parcels were coming through regularly. Writes that he had had two clothing parcels and discussing post routing. Mentions two book parcels. Explains recent incorrect…

SBakerDA19210428v20094-0001.jpg
Writes that no letters had arrived and wondered what she thought about him taking up farming after the war. Writes of potential future plans. Is keeping well and parcels arriving regularly. Catches up with family news.

SBakerDA19210428v20095-0001.jpg
Writes that he is in a new camp and a change was welcome and train journey a good break. Mentions meeting old friend and catches up with news. Describes new camp and fellow inmates. Catches up with news of other friends. Says still write to him via…

SBakerDA19210428v20096-0001.jpg
Reports arrival of letters written after hearing that he was alive and well. Assumed it was a shock and did not know how the mistake happened, Mentions mail restrictions being lifted. Says he had his hair shaved off and there had been the first snow.…

SBakerDA19210428v20097-0001.jpg
Only had one letter in last six weeks and mentions there had been a restriction on their mail but it had now been lifted. Hopes that they had received cable that reports of his death were a mistake. Catches up with other news.

SBakerDA19210428v20098-0001.jpg
Had not received any mail due to restrictions. Asked if she got letter of condolence when he was supposed to be dead and clears up matter of girl from Stamford. Says he will need new underwear for next year if they are still there (1943). Resigned to…

SBakerDA19210428v20099-0001.jpg
Thanks her for letters and notes those via London take longer. Mentions arrival of book parcels and is hoping for books on farming. Sends thanks for parcels and commiserates over tobacco crop. Offers to send money if they are short. Discusses…

SBakerDA19210428v20100-0001.jpg
Reports arrival of letters and notes that those via Cairo are so quick it would not be worth sending mail via London. Thanks for photographs of them. Writes of his ambitions to farm and asks for information. Catches up with family/friends news.
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