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Topic Originator: MikeyLeonard
Date: Tue 26 Nov 16:26
One for the military historians on here. . .
A Polish friend of mines' father was conscripted into the German Army in 1943 on account of his father being born in what was a German city before the war (Breslau). I have his ID Papers and can make out which unit(s) he was in (mainly Volksgrenedier Regiments). Although I have searched online, I am finding it difficult to see where he may have seen action. He was captured by the Americans at Julich on 19.11.1944, interred in a POW Camp in Forres before joining the Polish Army for the rest of the war. He ended up settling here and married a local lassie.
Its been great finding out about his story but I would really like to find out his War history.
Any pointers on where to find this info out ?
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Topic Originator: MikeyLeonard
Date: Tue 26 Nov 17:01
Thanks BPP. Very interesting. He was in the 689th when captured (think the 689th were subordinates in the 246th) and missed the Battle of the Bulge as a result (lucky for him I guess). He also saw action with. .
Stamm Kompanie Grenadiers Battalion 12 (Halberstadt)
Grenadiers Ersatz Battalion 487 (Quedlinburg)
Grenadiers Ersatz Battalion 588 (Hannover).
Others listed on his papers are. . .
Grenadiers Regiment 148
Feld Ersatz Battalion 149
7 Grenadiers Regiment 150
Volksgrenadiers Regiment 689, 14 Kompanie.
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Topic Originator: MikeyLeonard
Date: Tue 26 Nov 17:04
Quote:
The One Who Knocks, Tue 26 Nov 16:57
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/272nd_Volksgrenadier_Division_(Wehrmacht)
A bit about his actual division and although it's only Wikipedia it has links to other sources.
I'd be surprised if he was captured in Julich in November 44'. Seems a tad early for the Allies to have pushed that far into Germany.
Thanks TOWK. His "interrogation" papers after capture state he was captured in Julich, 19.11.44 "hiding in a village which was later captured by the Americans".
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Topic Originator: The One Who Knocks
Date: Tue 26 Nov 17:22
Julich was certainly involved in some fierce fighting and was heavily bombed toward the end of 1944.
And although my eyes were open
They just might as well be closed
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Topic Originator: londonparsfan
Date: Tue 26 Nov 18:12
Rather worryingly this thread would probably be illegal under current Polish laws.
Actually disregard the above it might well be limited to working for the Nazis (even under duress) not the normal army.
Post Edited (Tue 26 Nov 18:18)
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Topic Originator: veteraneastender
Date: Tue 26 Nov 18:23
The Germans conscripted a significant number of reluctant Poles in similar scenario as the war dragged on and losses mounted on different fronts.
A number of these Polish POWs ended up working in Younger’s brewery in Alloa from 1943 onwards as local labour was in short supply across the industry.
They were not considered a danger and given some latitude moving around etc.
All Poles had a virulent hatred for the Germans for obvious reasons and not a few of these POWs apparently volunteered to join the Free Polish forces against their former masters.
The British used Polish soldiers from the 1939 influx to guard hardcore Nazi inclined POWs due to their “robust” method of dealing with them - at Cultybraggan camp in Perthshire for example.
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Topic Originator: Buspasspar
Date: Tue 26 Nov 19:14
Good luck with your research Mikey and keep us posted when and if you find out more ....I've known a few poles since the 50's ....the ones that settled here ....good hard working folk ...I was a member of the Gala Polish club and played in their darts team back in the 70's... My good Pal Jan Halup played on the wing for Alloa and my school pal Stan Mital lived in Kennet village
We are forever shaped by the Children we once were
Post Edited (Tue 26 Nov 19:16)
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