P.O.W. Jacket from Stalag Luft I (Officer's Camp)

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My Father-in-Law was captured in Italy after parachuting from his disabled B-17 (now on the bottom of Lake Bolsena) in January, 1944. He was shot during his descent. He ended up in an Officer's prison camp in Barth , Germany for 15 months, which housed both British and American captured officers, and was liberated by the Russians in 1945. The following exerpt is from Wikipedia: Stalag Luft I in Barth, Germany(Officers) Location: At Barth, Germany -A small town on the Baltic Sea 23 km northwest of Stralsund. Opened:Near the end of 1942 as a British Officer POW camp. Closed in April 1942 with British Officers moved to other POW camps. Reopened in October 1942 with transfer of 200 RAF NCOs from Stalag Luft III. In early 1943 a small number of American POWs fluttered into the camp from time to time. By the end of 1943 American POWs flowed into the camp at a constant rate. They were initially held in the South Compound but this was eventually combined with the West Compound. POW Strength: Held 5076 American Officers by January 1944, 3,463 in April 1944 and 7,717 and 1,427 British POWs at the time of liberation in April 1945. Camp Description: South Compound: Opened in 1942. Had very inadequate cooking, washing and toilet facilities. West Compound: Opened in 1942 - Had inside latrines and running water in the barracks. North 1 Compound: Opened in February 1944. Formerly housed Hitler Youth personnel. Had a communal mess hall, inside latrines and running water taps. North 2 Compound: Opened on 9 Sept 1944. Constructed similar to the South Compound. North 3 Compound: Opened on 9 Dee 1944. Constructed similar to the South Compound. Each barracks contained triple tiered wood beds with mattresses filed with wood chips. Each had a communal day room but equipment was sparse. North I and West Compounds contained a kitchen barrack, theater room, church room, library and study room. These were used by all compounds. Stoves for heating and cooking varied in each compound and all were inadequate. Most building were not weather proofed and were not properly ventilated. This made for difficult living conditions during the cold winter and hot summer periods. Prior to the spring of 1944 the compounds were intercommunicating with gates kept open during the day. After that the gates were closed at all times. The perimeter was enclosed with a double set of electrified barbed wire with guard towers and flood lights at strategic locations Liberation and evacuation: With Russian troops approaching German personnel left the camp on 30 April 1945. After contact was made with the Russians arrangements were made to evacuate the liberated POWs by air. This was completed by 15 May 1945.According to him, the " USA " was painted on his jacket by the German guards during the sorting process - to distinguish him from the British officers. After being liberated by the Russians, he had to travel with their Army for some time, and the Russians penciled in "AMEPNKAHEY" on the back to further identify him to any Russian who might wonder who or what he was. He is still alive at 91, and has been back to a POW reunion in Germany.The jacket itself is somewhat dirty, but in otherwise very good condition. T is a small (0ne inch) tear in the left elbow, and two much smaller piercings in the same location. All buttons intact and present. Original working zipper. Cloth lieutenant insignia on both shoulders. Size 34R. Wool lining in excellent condition with no moth holes or other damage apparent. I have two more uniform items of his, an intermediate (cloth) Army Air Force flying jacket, and a medium length woolen winter coat,army green, bearing the QMC Stock # 55-O-3259 and Cont. W-669-gm-13710, if this means anything to you collectors of Militaria. Also, an Army Air Corps shoulder patch. I will be listing all of the above today.Please email me for any further information or pictures. read more

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