found: WWII POW Camp stamp
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about the find:
The book as published in the 1930s and bears the stamp of Oflag IX A, a Prisoner of War camp in Germany for officers only, in military district IX, the "A" indicating that it was possibly at Burg Spangenberg, Rotenburg, or Fulda."Gepruft" (meaning checked, or inspected etc.) signifies that it had received the camp authorities' approval.
There is a pencilled name (Col. Morris) on the fly-leaf.
I wonder, was this book part of the camp library? If so, how did it get there - Red Cross parcel, or part of a captured officer's belongings? And how long was it in captivity, and where did it settle once liberated? Who was Col. Morris, and did he own the book before, during or after the war?
I wish this book could tell its story.
responses:
I love this kind of find. It's such a small thing, but there's so much potential behind it.by u24
Gepruft has to be Geprüft.
by a guest user
Awesome and moving provenance! Being horse-crazy I want to read the book, even a less interesting copy. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
by a guest user
Books tended to be shipped by the Red Cross or by relatives; it could have been either one. Any parcels or packages coming through the POW Camp system would normally be searched/sorted by POWs with guards posted to look for contraband and escape aids. With books, there was an actual position involving a POW “censor” with a German NCO/guard acting as the oversight official. Once a book was “approved” it was stamped.
by a guest user
There were two Oflags in Wehrkreis IX. A/H at Spangenberg held British POWs earliest. It was divided into Upper (in the schloss) and Lower camp (in the village of Elborsdorf). A/Z was at Rotenburg an der Fulda and interestingly held a very keen horseman, Major Peter Brush Rifle Brigade.
by a guest user
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