106487 Sigmund Stempka Polish Army from:Popow Dist. Czechostowa Sigmund Stempka (born 12.5.1911 in Krolewski, Poland) is my son-in-law's grandfather who came under the IRO Assistance scheme to Australia in 1950 with his family. I have recently obtained the immigration documents from the Australian Govt. It indicates that Sigmund Stempka was in the Polish Army in 1939 and was taken POW by the Germans in 1939 - 1940. He was sent to Stalag IV A. He was released from Stalag IV A in March 1940 and he spent 2 years in Popow Dist. Czechostowa Poland. In Aug 1942 he joined (or maybe forced) to join the German Army but in Sept 1943 he was taken as a POW by the Americans. He was a POW in Chicago from Sept 43 to July 44 and then joined the English Polish Army and fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. In Sept 1947 until he left for Australia he lived in Aschendorf and Dortmund, Germany. He arrived in the British Zone of Germany in 1948. He married (30 Dec 1948) a widow Edith Obluda (born 23.10.1918, Domkau, Germany). Edith had previously married Carl Obluda sometime in 1938-39 and they had two children Klaus Obluda/Stempka(26.10.39) and Adelheid Obluda(17.10.41). Carl Obluda died sometime during WW2 (reasons and date unknown). Sometime in 1946 Edith met Sigmund and they had a daughter Sieglinde Stempke (21.3.1947). Edith arrived in the British Zone of Germany in 1945. The only information my son-in-law and in fact any of the family know is that Edith lay on top of the children during bombing raids to protect them. Edith was unemployed for the entire time of WW2. The family never spoke on WW2, and sadly now Sigmund and Edith are both deceased. Does anyone know why a Polish POW would have been allowed to leave Stalag IV A to then spend two years as a civilian in Popow. Was this usual?
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