E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works

Work Camp E138 was situated at Ratibor, Lower Silesia, Poland. About 100 men worked in a steel factory and were billeted in a guest house dance hall.

22nd Jul 1941 Parcels

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Those known to have been held in
E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

Adam Malcolm Cyrus. Cpl.
Wood H. Ken.

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Want to know more about E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works?

There are:1 items tagged E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works available in our Library

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H. Ken Wood 2/11th Btn.

Ken is pictured 4th from the right standing middle row. He has open tunic with jumper exposed.

My Grandfather, H.K. (Ken) Wood WX2453 2/11th Bn AIF (POW number 24218) was captured on Crete in 1941 and was a POW for the remainder of the war.
This diary entry with describes an escape he made from Ratibor with several others.
Leaving for work party Ratibor "138". 3 to a parcel. Working in steel factory. First morning had to get up 3-30; given a cup of coffee and bread. Not a bad ration. Work 10 hours. March 4 kilos to and from work through snow and ice. Billeted in Guest house dance hall. Party 100 strong. Food slowly getting worse. 4 to a loaf, 1500 kg 1 bowl of soup - 24hours. 17 hours a day on your feet, the days are cracking up fast. No Red Cross parcels, everybody dissatisfied, getting swindled on everything.
S17 hasn’t much idea of running a party dolmetcher is a yes man with Perrie fights galore received a small bulk issue 1/3rd milk ½ jam butter bulky cheese, fruit, meat extract. Things getting worse 5 to a loaf, soup like water; no swede or cabbage, just potato water. A crook party all round. Decide to have a strike. The mob is very divided. The same ones have to battle for everything. 30 of us decide not to work till we get more food. One Tommy lad got beat up for refusing to work. Have been promised more food but have been fed on promises so are not taking much notice. All working parties in district strike. Food problem bad. Have decided to escape. One of the boys had a casting fall on his leg - smashed it badly. Seven of us escaping 19th May.
Received Mum’s first letter (unknown) on the 25 – Thinking of escaping. Tuesday 19th May. Going through to night, direction S.W. to W. Everything went ok. Left 11.30, made 13 kilo’s over ploughed fields. Heavy rain. Laying up for the day. Think we have been seen. Splitting up into three parties; 1 - Harry & Bic. 2 – Buster, Andy & Phil. 3 - Mick and Myself.
WED: Made about 10 miles this is (unknown). Dug up some seed potatoes. They are all we have to eat. Came on to rain and we are very wet. Have lit a fire to cook our potatoes and dry our clothes.
FRIDAY: Decided to stay all night. Both very tired and wet. Dawn broke very dull - looks like more rain. Decided to move on. This wood we are in runs for about 2 ½ miles. Move it on up near a signal tower. Found a good leafy dale. On searching for water came across some venison. Could see something furry sleeping in the sun, thought we had a rabbit, crept up and hit it with our water bottle. It proved to be a young buck venison not more than a month old. We certainly are in luck. Last night we stumbled on a game keeper’s cabin which we slept in and today we have meat. Made a stew with potatoes. It’s the sweetest piece of meat I’ve eaten in years. Both rested well. Are ready for another nights travel.
SAT 23: Had a hard nights travel with plenty of experiences. Set off rather early and ran slap bang into a village. Standing on the main highway when a number of bikes came along. All were very curious about us so layed in the crop till we were sure no alarm had been given. Proceeded on making good time till night had fallen when we came to a big town. This I think is "Troppau" which we had to skirt. On doing so ran into a blind alley, finished up in somebody’s back yard amid dogs and people walking within hands length of us. Finally got safely out of it and out of town. Came till morning found ourselves miles from any cover - only course to continue on. Came to a very big town which seems to be spread all over the country. Now fully daylight but have to go on. To add to our troubles we find we have to cross the river Oder. Now the game is on. Have adopted the bold course - going to cross over on the main highway bridge. Passing people everywhere but look like getting safely away. Am that weary can hardly drag myself along. Have been going 11 hours, must have covered about 20 miles however reached a thicket, cooked the last of our meat with some potatoes and young lettuce boiled up like silver beet. Layed down to sleep only to be awakened by heavy rain so I’m just as wet as ever. Have broken into a hut for shelter.
SUNDAY: Travelled easy last night feet very sore from yesterday. Am dreading the nights - it’s so bitterly cold now we are up in the ranges. We lay down on wet ground and shiver. We had a number of scores lately. Yesterday the village police man passed with in 5 yards of us. Today a lady and two young chaps caught us napping but we seem to have got away. Are now 11 kilo out of Troppau. Nice sunny day. Stripped off in a creek, had the first wash we’ve had since Tuesday.
MONDAY 25 May: Yesterday must have been our lucky day. On moving off down the road, came to a lone house. After talking it over, and as it was raining hard, decided to go in and take a chance, and we were lucky. They were an all Check family - could hardly talk any German. They told us if they had been alone we could have stayed the night but they had some German practitioner staying with them. We offered a cake of soap for bread. The young lady did not want to take the soap. After giving us a big can of milk each, two cakes, half a cake loaf and a third of a loaf of round bread and a tin of salt, so we left them not before we were seen and called on to halt. But the lady ran after us telling us to run. The rain has eased off to a drizzle. Found an old shelter of pines on the edge of the forest. Stayed there till about three in the morning. The good people also gave us information about our direction so set off. After covering about 5 kilos, took the wrong turning for about 3 kilos so had to about turn.
Pulled up half way back. Feet very sore. Spent a fair day only to be disturbed by six kids who seemed very curious about us, so have moved off rather early but have plenty of forest cover. Have our objective in sight. Going like hell. Have a string of houses to get through but think we’ll make it ok. Have got through but have been seen by some very curious people. Resting in a copse, after making about 8 kilos, heard noises in the gully. On looking around find we are surrounded by drawn bayonets and revolvers. It looks as if the game is up. There’s five of them closing in on us. It’s quite humorous - I don’t think they’ve ever captured any one before. I’m sure the old boy in the police uniform couldn’t hit the side of a barn. After being thoroughly searched and the discovery being made that we were only Englanders and not invading troops, we’re marched back to the village and put in the local lock-up. Our cell is wet, of floor and smells of stinking straw our bed consists of two pine top tables two sack of straw for pillows no blankets it’s a stone building which will be very cold come early morning ***** being locked up for a while and officer came along who seemed very amused at our trying to escape he seemed very decent type who asked us what had become of the thirteen others who had escaped asked us if we had eaten is apparently trying to get us some food about twelve o’clock he awakened us with some bread
Tues 26 May Slept very cold had two rather thick slices of bread spread with pork fat and two cakes, coffee passed through the window at us representing our breakfast very nice to. Slept off till eleven o’clock half past twelve a large slice of sort a backed meal came through the window posterns handed in our shaving gear and some water so had a clean up also gave us a cigarette each to day so are now awaiting the posterns
27 May
still in the local jail the local inhabitants have quite an interest in us one person gave us two cigarettes another two cigars a frauline gave us some sweets by this time were getting very cold and quite hungry but I think some food is on the way. Have had a good meal comprising of a large bowl of very good soup two slices of bread followed by a plate of fried vegetables followed by a piece of baked rice pudding which in itself was lovely this was accompanied by two cigars. Slept rather well, this morning Wednesday 27th, had a large mug coffee good coffee too milk and sugar with two slices of bread lunch consisted of chicken broth and on occasion followed by potato gravy of roast pork & onions with two slices of bread. Postern has arrived morning 5-30 tomorrow have been entertained by the local girls choir this afternoon we certainly are a popular pair of prisoners three young fellows walked by and slid us a packet of cigarettes & a box of matches.
26-May 42
Sumary of escape from Ratibor
Firstly have no regret at anything that has happened had we left it till later we would not have been caught. On leaving Ratibor large our direction was S.W. to W on coming to a large town one nights travel fromTrappau changed course to due S. on leaving Trappau hit main highway friendly people helped us on our way the nights bitterly cold ground very wet still travelling south have been living on potatoes which were dug from the ground always looking for these which had been newly planted had some of my lettuce and greens killed a young deer. Have been surprised by several people but have managed to get away ok. It’s been a good trip. I’m sure with a little more knowledge of the country and landscape we could get clear away.
Captured at the town of "Tym" *
A lad passing on a bike threw in a packet this was followed by another and when tea arrived, in a packet & another two packets making a total of 50 in half an hour tea consisted of two mugs of milk a large bowl of potato and fried onions and bread on returning for the bowl the fraun asked us if we’d like some more milk on bringing it she also brought a parcel containing four eggs and four slices of bread for the morning.
28 May Thursday
Left Tryn 5-30 marched down to Tulneck* to station for Lamsdorf struck a very good postern had a three hour wait at Jagandorf* postern took us to Red Cross centre where we had a bowl of soup bread and orange drink picked up some other escapees four arrived in Lamsdorf given bulk issue biscuit jam & sugar new issue of clothing sent to strafe barracks awaiting sentence received a parcel to 2 men this is the life sleep and eat your 14 days detention less 3 days for being in civy jail. 3 weeks in strafe Barrack very browned off have chance of going out to work and coming back to do our sentence so have put name down if job is no good we’ll come back again.
20th 6-42. left Lamsdorf working party E211 arrive of Triebiz* railway job and a good one surroundings are good work easy midday soup & potato evening meal meat gravy greens ie lettuce soup potatoes. A 420gm bread day ½ lb butter week jam & sugar sausage gerkin supp powder this party is well run plenty of amusement such as ***** tournament boxing football intend leaving in about three weeks on ***** west* last ***** was not discovered missing till the Tuesday have managed to get some civil clothes same theory ***** have sent Bic and my numbers out have found out about the clothes one of our own have put our weight up some low dog wearing a british uniform. We have been brought before an officer made a statement he wanted us to give our promise not to escape we told him to go jump in the lake we’d escape when ever the opportunity came so we are on our back to Lamsdorf tavelled to --- arrived here 2-7-42 gear bulk issue Thursday night half from parcel Friday - --- -- 14 days in der bunker at last 14 days to do 24-7-42 One of our boys arrived in dressed as a girl (memo 7 girls) legless ---- has again Vic --- we have eight R. Cross issues to collect when we get out and will we need it this bread and water is not so good. Out at last.
Escape party Ratibor

Buster Holford
Andy Anderson
Sam Bickley
Crafty Williams
John Johnson
Mick Burke
Ken Wood

Our family has a few photographs, POW tags and other memorabilia he kept from the war, including diaries.
Also, you have a photo of Sgt Joseph Desmond Beard former 2/11th AIF. You may be interested to know that I recently met and spoke with Des and his wife who are well and living here in Perth.

Alan Fuller

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Cpl. Malcolm Cyrus "Mac" Adam 5th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment

My father Malcolm Cyrus Adam (Mac) joined the T.A. on 03/05/1939. He attended a camp at Lympne in July and August 1939 (see photos), moved to Bridport in November, and went to Flanders with the BEF on 02/04/1940. He was made a corporal in the 5th battalion R.W.K. on the 15th March 1940 and put in charge of a bren gun carrier detachment. I believe he was the driver of his vehicle, having passed his driving test in Paris in 1938.
On the 26/05/1940 the unit clashed with elements of the 1st Waffen-SS Vefugungs division close to the Forest of Nieppe. Two German units were in the area, the 'Germania' and the 'Der Furher' regiments, but I'm not sure with which they engaged. The following day, the 27th, a German grenade was thrown into my father's bren gun carrier and he was badly wounded by two pieces of shrapnel: His crew, two good friends, were killed outright. I do not know if he was taken prisoner at the time but I would imagine so. (The dates listed on his discharge certificate were written several years later, and do not tally with the dates given on the doctor's description of his wounds written in Enghien)(see later scan).
He was taken to a German military hospital, a former sanatorium for handicapped children called 'Le Preventorium' at Marcoing near Calais, known to the Germans by the id.code Kgf.Lazarett II/XI (see photos). He was treated there for his wounds and then allowed to convalesce for the next three months. He had had the good fortune to be registered as an officer and also acted as interpreter as he spoke fluent French and some German. When he was due to be moved to Germany, he decided to try to slip away and but was ill-prepared and was recaptured shortly afterwards, being lightly wounded again in the process. This time he was patched up at the College Saint-Augustin, Enghien, Belgium,(see scan) and moved to Germany three weeks later, sometime just after 03/11/1940, but I do not know where too.
A postcard from his time in Marcoing has three names and addresses recorded on the back:(see scans) Jack Sheppard, 46, Whitmore rd., Beckenham (Beck 1350); Nobby Clark, 16, Hathaway road, Croydon; Alan Cav …(unreadable),86, Southwood Road, New Eltham, S.E.9 (Elt1998). A second photo is marked ‘offizieren’ and with the ink stamped number 482. The third photo also has the pencilled notation Kgf.lazarett Frankreich mai’40 and another name and address: Tony Grafton, 53, Old Steine, Brighton (Brighton 4971)
I believe he eventually arrived in Stalag VIIIB Lamsdorf in early 1941. As far as we know, he was moved around quite a lot between different Arbeitskommandos. Certainly he spent time in E155(see photo), which I cannot find in the published lists, but he spoke (rarely and very reluctantly) about a few different jobs:

1. A salt mine close to Krackow (from the verbal description I believe this may have been Wieliczka).
2. The building of a camp to house female Jewish prisoners in a 'forest'(part of the extended Auschwitz-Birkenau complex). He was very upset about this place.
3. A paper-mill (possibly E8, Krappitz). One of the 'easier' jobs.
4. A steel works (iron foundry)E138 Ratiborhammer (Kuźnia Raciborska, Poland). He spoke most about this place describing it as hot, dangerous work in very bad conditions and with very little food. (Wilhelm Hegenscheidt GmbH, Hoffnungshütte, making Gießerei, Schweißeisen-Werkzeug, Eisenbahn-Kleineisenzeug, Wagenachsen).
5. Blechammer (I. G. Farben)
6. Cosel camp (Kedzierzyn-Kozle). He left from here on the long march on 22/01/1945.
He never went into much detail about life in the camps except to repeat the constant hunger. He did mention making an alcohol from a straw mattress and then eating the straw afterwards; also from potato peelings and sawdust. He also talked about grinding acorns and how bitter they were. He also spoke of an occasion when he got away from his guards and grabbed a chicken, alive, and attempted to eat it, feathers and all. The owner of the chicken, a farmer, shot at him: He still had three shotgun pellets visible in his neck, which successive doctors had thought safer to leave in place, right up to his death in 2004.
He attributed his overall survival to a great deal of luck, an ability to laugh at life and to a certain affinity for languages: His French had given him time for his legs to heal initially, and he had learned to speak German and Polish quite well, which was a big advantage.
He did not like to talk about his experiences other than on rare occasions when he met someone who had also been there, or who had undergone something similar. He told me that he could talk to Denholm Elliot, and he certainly discussed them with his Catalan friend Jorge who had survived the worst of Franco's camps in Spain. He avoided discussions about the march, but he did once tell me that he had twice been the 'only survivor from my group', but I do not know any more about the incidents concerned. The only time I ever overheard him refer to any details was once on the telephone in the 1970's when he was still trying to get his overdue army pay. He was talking to some government official who was still trying to give him the runaround more than 25 years later, and, in exasperation, he told the man just why he felt entitled to his money. Apparently he had done this once before, just after the war, when the British government refused him a passport on the basis that he had been born in Calcutta, India, to parents and grandparents who were Irish citizens and who had missed the date for registration under some sort of amnesty agreement. He won, eventually, after a bit of a struggle, but it left him with an abiding disgust and distrust of officialdom.
He did eventually get paid his back pay, but he was very annoyed that he had to reimburse the cost of some piece of kit that he had been issued with in 1939 and could no longer produce! The amount that he finally received was so trivial by the time he finally got it that he decided to blow the lot on a decent family meal: I think he still thought of food as a top priority and as an appropriate use for the money.
I was quite surprised to find his pencilled itinerary of the march after my mother died, and I have tried to identify some of the places by their modern names, but it still seems an illogical journey. However, knowing how he was and with his lifelong obsession for maps and routes, I'm confident that he would have recorded the names only if he felt sure of them. It is a pity that he annotated so little additional information. He lost several friends on the march, including right near the end, which he thought particularly pointless and sad. The whole experience left him with a hatred of waste, but he also had learned to live life to the full.
He taught me that it was important always to enjoy your day because you might not get another, and by living this way, you would also bring a smile to the faces of those around you. That if you were fortunate enough to have food, warmth and shelter, then you were a very rich man and could easily afford to be generous to others. That if someone asked you for help, even an enemy, you should give it without question or thought to the consequences, as this was true humanity. Above all, never to lose your sense of humour or your sense of wonder - cultivate these and you will always be a positive influence in the world.

Nick Adam

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E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works

Those known to have been held in
E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

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E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works

Those known to have been held in E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel worksduring the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

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Want to know more about E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works?

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The Wartime Memories Project
- E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works during the Second World War -

Those known to have been held in
E138 Arbeits kommando Stalag 8b Ratibor. Steel works
during the Second World War 1939-1945.