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Stalag 20b Prisoner of War Camp
Stalag 20B (XX-B, according to the German designation system) was a WW2 prisoner-of-war camp for Allied POWs located in the outskirts of Marienburg (now called Malbork), which is situated about 25 miles southeast of Danzig (now called Gdansk). Prisoners held there were forced to work at surrounding factories and farms. In late January 1945, Stalag 20B contained approximately 8,000 prisoners, who were forced to evacuate ahead of advancing Soviet forces.
22nd Jul 1941 Parcels
20th Oct 1943 Conditions Improving
Memorial
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Want to know more about Stalag 20b Prisoner of War Camp? There are:1181 items tagged Stalag 20b Prisoner of War Camp available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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G Motion 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry G Motion served with the 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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JH Jack 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry JH Jack served with the 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Spr. Thomas Vernon Hughes Royal Engineers My sister and I went to Gdansk recently to find where our father, Thomas Vernon Hughes was held prisoner in Stalag 20b Malbork. He was captured on the 25th of May 1940 between Boulogne and Calais and released by the Americans 9th Army 12th April 1945.If anyone can remember him or wishes to contact me for more information please get in touch.
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Sgt. James Blake Bartlett 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps My late father was a prisoner in Stalag 383. His name was Sgt James Blake
Bartlett of the KRRC 1 QVR's. He was captured at Calais 23.5.1940 and according to his army record first went to Stalag XXA in 1940 then to XXB in 1941 and to Stalag 111C which was renamed Stalag 383 in November 1942 where he stayed until release on the 11.5.1945. I can still remember his home coming even to this day, our mum woke us up to say this is your Dad, as I was only 3 when he went away and now I was 8, so did not remember him all that much. He passed away in 1992 and never spoke much about his time as a POW.
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Charles Edward Haythorne Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry My father, Charles Edward Haythorne (known as Teddy) was captured at Dunkirk and was taken to the POW camp Stalag XXb. If anyone can tell me anything about him please get in touch.
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Richard John Bunt HMS Rawalpindi My dad’s brother, Richard John Bunt, served on HMS Rawalpindi. Both brothers, from their S-459 Certificate of Service, were in the RNR. My dad joined 24 November 1923 and my uncle joined on 26 October 1925.
From what I recall, both brothers said they would stand side by side and were always on the same team. Due to being in the RNR they were both called up on the 26 August 1939 and as usual they stood together. This time however, their orders were my dad to HMS Hector and Uncle Richard to HMS Rawalpindi. My dad went south to Australia and my uncle headed up to Scapa Flow. As one of the few survivors of the attack Richard was captured by the Germans and sent to a POW camp. I remember my Uncle Richard talking about a camp next to the camp where he was and how the lorries would go out with bodies on the back, some of the limbs still moving. We as a family thought he was in Germany but with this new publishing release of the POW details we found his name listed under Stalag XXB in Poland. Richard Bunt was a prisoner of war from 24 November 1939 until 26 April 1945.
As I read the pages of ‘A Defiant Slaughter’ (By Ian Johnson, posted on www.worldnavalships.com) it was so well written, I could actually picture the attack on the Rawalpindi in my mind, as if I was watching a film.
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Mark Bernard Hebburn Royal Artillery  Hello There!
I have been doing some research into my husband's family history and came across your site when I 'googled' Stalag XXB. My father-in-law, Mark Bernard Hebburn was a POW there for a substantial part of the war, like many of your other participants having been captured in France in 1940. He didn't really talk much to his sons about his time as a prisoner, but from time to time he would drop a snippet of information to me as we chewed the fat with a cup of tea in front of the fire! It is a great shame that he died in 2002 and took a lot of his stories with him. During the war he was serving as a Lance Bombadier with the Royal Artillery. His service number was 819389 and his POW number at Thorn was 18598 ( I have his dog tag).
He told me that for some time during his stay at Thorn he worked on a farm. He also developed acute appendicitis and very nearly died of peritonitis so presumably was hospitalised for some time. By September 1944 he had been transferred to Stalag 3D near Berlin and the photographs I am attaching are from that time. The writing on the back of the cards has been mostly censored. In the uniformed photograph Mark hebburn is in the front row, far right as you look at it.
Something that may jog a memory from someone (I am hoping so) is that just before he left Thorn for Berlin Mark fathered a child, Margaret who we think was probably born round July 1945. I would love to find her and her family but really don't know where to start looking. If anyone out there knew Mark or can fill in any of the gaps, I would be very grateful.
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Sgt. Charles Edward Turner East Yorkshire Yeomanry 5th Dragoon Guards My father, Charles Turner was a Tank Commander from the East Yorkshire Regiment. he was captured 23 May 1940 in St Omer, and sent to Stalag
XX/A 6 June 1940 prisoner number 776 in Oflag III/C.
He was transferred to Stalag XX/B on 10 October 1941. He was transferred from XX/A on 16 September 1942 and held in Oflag III/C we have no records of his of his release etc, he attested into the TA in 1947 In Kingston upon Hull.
My Father would never talk about his time in the camps as he thought it was better to look to the future. We have a photo of him in the camp, but we don't know which one is him. My father died in May 1973 and I am trying to compose a life book for my children before I die.
I would like any help of advice from anyone and will pass on any info I have.
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Pte. Ernest Arthur Elvin R.E.M.E.    I have in my possession over 100 letters my father, Ernest Elvin, sent home to his wife and son during his time as a POW in Stalag XXB. These have given us a marvellous insight into the happenings and life experience as a POW. Some of the stories he recalls about the way they entertained themselves really were quite ingenious. Lots of fun, dressing up and acting, singing and sharing in Church Services together. He spoke of the way they were so very grateful for the Red Cross parcels they received, and that they kept them going foodwise. Clearly they were very hungry at times, although he never actually voiced this, but spoke of looking forward to roast dinners and mum's cakes again. He also spoke of the good comradeship experienced between the men, how they would share their letters from home, just to help each other feel nearer to Blighty. He also spoke of the beautiful countryside around the camp, the spring flowers and the joy of laying on the grass in the summer and even being allowed to swim in a nearby river.
Last year I was privileged to visit the memorial to the Prisoners of Stalag XXB in Marlbork Municipal Cemetery. It was a tremendous experience, and one I was so very glad to have had.
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Pte. Leslie Lee    My father Leslie Lee, spent 5 years as a POW in Poland - 1940 to 1945. Pictures that were sent to him by my mother were stamped Stalag XXB on the back. He was captured as part of the rear guard during the Dunkirk evacuation. Was part of the forced march in the winter of 1945. Few details are known as, like many others, he was reluctant to speak of his time in Poland. He did speak a little about the march and the terrible conditions, the lack of food and the cold. He also remembered that they slept in snowy fields and on the last day woke up in a barn to find that the German guards had all left and that the Americans were close by. They were liberated by the Americans later and he remembered being given food that he was unable to eat due to his being so malnourished. He was repatriated and hospitalized then returned to Hull to marry my mother in June 1946. Unfortunately he passed away at the age of 95 in December 2012 without ever opening up about this time of his life. I would love to find out more and am searching for more information about him.
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Reub Silver King's Royal Rifle Corps My father was Reub Silver, of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, he was a POW in Stalag XXB five years.
So interesting reading all the stories which are so similar to the stories he used to relate to me when he came home. How lucky I was to have him come home, even though he eventually passed away at age 45 from a heart attack, which I think was caused by being a POW.
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Private Robert Lional Mead Royal Army Service Corps (d.2004) My Dad, Private Robert Lional Mead, served with the Royal Army Service Corps. He was captured at Dunkirk and spent the duration of the war in Stalag XXB. He is in the picture sent in by Robert Hedges' family. We have several photos taken in Stalag XXB. He died in 2004 aged 91.
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Hugh Ruddock C Company Kings Royal Rifle Corps I am trying to trace any members of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, C Company, who were captured at Calais 1940, and who may have been with my father when he was also captured by the Germans.
I am trying to trace his time in Germany as a POW. He was taken to Stalag 20A then transferred to Stalag 20B where it is thought he stayed until freed by the Americans in 1945.
Any help with this matter would be extremely appreciated.
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Robert Hedges Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) My father Robert 'Bob' Hedges was interned in Stalag XXB for the duration of the war. He served with the Cameronians and was captured during the retreat to Dunkirk. He told me that he and two others were hiding in a pig sty when they were discovered. The three of them were made to dig three graves and were then told to stand by the edge - only then did the Germans drag out three of their own dead and proceeded to bury them. Thinking the graves were going to be theirs he said - 'It took us a bloody long time to dig 'em'
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James Stobie The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders My father, now deceased, James Stobie, was a prisoner of war in Stalag XXB Camp 34. He was private No. 5783 in the Cameron Highlanders. I have several photos of him taken there in uniform, and in a band and a concert. If anyone knows of my Dad or could shed some light on his time there, could they let me know. I would be very interested.
|
G Motion 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry G Motion served with the 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
JH Jack 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry JH Jack served with the 1st Lothian & Border Yeomanry British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Spr. Thomas Vernon Hughes Royal Engineers My sister and I went to Gdansk recently to find where our father, Thomas Vernon Hughes was held prisoner in Stalag 20b Malbork. He was captured on the 25th of May 1940 between Boulogne and Calais and released by the Americans 9th Army 12th April 1945.If anyone can remember him or wishes to contact me for more information please get in touch.
|
Sgt. James Blake Bartlett 1st Btn. Kings Royal Rifle Corps My late father was a prisoner in Stalag 383. His name was Sgt James Blake
Bartlett of the KRRC 1 QVR's. He was captured at Calais 23.5.1940 and according to his army record first went to Stalag XXA in 1940 then to XXB in 1941 and to Stalag 111C which was renamed Stalag 383 in November 1942 where he stayed until release on the 11.5.1945. I can still remember his home coming even to this day, our mum woke us up to say this is your Dad, as I was only 3 when he went away and now I was 8, so did not remember him all that much. He passed away in 1992 and never spoke much about his time as a POW.
|
Charles Edward Haythorne Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry My father, Charles Edward Haythorne (known as Teddy) was captured at Dunkirk and was taken to the POW camp Stalag XXb. If anyone can tell me anything about him please get in touch.
|
Richard John Bunt HMS Rawalpindi My dad’s brother, Richard John Bunt, served on HMS Rawalpindi. Both brothers, from their S-459 Certificate of Service, were in the RNR. My dad joined 24 November 1923 and my uncle joined on 26 October 1925.
From what I recall, both brothers said they would stand side by side and were always on the same team. Due to being in the RNR they were both called up on the 26 August 1939 and as usual they stood together. This time however, their orders were my dad to HMS Hector and Uncle Richard to HMS Rawalpindi. My dad went south to Australia and my uncle headed up to Scapa Flow. As one of the few survivors of the attack Richard was captured by the Germans and sent to a POW camp. I remember my Uncle Richard talking about a camp next to the camp where he was and how the lorries would go out with bodies on the back, some of the limbs still moving. We as a family thought he was in Germany but with this new publishing release of the POW details we found his name listed under Stalag XXB in Poland. Richard Bunt was a prisoner of war from 24 November 1939 until 26 April 1945.
As I read the pages of ‘A Defiant Slaughter’ (By Ian Johnson, posted on www.worldnavalships.com) it was so well written, I could actually picture the attack on the Rawalpindi in my mind, as if I was watching a film.
|
Mark Bernard Hebburn Royal Artillery Hello There!
I have been doing some research into my husband's family history and came across your site when I 'googled' Stalag XXB. My father-in-law, Mark Bernard Hebburn was a POW there for a substantial part of the war, like many of your other participants having been captured in France in 1940. He didn't really talk much to his sons about his time as a prisoner, but from time to time he would drop a snippet of information to me as we chewed the fat with a cup of tea in front of the fire! It is a great shame that he died in 2002 and took a lot of his stories with him. During the war he was serving as a Lance Bombadier with the Royal Artillery. His service number was 819389 and his POW number at Thorn was 18598 ( I have his dog tag).
He told me that for some time during his stay at Thorn he worked on a farm. He also developed acute appendicitis and very nearly died of peritonitis so presumably was hospitalised for some time. By September 1944 he had been transferred to Stalag 3D near Berlin and the photographs I am attaching are from that time. The writing on the back of the cards has been mostly censored. In the uniformed photograph Mark hebburn is in the front row, far right as you look at it.
Something that may jog a memory from someone (I am hoping so) is that just before he left Thorn for Berlin Mark fathered a child, Margaret who we think was probably born round July 1945. I would love to find her and her family but really don't know where to start looking. If anyone out there knew Mark or can fill in any of the gaps, I would be very grateful.
|
Sgt. Charles Edward Turner East Yorkshire Yeomanry 5th Dragoon Guards My father, Charles Turner was a Tank Commander from the East Yorkshire Regiment. he was captured 23 May 1940 in St Omer, and sent to Stalag
XX/A 6 June 1940 prisoner number 776 in Oflag III/C.
He was transferred to Stalag XX/B on 10 October 1941. He was transferred from XX/A on 16 September 1942 and held in Oflag III/C we have no records of his of his release etc, he attested into the TA in 1947 In Kingston upon Hull.
My Father would never talk about his time in the camps as he thought it was better to look to the future. We have a photo of him in the camp, but we don't know which one is him. My father died in May 1973 and I am trying to compose a life book for my children before I die.
I would like any help of advice from anyone and will pass on any info I have.
|
Pte. Ernest Arthur Elvin R.E.M.E. I have in my possession over 100 letters my father, Ernest Elvin, sent home to his wife and son during his time as a POW in Stalag XXB. These have given us a marvellous insight into the happenings and life experience as a POW. Some of the stories he recalls about the way they entertained themselves really were quite ingenious. Lots of fun, dressing up and acting, singing and sharing in Church Services together. He spoke of the way they were so very grateful for the Red Cross parcels they received, and that they kept them going foodwise. Clearly they were very hungry at times, although he never actually voiced this, but spoke of looking forward to roast dinners and mum's cakes again. He also spoke of the good comradeship experienced between the men, how they would share their letters from home, just to help each other feel nearer to Blighty. He also spoke of the beautiful countryside around the camp, the spring flowers and the joy of laying on the grass in the summer and even being allowed to swim in a nearby river.
Last year I was privileged to visit the memorial to the Prisoners of Stalag XXB in Marlbork Municipal Cemetery. It was a tremendous experience, and one I was so very glad to have had.
|
Pte. Leslie Lee My father Leslie Lee, spent 5 years as a POW in Poland - 1940 to 1945. Pictures that were sent to him by my mother were stamped Stalag XXB on the back. He was captured as part of the rear guard during the Dunkirk evacuation. Was part of the forced march in the winter of 1945. Few details are known as, like many others, he was reluctant to speak of his time in Poland. He did speak a little about the march and the terrible conditions, the lack of food and the cold. He also remembered that they slept in snowy fields and on the last day woke up in a barn to find that the German guards had all left and that the Americans were close by. They were liberated by the Americans later and he remembered being given food that he was unable to eat due to his being so malnourished. He was repatriated and hospitalized then returned to Hull to marry my mother in June 1946. Unfortunately he passed away at the age of 95 in December 2012 without ever opening up about this time of his life. I would love to find out more and am searching for more information about him.
|
Reub Silver King's Royal Rifle Corps My father was Reub Silver, of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, he was a POW in Stalag XXB five years.
So interesting reading all the stories which are so similar to the stories he used to relate to me when he came home. How lucky I was to have him come home, even though he eventually passed away at age 45 from a heart attack, which I think was caused by being a POW.
|
Private Robert Lional Mead Royal Army Service Corps (d.2004) My Dad, Private Robert Lional Mead, served with the Royal Army Service Corps. He was captured at Dunkirk and spent the duration of the war in Stalag XXB. He is in the picture sent in by Robert Hedges' family. We have several photos taken in Stalag XXB. He died in 2004 aged 91.
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Hugh Ruddock C Company Kings Royal Rifle Corps I am trying to trace any members of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, C Company, who were captured at Calais 1940, and who may have been with my father when he was also captured by the Germans.
I am trying to trace his time in Germany as a POW. He was taken to Stalag 20A then transferred to Stalag 20B where it is thought he stayed until freed by the Americans in 1945.
Any help with this matter would be extremely appreciated.
|
Robert Hedges Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) My father Robert 'Bob' Hedges was interned in Stalag XXB for the duration of the war. He served with the Cameronians and was captured during the retreat to Dunkirk. He told me that he and two others were hiding in a pig sty when they were discovered. The three of them were made to dig three graves and were then told to stand by the edge - only then did the Germans drag out three of their own dead and proceeded to bury them. Thinking the graves were going to be theirs he said - 'It took us a bloody long time to dig 'em'
|
James Stobie The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders My father, now deceased, James Stobie, was a prisoner of war in Stalag XXB Camp 34. He was private No. 5783 in the Cameron Highlanders. I have several photos of him taken there in uniform, and in a band and a concert. If anyone knows of my Dad or could shed some light on his time there, could they let me know. I would be very interested.
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