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Stalag 4D/Z Prisoner of War Camp
Stalag 4D/Z (IV-D/Z, according to the German designation system) was a small Allied POW camp located in the eastern German town of Annaburg, which lies about 12 miles north of Torgau and about 30 miles northeast of Leipzig. It was a sub-camp of Stalag 4D (IV-D) in Torgau, and was used for holding POWs who were to be repatriated in prisoner exchanges.
22nd Jul 1941 Parcels
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Want to know more about Stalag 4D/Z Prisoner of War Camp? There are:222 items tagged Stalag 4D/Z 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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TH Clement Royal Armoured Corps TH Clement served with the Royal Armoured Corps 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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Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin Royal Artillery My late grandfather, Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin, was a lance bombardier in the Royal Artillery, escaped at Dunkerque, was then later captured in North Africa and subsequently held at Campo 73 in Carpi, Italy and then Stalag 4DZ near Annaburg.
I'm trying to get info on either camp (memories, photos, anything) and, unlikely I know, hear from anyone who knew my Grandad.
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L/Bmdr Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin Royal Artillery My late Grandfather, Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin, was held at camp 4dz near Annaburg and was released by
the Americans at the end of the war. Prior to this he was held at Campo
73, Carpi in Italy following his capture by the Germans in North Africa.
He was a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, army number 882792, POW
number 247056 and had previously been in France before escaping from
Dunqerqe.
If anybody has any information on either camp or knew of my Grandfather I
would love to hear from them.
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Cpl. William Newton 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters William Newton was my grandfather. He was a POW for approximately 2 years at Stalag 4D/Z before he managed to escape, along with one other prisoner.
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Pte. Derrick Cyril Croydon Devonshire Regiment Derrick Croydon served with the Territorial Army in the Devonshire Regiment He is my Dad. He was 23 years old when he was captured by the Germans and sent to Stalag 4d/z, in Annaburg. He was listed as missing in action 15th of September 1943 and reported as captured on 27th of December 1943 as POW number 229539.
He was released from the army on the 23rd of July 1945.
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Cpl. Geoffrey Pickering Durham Light Infantry Geoff Pickering enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry as a Gunner in 1939 when he was 22 years of age. He served in North Africa and was captured at Tobruk and sent as a POW to PG53 Sforzacosta, Italy.
With the Allies landing in Salerno in 1943 most of his his camp were quickly dispatched to German POW camps. Geoff was posted to Stalag 1VD/Z Torgau/ Annaburg where he remained until it was liberated in 1945. Of his experiences in POW camps he spoke little, other than to say that the Italian camp was by far the harshest and definitely the worst experience of his life. He said no Red Cross parcels ever reached them and that the living conditions were terrible. He suffered life long back problems as a result of his treatment in Italy. However he did live a long and successful life, dying in 2003 at the age of 86 yrs.
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Pte. Gilbert Roy Olorenshore Royal Army Ordnance Corps On the 24th of September 1942, Gilbert Olorenshore was taken Prisoner in the Middle East.
His name is on Casualty List No. 937
He became POW No.249132 at Stalag 4d/Z, Annaburg.
He was married to Dorothy S Chandler in 1949 and died at Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire in 1969.
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Pte. Fredrick Hendrick Van_Eck Support Coy. 1st Royal Natal Carabineers Fredrick Van Eck was listed as, missing, believed a P.O.W. (Tobruk) on the 20th of June 1942
He was confirmed as a P.O.W. on 5th of February 1943 and released on 31st of May 1945.
His P.O.W. number was 224761 and he was held at Stalag 4DZ, located at Annaburg, Germany.
He was born 10 May 1918, and enlisted on the 3rd of Apr 1940 and discharged 22nd of September 1945.
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Gnr. Douglas Hewitt Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery My Dad Douglas Hewitt enlisted before the war as there was little work available. He joined the Royal Artillery as a gunner in a light anti-aircraft Battery. He went to France with the B.E.F and I think he was evacuated at the time of the infamous retreat. I believe it was not from Dunkirk but near by. Dad then served in the Middle East until captured in 1942 by the Italian forces.
He was at first sent to San Lorenzo POW camp then at some point sent by rail to Stalag IV-D/Z at Annaburg Saxony-Anhalt.
During his time as a POW, he lost all of his teeth which had to be pulled out by pliers as they were beyond saving.
Dad talked about comrades getting blind drunk on covert potato wine and having to go on work duties by train to other towns. He spoke of certain trips when they threw their tools from the train and had hardly any to work with at journeys end.
Dad said some of the guards were ok and some were bad buggers. For one of the good guards, he and other POWs got stuff together for him as the guy was getting married. I may be mistaken but I recall Mum saying he was called Fritz.
Dad died in 1995 age 78 leaving behind a loving wife Hilda and five Children. He was a hard working gentleman. A loving and kind gentle man. A lovely dad and we still miss him and honour his life
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Pte. Leslie Masterman Yorks & Lancs My grandad, Leslie Masterman (1923-2002), from Leeds, served as a Private in the Yorks/Lancs Regiment during the Second World War. He was a POW in Italy and Germany after being captured by German troops in Tunisia in 1943.
The following is what my family and I have pieced together from the few bits of information he gave us:
Pte Masterman, L
4758866
He was taken to camp PG66 in Italy, which (with help from the internet) appears to have been in Capua. We got this number from a photograph: PG66PM3400. The first four digits aside, we're not sure what the numbers mean.
He also stayed at camp PG53 (Campo Concentremento 53. Sforzacosta).
He was moved to Germany, where he (as far as we can tell) stayed at camp PG78 (location unknown), before being squashed into an open rail truck and taken to Stalag 357 (in Oerbke, I think).
He spent time at Stalag 4DZ near Annaburg. (Again, we got this number from a photograph, but we're not sure what it means: 226387 D602.)
I think it was here where he was forced to work on repairing a damaged railway line near an ammunition factory (which was regularly bombed by the RAF). He was certain they were sent to work there to reduce numbers, and many men died working there.
He, along with two other prisoners (Trooper Walter Rowley and Lance Corporal James "Busty" Speight), fled Stalag 4DZ on April 14, 1945.
The day before they fled, they were told by a British R.A.M.C major that the whole camp was to be marched east the following day. The march began and suddenly the air raid sirens sounded. As Allied planes swooped to strafe a nearby airfield, the three of them made a run for it, taking with them two of the German sentries (they told them they would make it all right for them with the Americans, who were rumoured to be getting closer). In the village of Nienburg, they told the local Burgomaster that they had been sent to make their way back to camp. A German girl who had been a worker in the camp kitchen helped my grandad and the other POW's by tipping them off about the Burgomaster being suspicious. He had sent for the SS, who were to arrive the next morning. The German girl also told them the way to the American lines, so they pulled out quickly and eventually found an American patrol near Halle (Saale). The Americans took some convincing that they were British POW's, but they eventually realised they were genuine and couldn't make them more welcome. They later learned that the guards who stayed behind were shot by the SS for assisting them to escape.
My grandad returned home to Leeds on a Tuesday in May 1945.
There are an awful lot of gaps that I'd love to fill in, and he probably stayed at a few more POW camps. I'm unsure where he was when at the end of the war but think it's most likely to be Stalag 4DZ in Annaburg. I have no idea how much time he spent at any one camp. I also have no idea how he travelled from Tunisia to Italy after being captured. I know the prisoners marched for many miles through Italy and traveled in open army trucks up through Germany to the North East.
If anyone has information about ANYTHING I have mentioned above, I'd appreciate hearing from you.
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Sgt.Maj. Norman Tregellas Dean Royal Corps of Signals My Father, Norman Dean was a prisoner of war at Stalag 4DZ at Annaburg prisoner No. 227913. before that I think he served in Cairo. I am waiting for his service record. He suffered with nightmares all his life. Does anybody know him and can tell me anything about him?
|
TH Clement Royal Armoured Corps TH Clement served with the Royal Armoured Corps 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.
|
Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin Royal Artillery My late grandfather, Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin, was a lance bombardier in the Royal Artillery, escaped at Dunkerque, was then later captured in North Africa and subsequently held at Campo 73 in Carpi, Italy and then Stalag 4DZ near Annaburg.
I'm trying to get info on either camp (memories, photos, anything) and, unlikely I know, hear from anyone who knew my Grandad.
|
L/Bmdr Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin Royal Artillery My late Grandfather, Francis Joseph "Paddy" McLoughlin, was held at camp 4dz near Annaburg and was released by
the Americans at the end of the war. Prior to this he was held at Campo
73, Carpi in Italy following his capture by the Germans in North Africa.
He was a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, army number 882792, POW
number 247056 and had previously been in France before escaping from
Dunqerqe.
If anybody has any information on either camp or knew of my Grandfather I
would love to hear from them.
|
Cpl. William Newton 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters William Newton was my grandfather. He was a POW for approximately 2 years at Stalag 4D/Z before he managed to escape, along with one other prisoner.
|
Pte. Derrick Cyril Croydon Devonshire Regiment Derrick Croydon served with the Territorial Army in the Devonshire Regiment He is my Dad. He was 23 years old when he was captured by the Germans and sent to Stalag 4d/z, in Annaburg. He was listed as missing in action 15th of September 1943 and reported as captured on 27th of December 1943 as POW number 229539.
He was released from the army on the 23rd of July 1945.
|
Cpl. Geoffrey Pickering Durham Light Infantry Geoff Pickering enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry as a Gunner in 1939 when he was 22 years of age. He served in North Africa and was captured at Tobruk and sent as a POW to PG53 Sforzacosta, Italy.
With the Allies landing in Salerno in 1943 most of his his camp were quickly dispatched to German POW camps. Geoff was posted to Stalag 1VD/Z Torgau/ Annaburg where he remained until it was liberated in 1945. Of his experiences in POW camps he spoke little, other than to say that the Italian camp was by far the harshest and definitely the worst experience of his life. He said no Red Cross parcels ever reached them and that the living conditions were terrible. He suffered life long back problems as a result of his treatment in Italy. However he did live a long and successful life, dying in 2003 at the age of 86 yrs.
|
Pte. Gilbert Roy Olorenshore Royal Army Ordnance Corps On the 24th of September 1942, Gilbert Olorenshore was taken Prisoner in the Middle East.
His name is on Casualty List No. 937
He became POW No.249132 at Stalag 4d/Z, Annaburg.
He was married to Dorothy S Chandler in 1949 and died at Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire in 1969.
|
Pte. Fredrick Hendrick Van_Eck Support Coy. 1st Royal Natal Carabineers Fredrick Van Eck was listed as, missing, believed a P.O.W. (Tobruk) on the 20th of June 1942
He was confirmed as a P.O.W. on 5th of February 1943 and released on 31st of May 1945.
His P.O.W. number was 224761 and he was held at Stalag 4DZ, located at Annaburg, Germany.
He was born 10 May 1918, and enlisted on the 3rd of Apr 1940 and discharged 22nd of September 1945.
|
Gnr. Douglas Hewitt Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery My Dad Douglas Hewitt enlisted before the war as there was little work available. He joined the Royal Artillery as a gunner in a light anti-aircraft Battery. He went to France with the B.E.F and I think he was evacuated at the time of the infamous retreat. I believe it was not from Dunkirk but near by. Dad then served in the Middle East until captured in 1942 by the Italian forces.
He was at first sent to San Lorenzo POW camp then at some point sent by rail to Stalag IV-D/Z at Annaburg Saxony-Anhalt.
During his time as a POW, he lost all of his teeth which had to be pulled out by pliers as they were beyond saving.
Dad talked about comrades getting blind drunk on covert potato wine and having to go on work duties by train to other towns. He spoke of certain trips when they threw their tools from the train and had hardly any to work with at journeys end.
Dad said some of the guards were ok and some were bad buggers. For one of the good guards, he and other POWs got stuff together for him as the guy was getting married. I may be mistaken but I recall Mum saying he was called Fritz.
Dad died in 1995 age 78 leaving behind a loving wife Hilda and five Children. He was a hard working gentleman. A loving and kind gentle man. A lovely dad and we still miss him and honour his life
|
Pte. Leslie Masterman Yorks & Lancs My grandad, Leslie Masterman (1923-2002), from Leeds, served as a Private in the Yorks/Lancs Regiment during the Second World War. He was a POW in Italy and Germany after being captured by German troops in Tunisia in 1943.
The following is what my family and I have pieced together from the few bits of information he gave us:
Pte Masterman, L
4758866
He was taken to camp PG66 in Italy, which (with help from the internet) appears to have been in Capua. We got this number from a photograph: PG66PM3400. The first four digits aside, we're not sure what the numbers mean.
He also stayed at camp PG53 (Campo Concentremento 53. Sforzacosta).
He was moved to Germany, where he (as far as we can tell) stayed at camp PG78 (location unknown), before being squashed into an open rail truck and taken to Stalag 357 (in Oerbke, I think).
He spent time at Stalag 4DZ near Annaburg. (Again, we got this number from a photograph, but we're not sure what it means: 226387 D602.)
I think it was here where he was forced to work on repairing a damaged railway line near an ammunition factory (which was regularly bombed by the RAF). He was certain they were sent to work there to reduce numbers, and many men died working there.
He, along with two other prisoners (Trooper Walter Rowley and Lance Corporal James "Busty" Speight), fled Stalag 4DZ on April 14, 1945.
The day before they fled, they were told by a British R.A.M.C major that the whole camp was to be marched east the following day. The march began and suddenly the air raid sirens sounded. As Allied planes swooped to strafe a nearby airfield, the three of them made a run for it, taking with them two of the German sentries (they told them they would make it all right for them with the Americans, who were rumoured to be getting closer). In the village of Nienburg, they told the local Burgomaster that they had been sent to make their way back to camp. A German girl who had been a worker in the camp kitchen helped my grandad and the other POW's by tipping them off about the Burgomaster being suspicious. He had sent for the SS, who were to arrive the next morning. The German girl also told them the way to the American lines, so they pulled out quickly and eventually found an American patrol near Halle (Saale). The Americans took some convincing that they were British POW's, but they eventually realised they were genuine and couldn't make them more welcome. They later learned that the guards who stayed behind were shot by the SS for assisting them to escape.
My grandad returned home to Leeds on a Tuesday in May 1945.
There are an awful lot of gaps that I'd love to fill in, and he probably stayed at a few more POW camps. I'm unsure where he was when at the end of the war but think it's most likely to be Stalag 4DZ in Annaburg. I have no idea how much time he spent at any one camp. I also have no idea how he travelled from Tunisia to Italy after being captured. I know the prisoners marched for many miles through Italy and traveled in open army trucks up through Germany to the North East.
If anyone has information about ANYTHING I have mentioned above, I'd appreciate hearing from you.
|
Sgt.Maj. Norman Tregellas Dean Royal Corps of Signals My Father, Norman Dean was a prisoner of war at Stalag 4DZ at Annaburg prisoner No. 227913. before that I think he served in Cairo. I am waiting for his service record. He suffered with nightmares all his life. Does anybody know him and can tell me anything about him?
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