The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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211267 Lt. Peter vanVlerk South African Air Force 34 Squadron from:Durban, South Africa This item is the ID neck badge for a Prisoner of War of the Germans. Peter van Vlerk used to wear the POW ID around his neck - suspended from his uniform lanyard. The purpose of the perforations and the double set of numbers, is that in case of death it is broken in half and one side went to the Red Cross to advise family and the other half to German authorities. In this case you can clearly see his internment number - and that he was in Stalag 9C (1X9C) and POW number 53696. With so many of our chaps being taken prisoner there must be a large number around, however that being the case, I suspect once freed a large number of our chaps would have used these as Frisbees. There were different types, later in the war when the Germans were running short on metal, they even produced wooden ones. At the time of his capture Peter van Vlerk was a Lieutenant with the South African Air Force - serving with the Squadron 34. They and one other Sq. were flying Liberators - an American Bomber that carried a crew of 8. They were flying ops into Hungary and were on their way to attack the Marshalling Yards at Zumbethly (spelling may need correction) When nearly over the target a German plane flying above them, illuminated flares above them. This was sufficient for ground anti-aircraft to hit them. Out of the 8 crew, all were killed – except Lt. van Vlerk - who was a gunner. He was badly wounded and was taken to hospital (another dodgy spelling - neither of us was sure ) at a place called Uburmarsfeld. When he had recovered sufficiently he was taken to Stalag 9C - which was at Zumbethly. His medals are with his Grandchildren - which is where they should be. They didn't need his ID and WW2 Sam Browne cross belt - with date 1942 - and he wanted them to go to a collector, someone that could fully appreciate it. I wish more people were as sensible. It is now in my possession. I met him in Oct 2012 - he is now 93 years of age and living in sheltered housing in Durban South Africa. It was a pleasure to meet him and to listen to his WW2 experiences. Louis Scheepers Add to this record.  Related Content: No. 34 Squadron Royal Air Force Stalag 9C Prisoner of War Camp Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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