Stalag XI-B

Prisoner of war camp

Connections

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Detailed History

Built in 1937 as accommodation for workers building a nearby training camp, the camp was formerly designated Stalag XI-B in September 1939. The first prisoners held at the camp were Polish, but were swiftly followed by French and Belgians. By the end of 1940, 40,000 Prisoners of War were registered to the camp, though many of these were assigned to nearby work camps, and the camp itself only housed around 2,500 inmates.



In July 1941 the first Soviet POWs arrived at the camp and were sent to a distinct area designated Stalag XI-D. Conditions in the Soviet camp were poor, and soliders had to live in dug outs. Conditions became so appalling that Stalag XI-D was dissolved in July 1942 and incorporated into the main camp XI-B.



In September 1944, the former site of Stalag XI-D was designated as the new destination of Stalag 357, which had moved from Poland. Italian POWS constructed the new part of the camp, which largely held British and Commonwealth inmates.



The camp was liberated by British forces on 16 April 1945.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18034465
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13093212
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 409th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-694232
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot, Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 735th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorseasidesue2
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Sources

I am Susan Thompson, Robert D Thompson's daughter.  I know through Leonard Lincoln, whom I have also added, that he and my father spent a short time here after Dulag Luft, Stalag Luft IV, and the Baatan Death March.

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Changes
Sources

Update to Place Type.

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ContributorEmily
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