Survival at Stalag IVB: Soldiers and Airmen Remember Germany's Largest POW Camp of World War II

In addition to concentration camps, World War II Germany was also home to 54 prisoner-of-war camps, the largest of which was Stalag IVB. Throughout the more than five years of its existence, Stalag IVB supported numerous satellite camps, eventually housing thousands of prisoners of many nationalities. Here Poles, French, Belgians, British, Americans, Dutch and Russians fought to survive in a place where life's most basic needs were barely fulfilled. Interned in the camp for several months from late 1943, Tony Vercoe engaged in a struggle for life, sanity and escape.

This historical chronicle evokes the heartbreaking reality of day-to-day life in Stalag IVB. Rich with firsthand accounts by the author and other veterans of the camp, it provides particulars regarding rations, prisoner-of-war registration, camp hygiene, inmate activities and prisoner morale. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the International Red Cross in prisoner survival and the multinational "melting pot" characteristics of the camp itself. Possibilities of flight and the events that motivated prisoners' daring escape attempts are discussed, along with the consequences of their frequent failures. Closing chapters detail the camp's final months and the prisoners' long awaited deliverance.

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Survival at Stalag IVB: Soldiers and Airmen Remember Germany's Largest POW Camp of World War II

In addition to concentration camps, World War II Germany was also home to 54 prisoner-of-war camps, the largest of which was Stalag IVB. Throughout the more than five years of its existence, Stalag IVB supported numerous satellite camps, eventually housing thousands of prisoners of many nationalities. Here Poles, French, Belgians, British, Americans, Dutch and Russians fought to survive in a place where life's most basic needs were barely fulfilled. Interned in the camp for several months from late 1943, Tony Vercoe engaged in a struggle for life, sanity and escape.

This historical chronicle evokes the heartbreaking reality of day-to-day life in Stalag IVB. Rich with firsthand accounts by the author and other veterans of the camp, it provides particulars regarding rations, prisoner-of-war registration, camp hygiene, inmate activities and prisoner morale. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the International Red Cross in prisoner survival and the multinational "melting pot" characteristics of the camp itself. Possibilities of flight and the events that motivated prisoners' daring escape attempts are discussed, along with the consequences of their frequent failures. Closing chapters detail the camp's final months and the prisoners' long awaited deliverance.

29.95 In Stock
Survival at Stalag IVB: Soldiers and Airmen Remember Germany's Largest POW Camp of World War II

Survival at Stalag IVB: Soldiers and Airmen Remember Germany's Largest POW Camp of World War II

by Tony Vercoe
Survival at Stalag IVB: Soldiers and Airmen Remember Germany's Largest POW Camp of World War II

Survival at Stalag IVB: Soldiers and Airmen Remember Germany's Largest POW Camp of World War II

by Tony Vercoe

Paperback

$29.95 
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Overview

In addition to concentration camps, World War II Germany was also home to 54 prisoner-of-war camps, the largest of which was Stalag IVB. Throughout the more than five years of its existence, Stalag IVB supported numerous satellite camps, eventually housing thousands of prisoners of many nationalities. Here Poles, French, Belgians, British, Americans, Dutch and Russians fought to survive in a place where life's most basic needs were barely fulfilled. Interned in the camp for several months from late 1943, Tony Vercoe engaged in a struggle for life, sanity and escape.

This historical chronicle evokes the heartbreaking reality of day-to-day life in Stalag IVB. Rich with firsthand accounts by the author and other veterans of the camp, it provides particulars regarding rations, prisoner-of-war registration, camp hygiene, inmate activities and prisoner morale. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the International Red Cross in prisoner survival and the multinational "melting pot" characteristics of the camp itself. Possibilities of flight and the events that motivated prisoners' daring escape attempts are discussed, along with the consequences of their frequent failures. Closing chapters detail the camp's final months and the prisoners' long awaited deliverance.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786424047
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 02/23/2006
Pages: 212
Sales rank: 884,170
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.42(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Tony Vercoe is also the author of Yesterday’s Drums, an account of his World War II experiences. He lives near Wellington, New Zealand.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgment      s
Preface     
Introduction     

1. M. Stammlager IVB     
2. Babbelfest     
3. The Commissariat     
4. A Half-Life     
5. Words and Music     
6. A Secret War     
7. Doug's Story     
8. The Escape Imperative     
9. Discipline/Punishment/War Crimes     
10. Bartering and Bribery     
11. Stranger Than Fiction     
12. The Satellite Camps     
13. In Limbo     
14. Deliverance     

Glossary     
Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Contributors     
Index     
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