Stalag Luft 1

We welcome you to Stalag Luft 1 permanent air camp for officers, located in the small seaport town of Barth, Germany - where fleas flourish, winds storm out of the Baltic Sea, fashions are set by the men who wear them, beds are boards, and a sumptuous diet of Jerry rations is offered every day.

There we Kriegies learned to cook, washed clothes, dug tunnels, played in puddles, perfected our rugby and baseball, traded "zigarettens" for "swiebels," read books, developed hobbies. We laughed at the men and routine there - to keep from crying.

"Krieg" is the German word for war. A prisoner of war was known as a "Kriegie." We Kriegies numbered thousands. There were 8,000 American Air Force personnel, including some of the most famous aces - Col. Hubert Zemke, who is credited with shooting down 28 German planes in air battles, Lt. Col. Gabreski, Major Beason, and many others, some of whom spent as many as two years at Stalag Luft....

...The cartoons in this book were done by Flight Sgt. Budgen of the RAF, prisoner of war for three years, and Squadron Leader B. Arct, Belgian flier attached to the RAF....

The following is a diary kept by Norm from the time of his capture to the liberation of the camp by the Russian Army. He wrote very small, fitting all the following information on 2 sheets of paper. Not being familiar with the slang of the times or the people and places it is possible that the information that I retyped here is not accurate. If you would like to look at the original diary click here.

July 29, 1944 - Shot down – I mile NE of Niedertreba. (near Jena, Germany) Imprisoned in Fr-Bel. Prison Camp at Bad Sulza (near Naumburg, Germany)

Dear Folks: Just a souvenir from a German prison camp and a few words to tell you I am safe and in the best of health. We play softball, football etc. plus bridge, pinochle, checkers, chess but our playing cards are not very plentiful. I thing I'll see you for Christmas, but hope we'll be celebrating my birthday, when the time comes, in Bay City. Don't worry about me because I'm well taken care of. Your nephew, Norman

Dear Bill: Just a line to let you and the boys at the shop know that I am fine and enjoying my summer vacation in a German Prison camp. Not much to do except play softball, basketball, cards, read books, and sleep. The Red Cross is taking care of us quite well and furnishes us with everything we need. Hope everything is well back home. Norm

Dear Folks: As I sit here this Thanksgiving Day I think of everyone at home and of the turkey, cranberries, etc. that goes with the meal. I still am in the very best of health, but with winter drawing nigh it is getting quite cold. No snow as yet but we are expecting it any day now Your loving nephew, Norman

January 16, 1945 - Visited South Compound. Library moves to BR1F7 in office.

February 19, 1945 - P.O.W.'s from Stargard arrived. Went to home Arch. Class

February 27, 1945 - P.O.W.'s from Keyfeit arrived. Saw show from N.1 Comp. (Musical Comedy). Jest doing cooking.. Mosquito strafes near camp. Red Cross 1 to 4 men.

March 1, 1945 - Rec'd letter – Fred Fitzhugh. Christmas Card - Mom. Cutting logs for fuel. Stew got 1st letter

March 2, 1945 - P.O.W.'s arrive, Some P.O.W. for 5 years (around the bend). Made Stone walk in compound. Designed house. Cold day. Strong Winds.

March 5, 1945 - Nice day outside. Jest finishes cooking week. Air Raid. 8 Contrails from fighters visible. Took shower.

March 6, 1945 - Very nice day. On K.P. Last of food eaten. On Jerry Rations. Russians 95 miles away. Good news. Loud speakers installed. Best R.A.F. show yet. Raided Convoy.

March 7, 1945 - Cold, dark day. Volksfurm taking over camp. Rutebega ration. Russians 81 miles away. Took another shower.

March 8, 1945 - Went out to roll call. Dark day. Snow. Started work (H20) Radio on for 1st time. Very good to hear music & news.

March 11, 1945 - Went to Church & Communion. Lt. Castle(?) died in hospital. Snow in morning. Cold and fair in afternoon. 2 Air Raids

March 12, 1945 - Big air raid in afternoon. Cloudy day. Garden seeds come in. Decide to break up combines.

March 13, 1945 - Combine breaks up. Verbruggen moves out. Now 6 combines. Shots for compound. Wrote letters to Mom & Ruth.

March 16, 1945 - Cold day. Potatoes rationed. Sergeants move to BR#1. Bldg racks in BR#8. Rutebega ration.

March 18, 1945 - Lt. Wyman killed and Lt. Whitehouse injured during air raid. Went to Church. Todd working in kitchen.

March 19, 1945 - No light tonight. Glee club & orchestra entertainment in mess hall today & tomorrow. All N.C.O’s in BR#8, 9 & 1. Took shower

March 20, 1945 - Cold windy day as well as last few days. 25 starlings and duck captured by block 6 and eaten.

March 21, 1945 - Rec’d letter from Maxine. Lots of mail in. Did washing. Good day for drying clothes. Wrote letters.

March 22, 1945 - Fair day. Roll call mix up again. Identity roll call at midnight. Two P.O.W.’s captured trying to escape.

March 23, 1945 - Very fine spring day. Koch moves in. Rumors of moving this camp. New P.O.W.’s arrive. No more interrogation center.

Dear Folks: I wish I could be with you this Easter to enjoy all the new clothes and food everyone will be wearing and eating. I don't know what happened to my radio, but I sure do hope it got home O.K. I have only received one letter from you so far, but I am hoping for more any day now. I am still fine and hope this letter reaches you by quicker service than I am getting here. Your loving Nephew, Norman

March 24, 1945 - Another very nice day. Big allied crossing of Rhine. More P.O.W. arrive. Lots of airplanes. Equipment & Political Prisoners going to Peninsula.

March 25, 1945 - Very fine day. Did washing. Went to church. Palm Sunday. Very good breakfast of Choa. Barley & Oats. Went to New Jersey Meeting.

March 26, 1945 - Nice day but worse in afternoon. Red Cross parcels in. Fritz Hermann & Noise go to front. Went to Church.

March 27, 1945 - Red Cross Issue & Ration. More in Barth & on way here. Inside roll call.

March 28, 1945 - I went on weeks K.P. New P.O.W.’s arrive. More Red Cross in. 1/4 issue.

March 30, 1945 - Good Friday. Germans disintegrating on West front. Danzig & Gyonia fall. Air raid.

March 31, 1945 - Jest makes big cake. Lasky wins plague. Plenty of Red Cross. 76,000 parcels in.

April 1, 1945 - Easter Sunday. Went to church. Very fine dinner. Nasty day outside. Flying officer Way dies from Cerebral Hemorrhage. Rm. 5&6 have very fine table. Col Hankev comes back from Berlin. Red Cross from Lubeck by truck.

April 3, 1945 - Sick all day. Rain. Last day of K.P. Max Schmeling visits camp. 3 more cars Red Cross arrive. New Compound Officer. Hauptman Krag.

April 7, 1945 - Very fine day. Air raid. War looks like it will be over soon.

April 9, 1945 - Clean up week, to meet the Allies. G.I’d room. Washed shirt & pants. Clark still sick.

April 12, 1945 - Nice day. Windy. Cans not to be cut up. Russian & French P.O.W’s arrive. Storage shed space opened up. Allowed to go to latrine during air raid. Americans about 130 mi. away. Near Magdeburg. Rec’d letter L. Bork.

April 13, 1945 - Rec’d news Pres. Roosevelt died. Americans now 110 mi away. Air raid. Cloudy day. Shutters now open at night. At night RAF bombs Politz.

April 14, 1945 - Air raid. Lots of airplane activity at airport. P.O.W’s Wittenberg arrive.

April 15, 1945 - Went to church. Memorial service for President. Big Personal Inspection.?

April 16, 1945 - Did washing. Rec’d post card from ma. Russians on offensive again. Air raid again, getting to be quite monotonous. Almost every day and night. Making dessert pans. No lights at night.

April 17, 1945 - Warmest day of year so far. All–Star softball game North 2 & West compound. 1—1 tie. Identity roll call. Water on & off during day.

April 19, 1945 - Much plane activity. Saw jets. Ruhr Pocket 4 F/M model fall. Russians 8-10 miles from Berlin.

April 20, 1945 - Awakened by big artillery barrage. 2 Air raids in afternoon.

April 21-28, 1945 - Went on K.P. on 25th. Heinrich Himmler & Staff arrive on 27th. Very much plane activity and air raids. On 27th, 9 air raids during night & morning. Russ. & Am. link up on 26th. Fighting in Berlin. Mussulini captured. Russ. start offensive in N.E. Pomerania toward Barth. Stew wins football accuracy throw in sports carnival on 28th. Russ. Artillery heard very plainly. Harris birthday on 27th. Kriege Kraft Carnival display. Lights come on again at night on 24th for first time since.... Canadian Red Cross ration for 1 weeks time. Big potato ration comes in. RAF dropped pamphlets (take care of P.O.W.s)

April 29, 1945 - Germans take pictures in compound. F.W190 explodes over airport. Himmler offers to surrender to Am. & Brit. Russians at Anklam 48 miles from Barth. Berlin almost finished. Germans collapse on all fronts. Himmler leaves camp.

April 30, 1945 - German’s blow up flak school, equipment, and airport. Lots of air activity. We build slit trenches. Musolini & staff assassinated. Himmler reported at Zingsi. 1/2 of guards deserted during night. Guards stealing red cross parcels. We get uncensored mail & Parcels. Germans deserting area.

May 1, 1945 - Americans take over compound at 10:00 p.m. April 30th. No Germans in camp. Russians arrive at 10:20 pm during hit parade playing of “Chloe”. At 10:30 BBC announces death of Hitler. No 1 on hit parade “Don’t Fence Me In,” played immediately after announcement. “This is an historic moment for which 10000 AM. & Brit. have been waiting. The stranded parachutists have at last linked up with allied forces.” Col Zemke has lunch with Major Steinauer. Library closes up. We hear BBC for first time. Major Von Mustler & few other Germans taken prisoner. Col. Spicer released from cooler after spending 6 mo exactly in solitary. My last day

May 2, 1945 - Get prepared to move out and march to Rostok at 6pm. Wreck towers & Buildings & Fences. Go down to Bay and see 3 women & two children shot through left eye and head. Go to Flak school and get souvenirs. Place pretty well blown up and ransacked. Went ot Barth and saw Russian tanks & forces go through on way south. Ransacked jewelry store. Lots of things brought back to camp – horses, bicycles, autos, guns, vodka, knives, clothes, boots, etc. Order to move out rescinded. In one store saw German dead or dying.

May 3, 1945 - Restricted to Peninsula. 5 Americans shot or killed by Russians or mines. Place under Russian martial law. Get word that wewill be flown out. Walked out to peninsula and ransacked store houses of shirts, shoes, light bulbs, bed clothes, dishes, etc. Saw 6 German women who were hiding in one building to keep away from Russ.

May 4, 1945 - No more news about moving. Walked out to peninsula for exercise. 5 more Americans killed at Zingst. Lots of fish being caught.

May 5, 1945 - Left camp at night. Spent night near flak school in German home. Had strawberries. Mead, Army, Dick, Koch, & Winkle walking to Wismer. Many others leaving too.

May 6, 1945 - Got up in morning and had coffee cake for breakfast. Went to refugee camp and bought pair of flying boots. Went to French camp and then returned to peninsula. Arrested by MP’s and spent 6–7 hrs in cooler. Maj. Jackson & Dillingham confiscated equipment and put everyone in a brace & took food away. They acted worst than huns.

May 7, 1945 - Went to show Russians put on in South Compound. Very good dancing, singing, etc. English Lt. Col. in camp to arrange for our return home. Jr. Officer Club being set up.

George M. Collar - POW Stalag Luft 1

George M. Collar contacted me in May of 2000. He was in North I compound, Stalag Luft I, and moved in with Norm on October 9th, 1944. He was able to clear up the barracks layout on page 35 of Norms Wartime Log. The names listed were nick names! Eli was actually Norms nick name, since he became an avid bridge player as a P.O.W. and they named him Eli after Eli Culbertson, one of the leading bridge players at the time. Here is George M. Collars Narrative of his experiences in World War II.

George Collar would also like to recommend some books for those who would like to do additonal reading about what it was like to live during this period of time.

Time Out by John A. Vietor

Aero Publishers, Inc, 1951
329 W. Aviation Rd
Fallbrook, CA 92028

ISBN # 0-8168-9025-0

Zemkes Stalag by Hubert Zemke
as told by Roger A. Freeman

Published by Smithsonian, 1991

ISBN # 1-56098-018-4

Prisoner of War by Squadron Leader B. Arct

Webb & Bowser Ltd, 1988
9Collection Crescent
Exeter Devon
EX24BY

A Wartime Log by Art & Lee Beltrone

Howell Press, 1994
1147 River Rd, Suite 2
Charlottesville, IN 22901

Behind Barbed Wire by Morris J. Roy and Richard R. Smith

1946 (out of print)

The Mighty Eight by Roger Freeman

Doubleday & Co, 1970

Camp Rules and Regulations - Taken from the block "notice" board on May 1, 1945. Reprinted below for easier reading and searching.

This Camp regulationis based on the provisions of the Geneva Convention of 1929.
All prior regulations are hereby cancelled.

I. Camp Management.
1. The language of the Camp is German.
2. The Camp is under the command of the Kommandant, who gives the instructions and orders which are necessary to maintain order in the Camp.
3. To carry out the numerous tasks, the Kommandant is assisted by the Senior Officer (Gruppenleiter) of the Camp Administration (Lagerfuhrung), who is his permanent representative at the same time. He controls the execution of the instructions and orders given by the Kommandant.
4. For this purpose the Gruppenleiter of the Lagerfuhrung has at his disposal:
a) Lageroffiziere (Camp Officers)
b) Lagerfeldwebel (Camp Sergents)
c) Lagerpersonal (including Interpreters).
The Lageroffizier sees to it that the current duties of the Camp personnel within the compound under his command are carried out. He is also responsible for the maintenance of discipline and order. He has to immediately report to the Gruppenleiter of the Lagerfuhrung about any particular abuses and occurrences.
5. Every German soldier, irrespective of his rank, is superior to all Ps.o.W. when he is on duty. The orders given by the German superiors must be obeyed under all circumstances.
6. In accordance with the proposal of the Ps.o.W., the Kommandant appoints as Senior Officer one of the Ps.o.W., who is fit for the tak of a Senior Compound Officer according to rank and age. It is the task of the Senior Compound Officer and of the Block Commanders appointed by him, to see to it that the orders given by the German Authorities are carried out.
7. At the same time the Senior Compound Officer is the man of Confidence of the Ps.o.W.
8. There are two notice boards in every block,
a) one for orders and notices of the German Authorities
b) one for the notices of the Senior compound Officer and Block Commander.

II. Camp Discipline.
1. It is expected that military discipline is strictly maintained.
2. All Ps.o.W. are to salute the German officers and military officials, who are equal or superior in rank.
3. Roll Calls.
As a rule there are two roll calls, one in the morning, one in the evening. In addition to these roll calls the Gruppenleiter of the Lagerfuhrung will order extra roll calls at hours not known before. During bad weather the Lageroffiziere may allow that the roll calls take place inside the blocks. The hours for the regular roll calls are always fixed by the Lagerfuhrung in accordance with the season.
All Ps.o.W. have to be on parade, with the exception of the kitchen personnel and those who are "sick in room" or in hospital, if they are in possession of a certificate from the German Camp doctor.
The Ps.o.W. are to stand on parade in proper clothing. Shorts may be worn during the warm season.
4. According to the season, the time is fixed by the Lagerfuhrung for the last post, and in connection with it for closing and opening of block doors and shutters.
5. When air raid warning is given, the Ps.o.W. are to immediately proceed to their blocks or to stay in the rooms (shower bath, sick bay etc.), in which they are present at the beginning of the alarm. Block doors and windows must be closed by the Ps.o.W. Ps.o.W. who are outside their compound are taken back as fast as possible by he soldiers who accompany them.
6. In case of fire breaking out, the guard in the nearest look-out box must immediately be notified of it. The fire must be fought at once by the Ps.o.W. by means of the fire-extinguishing equipment at hand, till the Camp fire-brigade arrives, whom they have to assist most energetically. The fire-extinguishing equipment must always be kept in order, for which the Block Commanders are responsible.

III. The following is prohibited:
1. To touch the warning wire and trespass upon the area between the warning wire and barbed-wire fence. Balls that have fallen into this forbidden zone while playing, may be fetched out once a day in the presence of a guard.
2. Singing and playing of national anthem.
3. Hoisting or hanging of national flags and emblems.
4. To be in possession of any kind of arms or such-like instruments.
5. To wear a beard.
6. Unauthorized changing of quarters without previous permission. All requests re above must be directed to the Lagerfuhrung through the Senoir Compound Officer with corresponding reasons.
7. To remain in the block doorway or by the open windows during air raid alarm.
8. To hand laundry, blankets etc. over the warning wire or leave same in the open air over night.
9. Rubbish, thick paper, solid articles etc. are not to be thrown into the W.Cs. nor into the night latrines.
10. To throw swill water, sand and rubbish into the latrine pits.
11. To throw Red Cross cardboard-boxes into the incinerators.
12. To damage or destroy equipment or articles that are property of the Reich. Articles which have been destroyed will not be replaced; The Ps.o.W. have to pay for same the full amount of the actual price.

IV. Punishments.
In the following cases Ps.o.W. will be punished by disciplinary measures or by Court martial.
1. For any violation of the above cases mentioned under paragraph III.
2. For lack of respect towards German officers.
3. For non-observance of instructions and orders that have been given, or for preventing the execution of same.
4. For hindering the German personnel in carrying out their duty.
5. For laying obstacles of any kind below the barrack floors.
6. For insulting any personnel of the German Wehrmacht or Authorities, verbally, by action or in writing.
7. For attempting to bribe or incite German personnel to rebellion.
8. For wilful damaging or destroying of equipments or articles belonging to the Reich.
9. Wilful wasting or spoiling of foodstuff of any kind.
10. Staying away from roll call without special permission.
11. Improper behavior during roll call and during other specially appointed occasions (inappropriate clothing, smoking, reading etc.)
12. For scribbling, damaging or tearing off German orders and notices.

V. Use of fire arms.
Fire arms will be used:
1. To ward off a bodily attack.
2. To enforce the execution of a given order.
3. Against Ps.o.W. who are met outside their quarters after lock-up.
4. Against Ps.o.W. who are within the forbidden zone or who are attempting to enter it (touching the warning wire)
5. Against Ps.o.W. who during an air raid warning are found outside their billets in the open air or standing in the block doorway or by the open windows.
6. Against Ps.o.W. who are about to escape.

VI. Hygienic Precautionary Measures.
1. Living quarters and rooms are to be kept in a clean state. They must be thoroughly cleaned at regular periods.
2. Blankets must be repeatedly aired and dusted. Palliasses (straw matrasses) must be shaken up.
3. The rooms must be aired several times a day by opening the windows.
4. Food refuse must be immediately thrown into the receptacles provided for same.
5. Ashes, sweepings and other rubbish are to be thrown into the incinerators, and not be thrown outside same.
6. The area around the blocks must be kept orderly and free of rubbish.
7. Empty cans are to be take daily into the crates provided for them.
8. Night latrines must be emptied daily before the morning roll call.

VII. P.o.W. Mail.
1. Incoming mail will be distributed immediately after receipt.
2. 3 letters and 4 postcards may monthly be written by every American or British officer P.o.W., 2 letters and 4 postcards by every American or British N.C.O. and man on forms provided.
3. In urgent cases airmail letters and telegrams may be sent.
4. Private parcels will be regularly issued after being examined by the Abwehr Dept.

VIII. Red Cross Parcels.
1. There will be a regular issue to the amount of a day's ration.
2. Only so many full cans will be given out as empty have been returned.

Postcard used by Ps.o.W. (Prisioners of War) to write home. 3 letters and 4 postcards may monthly be written by every American or British officer P.o.W., 2 letters and 4 postcards by every American or British N.C.O. and man.

The following is a receipt for the Red Cross Packages that the prisioners received.



		The above is from the introduction of "Welcome to POW Camp - Stalag Luft 1 - Barth - Germany" The book is a collection of around 70 cartoons and related narratives dealing with life in Stalag Luft 1. There is no publication date or other publishing information, other than "Lithographed in the United States of America - Edwards & Broughton Company, Raleigh, N. C."



		POW Identification card Stalag Luft 1 Recovered by Norm on May 1, 1945, the day the Germans left camp unattended because of the approach of Russian Army. He also has a copy of his camp records (Front and Back).

Welcome to POW Camp - Stalag Luft 1 - Barth - Germany

George M. Collar - POW Stalag Luft 1