A
collection of stories, photos, art and information on Stalag Luft I
If you are a former Prisoner of War or a next of
kin of a POW, we invite you to sign and leave your email address so others that
come may find you. Please mention camp, compound, barracks and room numbers if
possible.
Jack served his county as an Engineer and
Top Turret Gunner on a B-17 during World War II. He was shot down on
his 18th mission while flying in a brand new B-17 (it's first mission).
He retired from the U.S. Air Force in August 1968 with 25 years of service
and then returned to the Air Force as a civilian employee from January 1969
to September 1982.
Lt . Donald J. Harris Original Crew
Kneeling left to right: Lt. Petre- Bombardier,
Lt. Jest - Navigator, Lt. Harris - Pilot, Lt. Ford - Co-Pilot
Standing left to right: Sgt. Stoncipher - Ball
Turret Gunner, Sgt. Gordon - waist gunner, S/Sgt. McCracken - Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner, Sgt. Jones - Asst. Engineer/waist gunner, S/Sgt. Anderson -
Radio Operator, Sgt. Jarsynka - Tail Gunner
Map of Stalag Luft IV (see listing of
roommates below)
Prisoner of War Motor Cycle Club - During the many idle
hours in Stalag Luft I, Jack and a group of friends dreamed of starting a
motor cycle club for former prisoners of war and touring the United States
when the war was over. (Jack said it didn't matter that he had never even
ridden a motor cycle!) They had another POW design this logo for their
club. Unfortunately the club never materialized, but planning it
helped them pass many idle hours in the POW camp, while helping keep their
mind off the cold and hunger..
This is the first correspondence that
the prisoners were allowed to send. It was sent from Dulag Luft (the
interrogation center/transit camp) before they were shipped off to a
permanent camp. It was a pre-printed form and the POW was only allowed to
communicate whether he was in good health or slightly wounded.
Post card from Stalag Luft I (note the
Stalag Luft I center stamp which reads in German - Prisoner of War -
No. 1 - of the Luftwaffe).
Two of these post cards and one letter were
allowed to be sent each month.
Reverse side of post card.
Note it is dated 3/23/45, but on the front you see it wasn't postmarked
until 4/16/45 (almost a month later).
