John Blanck (ASN 42104261) served with Co F, 179th Infantry, 45th Division in Italy and France from August to November 1944. On November 28, 1944 he was captured by the Germans near Wissenbourg, France. He was German POW #211261 until May 7, 1945.

According to his separation papers he spent:

• Four months in basis training
• Nine months as a rifleman
• Eight months as a prisoner of war

The history of his service

1. John received his notice to register to appear for a physical examination from Local Board No. 9 in Hoboken on November 13, 1942, Address 2 Potter Place, Weehawken, New Jersey
2. He received his 1-A Classification January 6, 1943, address 2 Potter Place Weehawken
3. His son, Dennis, was born June 5, 1943
4. Date of induction into the Army, January 14, 1944.
   U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record: John J Blanck, Birth Year: 1915 Race: White, citizen Nativity State or Country: New Jersey State: New Jersey County or City: Hudson, Enlistment Date: 14 Jan 1944 Enlistment State: New Jersey Enlistment City: Newark Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life, Education: 4 years of high school, Civil Occupation: Laboratory Technician, Motion Picture or Shipping Clerk, Marital Status: Single, without dependents, Height: 06 Weight: 000
5. Date of entry into active service, February 4, 1944, Newark, New Jersey.
6. He spent four months in basis training — Camp unknown
7. Photo of him in uniform, clearly taken in the States, might have been taken at the end of basic training. Several of the photos are dated April 15, 1944
8. His son, Tom, was born June 9, 1944
9. He was shipped to the European Theater of Operations on July 27, 1944 and arrived in Europe on August 12, 1944
10. He spent from August 12 to October 2 in Italy. The Italian campaign was basically over by the time he arrived.The only battles or campaigns listed on his discharge papers was "Rhineland". Rome had been taken by the Americans on June 4th. When I went to Caserta, Italy (East of Naples) in 1974, John told me that he had been in Caserta during the war. He also mentioned that he had been in Monte Cassino. Monte Cassino had been taken by the Allies in the middle of May 1944.
11. He was transfered from Italy to France between October 2 and October 4, 1944.
12. He was capture near Wissenbourg, France (Lorraine) on November 28, 1944
13. He was processed as a prisoner of war through Stammlager (Main Camp) at Limburg on the Lahn, Germany on December 2, 1944
14. He was moved from Limburg to a POW camp (or camps) near Dresden, Germany. See more on this below.
15. On December 15, 1944, his wife, Alice, received a telegram that he was missing in action
16. Three months later, Alice received a letter, dated March 9, that John was missing in action near Wissenbourg on November 28
17. Alice received a telegram that he was a prison of war on March 21, 1945
18. There is a small orange card: on the front: 311261 IV B in ink C-28 in pencil, BLANCK, john, (stempel der firma) grun u. billfinger ((vorname) — on back (vom) 1.3 (bis) 31.3.45
19. There are three small photographs of Alice, Dennis and Tom (Tom is perhaps a month old, so the picture was probably taken in August, 1944). In Alice's handwriting on the back in pencil: "John J Blanck 311261". Stamped on the back in purple ink: " Kgt.M.Stammlager IV A Kompaniebereith 5./393 Bittau"
20. The Germans surrendered May 7, 1945 and news of the surrender reached the world on May 8th which was declared VE Day (Victory in Europe Day)
21. On May 7, 1945 John and other prisoners left the POW camp and headed for the American lines
22. John left Europe on June 2, 1945
23. He arrived stateside on June 12, 1945. He had been gone a little under a year, and had spent five plus months as a POW. He went from 155 pounds at the time of his induction to 85 pounds at the time he left from the POW camp.
24. Blanck, John J, Pvt, 4- (Lib) #311261 #42104261 179 Inf 9 May 45 Iden, $50.00 2,500 Fr, MOs 745 12 Cooper Place Weehawken, NJ, 12 June 1945, Admiral Benson, New York city, Movement Orders, Prisoner of War
25. On June 15, 1945 he was assigned to the Hotel Dennis in Atlantic City, New Jersey for 71 days of "rehabilitation and recovery" to finish August 26, 1945"
26. Last Report date: June 26, 1945
27. He got his separation papers from the Army on August 17, 1945
28. NARA POW Record: 42104261 42104261 NAME BLANCK JOHN J GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 26 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

The 179th Infantry

The first campaign of the 179th of World War II was the invasion of Sicily which started with the amphibious landing on "Green and Yellow Beaches" on July 10, 1943. By July 16 they were advancing towards the northern coast of Sicily and the city of Messina. By August 1943 Sicily had be captured by the Allies.

In September 1943 the 179th was part of "Operation Avalanch" at Salerno, Itlay. The 179th was envolved in heavy fighting against the Germans near Eboli. The Germans were tightly entrenced and the weather was bad from late Sepember to November. The US troops were withdrawn from the area in mid January 1944. The 179th took part of the landing on Anzio Beach in January 1944. By spring German resistance in the area was broken and the American army reached Rome by June.

The division suffered heavy casualties during these campaigns.

From June through September the 45th Division trained in the "Naples area" for the invasion of southern France. They landed in Sainte-Maxime on August 15, 1944. John Blanck, however, was still in Italy. The records indicate that he did not get shipped to France until early October, 1944.

The soldiers who did go to France advanced quickly north. By mid September they were in Dijon. On September 30 the crossed the Moselle River where they waited for additional troops.

The next campaign was "Rhineland". This is the only campaign listed on John's discharge papers.

"Rhineland, 15 September, 1944-21 March, 1945:

Breaking out of the bridge head, the Division took the strongly defended city of Epinal on 24 September, crossed the Moselle River and entered the western foothills of the Vosges Mountains, taking Rambervillers on 30 September, and crossing the Mortagne River on 23 October. After a short rest period, the 45th, on 25 November, attacked the forts Kaiser Wilhelm built to protect the Alsace Regions north of Mutzig, crossed the Zintzel River and advanced through the Maginot Line. From 2 January, to 16 February, 1945, the Division was in defensive positions along the Moder River. The 45th again pulled back for a rest period before smashing through the Siegfried Line on 17 March."

A Brief Outline of 45th Infantry Division WW II History

Photos from the 45th Infantry Campaigns World War II: S France and Alsace and Germany John Blanck was captured by the Germany army near Wissenbourg, (France) on November 28, 1944, three days after November 25 offensive.

Communication From the Army Regarding John's Capture

December 15, 1944 Telegram

On December 15, 1944 (about two weeks after his capture) his wife, Alice Blanck, received the following telegram from the US Government, addressed to 12 Cooper Place, Weehawken:

THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE JOHN J BLANCK HAD BEEN REPORTED MISS IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY EIGTH NOVEMBER IN FRANCE IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED

DULOP ACTING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

March 9, 1945 Letter

In early March 1945 (about three months after his capture) Alice received a letter, dated March 9, from the War Department stating that John's whereabouts was still unknown but:

"A report has now, been received, however, which states that on 28 November, Private Blanck was acting in the capacity of rifleman with a company in a defensive position near Wissenbourg, France. An enemy tank and three half-tracks attacked from the north and overran that part of the company area occupied by your husband's platoon, continuing the raid for about ten minutes. It was following this action that your husband's absence was noted, but a search of the area failed to disclose any trace of Private Blanck.

Lists of prisoners of war received from the enemy, through the International Red Cross, have been carefully checked, but Private Blanck's name has not been found on any of them. The military authorities are utilizing all the means at their disposal to locate our men missing in action, and you may be assured that if any information is received in this office concerning your husband, it will be communicated to you without delay.

My sympathy is with you during this long and difficult period of anxiety."

March 21, 1945 Telegram

On March 21, 1945 (three months after the first telegram) Alice received a second telegram from the Adjutant General, address 12 Cooper Place, Weehawken.

BASED ON INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO SHOW YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE JOHN L BLANCK A PRISONER OF WAR OF THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT ANY FURTHER INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE FURNISHED BY THE PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL

J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

From Alice's Point of View

The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. John Blanck and Alice Azarian were married in June 1942. The first deployment of US troops in the European Theater was on November 7, 1942. John and Alices' first son, Dennis, was born in June 1943. John went to active duty February 1944. Their second son, Tom, was born June 1944. John was shipped overseas in late July 1944. From August to October he was in a relatively save position in an area of Italy that had already been taken from the Axis forces. On October 2nd 1944 John was shipped to France, arriving on the 7th of October. The Rhineland campaign had been ongoing since the end of September 1944. The troops "rested" between October 23 and November 25 1944. It is not know if John took an active part in the fighting before October 23. The campaign resumed on November 25 1944. John was captured on November 28, 1944.

I once said something to Alice about how difficult it must have been having two very small children just a year apart and not knowing whether your husband was dead or alive for months on end. She simply replied "You did what you had to do." and refused to discuss it further.

A Prisoner of War

John spoke little about his experiences in the war. However, he did talk to me about it a bit as the result of an incident that occurred in August 1968.

Tom and I were visiting John and Alice at their home in Hackensack during the Democratic Convention of August 1968. John and I were watching the convention and related activities on TV. Alice and Tom were already in bed. There was a confrontation between National Guard, Police, and anti war protesters in which the National Guard and Police ended up clubbing some of the anti war protesters. See Jo Freedman.com for details and photos. John had fallen asleep before the broadcast ended at midnight. When I went to shake him a little to tell him it was time to go to bed he started to hit me with his fists and kick me with his feet. I, of course, started screaming, which woke him up. When he realized what he had done he was mortified. The scenes of the confrontation in Chicago had brought on war dreams. This was not an isolated occurrence. Apparently he suffered from such dreams for years but the only other witness had been Alice. By way of apology for hitting me he spoke to me a bit about his capture.

He told me he was asleep when his group was surrounded and taken by the Germans. He and the men he was with had become separated from the other American troops. They had not had much rest or food and were low on ammunition. Apparently the person or persons who were supposed to be on guard had also fallen asleep, so the group was completely taken by surprise. Upon wakening he realized what was happening and tried uselessly to fight off his captors.

He did not say anything about the transportation to the POW camp. However, other POWs have told the story of their capture and several personal accounts of capture and incarceration can be found on line. They all tell of being jammed into "40 by 8" unheated, windowless boxcars. Space was so tight that some men stood while other squatted between their legs. No one could lie down. The sick or injured were given the preference of being able to squat. Little food was provided. Water was not always provided. Occasionally the prisoners were allowed out of the boxcars to scoop up snow. When water was provided, the water pails also served as toilets. Alternatively, the soldier's helmets were used for the same purposes. Sometimes an icicle was within reach to provide some hydration. Dysentery was rampant. The trip to the POW camp took days or weeks. The trains were frequently sidetracked as supply trains went by. They were also fired upon by U.S. and British planes trying to stop the movement of German supplies (There was no way of knowing there were American prisoners of war on board). Death rates from dehydration, untreated wounds, and the Allied bombings were high and the dead were simply thrown off the train along the side of the track. Sometimes after a few days the train would stop and the men would be provide with some food, generally black bread and watery soup. When the trains arrived at their destinations the prisoners were gruffly ordered out. For many it was a painful experience. After days in almost total darkness the sunlight could be blinding. After days in a cramped position muscles did not work.

John was captured near Wissembourgh on the French /German boarder on November 28, 1944. He was processed three days later in Limburg am Lahn (Stammlager XII A, Limburg (Lahn). Enlisted men and officers were separated. The camp was located near the village of Limburg am Lahn. He was issued German POW dog tags with the number 311261. It is not know how long he was in the camp at Limburg. However it was most likely a few days to a week based on other accounts and the fact that one of the soldiers on a list with him was captured at least two days after he was. From Limburg he was transported east to Stalag IV B near Muhlberg. In December 1944 other POWs who made the same journey from Limburg am Lahn to Stalag IV B said that the trip took eight days and seven nights.

Discharge Papers August 17, 1945

On August 17, 1945 John received an Honorable Discharge from the Army. He was discharged from Ft. Dix New Jersey. This document listed him in Co F 179th Infantry and says his date of active service was February 4, 1944. He entered the service in Newark, New Jersey. It gives the following information pertaining to his service over seas:

1. Battles and campaigns, "Rhineland.
2. Service outside the continental US and return.

   Date of Departure      Destination     Date of Arrival
   27 Jul 44                             ETO           12 Aug 44
   2 Oct 44                              ETO           7 Oct 44
   2 Jun 45                              USA          12 Jun 45

   Notes:

   • ETO = European Theater of Operations

   • I believe that these dates and places represent transportation dates. In other words, the first set of dates indicate that he left the US on July 27, 1944 and arrived in Europe on August 12, 1944. The last set of dates indicates that he left Europe on June 2, 1945 and arrived in the US on June 12, 1945. The middle set of dates must represent a transportation form Italy to France. The 45th Infantry fought in Alsace/Lorraine in November 1944.

3. Continental service 7 months and 28 days
4. Foreign service 10 months and 16 days

Miscellaneous information from the military papers.

1. When he was discharged the address was 12 Cooper Place Weehawken.
2. John graduated from Union City High School, Union City, New Jersey in 1934
3. He got a certificate from Architecture-Mechanics Inst. New York, New York in 1938
4. His civilian occupation. Keuffel and Esser Co. Hoboken, 12 years, last date of employment, 1943

   "Foreman of paper converting company. Also was Assistant Superintendent in charge of stock and shipping. Coordinated work of 80 people engaged in shipping Army and Navy supplies."

Letter from the War Claims Commission March 1951

In a letter from the War Claims Commission in Washington, D.C. dated March 21, 1951 and addressed to John Joseph Blanck, 260 Standish Avenue, Hackensack, John was awarded $162.00 "to cover the period imprisonment and/or internment, etc. of yourself from 28 November 1944 to 8 May 1945".

Other POW With Some Association to John Blanck

Others From the 179th Captured November 28, 1944

He never mentioned how many other soldiers were captured with him. However, the records from the National Archives for World War II Prisoners of War (which are online) indicate that 28 soldiers of the 179th were captured on November 28, 1944.

1. Sam Sharaba, Corporal #35765336, sent to Camp #004, Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia

2. Martin Briede, private, #35883316 was sent to camp #062, Stalag 3A and work camps (Also Oflag 3-6) Luckenwalde (originally an interrogation center) Brandenburg, Prussia 52-13.

3. Albert Dipsey, Private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

4. Wayne A Doan #35899085 Private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

5. Ralph W Fumer #24795019, Sergeant, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

6. William E Hannah, #35295652 #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

7. William D Keener, Private, #34961040, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

8. Bert E Leonheart, Corporal, #33436448, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

9. Joseph G Manzari, #32796919, private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

10. John Stepovich, #33715053, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

11. Carl W Taylor #34591995 Private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

12. BAGGETT ROY W, PFC camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

13. BELLI THOMAS F, PVT camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

14. BERRY LEONARD H SR, PVT camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

15. BLANCK JOHN J, PVT camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

16. BOOTH JOHN W, PVT camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

17. BREWSTER SHEPPARD A, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

18. CALLAZZO JOHN J, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

19. CARTER ROBERT H, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

20. COLE CHARLIE D, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

21. DALLAS FRED P, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

22. DON DIEGO FRANK R, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

23. ECK JACOB P, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

24. FORTENBERRY GROVER J, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

25. LINTHICUM HOWARD M, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

26. REED ROY A, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

27. SULZER ROBERT I, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

28. Raymond Jacks #34920912, Private, no camp listed

American Army Soldiers captured on by the Germans on November 28, 1944

264 American Army soldiers from various divisions were captured by the Germans on Nov 28, 1944. 97 of the were sent to camp 006, including John Blanck from the 179th.

Others Captured and Sent to Stalag 4B AKA Camp 006

World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946 indicates that 8,416 American soldiers were captured by the Germans and sent to camp 006 during the course of the war.

It shows that at Stalag 4B:

• 162 "Died as Prisoner of War".

• 819 "Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated" Status code 7.

• 7,408 "Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated" Status code 8.

162 + 819 + 7,408 = 8,389 leaving 27 men unaccounted for.

World War II Prisoners of War Data File, 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946 indicates that of 143,374 Americans taken prisoner by the Germans 1,953 died in the camps — a death rate of over 13 and a half percent — so about one in every 13 to 14 prisoners died in the camps in general. The percentage was higher in Stalag 4B with a 19 percent death rate.

J Blanck, F Don Diago, E Cataldi, J Cando, E Dahl, and Craft

On the back of the scrap of paper from when he was processed in the camp at Limburg there are six names: J Blanck, F Don Diago, E Cataldi, J Cando, E Dahl, and Craft (no initial).

• FRANK DON DIEGO: Captured on the same day as John. John referred to Frank Don Diago as his friend "Don" in his journal in May 1945. Frank Don Diego, Pfc., Inf, 199 Bergen Street, Newark, was on a list with John of personnel who were assigned on June 15, 1945 to the Hotel Dennis in Atlantic City for 71 days "rehabilitation and recovery"

  see more on Frank Dondiego below.

• "E" CATALDI: Cataldi, Alfred, PVT, INF, was on of 23 American prisoners captured, 27 November and sent to camp 006

  Se more on Alfred Cataldi below

• J "CANDO": Condo, Jack E, PVT was one of 11 American prisoners captured 18 November 1944 and sent to camp 006.

• E DAHL: There were four Dahls in camp 006. Dahl, Eldon W, PFC was one of 89 American prisoners captured 26, November 1944 and sent to camp 006. He was most likely the E Dahl on John's list.

• CRAFT: Four Crafts were prisoners in camp 006. Clayton Craft, PFC, Inf, was one of 40 American prisoners captured 30, November, 1944 and sent to camp 006. He was most likely the Craft on John's list. The other Crafts were captured on December 6 and 21, 1944 and January 1945.

John also knew Des Callan who sometime after the war ended sent John a Christmas card with a print of a soldier behind barbed wire with the message "For a Better Year".

• Callan, Desmond, PFC, Inf, was one of 1,547 American prisoners captured 21, December 1944, and sent to camp 006.

Camp Life

Upon arrival at the camp, prisoners were told to strip naked, their clothes were taken, their hair was shorn, and they were given a shower while their clothes were deloused. This was the last shower most of them had until liberation. The only water available was cold and given the fidget temperatures in the camps in the winter of 1944/45 no one seems to have cared much for washing in icy water. There were no towels and no changes of clothes. Prisoners wore the same clothes (including socks and underwear) from the time of their capture (if not before) until their liberation in May 1945. John mentions getting a change of underwear and socks on May 9th, the first change he had in six months.

The prisoners were housed in unlit, unheated wooden barracks frequently with dirt floors. The prisoners slept in bunk beds, three levels high. Mattresses were of straw or saw dust or did not exist. Other prisoners tell of sleeping on straw on the floor. Frequently the men slept together in a group in order to share body heat during the freezing winter nights. Blankets seem to have been in short supply. Frost bitten toes and feet were a chronic problem. The winter of 1944/45 was one of the coldest on record in Europe.

The cold did nothing to deter the lice, fleas and other vermin.

Almost everyone suffered from dysentery necessitating frequent trips to the outdoor open latrine during the day or the hole in the corner of the barracks at night. There were no such luxuries as toilet paper.

John sometimes spoke of numbers of fellow prisoners who died, mostly of malnutrition. He said the main form of nutrition was "soup", which he described as a few potato skins floating in some water. Other POW talk of barley "coffee", dark bread made with sawdust, and an occasional piece of cheese. The only meat ever mentioned was horse meat sometimes served in the soup. John said in his diary on May 7th: "horse meat is the only meat we have had in the last few months". He also said: "I haven't had a vegetable in 6 months."

John's rations did included two cigarettes a day. John credited his survival to the fact that he did not smoke and was able to trade his cigarettes for "food". When he was induced in the service in February 1944 he weighed 155 pounds. By May 1945 he weighted 86 pounds.

Towards the end of the war life in the camps became harder as the numbers of prisoners increased and the Germans did not have even enough food for themselves.

Section III, article 49, of the Geneva Convention stated that officers were not not required to work. However, the common enlisted men could be "compelled" do do certain types of work. See Section III articles 50 through 57 About.com: US Military

Non commissioned POWS were often sent on work details outside the camp. Some from Stalag IV B were sent to Dresden. While away from the camp the work details were housed in barns and warehouses. Apparently work detail had its pluses and minuses. While men on work details were supposed to get additional rations, it was not enough nourishment and it was difficult to do hard physical labor on the meager amount of calories they received. On the other hand there was some hope of obtaining additional food through the generosity of the local Germans or by stealing bits of this and that, mostly potatoes which were eaten raw.

John said in his diary: ".....the German had pushed me around for 6 months. Shoving coal in weather below zero and using their bayonets on us not to mention starving." I believe that this indicates that he was on a work detail. One person assigned to Stalag IV B talks of working in the coal mines in Oberrobblingen, Saxony.

The arrival of new prisoners was an exciting event in camp, as men would gather near the entrance to search for their missing buddies.

POW's were kept in separate compounds by nationality although there seems to have been some mixing of Brit and Americans. There was also a transit compound for the work details.

Some relief was obtained when Red Cross parcels arrived, although this occurred less frequently in the last 12 months as the war drew to an end.

There appears to have been some minimal correspondence between loved ones in the states and the POWs. Many letter were lost only to show up once the war had ended. John clearly received at least one piece of mail that contained photos. See below.

The soldiers tried to entertain themselves with plays and talks. There were small libraries of books that had arrived in Red Crosses packages. There were a number of secret homemade radios in the camp. Consequently some information on the progress of the war was passed around. Most of the conversation was about food.

The nights were filled with the constant drone of Allied bombers on their way to bomb Berlin, Dresden, and Leipzig. Dresden was close enough that the explosions could be heard in the camp. Work details were sent from the camp to assist in cleaning up the city after the bombing.

See Survival at Stalag IVB: soldiers and airmen remember Germany's largest POW...By Tony Vercoe

Stalag 4B (IV B), Huhlberg, #006

John was originally assigned to Stalag 4 B (IV b) Muhlberg. Kurt Vonnegut was a POW in IV B and wrote about his experiences in Slaughterhouse-Five in 1969.

The camp listed as #006 by the National Archives was known as Muhlberg Sachen Stalag IV B. The camp was located outside of the town of Muhlberg on the Elbe river about 75/80 miles south of Berlin and about 32 miles north west of Dresden.

Stalag 4 B Muhlberg was surrounded by a double barbed wire fence with flood lights about every 50 feet. There were numerous guard towers. It was both a permanent camp and a "lager" camp (transit work camp). In addition to Americans there were prisoners from all of the Allied Forces in Europe. Crews of enlisted men were sent from the camp to work details in the surrounding area including German Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. The Geneva Convention allowed "that enlisted men were required to perform whatever labor they asked and able to do, so long as it was not dangerous and did not support the German war effort" (Wikipeida.org)

In general the camps were divided into compounds that were separated by barbed wire. Each compound contained several barracks which held upward to 40 men sleeping in tiered bunks.

By December 1944, there were 4,500 Americans in Stalag IVB . Half again as many are reported to have passed through on their way to other camps. The increase in the numbers of the POWs was in part the result of the Battle of the Bulge of December 1944 when over 23,554 Americans were captured.

While he was officially listed by the US Government in Stalag IV B John spent at least part of his time in Oflag (Stalag) IV A in Hohnstein/Bad Schandau in the mountains near the Czech boarder.

Stalag IV A Hohnstein/Bad Schandau

While the military records from the National Archives list John at camp 006, Stalag IV B Muhlberg on the Elbe River he is known to have been at Oflag (Stalag) IV A Holnstein (Holenstein) Bad Schandau in Sachen (also sometimes referred to as Eisterhorst).

Stalag 4 B was originally planned as a transit camp. There are a number of accounts by America POWs who spent some time in Stalag VI B and then were moved to other camps including Stalag IV A.

Checking some of their names on the National Archives site indicates they were, like John, designated at camp 006 (Stalag IV B Muhlberg). John certainly falls into the category of men who were given one designation by the Army but who actually spent at least part of their time in another POW camp.

John received at least one letter from Alice. Among the family photos are three pictures taken in June 1944 (Tom is clearly a very young infant). On the back of all three photos in Alice's hand is

"John J Blanck 311261"

Stamped on the back of all three photos is:

KFG.M.Stammlager IV A
Kompaniebereich 5./393 Bittau

Stalag (Oflag) IV A at Hohnstein/Bad Schandau on the German Czech boarder was about 13 miles south of Dresden in the mountains. It was a new camp in December 1944. There were eventually over a 1,000 American and 1,500 British prisoners in the camp.

Over the years John said that he had been in Czechoslovakia when he was a prisoner of war. Stalag IV A was very near the Czech border and it is highly likely that he went on work details in Czechoslovakia.

It appears that John was in Stalag IV A Hohnstein/Bad Schandau at the end of the war.

The prisoners from Stalag IV A tell of:

• Fear of the Russian advance
• Leaving the camp on May 7 in very weak physical condition still under the supervision of the German guards
• Marching towards the American lines along mountain roads crowded with refugees who were moving in the same direction
• Of bombs dropping, and strafing (spray of machine gun fire from low flying planes)
• Eventually being abandoned by their guards.

This is a completely different story that that told by prisoners who were at Muhlberg where the Russians rather quietly took over the camp and where there was no talk of bombings, refugees, mountain roads, etc..

Excerpts from John's diary indicates indicate that they were coming from the mountains to the south and are consistent with other stories from Stalag IV A:

• May 7th

  "We left the camp with approx. 1200 men to join our forces. Most of the men were very, very weak and underfeed as a matter of fact one man had just died because of lack of food. We were very doubtful about the Germans bringing us to our lines, but we were hoping. The march was a sight that I never will forget and hope I never have to be a part of any thing like it again in my life. The roads were jammed with evacuees as they had all heard the Russians were on the move, this crowded condition didn't help matters. We marched 20 kilms. and settled for the night at a large barn."

• Mary 8th

  "The air raids were heavy and the artillery very, very loud."

  "These air attacks continued all day."

• May 10:

  "...on the way to Dresden I had a nasty spill while coming through the mountains".

  Note: John and his buddies rode part of their way on bikes they had stolen.

"I had been to Dresden before it was bombed and to see it wrecked was something hard to believe."

• Actually in a camp in Dresden
• Was assigned to some work detail in Dresden before the bombing
• Went through Dresden to some work detail between his incarceration in November 1944 and the bombing of Dresden in February 13, 1945.

He most likely did NOT see it out of the closed boxcars on his way to camp.

Shadows of Slaughterhouse Five: Recollections and Reflections of the Ex-POWs ... By Ervin E. Szpek, Jr., Frank J. Idzikowski

"I was captured on 19 December 1944, and carried to Stalag-4-B,4, which was near a town in Germany. I don't remember the exact name of the town, but when pronounced it sounded like "Muleburg". Then on 24 January 1945 I was carried to Stalag 4-A which was in Dresden, Germany. After the Americans started bombing the town we were moved close to the Czechoslovakian border on a farm, and stayed there until the war ended"

Harry Kingston, Company E, 423rd Infantry

Note: "Enlistment" may be a misnomer, John Blanck was "drafted", he did not "enlist". The same may be true for others.

1. BAGGETT ROY W, PFC, born 1920, Tennessee, Houston, Enlistment date, 21 Nov 1942, Fort Oglethorpe, Private, married

2. BELLI THOMAS F, PVT, born 1914, Queens, New York, Enlistment date, 29 Dec 1943, New York City, Private, single
   

3. BERRY LEONARD H SR, PVT, born 1914, Virginia, residence, Georgia, Mc Duffee, Enlistment date, 18 January 1944, Georgia, Fort McPherson, Atlanta,private, married
   

4. BLANCK JOHN J, PVT, born 1915, New Jersey, Hudson, Enlistment date, 14 January 1944, Newark, private, single without dependents. Note: In January 1944 John was married with one son and one on the way.
   

5. BOOTH JOHN W, PVT, there are 16 John W Booths listed by Ancestry.com
   

6. BREWSTER SHEPPARD A, PVT, born 1924, New Jersey, Cumberland, enlistment date 9 Jul, 1943, Camden, Private.
   

7. CALLAZZO JOHN J, PVT, born 1911, Pennsylvania, Enlistment date, 18 October 1843, Philadelphia, private, married
   

8. CARTER ROBERT H, PVT, too common a name more than 10 listed by Ancestry.com
   

9. COLE CHARLIE D, PFC,too common a name more than 10 listed by Ancestry.com
   

10. DALLAS FRED P, PFC, born 1924 Mississippi, Enlistment date, 10 Nov 1943, there are two other Fred Dallas'
    

11. DON DIEGO FRANK R, PFC, "Diego, Frank R Don" born 1918, New Jersey, Essex, Enlistment date, 19 Nov 1943, Newark, private, married, civil occupation, foreman, manufacturing
    

12. ECK JACOB P, PVT, born 1911 Kansas, Enlistment date, 10 Dec 1943, Illinois, Will, private, single, farm hand
    

13. FORTENBERRY GROVER J, PFC, born 1912, Mississippi, Marion, Enlistment date, 6 Nov 1943, Mississippi, Camp Shelby, private, married, general farmer
    

14. LINTHICUM HOWARD M, PFC, born 1911, North Carolina, Randolph, Enlistment date, 15 January 1944, South Carolina, Camp Croft, private, skilled in manufacture of knit goods, married
    

15. REED ROY A, PVT, too common
    

16. SULZER ROBERT I, PVT, not listed

World War II Prisoners of War 12/7/1941 - 11/19/1946

1. BAGGETT ROY W, PFC,

   SERIAL NUMBER 34494732
   Private First Class GRADE 7
   SERVICE, ARMY Infantry
   DATE REPORT: 28 Nov 1944
   TYPE OF ORGANIZATION Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department
   PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06, AREA 76 European Theatre: France
   LATEST REPORT DATE: 09 June 1945
   STATUS 8, Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
   DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

2. BELLI THOMAS F, PVT,

   SERIAL NUMBER: 42062616
   Private, GRADE CODE 7,
   SERVICE CODE: 1, ARMY, Infantry, ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10, INF: INFANTRY,
   DATE REPORT: 28 Nov 1944
   TYPE OF ORGANIZATION: 22P, Infantry, PARENT UNIT NUMBER, 0179, PARENT UNIT TYPE, 4E, Undefined Code, AREA, 76, European Theatre: France
   LATEST REPORT DATE: 12 October 1945
   STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
   DETAINING POWER: 1, GERMANY
   CAMP: 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

3. BERRY LEONARD H SR, PVT,

   SERIAL NUMBER 34834730
   Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman
   SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY
   DATE REPORT: 28 Nov. 11 1944
   TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France
   LATEST REPORT DATE: 07 June 1945
   Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
   DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
   CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

4. BLANCK JOHN J, PVT,

   See above

5. BOOTH JOHN W, PVT,

   SERIAL NUMBER 36901139 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT:28 Nov 1944 RACIAL GROUP CODE TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 20 20 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
   DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
   CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

6. BREWSTER SHEPPARD A, PVT,

   SERIAL NUMBER 36901139 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: 28 Nov 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 20 20 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
   DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
   CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

7. CALLAZZO JOHN J, PVT,

   SERIAL NUMBER 33802427 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 12 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
   DETAINING POWER 1
   GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

8. CARTER ROBERT H, PVT

   SERIAL NUMBER 37730941 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 21 21 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1
   GERMANY
   CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

9. COLE CHARLIE D, PFC,

   SERIAL NUMBER 39922783 Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 22P Infantry PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 45 Divisional Artillery AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 22 22 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 04 04 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 6 1946 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 7 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1
   GERMANY
   CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

10. DALLAS FRED P, PFC,

    SERIAL NUMBER 34876605 Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 02 02 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1
    GERMANY
    CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

11. DON DIEGO FRANK R, PFC

    See above

12. ECK JACOB P, PVT,

    SERIAL NUMBER 6857886 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
    CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

13. FORTENBERRY GROVER J, PFC,

    SERIAL NUMBER 34876348 Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY ARM OR SERVICE INF Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 26 26 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
    CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

14. LINTHICUM HOWARD M, PFC,

    SERIAL NUMBER 34898865 Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY ARM OR SERVICE INF Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 12 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
    CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

15. REED ROY A, PVT,

    SERIAL NUMBER 42080815 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY ARM OR SERVICE INF Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
    CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

16. SULZER ROBERT I, PVT,

    SERIAL NUMBER 36784172 Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY ARM OR SERVICE INF Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 7 7 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
    CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

1. J Blanck

   See above

2. F Dondiego

   See above

3. E Cataldi

   See above

4. J Cando

   Did not find a listing under "Cando".

5. E Dahl

   There were three listings for E Dahl in Stalag 4 B.

   1. 37578968 DAHL ERLING N ARMY "died as a prisoner of war"

   2. 37552053 DAHL ELDON W ARMY, returned to military control, liberated or repatriated

   3. 17017609 DAHL ERVIN R ARMY, returned to military control, liberated or repatriated

   There was also Floyd Dahl: 37552719 DAHL FLOYD R ARMY European Theatre: Germany Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated GERMANY Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

   Base on his date of capture Eldon Dahl is the most likely person on John's list: SERIAL NUMBER 37552053 DAHL ELDON W ALPHA PFC Private First Class ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 26 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0071 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

6. - Craft

   There were four Crafts, all returned to military control, liberated or repatriated.

1. 35071192 CRAFT CLAYTON C ARMY European Theatre: Germany Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated GERMANY Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

2. 35777060 CRAFT GLEN H ARMY European Theatre: France Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated GERMANY Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

3. 35903746 CRAFT LEONARD M ARMY European Theatre: France Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated GERMANY Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

4. 38692298 CRAFT WILLIAM D ARMY European Theatre: Germany Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated GERMANY Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Based on his date of capture Clayton Craft is the most likely person on John's List: SERIAL NUMBER 35071192 35071192 NAME CRAFT CLAYTON C CRAFT CLAYTON C GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY ARM OR SERVICE INF Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 30 30 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0028 0028 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 72 European Theatre: Germany LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Birth: 1920, Tennessee

Enlistment: November 21, 1942

Roy W Baggett Birth Year: 1920 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Tennessee State of Residence: Tennessee County or City: Houston Enlistment Date: 21 Nov 1942 Enlistment State: Georgia Enlistment City: Fort Oglethorpe Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: Unskilled lumbermen, raftsmen, and woodchoppers Marital Status: Married Height: 72 Weight: 151

Dog Tags: 34494732

Division: 179

Capture: Nov 28, 1944

Camp: #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

BAGGETT ROY W Private First Class ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 09 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 9, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same date of capture, same camp.

Death: Roy Baggett

BIRTH: 26 Sep 1920 DEATH: Dec 1983 - Erin, Houston, Tennessee, United States of America CIVIL: Tennessee

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Birth: 1914, New York

Enlistment: 29 Dec 1943

Thomas F Belli Birth Year: 1914 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: New York State of Residence: New York County or City: Queens Enlistment Date: 29 Dec 1943 Enlistment State: New York Enlistment City: New York City Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 1 year of high school Civil Occupation: Firemen, fire department Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 42062616

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 42062616 BELLI THOMAS F GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 22P Infantry PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 4E Undefined Code AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 10 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: October 12, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

More:

Birth:

Enlistment: 2 possibilities.

Dog Tags: 34834730

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1922

Camp: BERRY LEONARD H SR, PVT camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

34834730 BERRY LEONARD H SR GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 7, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp.

Death:

More:

Birth: 1915 New Jersey

Enlistment: 14 Jan 1944

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record: John J Blanck, Birth Year: 1915 Race: White, citizen Nativity State or Country: New Jersey State: New Jersey County or City: Hudson, Enlistment Date: 14 Jan 1944 Enlistment State: New Jersey Enlistment City: Newark Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life, Education: 4 years of high school, Civil Occupation: Laboratory Technician, Motion Picture or Shipping Clerk, Marital Status: Single, without dependents, Height: 06 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 42104261

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

NARA POW Record: 42104261 NAME BLANCK JOHN J GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 DATE REPORT: MONTH (MM) 11 DATE REPORT: YEAR (Y) 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 26 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: June 12, 1945, Admiral Benson

Last Report Date: June 26, 1945

Death: Labor Day, September 3, 1976, Belmar, New jersey

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Common name.

Birth:

Enlistment:

Dog Tags: 36901139

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 36901139 BOOTH JOHN W GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 20 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: No with that Dog Tag #

Last Report Date: July 20, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death:

More:

Birth: 1924, New Jersey

Enlistment: 9 Jul 1943

Sheppard A Brewster Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: New Jersey State of Residence: New Jersey County or City: Cumberland Enlistment Date: 9 Jul 1943 Enlistment State: New Jersey Enlistment City: Camden Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: Semiskilled chauffeurs and drivers, bus, taxi, truck, and tractor Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 44 Weight: 424

Dog Tags: 32953821

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: BREWSTER SHEPPARD A, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

32953821 BREWSTER SHEPPARD A GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 10 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 08 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: August 10, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture, same camp

Death: Sheppard A. Brewster BIRTH: 13 May 1924 DEATH: 10 Feb 2000 - Millville, Cumberland, New Jersey, United States of America CIVIL: New Jersey

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Birth:

The only Martin Briede listed by Ancestry.com was born about 1912 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio.

SSDI lists 21 Jan 1912 died June 1972, Ohio

Martin Briede of Cincinnati was a bowler. The 55th American Bowling Congress tournament in Syracuse New York listed "Martin Briede of Cincinnati is sixth" in the singles. Hamilton Daily News Journal, Ohio April 1, 1958.

Enlistment: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Dog Tags: 35883316

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Stalag 3A and work camps (Also Oflag 3-6) Luckenwalde (was originally interrogation center) Brandenburg, Prussia 52-13

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 35883316 BRIEDE MARTIN GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 22P Infantry PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 45 Divisional Artillery AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 08 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 05 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 062 Stalag 3A and work camps (Also Oflag 3-6) Luckenwalde (was originally interrogation center) Brandenburg, Prussia 52-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: May 8, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date

Death:

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Birth: 1911, Pennsylvania

Enlistment: 18 Oct 1943

John J Callazzo Birth Year: 1911 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Pennsylvania State of Residence: Pennsylvania Enlistment Date: 18 Oct 1943 Enlistment State: Pennsylvania Enlistment City: Philadelphia Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: Bartenders Marital Status: Married Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 33802427

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: CALLAZZO JOHN J, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 33802427 CALLAZZO JOHN J GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 12, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death:

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John received a Christmas card from Des Callan with an image of a soldier behind barbed wire and the message "For a Better Year".

Birth: 1925

Enlistment: 12 Nov 1943

Desmond Callan Birth Year: 1925 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Massachusetts State of Residence: Massachusetts County or City: NorfolkÊ Enlistment Date: 12 Nov 1943 Enlistment State: Massachusetts Enlistment City: Fort Devens Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Reserves - exclusive of Regular Army Reserve and Officers of the Officers Reserve Corps on active duty under the Thomason Act (Officers and Enlisted Men -- O.R.C. and E.R.C., and Nurses-Reserve Status) Source: Enlisted Reserve or Medical Administrative Corps (MAC) Officer Education: 4 years of high school Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 48 Weight: 046

Dog Tags: 11132799

Division: 0423

Capture: December 21, 1944

Camp: 006 Stalag 4 B Muhlberg

NARA POW Record:

11132799 11132799 NAME CALLAN DESMOND GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 21 MONTH 12 YEAR (Y) 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0423 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 72 European Theatre: Germany LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 13 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Did not find.

Last Report Date: June 13, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Sent John a Christmas Card after the war.

Death: July 22, 2002

Desmond Callan M.D., physician, Hillsdale, N.Y., on July 22, 2002. Callan proved something of a maverick from the start, forcing the hospital nursery to shut down in response to his case of newborn impetigo. He spent his early years in Wellesley, Mass., where his father, a charismatic Episcopal minister from Britain, served as chaplain of Wellesley College. Callan attended Milton Academy and entered Harvard University in the fall of 1943. By the end of his first semester, he had enlisted in the Army, and he arrived in Europe in October 1944. Two months later, his regiment was forced to surrender to the Germans at the outset of the Battle of the Bulge. He spent the rest of the war in German prisoner-of-war camps and on work details in southern and eastern Germany. The bitter winter weather, combined with the slim rations and harsh conditions Ñ he shoveled coal at a German factory and was later part of forced retreats as the Allied troops advanced through Germany Ñ caused his health to fail. By the time his POW camp near Muhlberg was liberated by Soviet troops in the spring of 1945, he was suffering from malnutrition, beriberi* and dysentery. In February 1946, after months of recuperation, he entered the College, gravitating immediately to student political activities. By this time, he had shed his conservative roots and embraced the ideals of the left. Callan graduated from the College with a bachelor's degree in history, but with a wife to support (he was married for the first time in 1948), he decided to study electronics at a trade school. He subsequently landed a job as a technician in the neurophysiology lab at Columbia. In 1956, he entered P&S, graduating in 1960. After his internship, he served as acting director of the neurology clinic at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and was later named a director of clinics at Yale University. By 1963, in addition to his medical duties, Callan had returned to activist politics. The following year, three young civil rights workers were murdered in Mississippi, and Callan and a group of other physicians and medical professionals responded by forming the Medical Committee for Human Rights. By this time, his professional interests were moving away from neurology, his initial specialty, and toward the delivery of health care through community centers. He worked for seven years in administrative medicine at the Martin Luther King community health center in the Bronx. From 1968Ð70, Callan served as the medical director of a community health center on the Lower East Side. He also wrote extensively about national health issues as a staff member of the progressive medical think tank the Health Policy Advisory Center. He moved to Columbia County in 1979, opening an office first in South Egremont, Mass., then in Hillsdale, and finally in Copake Falls. The focus of his practice was geriatrics and adult patients with chronic illnesses. During his early years in the county, he worked a few days each week in Manhattan, where he was medical director of the Chinatown Health Clinic. In 1987, Callan married Georgene Gardner.

Although he retired from practicing medicine in 1994, Callan remained extremely active, teaching young physicians working at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., and serving on numerous boards, including the Roe Jan Historical Society, where he was president until shortly before his death. Said his friend, Joseph Russell '49, "Des was truly a remarkable guy, a most proper Bostonian with the plummiest prep school diction and the broadest and most generous social conscience imaginable." Callan is survived by his wife; daughter, Lyndie; son, Rich; sisters, Cristine Callan and Mary Bailey; stepson, Jason Gardner; and two grandchildren.

Columbia college Today

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"John Desmond Callan '43, died on July 22, 2002 - the eve of his 77th birthday. He attended Harvard University, and shortly after, enlisted in the Army. He arrived in Europe in October 1944; two months later, he was a prisoner of war in German camps, suffering winter weather, meager food rations and poor working conditions combined with forced retreats as the Allies advanced through Germany.

"When the POW camp near Muhlberg was liberated by Soviet troops in 1945, Desmond suffered from malnutri- tion, beriberi and dysentery. Many other POWs in the infirmary died - many because they traded food for cigarettes! He was henceforth an implacable foe of tobacco.

"In February 1945 Desmond entered Columbia University. He newly embraced the ideals of the left, becoming a lifelong social activist. He earned a degree in history, then worked as a technician in a neurophysiology lab at Columbia. This inspired him to earn a medical degree from Columbia, which he did in 1960. Thereafter, his career was driven by social activism."

Desmond Callen Community Health Center 2006 Annual Report

Note: The name is quite common.

Birth:

Enlistment:

Dog Tags: 37730941

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: CARTER ROBERT H, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

37730941 NAME CARTER ROBERT H GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 21 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: ????

Last Report Date: July 21, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death:

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Birth: 1919 per age at death, Obituary.

Enlistment: Did not find. There are several possibilities in Pennsylvania but none that match exactly.

Dog Tag: 33941451

Division: 0016

The 16th Infantry

Capture: November 27, 1944

Camp: Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 33941451 CATALDI ALFRED Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 27 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0016 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 72 European Theatre: Germany LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY 08 MONTH 06 YEAR 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Last Report Date: June 8, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Alfred Cataldi was captured 27 November, 1944, the day before the capture of John Blanck. He was sent to Muhlberg Sachen Stalag IV B with John Blanck. On the back of a scrap of paper that John had from the war from when he was processed in the came at Limburg were six names written in pencil: J Blanck, F Don Diago, "E" Cataldi, J Cando, E Dahl, and Craft (no initial). See Copies of Military Documents

Death 1991:

"Alfred Cataldi of Glenside died Sunday at Abington Memorial Hospital. He was 72.

Born in Abington, he was a son of the late Joseph and Madeline Penecale Cataldi.

Mr. Cataldi, a longtime resident of Edgehill, was a graduate of Cheltenham High School and was employed for many years as a sheet metal worker at the Budd Co. Red Lion plant. He retied in 1974.

An Army veteran of World War II, he served in the Europe and was held a prisoner of war by Germany. He received the POW medal, Combat Infantryman medal, Victory World War II medal, Bronze Star, honorable service medal and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Ribbon."

Obituary in the Intelligencer, Doylestown Pennsylvania, March 5, 1991

"Listed under Prisoners of War is my father's name - Pvt. Alfred Cataldi. He was one of the prisoners of war listed on the scrap of paper. My father did make it out of the camp. He did struggle with various health problems over the years. He died in March, 1991. He was born and raised in Glenside, PA a suburb of Phila. Betty Cataldi- his daughter

Birth: 1919, Idaho

Enlistment: 24 Aug 1944

Charles D Cole Birth Year: 1919 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Idaho State of Residence: Idaho County or City: Twin Falls Enlistment Date: 24 Aug 1944 Enlistment State: Utah Enlistment City: Fort Douglas Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 1 year of high school Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms Marital Status: Married Height: 60 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 39922783

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: COLE CHARLIE D, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

39922783 COLE CHARLIE D GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 22P Infantry PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 45 Divisional Artillery AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 22 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 04 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1946 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 7 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: 4- (Lib) 294567 Cole, Charlie D, 39922783 Pfc, 179th Inf 23 Apr 45 $50.44 2,500 Fr, RFD #1, Delco, Idaho, June 12, 1945, Admiral Benson, New York

Last Report Date: April 22, 1946

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death:

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J Cando #311264 clearly written on the back of the processing paper from Limberg POW camp. However, based on the information from NARA the name was Condo

Birth: 1924, Kentucky

Enlistment: 20 Feb 1943

Jack E Condo Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Kentucky State of Residence: Kentucky Enlistment Date: 20 Feb 1943 Enlistment State: Ohio Enlistment City: Cincinnati Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 2 years of high school Civil Occupation: Semiskilled warehousing, storekeeping, handling, loading, unloading, and related occupations, n.e.c. Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 68 Weight: 135

Dog Tags: 35790101

Division: 0016

The 16th Infantry

Capture: November 18, 1944

Camp: 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 35790101 CONDO JACK E GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 18 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0016 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 72 European Theatre: Germany LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 6, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Listed on the processing paper form Limberg. Sent to same camp.

Death:

Jack E Condo Birth Date: 1925 Birth State: Kentucky Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Race: White Residence City: Norwood Residence County: Hamilton Residence State: Ohio Residence Country: United States Death Date: 6 Jan 1987 Hospital of Death: Deaconess Hospital City of Death: Cincinnati County of Death: Hamilton Certificate: 003281 Age at Death: 62 Certifier: Physician Social Security Number: 278-18-6476 Marital Status: Married Industry of Decedent: Motor vehicle dealers Occupation of Decedent: Sales workers, motor vehicles and boats Census Tract: 0252

SSN: 278-18-6476 Born: 2 Nov 1924 Last Benefit: 45212 Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, United States of America Died: Jan 1987 State (Year) SSN issued: Ohio (Before 1951)

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Birth: 1915 Ohio

Enlistment: 7 Mar 1944

Clayton C Craft Birth Year: 1915 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Ohio State of Residence: Ohio County or City: Auglaize Enlistment Date: 7 Mar 1944 Enlistment State: Kentucky Enlistment City: Fort Thomas Newport Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 3 years of high school Civil Occupation: Semiskilled occupations in production of rubber goods Marital Status: Married Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 35071192

Division: 0028

The 28th Infantry

Capture: November 30, 1944

Camp: Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW Record:

5071192 CRAFT CLAYTON C GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 30 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0028 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 72 European Theatre: Germany LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed Ancestry.com as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 14, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Listed with John on the price of paper from Limberg, same camp

Death:

Clayton C Craft Birth Date: 24 Nov 1915 Birth State: Ohio Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Race: White Hispanic Origin: Not Hispanic (Latino) Residence County: Auglaize Residence State: Ohio Residence Country: United States Death Date: 3 Jan 1989 Hospital of Death: Joint Township St Marys City of Death: St Marys County of Death: Auglaize Certificate: 000223 Age at Death: 73 Certifier: Physician Referred to Coroner: No Autopsy: No Filing Date: 9 Jan 1989 Hospital Status: Hospital/Inpatient Injury in Ohio: Yes Type Place of Injury: Unspecified Place Social Security Number: 489-14-4230 Father's Surname: Craft Marital Status: Widowed Education: 11 Industry of Decedent: Agricultural production, crops Occupation of Decedent: Farmers, except horticultural Primary Registration District: 0601

Clayton C. Craft BIRTH: 24 Nov 1915 DEATH: 3 Jan 1989 - Saint Marys, Auglaize, Ohio, United States of America CIVIL: Missouri

Clayton C Craft Birth Date: 24 Nov 1915 Death Date: 3 Jan 1989 Age at Death: 73 Death Place: St Marys, Ohio Spouse: Violet Smith Marriage Date: 5 Nov 1938 Parents: William & Anna Newspaper: Lima News; Wapakoneta Daily News, Lima; Wapakoneta, Ohio Newspaper Date: 4 Jan 1989 Newspaper Page: p. 3, col. 1 Years Indexed: 2004-current Newspaper Repository: Auglaize Co. Pub. Dist. Library - Wapakoneta, Oh; Lima Public Library; Auglaize Co. Pub. Dist. Library - Wapakoneta, Oh; Lima Public Library Other Sources: Wapakoneta Obituary File, Auglaize County Public District Library Source Description: A Card File Of Obituary Clippings. To Order A Copy, See www.rbhayes.org/hayes/index/partners/minster.asp Library Link: 476410

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There were # E Dahls at Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13. Eldon W. is the most likely one associated with John Blanck based on the date he was captured.

Birth:

Enlistment: Did not find for Eldon W Dahl. There is an Eldon H Dahl listed by Ancestry.com

Dog Tags: 37552053

Division: 0071

Capture: November 26, 1944

Camp: Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW Record:

37552053 DAHL ELDON W GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 26 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0071 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside:

Last Report Date: June 14, 1945

Association with John Blanck: On card from Limberg, same camp

Death:

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Birth: 1924, Mississippi

Enlistment: 10 Nov 1943

Fred P Dallas Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Mississippi State of Residence: Mississippi County or City: Neshoba Enlistment Date: 10 Nov 1943 Enlistment State: Mississippi Enlistment City: Camp Shelby Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 3 years of high school Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 66 Weight: 696

Dog Tags: 34876605

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: DALLAS FRED P, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

34876605 DALLAS FRED P GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 02 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: July 2, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death:

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Birth: 1924 ?????

Enlistment: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Dog Tags: 32769840

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Albert Dipsey, Private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 32769840 DIPSEY ALBERT DIPSEY ALBERT GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 08 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 8, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date

Death: ????? Albert Dipsey BIRTH: 23 Jun 1924 DEATH: 9 Feb 2002 - Little Falls, Passaic, New Jersey, United States of America CIVIL: New Jersey ??????

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Birth: 19 March 1921, Indiana

Enlistment: Wayne A Doan Birth Year: 1921 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Indiana State of Residence: Indiana County or City: Madison Enlistment Date: 18 Nov 1943 Enlistment State: Indiana Enlistment City: Indianapolis Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 2 years of high school Civil Occupation: Foremen, manufacturing Marital Status: Married Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: #35899085

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Wayne A Doan #35899085 Private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 35899085 DOAN WAYNE A GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 8 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 8 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 8, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date

Death: Wayne A. Doan BIRTH: 19 Mar 1921 DEATH: 24 Dec 1992 - Elwood, Madison, Indiana, United States of America CIVIL: Indiana

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Birth: 1918, New Jersey

Enlistment: "Diego, Frank R Don" born 1918, New Jersey, Essex, Enlistment date, 19 Nov 1943, Newark, private, married, civil occupation, foreman, manufacturing

Dog Tags: 42100405

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW Record:

DON DIEGO FRANK R, PFC

SERIAL NUMBER 42100405 PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 22P Infantry PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 45 Divisional Artillery AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 28 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 03 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1946 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 7
DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY
CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Last Report Date: March 28, 1946

Associations with John Blanck:

• Private 179th Infantry
• Captured with John Blanck and others near Wissembourgh, France on November 28, 1944
• Listed on the Scrap of paper with John and others
• Sent with John Blanck and others to Stalag 4B Muhlberg.
• Mentioned in the journal John kept when they left the POW camp and made their way to the Allied lines.
• Returned on the same ship June 12, 1945.
• John and "don" (as John referred to him) did "rehabilitation and recovery" together in the Hotle Dennis in Atlantic city, New Jersey in the summer of 1945.

Death: 1992, Frank R Dondiego born 10 June 1918, died 31 July 1992, Newark, New Jersey

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Birth: 1911 Kansas

Enlistment: Birth Year: 1911 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Kansas State of Residence: Illinois County or City: Will Enlistment Date: 10 Dec 1943 Enlistment State: Illinois Enlistment City: Chicago Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 66 Weight: 600

Dog Tags: 6857886

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: ECK JACOB P, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

6857886 ECK JACOB P GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR ) 4 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 6, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Sane division, captured same date, same camp

Death: Jacob P. Eck BIRTH: 17 Oct 1911 DEATH: 24 Dec 1988 CIVIL: Kansas

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Birth: 1912, Mississippi

Enlistment: Grover J Fortenberry Birth Year: 1912 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Mississippi State of Residence: Mississippi County or City: Marion Enlistment Date: 6 Nov 1943 Enlistment State: Mississippi Enlistment City: Camp Shelby Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school Civil Occupation: General farmers Marital Status: Married Height: 99 Weight: 099

Dog Tags: 34876348

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: FORTENBERRY GROVER J, PFC, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

34876348 FORTENBERRY GROVER J GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 26 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: July 26, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp.

Death: Grover Fortenberry BIRTH: 10 Mar 1912 DEATH: Oct 1982 - Foxworth, Marion, Mississippi, United States of America CIVIL: Mississippi

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Birth: 24 Dec 1919 Bronx, New York

Enlistment: Hugo A Forte born 1919, New York, living in the Bronx enlisted 26 May 1943, height 69, weight 100.

Dog Tags: 32961534

Division: 0023

Capture: December 22, 1944

Camp: Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW: Shared by Jason Forte, grandson of Hugo Forte, January 2010:

SERIAL NUMBER: 32961534
NAME: FORTE, HUGO A
GRADE: ALPHA, PVT, Private
GRADE CODE: 8, Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman
SERVICE CODE: 1 ARMY, Infantry
ARM OR SERVICE CODE: 10, INF: INFANTRY
DATE REPORT: DAY 22 MONTH 12 YEAR 1944
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION: 790 Undefined Code
PARENT UNIT NUMBER: 0023
PARENT UNIT TYPE: 07, Battalion/Training Battalion Combat/Special Troops,
AREA: 77, European Theatre: Belgium
LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 29 MONTH (MM) 06 YEAR (Y) 1945
SOURCE OF REPORT 1, Individual has been reported through sources considered official.
STATUS: 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
DETAINING POWER: 1 GERMANY
CAMP: 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13
POW TRANSPORT SHIPS

Did not find on Ancestry.com under Hugo A Forte as of Feb 2010.

Last Report Date: June 29, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same POW camp

Death: SSDI 6 Oct 1994, Mount Washington, Westchester, New York

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Birth: 1924 Alabama

Enlistment: Ralph W Fulmer Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Alabama State of Residence: Florida County or City: Orange Enlistment Date: 27 Oct 1943 Enlistment State: Florida Enlistment City: Camp Blanding Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: General farmers Marital Status: Married Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 34795019

Division: 179th

Capture: Nov 28, 1944

Camp: Ralph W Fumer #34795019, Sergeant, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 34795019 FULMER RALPH W Sergeant GRADE CODE 5 Captain or Asst. superintendent of nurses or Asst. director of nurses or Chief dietitian or Chief physical therapy aides or Sergeant or Technician 4th Grade or Lieutenant or Petty Officer, 3rd Class SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 01 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 1, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date.

Death: ????? Ralph W. Fulmer BIRTH: 29 Feb 1924 DEATH: 21 Jun 1999 - Lake Panasoffkee, Sumter, Florida, United States of America CIVIL: Florida

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Pretty common name.

Birth:

Enlistment:

Dog Tags: #35295652

Division: 179th

Capture: Nov 28, 1944

Camp: William E Hannah, #35295652 #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 35295652 HANNAH WILLIAM E GRADE, ALPHA Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 01 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: June 1, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date.

Death:

More:

Birth: 1924, Alabama, lived Tennessee

Enlistment: Raymond A Jacks Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Alabama State of Residence: Tennessee County or City: Franklin Enlistment Date: 15 Dec 1943 Enlistment State: Georgia Enlistment City: Fort Oglethorpe Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms Marital Status: Single, with dependents Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 34920912

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Raymond Jacks #34920912, Private, no camp listed

NARA POW Record:

34920912 JACKS RAYMOND A GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY ( 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 18 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 07 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

Last Report Date: July 18, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death: Raymond A. Jacks SSN: 412-26-7428 Last Residence: 31799, Thomasville, Thomas, Georgia, United States of America Born: 15 Sep 1924 Died: 12 Sep 1997 State (Year) SSN issued: Tennessee (Before 1951)

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Birth: 1924, North Carolina

Enlistment: William D Keener Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: North Carolina State of Residence: North Carolina County or City: Lincoln Enlistment Date: 23 Feb 1944 Enlistment State: North Carolina Enlistment City: Fort Bragg Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school Civil Occupation: Tinsmiths, coppersmiths, and sheet metal workers Marital Status: Married Height: 11 Weight: 011

Dog Tags: 34961040

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: William D Keener, Private, #34961040, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 34961040 KEENER WILLIAM D GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 01 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Last Report Date: June 1, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date.

Death: William D. Keener BIRTH: 14 Jan 1924 DEATH: 29 Nov 2005 - Lincolnton, Lincoln, North Carolina CIVIL: North Carolina

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Birth: 1924, Pennsylvania

Enlistment: Bert E Leonheart Birth Year: 1924 Race: White, citizen (White) Enlistment Date: 5 Apr 1943 Enlistment State: Pennsylvania Enlistment City: Erie Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school Civil Occupation: Unskilled occupations in production of rayon and allied products Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 42 Weight: 115

Dog Tags: #33436448

Division: 179th

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Bert E Leonheart, Corporal, #33436448, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

SERIAL NUMBER 33436448 LEONHEART BERT E GRADE, ALPHA CPL Corporal GRADE CODE 6 First Lieutenant or Chief nurse or Head dietitian or Head physical therapy aide or Corporal or Technician 5th Grade or Lt. Jr. Grade or First Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 30 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside: Not listed on Ancestry.com under this spelling as of February 2010

He was however listed on the Admiral Benson, page 10, 1945, June 12 New York City, 3A (Lib) 78755 Leonheart, Bert E Cpl #33436448 179th Inf 22 April 1945 Iden $50.44 2500 Fr. Rd Seagertown, Penna

Last Report Date: June 30, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, returned stateside same ship.

Death: Bert Leonheart BIRTH: 11 Nov 1924 DEATH: Dec 1983 CIVIL: Pennsylvania OTHER: Huntington Beach, Orange, California, United States of America

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Birth: March 26, 1911, North Carolina

Enlistment: LINTHICUM HOWARD M, PFC, born 1911, North Carolina, Randolph, Enlistment date, 15 January 1944, South Carolina, Camp Croft, private, skilled in manufacture of knit goods, married

Dog Tags: 34898865

Division: 179th

Capture: Nov 28, 1944

Camp: Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

NARA POW:

SERIAL NUMBER 34898865 LINTHICUM HOWARD M Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 12 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: 4 B (Lib) #311274, Linthicum, Howard M. pfc #34898865 179 INf, 17 May '45 $75.00 -- 3717 Fr, P. O. Box 323 Randlemann, NC, arrival 12 June 1945 New York on the Admiral Benson, Movement Orders of Liberated Prisoners of War

Association with John Blanck: Same Division, same capture date, same camp, returned stateside same ship

Death: Howard Monroe Linthicum, age 58, August 12, 1969, Randleman, North Carolina, Carcinoma of Esopjagus.

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Birth: 1923, New York

Enlistment: Joseph G Manzari Birth Year: 1923 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: New York State of Residence: New York County or City: Suffolk Enlistment Date: 8 Feb 1943 Enlistment State: New York Enlistment City: New York City Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 2 years of high school Civil Occupation: Apprentices to other trades Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 68 Weight: 133

Dog Tags: 32796919

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Joseph G Manzari, #32796919, private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

32796919 MANZARI JOSEPH G GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 04 04 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside: 12 June 1945 Admiral Benson (lib) #311045 Manzari, Joseph G Pvt #3-796919 179th Infantry, 8 May 45 Iden $50.44 Fr 1,500 350 Delaware Ave Lindenhurst NY

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date

Death: Joseph G Sr Manzari Service Info.: PFC US ARMY WORLD WAR II Birth Date: 15 Nov 1923 Death Date: 11 Sep 2003 Service Start Date: 15 Feb 1943 Interment Date: 5 Jan 2004 Cemetery: Long Island National Cemetery Cemetery Address: 2040 Wellwood Avenue Farmingdale, NY 11735-1211 Buried At: Section 2x Site 680

Joseph Manzari BIRTH: 15 Nov 1923 DEATH: 11 Sep 2003 - Farmingville, Suffolk, New York, United States of America CIVIL: New York OTHER: Farmingville, Suffolk, New York, United States of America

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Very common name.

Birth:

Enlistment:

Dog Tags: 42080815

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: REED ROY A, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

42080815 REED ROY A GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed with that Dog Tag #.

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same date of capture, same camp

Death:

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Birth: 1925, Ohio

Enlistment: Sam Sharaba born 1925, Ohio, enlistment date 4 Aug 1943, Fort Hayes, Columbus, private, 3 years High School, single, actor

Dog Tags: 35765336

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Sam Sharaba, Corporal #35765336, sent to Camp #004, Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia

NARA POW Record:

35765336 SHARABA SAM GRADE, ALPHA CPL Corporal GRADE CODE 6 First Lieutenant or Chief nurse or Head dietitian or Head physical therapy aide or Corporal or Technician 5th Grade or Lt. Jr. Grade or First Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY (DD) 28 MONTH 11 YEAR ( 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 12 12 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 004 Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia (Also KDOS [USA] #1-5; ARB BTNS 225-255) 52-14

Return Stateside: Sam Sharaba Cpl #3576336 cannot read (lib) #0788-4, 179th Infantry, 3 May 45 Iden $20.17 1000 FR 1835 Penrose Ave, E Cleveland, Ohio, Jun 30, 1945, Monticello, Port of New York

Association with John Blanck: Same division, same capture date, same camp

Death: Death SSDI 28 Feb 1925, died 30 June 1995, Olmstead Falls, Cuyahoga, Ohio olso Ohio deaths Ancestry.com

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Birth: ???? 1922, Ohio

Enlistment: ???? John Stepovich Birth Year: 1922 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Ohio State of Residence: Ohio Enlistment Date: 28 Dec 1943 Enlistment State: Pennsylvania Enlistment City: Pittsburgh Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 1 year of high school Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 00 Weight: 000

Dog Tags: 33715035

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: John Stepovich, #33715035, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

33715035 STEPOVICH JOHN GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 09 09 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside:Not under that spelling on Ancestry.com

Association with John Blanck: In same division, captured same day

Death:

More:

Birth:

Enlistment: Not under that spelling on Ancestry.com

Dog Tags: 36784172

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: SULZER ROBERT I, PVT, camp #006, Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13.

NARA POW Record:

36784172 SULZER ROBERT I GRADE, ALPHA PVT Private GRADE CODE 8 Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 7 7 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Admiral Benson June 12, 1945 4B (lib) 31---8 Sulzer, Robert I Pvt 36784172, 179 Inf 14 May 45 Iden $50. 44 - 2500 Fr 11732 Normal Ave, Chicago, Ill

Association with John Blanck:

Death:

More:

Very common name.

Birth:

Enlistment:

Dog Tags: 34591995

Division: 179

Capture: November 28, 1944

Camp: Carl W Taylor #34591995 Private, #063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08, the camp at which John was first processed.

NARA POW Record:

34591995 TAYLOR CARL W GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY ( 28 MONTH 11 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0179 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 76 European Theatre: France LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY (DD) 14 14 LATEST REPORT DATE: MONTH (MM) 06 06 LATEST REPORT DATE: YEAR (Y) 5 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 063 Stalag 12A to 9B Limburg An Der Lahn Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 50-08

Return Stateside:

Association with John Blanck:

Death:

More:

Birth: November 11, 1922, Indianapolis, Indiana

Enlistment: Not listed on Ancestry perhaps because he enlisted in the reserves. In the Army reserves in November 1942 per internet.

Dog Tags: 12102964

Division: 423rd Infantry Regiment of the 106th Division. He went overseas in November 1944. See Kurt Vonnegut Jr. in WW II

Capture: December 21, 1944

Camp: 4 B Muhlberg

NARA POW Record:

12102964 VONNEGUT KURT JR GRADE, ALPHA PFC Private First Class GRADE CODE 7 Second Lieutenant or Nurse or Dietitian or Physical therapy aide or Private First Class or Ensign or Second Class, Seaman SERVICE CODE 1 ARMY Infantry ARM OR SERVICE CODE 10 INF: INFANTRY DATE REPORT: DAY 21 MONTH 12 YEAR 1944 TYPE OF ORGANIZATION 740 Branch Immaterial/Infantry Division Band/Dental Corps/Medical Department PARENT UNIT NUMBER 0423 PARENT UNIT TYPE 06 Group/Regiment/Commands/System AREA 72 European Theatre: Germany LATEST REPORT DATE: DAY 13 MONTH 07 YEAR 1945 SOURCE OF REPORT 1 Individual has been reported through sources considered official. STATUS 8 Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated DETAINING POWER 1 GERMANY CAMP 006 Stalag 4B Muhlberg Sachsen 51-13

Return Stateside: Not listed Ancestry.com February 2010

Latest Report Date: July 13, 1945

Association with John Blanck: Same camp

Death: April 11, 2007

More: In a letter to his father in May 1944 Kurt Vonnegut describes his capture, the transportation from Limberg to Stalag 4 B in Muhlberg and the liberation by the Russians.

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 Slaughterhouse Five

Stalag IV-B Wikipedia

The Wartime Memories Project - Stalag IVB POW Camp

The Wartime Memories Project - Stalag IVA POW Camp

Stalag IVB, Images

Stalag IVA

Stalag IVB

In January 2009 Milan Jovicic emailed the following picture which is stamped on the back

???M.Stammlager IV A
Kompaniebereich 5./393 Bittau

My grandfather Jovicic Petar was a war prisoner 4 years long. His was from former Yugoslavia and his face is marked on the separate photo named "My Grandfather".

Sincerely yours,

Milan Jovicic