- Contributed by
- BBC Open Centre, Hull
- People in story:
- Originally submitted to the Beverley Civic Society
- Location of story:
- Gazala outside of Tobruk
- Background to story:
- Army
- Article ID:
- A4179981
- Contributed on:
- 11 June 2005
was a prisoner of war for three years. My worst ever experiences happened after I was captured by the Germans at Gazala outside Tobruk. I was eventually taken as a prisoner to Stalag 4B. I was then sent to a labour camp and had to work at a Leipzig petrol works.
My camp was hit by RAF bombers and 304 British prisoners were killed. The factory was blown to bits. After being made to clean up the site, which took many weeks in very cold conditions, the survivors were transferred to Dresden.
At Dresden we had to work in another factory making petrol. Then one day at 1.20 the air raid alarm went and waves of RAF bombers started to drop their bombs, mostly 500 pounders and incendiaries, on the City causing huge fires. Many planes were shot down. It was terrible to see. There were thousands of dead people. Every road and building in Dresden was on fire, and everything was blown apart. It was horrible to witness.
© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo 