AG and MM Board

Prisoners on Board

Posted by Rick Pitz on May 14, 2010, 11:48 pm

Hi guys.

Did any of you ever transport any POWs? My Dad had a few pictures of German prisoners they transported to the UK (he was a signalman on a troop transport). From the pictures, it seemed like the Germans had fairly open access to the deck areas. In one, they appear to be doing deck work (paint scraping?). Wondering if you had any experience with this, and if so, how much freedom did the prisoners have while in transit?

Thanks,

Rick

Re: Prisoners on Board

Posted by Bob Tassinari on May 15, 2010, 4:30 am, in reply to "Prisoners on Board"

Our Liberty the Samuel Johnston carried three hundred German troops from Algiers to the States in Novembeer of 1943. They were soldiers of the German Afrika group. . After the almost three week trip they were happy to reach the US. Plumbing consisted of three holere builtover the side on the port and starboard side of number 3 hatch. .We unloaded them at Harborside Termian in NJ.

Re: Prisoners on Board

Posted by Rick Pitz on May 15, 2010, 11:00 am, in reply to "Re: Prisoners on Board"

Thanks, Bob.

Were the prisoners confined a specific area? Above or below decks? I was fascinated by the pictures my Dad had, as the prisoners seemed to be mingling all around the deck. Of course, this could be deceptive, as maybe they were allowed out on deck for 15 minutes a day. No way of telling from the pictures.

Rick

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