Hello I have recently received my late grandfathers war records. After joining allied forces in Europe (previously conscipted into red army and then captured by the Germans for 3 years) he joined the 2 polish corps. He was then transfered to 21 Infantry Regiment, 2 polish corp base. He went on to fight in the Battle for Ancona, rearguard of 8 British Army, saw Action in Northern Apennines and fought in Battle for Bologna. Can anyone share with me stories or pictures of what my grandad may have been through during these times? I know its brief but trying to learn as much as I can about him. Kindest Regards Natalie.
2 polish corps, 21 Infantry Regiment
we have similar thread here, just spend some time digging !
Hi - ive been 'digging' for the past 5 days before I wrote this thread. There is nothing I can find direct about the 2 corps. Just wondered if there was anyone out there that may know of people who shared the same experiences as my grandad.
Thanks
Thanks
Harry
23 Dec 2009 / #4
After joining allied forces in Europe (previously conscipted into red army and then captured by the Germans for 3 years) he joined the 2 polish corps. .... Can anyone share with me stories or pictures of what my grandad may have been through during these times?
If he was in the Red Army and POW of the Nazis for three years, he would have been taken prisoner right at the start of operation Barbarossa, which means he was very lucky to survive. By September 1941 the death rate for Red Army POWs was 1% daily.
16.12.1941 was the exact date he was taken on 15.12.41 the day before he was still under red army command. The more I have looked into his records and the time and places he was involved with the more I realise it was a miracle he survived, if not a miracle he was very clever and very lucky!