Posted 12 years ago
scottvez
(977 items)
I recently picked up this "hidden gem" in a large estate grouping of paperwork.
The gem was a Thank You letter written by a German Prisoner of War (POW) being held in a stateside POW camp at Camp Carson, Colorado.
The POW writes to an American Officer to thank him for his nice treatment of prisoners. Apparently, the US officer was sent to an Army Hospital for treatment for a foot problem. The POW writes to also wish him luck in the coming year.
Luckily, the group includes the original ink letter penned in German along with a translation of the letter that was done at the US Hopital where the officer was being treated.
Rarely do POW letters from Axis POWs come up for sale in the US-- probably many more overseas with loved ones. It is very unusual to find one written as a thank you to an American Officer!
Reproduction of these images or content is prohibited.
scott
Thanks buss.
scott
Very Nice!
Thanks chris-- I was happy to get it. The other parts of the group (advertising items) will cover me for the total cost!
scott
The POW's were treated far better on this continent than in Europe & Asia.
Yes they were-- esp. when compared with our POWs held by the Japanese.
scott
That's a Great Find Scott!! Is there any way you could trace this down and get this back to his Family??
No idea, musik-- it is not something that I typically pursue. I have enough other research projects!
It would probably have a connection to SOMEONE in the US officer's family, BUT it was sold at an estate sale of THEIR FAMILY items.
scott
This POW camp was less than a mile from where I live now. Interesting anecdote
involves from escapees from this camp climbing Cheyenne Mountain (the steepest rising mountain in the U.S., and home to NORAD.) and planting a Nazi swastika flag. They were up there quite a few days until they surrendered. There is and was then a road to the top but to avoid detection they climbed up the slopes.
Thanks for sharing majestic! Sounds like they were some serious diehards-- probably got an ass beating from the other prisoners for that escape!
scott
Thanks vetraio.
scott
Thank You Scott. I will never understand Family's that would let this kind of keepsake get away from them Thanks again Scott.
It is confusing to those of us with a "collector" mindset, but just remember, if every family kept these items there would be very little available in the collectors market!
scott
You do have a Point Scott.
Thanks again for looking musik!
scott
Thanks bellin and manikin@
scott
Thanks again tlmbaran!
scott