3 10 74 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/fae82ddf5af30fb56e44099c069b6eaa.jpg c50b8fb27d574c07fc14efef966d6596 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/75fd8d836068e32107d7ef2ff0464a3e.jpg 0294dc2b475e2ef424bd3f74c7714515 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII ID Documents Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prisoner of War A.F. W3000 Transfer Slip for German POW Walter Schmitt Subject The topic of the resource A slip showing his transfer into British military custody after leaving the United States. Description An account of the resource This document gives some of the most detailed information on Walter Schmitt's military service. His identity disk identified him as a Panzer Jager (Pz. Jg.) anti-tank unit. He was part of the 334th Infantry Division's 755 Grenadier Regiment 3rd Battalion 10th Company. His place of capture is listed as Tebourba on May 9th, 1943. The 334th Infantry Division was set up on 25 November 1942 as "Kriemhilde" unit of the military districts XIII, XVII and XVIII at the Grafenwoehr training area. It was unusual that their three regiments (754, 755, 756) were drawn up from three different military districts (754/XIII – Nuremberg, 755/XVII – Vienna, 756/XVIII – Salzburg). It had two infantry regiments (754 and 755) and a mountain infantry regiment (756). The division was already destined for a deployment in Africa at this point in time. In January 1943 the division was transferred by ship from Naples to Africa and assigned to the 5th Panzer Army in Tunisia, in a time where the supply ports of the Axis, as well as its forces, where threatened to be encircled in the winter of 1942/43. Its lead elements of the 754. Infanterie-Regiment arrived in Bizerta in late December 1942 under the command of Oberst Friedrich Weber (promoted to Generalmajor on Jan.1,1943), with the rest of the Division arriving by 15 January 1943. Together with the 10th Panzer Division and the Division “von Manteuffel”, they successfully defended Tunis and northern Tunisia in the "Run for Tunis" in January 1943 as part of the "Company Eilbote" (Unternehmen Eilbote). Between February and March the division ("Kampfgruppe Krause") stayed in the northern Tunisian mountains and remained continually engaged, suffering heavy losses amid heavy fighting, in a series of fierce and costly engagements that cost the division dearly in casualties that it could not replace. The 334th was involved in the storming of Djebel Manson. In late April 1943, "Gruppe Audorff" of the division participated in an attack on the heights of Medjez el Bab. After a week of bloody fighting, the 756.Geb.Inf.Rgt. retired from the heights it had recently regained and moved back towards Tunis. The 334th Division was separated from the rest of the army with the volunteer organization “Phalange africaine” of the Vichy regime, which had been assigned to the Division's 754.Inf.Rgt.(mot.), and surrendered to the Allied troops in the Beja area on 8 May 1943, a few days before the fall of Tunis in the Bizerta bridgehead. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Earliest date on the form appears to be February 21st, 1946 and the latest date is February 13th 1947 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/518bc34e5ae8ad4922915d8072e44542.jpg 9a529757b425f59f5c4bf1a82faec7ea Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource June 16th 1949 Letter from American Vice Consul for German POW Walter Schmitt Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 16th 1949 Subject The topic of the resource It appears from this document that Walter Schmitt was attempting to immigrate to the United States post war. Description An account of the resource English Translation Reg. 2 File 211 VS:gw American Consulate Bremen, Germany June 16, 1949 With reference to your registration on the quota waiting list, you are requested to submit to this Consulate a sworn affidavit (affidavit) from a relative or close friend in America. This affidavit must clearly demonstrate that the person concerned is both willing and financially able to guarantee support for you personally and for any family members who will accompany you to the United States. This sworn declaration (affidavit) must be submitted in duplicate and supplemented with documentary evidence demonstrating the sponsor's financial ability to provide such support. Such evidence may include, for example: bank account statements, deeds or other proof of ownership of real estate, stocks or other securities, life insurance policies (showing the amount of insurance coverage), employment contracts, and wage or salary statements. Attention is called to the fact that sworn affidavits (affidavits) lose their validity after one year. Therefore, if you possess an older affidavit that has already expired or will expire soon, it is necessary that you obtain a new one. However, it is expressly pointed out that, at the present time, only affidavits of support are being examined here. Therefore, please do not send any other documents for the time being, and do not appear personally at the Consulate to discuss your case. Should further steps become necessary, you will be informed in due course. If, however, you are unable to obtain a sponsor, you are requested to notify the Consulate immediately. Respectfully, V. Smith (signature) V. Smith American Vice Consul When replying, please refer to the following number: GERMAN 2905 t-18 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/be55e0c5660d4403ffeaf664ff978e7e.jpg 4b032aa103f905b9addd47a40076b56d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource August 2, 1949 Letter from American Vice Consul for German POW Walter Schmitt Description An account of the resource English Translation: Mr. Walter Schmitt Krefeld/Rhine Ispelsstr. 1 American Consulate Bremen, August 2, 1949 The Consulate acknowledges receipt of your recently received letter concerning your emigration. Unfortunately, the processing of your application must be postponed until you are able to provide a sponsor in the United States. Without such a sponsor, emigration is not possible. Respectfully, (signed) Benjamin C. Hilliard American Vice Consul 211. Reg. 6 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 2, 1949 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/67e84b00aea770f3b81ff95acb48928a.jpg b092e222f4726893c54b7884f407450d https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/0ad215de32e6d5b83c7971a31ec74242.jpg 7f96c787537bb47b5bc1416e5447c22e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Letter Home from German POW Walter Schmitt 2 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 21st 1944 Description An account of the resource English Translation: Scottsbluff POW Camp September 21, 1944 My dear parents and Berthold, During the course of this week I received Father's letter of June 11 of this year. I hope that things continue to go well for you and that you all remain in good health. Please do not worry about me; everything is going all right. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity here to take part in any kind of instruction or classes. As much as possible, I study on my own. My greatest opportunity is to improve my English, and I am making good progress. The weather here is quite pleasant. Although it is cold in the mornings, by midday it has become warm again. I am still working and find at least some variety in that. A few days ago I received a book from Aunt Bepi, but apart from that I have received very little mail. She has a great deal of work with the Tibbett family and therefore has very little time. From you I have also received very little mail, but I do not attach much importance to that. When the war is over and we are back home again, I will be able to tell you more. For today, heartfelt greetings to all of you from your Son and brother, Walter Schmitt https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/09de0c38e53c1297c74a37d3960ab7ec.jpg 6bbedc92a80db36fe85da50ca996c279 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/293ce132b42e5c375303d67ac7618d90.jpg 29dcab6231b9d34e6e9db7e25070adde Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Red Cross Letter from German POW Walter Schmitt Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 2nd 1946 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/48c7d865f2cb50ca7b0230b47b820823.jpg 5cf4fea73ccc7ef7b78bd6f9e7602406 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII Letters Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Mail Envelope from German POW Walter Schmitt https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/33b4b877901fbdaa1ce7d107e39054db.jpg b80238541c103da073bf9726eec0f8fe Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII ID Documents Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Certification of Ownership for German POW Walter Schmitt Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 18th, 1946 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/b5814900b5ad756673ef1fa6ebbe2714.jpg 22771e39953f966ceaf310de85a32897 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource German WWII ID Documents Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Certification of Ownership for German POW Walter Schmitt 2 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 18th, 1946 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/7909b125d7d75a69a2651d76c6d1b577.jpg 9532382ff0dbc28ff0243fd84d29a17b https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/6ffb2001046e204804b7c0a30149f0a1.jpg ed21d1459854a509d0d0f2316bdde3a6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British and Commonwealth WWII Insignia Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 81st West African Division Patch Subject The topic of the resource This division was mostly comprised of soldiers from British colonies in West Africa. This included Nigeria, Gambia, Gold Coast (modern day Ghana), and Sierra Leone. An often overlooked unit in discussions of British military campaigns against the Italians in East Africa and the Japanese in Burma. The patch features buttons on the back so that it can be removed from the uniform when it is being laundered. Description An account of the resource The framework on which the division was formed was the Royal West African Frontier Force. One of the brigades (the 3rd West African) and several of the supporting units which formed the division had already seen action with the 11th (African) Division, against the Italians in East Africa. The division was established as the 1st (West African) Division on 1 March 1943. Three days later it was renamed the 81st (West African) Division, taking the next vacant number in the list of British infantry divisions. The division's badge was a spider, in black on a yellow circular background. This spider was a reference to Ananse, a cunning character in Ashanti mythology, and drawn so that when a soldier raised his weapon to fire, the spider would appear to be going forwards. The division arrived in India on 14 August 1943. The movement of the 5th (West African) Brigade was delayed, however, after the troopship which was to carry it was lost in the German attack on Convoy Faith off Portugal on the night of 11/12 July 1943. The 3rd (West African) Brigade was detached to the Chindits, and was intended to garrison jungle bases for the raiding columns. The remainder of the division took part in the second Arakan campaign from February to May, 1944, operating in the Kaladan Valley on the flank of XV Indian Corps. In late March, substantial Japanese reinforcements (with some troops from the Indian National Army) outflanked the division and forced it to retreat over a range of hills out of the Kaladan valley into that of the Kalapanzin. In August, the division re-entered the Kaladan valley, forcing the Japanese and Indian National Army to abandon Mowdok, a few miles east of the India–Burmese frontier. The division then advanced down the valley once again, reaching Myohaung near the mouth of the river on 28 January 1945. The division was withdrawn to India to rest on 22 April 1945. On 31 August, it was returned to West Africa and disbanded. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1943-1945 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Purchased from Ebay. Unit information pulled from Wikipedia. https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/6eff5443c81e1947b3ebfccef738955e.jpg 5fc88bb1a04c2215002ecbda74e38866 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/5e331ed6d56ad65401b64cf9bddc74be.jpg 27dcc85751e96ef72ae0cb4bccd58fea Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource British and Commonwealth WWII Insignia Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 82nd West African Division Patch Subject The topic of the resource This division was mostly comprised of soldiers from British colonies in Nigeria and Gold Coast (modern day Ghana). An often overlooked unit in discussions of British military campaigns against the Italians in East Africa and the Japanese in Burma. Description An account of the resource The inspiration for the division's formation came from General George Giffard. He had extensive experience of leading East African troops, and early in the Second World War became the commander of Britain's West Africa Command. He was eager for troops from Britain's African colonies to play their part in the war. When he was subsequently appointed to command the Eastern Army in India, facing the Imperial Japanese Army on the frontier between India and Burma, he requested that the two divisions being organised in West Africa be used in the Burma campaign. The division was formed from the 1st (West African) Infantry Brigade and 2nd (West African) Infantry Brigade, both of which had taken part in the East African Campaign in 1940 and 1941, and the new 4th (Nigerian) Infantry Brigade. The Division's headquarters was created on 1 August 1943. It followed the 81st (West African) Division in the numbering sequence of British war-raised infantry divisions. The HQ took control of its sub-units on 1 November 1943. The division's formation sign was crossed spears on a porter's headband, in black (sometimes white) on a yellow shield. On 20 May 1944, the division sailed for Ceylon, where the division was assembled on 20 July. In August the organisation was slightly changed, with supporting arms which had previously been distributed between the brigades being controlled centrally by the division HQ. The division was organised on a "head load" basis, with porters carrying all heavy equipment and supplies. Although many of the troops were from the savannah of northern Ghana and Nigeria, they were well-trained and effective when operating in jungle and mountains. After further training, the division took part in the third Arakan campaign in December 1944 under XV Indian Corps. On 15 December the Division captured Buthidaung on the Kalapanzin River and created a bridgehead on the east bank of the river. This allowed allied troops to control the Maungdaw–Buthidaung road which had been contested for three years and enabled the transport of 650 river craft by road through railway tunnels to Buthidaung to supply Indian troops in the Mayu Range. The 82nd (West African) Division (supported by 28th Anti-tank Regiment RIA and 33rd Mountain Artillery Regiment RIA) then crossed a steep and jungle-covered mountain range to converge with the British 81st (West African) Division on Myohaung near the mouth of the Kaladan River. This move forced the Japanese to evacuate the Mayu peninsula which they had held for almost four years and retreat south along the coast. As they retreated, troops from the 3rd Commando Brigade and units of the 25th Indian Infantry Division landed in inlets and chaungs ahead of them. Caught between the troops landing from the sea and the 82nd (West African) Division, the Japanese suffered many casualties. At this point, air supply was withdrawn from the Arakan front to allow the transport aircraft to supply the Allied forces in Central Burma. The 82nd (West African) Division's carrier battalions carried all supplies and equipment for the division from this point. The Japanese 54th Division holding the Arakan was divided into two detachments holding the roads across the Arakan Hills leading from An and Taungup. The 82nd (West African) Division was asked to cross the Dalet Chaung and hilly terrain to approach the An Pass from the north west, while being supplied by air. The 1st and 4th (Nigerian) Brigades suffered many casualties in opening the routes to Kaw and Kyweguseik in late February. The 4th (Nigerian) Brigade even lost two of its commanding officers. By March, the division captured Dalet Chaung and the strategic supply base of Tamandu, in coordination with Indian units. The 2nd (Gold Coast) Brigade based at Letmauk subsequently became the target of intense Japanese counter-attacks, suffering many casualties. They were forced to withdraw, covered by the 1st (Nigerian) Brigade. By sending long distance fighting patrols to harass the Japanese flanks, the Nigerian unit was able to force a Japanese retreat and retake An on 13 May 1945. The main body of the division, with the 22nd (East African) Brigade under command, advanced south from Tamandu. By the end of May Kindaungyyi, Taungup and Sandoway had been captured. Campaigning ceased during the monsoon rains and the war ended a few weeks later. During the third Arakan campaign, the 82nd Division suffered 2,085 casualties, the highest of any unit in XV Corps. Some of those killed were buried in jungle tracts, but many Nigerian graves remain in cemeteries at the Dalet Chaung near Tamandu and the Taukkyan War Cemetery. Others are remembered at the War Memorial in Rangoon. Other commemorations of the division's (and its component formations') service are the names of Dodan, An, Myohaung, Arakan and Marda Barracks in Lagos, Letmauk Barracks in Ibadan, Dalet, Mogadishu, Colito and Kalapanzin Barracks in Kaduna, the Chindit Barracks in Zaria, Arakan Barracks in Accra and Myohaung Barracks in Takoradi. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1941-1945 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Purchased from Ebay. Unit information pulled from Wikipedia.