6 10 74 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/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/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/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/ce5cc694a5921fb9778b7bb1463f9ab9.jpg 917e035b98de51a0503698d0e548d767 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/18322c0a8b5fc8cbb335c7c9b2460e30.jpg e65cf164ecf9e5d482e83f5dcca6cdb8 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 Christmas Card for German POW Walter Schmitt Subject The topic of the resource A Christmas Card from 1946 Description An account of the resource It has 1946 written on the front along with "Newton nr. Preston/Lancs. England" It is unclear if this was the place where the card was received or where it was sent from. The card says "Merry Christmas" in German along with the image of a pine tree branch and a lit candle. Discoloration on the back could be the remains of extremely sun faded writing. Possibly the card was placed in a window frame at some point. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 1946 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/de32d66dfe267349739ea980774c624a.jpg 163678758158976dc7e7e6a9fdce0b3f https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/121bfc0f694fa91e8f3e479586d0d9fb.jpg 0373b0621fcc57177db9084f87ed9293 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 Draft Notice for German POW Walter Schmitt Subject The topic of the resource This is a notice asking him to report to the local military authority so they can determine his status. Description An account of the resource Translation of German from the back of the card: "the mayor as the district police authority in Krefeld-Uerdingen a. Rh. (long distance call 28511) Summons In order to regulate your military status, you presented yourself in front of the military on October 23rd, 1940. in Krefeld at the municipal defense department Hansahaus, second floor, room 21e, to register for the military master roll. The reporting deadline must be strictly adhered to. Birth certificate, possibly family register, work book, pp. 2 passport photos g.F. Military passport and this summons must be brought with you" Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 23rd, 1940 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/7ae295dd95d3f116d20739d482af51bc.jpg 7d4b34a56981a253c4c2a631425e5e66 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/5c8913345175f5e26dff800473c6cbf4.jpg e9ea4758e53475aab968330edb540707 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 7, 1944 Letter Home from German POW Walter Schmitt Description An account of the resource English translation: "August 7, 1944 My dear parents and Berthold, Last week I wrote that I had not received any mail from you for a long time, and that very same evening I received your letter of March 20. So now you can be reassured, since you have heard that I have received mail from you. I am doing well. As always, I hope the same is true for you. Yesterday, Sunday, was somewhat more eventful for me than usual. A few days ago we were also given some money, so I was able to buy a few things at the camp canteen. I very much hope, however, to be back in Germany again before too long. What is Berthold doing these days? He really ought to write to me sometime. And where is Father? I haven't received any mail from him for quite a while either. I would like to have a letter from him. Hopefully this letter will not take too long to reach you. For today, heartfelt greetings to you all from Your son and brother, Walter Schmitt" Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 7, 1944 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/28e925dd9dc628aa6a352d783f0d457e.jpg a466c47a1b92c9f7d3b05eb11f2fb900 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 Italian Hospital Train Unloading Slip for German POW Walter Schmitt Subject The topic of the resource Notes on the Handwriting The handwritten entries are faded graphite pencil. This is not a medical record itself, but rather a transport tag used on a military hospital train. "Entladezettel" The word literally means "unloading slip" or "disembarkation slip." It accompanied a patient being removed from a hospital train and served as a logistics document so personnel at the receiving station knew: which railway car the patient occupied, who the patient was, his military rank, his medical case number, whether he could sit or required a stretcher, where he was to be unloaded. "Ital. Lazarettzug" This stands for: Italienischer Lazarettzug Italian Hospital Train During World War II, Germany operated numerous Lazarettzüge (hospital trains). Those designated "Italian" generally operated in the Italian theater after the German occupation of Italy in 1943, transporting wounded soldiers northward into Germany or Austria for treatment. The blank train number suggests either: the number was never entered, it was recorded elsewhere, or this was a preprinted form used quickly during unloading. Car No. 10a This identifies the specific railway carriage containing the patient. Hospital trains commonly had: ward cars, operating cars, pharmacy cars, kitchens, staff accommodations, so identifying the correct carriage was essential during unloading. Illness Number (Krankheitsnummer) The Krankheitsnummer was an administrative case number assigned to the patient for transport and medical documentation. It was not a diagnosis or severity rating. Offenburg Offenburg, in Baden, southwestern Germany, was an important railway junction during the war. It served as: a transfer point for military trains, a reception point for wounded soldiers, and the location of several military hospitals (Lazarette). Many hospital trains traveling north from Italy passed through or terminated at Offenburg because of its strategic rail connections. Overall Assessment This document is a hospital train unloading tag documenting the transfer of a wounded or ill German soldier. The form would originally have accompanied the patient as he was removed from the hospital train and handed over to the receiving military medical authorities. It is a logistical document rather than a clinical medical record. This was likely a tag from before his capture in Tunisia Description An account of the resource Translation ENTLADEZETTEL Unloading Slip ITAL. LAZARETTZUG Nr. Italian Hospital Train No. (No number has been entered.) Wagen Nr.: Car No.: 10a Listen Nr.: List No.: (blank) Dienstgrad: Rank: (appears to read "Gefr." = Gefreiter, but the handwriting is extremely faint and not completely certain) Name: Surname: Schmitt Vorname: Given name: Walter KRANKHEITSNUMMER: Illness / Case Number: 12 Sitzend = S Sitting = S Liegend = L Lying (stretcher) = L (Lying appears to be marked) AUSLADEORT: Unloading Location: Offenburg Bemerkungen: Remarks: (blank) https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/c00f0538133a2c1c4fbbeadf6484591a.jpg 7c49cf990cf7b68fc4b7e3d65d601282 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/e37d7d8aca22956e8abd98e821b009d9.jpg a4e3c706e09121fc90977b22a2ce9d35 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 Basic Personel Record for German POW Walter Schmitt Subject The topic of the resource This record contains a description of his prison camps within the United States where he arrived about one month after his capture in Tunisia. He was initially sent to Trinidad, Colorado on June 18th 1943 before being moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska on May 8, 1944. 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 June 18th, 1943 and the latest date is March 5th 1946 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/2d286cb9d61028c5c104a8c9312e285c.jpg 28629bdac3c0cd9607af50cf3b133048 https://cicmuseum.org/files/original/085381a018a3e2804b0370102d41d3d5.jpg a2a2ed5eb5c54541cb228f131095ddf0 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 Newsletter to All Former Prisoners of War in the USA from German POW Walter Schmitt Grouping Subject The topic of the resource Letter from an organization advocating for compensation for those who had been POWs in the United States and used as laborers there. Interesting to see the organization cite the Geneva Convention and fair treatment and compensation for prisoners in light of the German treatment of prisoners and use of prison labor during the war. Description An account of the resource Full text translated from German below: "Community of Interests Former Prisoner of War in the USA - Headquarters in Cologne Cologne, November 1950. At Kumpchenshof 6 Long distance call 77177 Newsletter to all former prisoners of war in the USA. The response to the open words of our announcement in the daily press is clear evidence of the realization that the association of all former POWs to assert their claim for payment of back wages cannot be postponed any longer. The demands of the former prisoners of war - who worked in the USA - have not yet been disputed by anyone! According to the Geneva Convention, the prisoner of war is to be treated on an equal footing with the soldiers of his own reserve army in terms of accommodation and food, i.e. that the prisoner of war under no circumstances has to pay for his own maintenance. There can therefore be no doubt that the US government was not entitled to withhold the wages the prisoners of war deserved. 6 dollars per day must be taken into account for accommodation and food. - As well as the legal situation! The well-known dpa report from August 7th ds. Js. has drawn a lot of explanations from various places, none of which, however, should be viewed as denials. What is interesting in this context is the statement by the chairman of the Steuben-Schurz-Gesellscrafft, Mr. Mayor Braden/Geisenheim The chairman of the German Relief Committee in the USA, Mister Hauser, wanted to try to get an amount of 300 million dollars released from the American government to support the German housing program, and that this sum corresponded to the amount of wages withheld from the former German prisoners of war ....! The idea of using the back wages of former prisoners of war for housing construction is not bad in itself, but no one is entitled and authorized to dispose of these back wages than those who, through their work - sometimes under the most difficult conditions - have a right for the payment of a fair wage. The question of a satisfactory regulation of the cashing of the dollar checks, which were paid out in worthless Reichsmarks by setting a deadline, is also open; According to reports, the US government transferred a sum of 76 million dollars to the federal government for the cashing of the dollar checks. turn around! The paths we will take have been mapped out, and we will secure the support of well-known experts in international law. The prerequisite for achieving our goal as soon as possible is the unification of all former POWs in the USA and the provision of the necessary resources to align such a large organization with the common goal and to push through the legitimate demands. After carefully examining the resources to be spent, we have come to the decision to charge each member an expense contribution of 2 DM, which we ask to transfer using the enclosed payment card. Correct business management is guaranteed by the articles of association (see appendix). We will present you with the declaration of accession, which must be filled out carefully as it will be used as a document for your legal claim. Lastly, we ask them. to notify all former US prisoners of war known to you in order to register their claims or to provide us with their addresses. We keep you updated about our work. With comradely greetings! Interest group for former war prisoners in the USA - headquarters in Cologne Managing Director. Attachments: Declaration of membership Statutes Payment card and addressed envelope" Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 1950