human POW signals in the snow

[gemcmeg]

As a child i can remember looking at either a life or look (remember those oversized large magazines?) and seeing a picture(s) of human POW signs in the snow during WW2. Had i known that decades later my dad would talk about doing such! In his account of his war memories he writes of being on a pow train christmas eve 1944 and being shot at by allied aircraft. As the germans took cover in the woods, the prisoners were allowed to get out and they stood in the snow from 10a - 4pm in POW formation. He said later planes(s) flew close enough to see the signal and tipped it's wings as a "message rec'd" signal. I'm sure his group was not the only group to have done such. And i have often wonder if the tipping it's wings was also to allow a photo of the men in the snow. I have done extensive internet searches with no luck. Does anyone pocess a photo of pows in the snow 1944?
This would have been the train going from Prume Germany breaking down/being hit (then the men were walked for 8 days to Weisbadon where they were put on another train to the Red Cross Camp 7A near Stuttgart Germany)
thx
gail eanes m. daughter of paul m eanes

[Carl W.]

Hi Gail,

I don't have any actual WWII photos of such an event, but I wonder if you have ever seen the WWII movie "Hart's war" starring Bruce Willis? In it a similar series of events is portrayed (also including men of the 106th). It's not really to the point but I must say the movie gives a good image of such an incident. The rest of the movie is about a court-martial involving Tuskegee Airmen etc. It may be worth seeing (if you don't mind some historical inaccuracies) on a rainy saterday afternoon.

Best regards
Carl

[Carl W.]

Here are some screenshots of the scene I was referring to


Notice the 106th patch







Best regards
Carl

[gemcmeg]

Carl, I just happened to catch the last 1/3 of Hart's War. Camp 6A is mentioned. I missed the POW scene but with every new find, it continues to bring tears to my eyes what dad and all you men went through. Thank you is just too ..... as usual i'm at a loss for words.
gail in nc

[gemcmeg]

Carl, i just saw your notation of the 106th patch after the 1st film photo. No wonder you are so good at this! Keep up your good work young man! When i told dad about you a good year ago, he couldn't say anything. There were times when i could see the tears welling up in his eyes - as mine are now - and he would just shake his head in agreement - job well done!

[Carl W.]

Gail, thank you for those kind words. Everytime I think of the things your father and other men like him went through, it brings tears to my eyes too. All we can do is pay hommage to these men and thank them for doing what they did, so that we don't have to today. They all have my biggest respect.

By the way, here's a link to the bit of the film I discussed above. You will see in how much detail the scene corresponds with your dad's account of the X-Mas strafing of the POW trains. I think it was very authentically portrayed in the film. A rarely encountered story in Hollywood movies, counting out movies like "Stalag 17"and "The Great Escape"and such.



Best regards
Carl

[gemcmeg]

Carl, thx for fixing the link to the clip. I have yet to see the movie all the way through. I think i'll order for dad's grandchildren this christmas. Next month dad will be gone a month. I'm at mom's while she's having some health problems, so as i sat in dad's chair, i watched a couple of times and of course cried. I've probably already posted, but dad said as the planes realized that there were POWs they would tip their wings in acknowledgment. Christmas Eve 1944 they stood in the snow for about 6 hours, from 10a-4pm ish. Thanks again for all your work and effort.

[Carl W.]

Hi Gail

I extend my deepest sympathy to you with the loss of your father. They did so that we can today. Lest we forget.

Concerning the POW signals I have found another interesting clipping from a Stars and Stripes issue that may interest you:

[gemcmeg]

thanks. dad talked quite a bit about being in the boxcars, sitting on their feet to keep them warm. No food and no water. He did have one funny story about on fellow POW, Carter. At one point when the Allied planes were strafing the box car(s), as they were moved around Germany, they were again allowed out. One of the POW Allied/English officers/or perhaps the doctor bargained with the Germans that he would be personally responsible. Told the men not to attempt to run, they would be shot. Most were to weak to try and make an escape. I think as time went on the POWs knew that the Allied forces had the Germans on the run. As one door opened Carter took off with shoes in hand and snow on the ground. Later in hospital in England, he would get much ribbing for "what happened in Germany". Carter said to hell with the shoes, he didn't want to be shot! Carter turned out to be from dad's stomping grounds at home. They struck up a friendship and i often wonder what happened to Mr. Carter. I should try and look him up shouldn't I! Don't know if he was from the 106th or not.

[gfgrant8443]

I became curious about the movie "Hart's War", so I got a copy and it was a suprisingly good movie. I did notice that a lot of the extras were wearing the Golden Lion shoulder patch. I'm wondering about the patch worn by Lt. Hart. It looked like an 8 with a hexagon around it and don't think I've ever seen one like it. One line in the movie refered to it as a patch worn by people working at headquarters. Does anyone else have info about it or do you think it was just made up for the movie?

Frank Grant

[Carl W.]

Frank,

That 8 patch was the insignia for VIII (Eight) Corps. It was commanded by Maj-General Troy Middleton. The 106th division was one of the units attached to this Army Corps.

Greetings,
Carl