WWII Russian POW remembers the Americans who helped him
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Wonderful story. Just an objection that CBS news says the American soldiers risked their lives to help the Russians. No doubt the Germans were brutal toward the Russians. But were any American POWs killed for attempting to get food to their Russian counterparts? In general, I cannot think of any reports of American POWs being executed by German captors.
Yes, an amazing story! Thanks for sharing.
Steve Richter: there were 50 POWs murdered after escaping from Stalag Luft III https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_Luft_III#Murders_of_escapees
I’m certain there are more.
There was also the infamous Malmedy Massacre of American prisoners by the German SS during the early phases of the Battle of the Bulge. These were all freshly-taken prisoners who never survived long enough to be incarcerated in a camp.
Hitler also issued a general order in the middle of the war to the effect that any enemy commandos/special operations troops captured were to be summarily executed. This order was carried out on numerous occasions thereafter.
Dick–
“Saints and Soldiers”
2003
https://youtu.be/XULA_eWzLvA
1:30:29
“Saints and Soldiers is a 2003 war drama film directed by Ryan Little and produced by Little and Adam Abel. It is loosely based on events that took place after the Malmedy massacre during the Battle of the Bulge. The film stars Corbin Allred, Alexander Niver, Lawrence Bagby, and Peter Asle Holden as the four American soldiers trying to return Kirby Heyborne, a British soldier with vital intelligence, to the Allied lines.”
You need to read T.D. Calnen‘s book ”Free as a running fox“. He tells all about tunnelling, escaping as well as helping Russians. Great read!