For those interested in the various camps and their types and descriptions, this link makes interesting reading.
Discover details of British & Commonwealth Prisoner of War (PoW) camps run by the Germans and Italians during World War Two with this useful research guide on Forces War Records
www.forces-war-records.co.uk
Some years ago I read a book written by an Anglican military chaplain who was a POW and based the large fort in Torun, Poland. It was interesting to read his accounts of his visits to British 'tommies' who worked on farms. They, apparently had a guard, but life was tolerable and not boring and at least the Polish farmer and family were friendly even if the guard was more cautious. He also related how the ordinary German soldier could never really make out quite who he was and consequently were less likely to have hindered his movements.
There have been one or two books written about military chaplains which are interesting, in fact I have known a few of them when in their later life they returned to monastic house. One did manage to escape from the Germans and lived in his monastery until recently, to the age of 99. I guess as a priest they might have thought that he was less likely to be too much of an asset to Britain's war effort so did not observe him too closely. Another, who was a most kind and genteel monk, had been on the Normandy beaches at the evacuation after the Fall of France. He encouraged all those around him to write a letter - if they were able (given the conditions they were in) - which a good many did. He gathered the letters/notes into his helmet and waded out to a small boat and handed them over. They were accepted and he was encouraged to get into the boat; however, he declined and waded back to the beach and the men. His Guardian Angel rewarded his efforts later that day as he and many that were with him were rescued. He died around fifteen years ago but I always felt humbled and honoured to know him. I do possess a small prayer card, typed by him and his photograph.
