POW in WW2

[AnjiM]

I wonder if anyone can help point me in the right direction?  There is a family story (isn't there always?) that my gradfather was a POW in WW2.  Grandad never talked about his experiences during the war.  Sadly both he and my grandmother are no longer alive but I would love to understand a little more of what he went through.  I do have a suitcase with POW painted on the top that my grandmother gave me with a lot of his papers, but nothing else to give me a clue that he was taken prisoner.
I've heard that the International Red Cross can help provide information, but I've had no response from my emails.  I'll keep trying, but I wondered if anyone else had any ideas where I would be able to get this information.  He was in the Army Air Corps.

Many thanks
Anji

[Kevwood]

Hi Anji,

Haven't done it yet but i was told to write to them for information.

Red Cross Archives
19 Avenue De La Paix
Geneva
CH1202
Switzerland

Kev.

[AnjiM]

Thanks for the address, Kev.  I'll try writing and see if I get any luck that way.

[Kevwood]

What information do you have on your grandad.

Name, age place of birth etc

Somebody may be able to find something.

Kev.

[AnjiM]

My grandfather was John Walter Fry, sometimes known as Ryder.  Born on the 23rd January 1912. His army number was 14648325 and I believe he was in the 12th Para Battalion.  My dad remebers being told that Grandad had to push guys out of the plane on D Day. Guess that explains why he never wanted to talk about the war.

I've written to the Army Historical Disclosures, but will have to wait a few months for a reply and I've no idea if these records would contain information about being a POW.

[Kevwood]

Anji, you could join this forum and ask if anyone has any info.

They are very helpful and knowledgeable.

http://www.ww2talk.com/index.php?

Kev.

[AnjiM]

Thanks for the link.  I've not come across that one.  I'll take a look and see what I can find

[Kevwood]

Also found this

"Finally 12 Para with a company of 12 Devons and 22 Independent Parachute Company, were ordered to capture the village of Breville, in order to secure the division's sector, in defence of the beach head.

At a cost of 141 men, Breville was back in Allied possession and proved to be one of the most important battles of the invasion.  Had it been lost the beaches could have been attacked and the war lost. "

on here:

http://www.army.mod.uk/para/history/normandy.htm


Hope that helps.

Kev.

[manmack]

hiya anji,the 12th para batt were attacking breville on 12th june,they numbered 300 strong,only 55 remained,all the rest were either dead or wounded after 6 hours of fighting,mack