Did you know Stalag III-D in Berlin held prisoners from many nations? It stood on the corner of Landweg and Osdorfer Strasse in Lichterfelde.
Stalag III-D was a German Army prisoner-of-war camp during World War II. It was established on August 14 1940. The Kommandantur later moved to Belle-Alliance-Strasse 106-107 in Kreuzberg.
Imagine the camp’s sheer size. Stalag III-D held up to 58000 men. These prisoners came from Belgium the United Kingdom France Yugoslavia the Soviet Union Poland the United States Italy and Czechoslovakia.
Most prisoners were sent to sub-camps called Zweiglager. They also worked in Arbeitskommando details around Berlin. Medical care was provided by Reserve Hospitals 119 in Neukölln and 128 in Biesdorf.
Stalag III-D had several sub-camps. These included Falkensee and Gross Schulzendorf in Zossen. Others were in Wutzetz Damm I and Damm II all near Friesack. Some sub-camps closed in late 1943. There were also camps in Wustrau I and Wustrau II near Neuruppin. Zietenhorst near Wustrau also existed but closed in 1943. Kirchhain in Niederlausitz transferred from Stalag III-B in late 1944.
Two unusual sub-camps were Stalag III-D/999 in Zehlendorf West and Stalag III-D/517 in Genshagen Ludwigsfelde. These “Holiday Camps” started in May-June 1943. They aimed to recruit prisoners for the British Free Corps. The Germans sought British Union of Fascists members and sympathizers. This effort largely failed. The unit never had more than 30 men. Some men from these camps joined the Ministry of Propaganda. They worked for radio stations and magazines.
Another similar camp designated Stalag XX-A 301 was in Friesack. It aimed to recruit Irishmen from the British Army.
Many personal stories intertwine with Stalag III-D. Consider Tommy Lee an Irishman in the British Army. He was captured in Boulogne in May 1940. A German soldier told him “The war is over for you Tommy.” Tommy ended up at Stalag III-D as PoW No. 6292.
Tommy shared stories with his children later in life. He recalled peeling potatoes and getting caught altering his doctor’s note. He also remembered unloading Red Cross parcels near a railway station. Guards would sometimes disappear allowing prisoners to take supplies. Tommy learned German and even visited the camp site later in life.
Tommy Lee also remembered the young German secretaries at the Red Cross office. They feared retribution from the Russians and had cyanide pills. He and others tried to dissuade them but heard they took their own lives.
Another soldier George Edward Crellin was captured in Crete. He was in Stalag 3D from August 1941 to October 1943 then Stalag 4G.
Victor Thomas joined the Army Service Corps and was captured in Crete. He caught Diphtheria in Stalag III-D. A New Zealand doctor Earl Stevenson-Wright cared for him. Thomas witnessed the starvation of Russian POWs. He also saw the destruction of Leipzig by RAF bombing.
These stories give a glimpse into life at Stalag III-D. The camp held thousands of men from different countries. They faced hardship and uncertainty. Yet stories of resilience kindness and even humor emerged from this dark chapter in history.