Small 335th infantry reg. POW grouping.

[pfrost]

Just picked this up at a small antique store. Items were in a ratty old Bill Mauldin book, "Up Front". I suspect that Pvt Burton Ellis put this stuff together either on the way home or just after he got there.

 

First, a couple of insignia. Normal stuff, a clutchback sterling CIB etc. The black button is likely something related to mourning.

[pfrost]

Also present are 3 telegrams. One listing him as MIA, one as a PW of the Germans and one letting his parent know he was returned to US Army control.

[pfrost]

second telegram

[pfrost]

telegram 3

 

I also think this is a photo of Burton Ellis somewhere in this group of what I think are POWs.

[CNY Militaria]

Neat group! His hometown isn't far from where I live (30 miles or so)

[pfrost]

Prt Ellis seems to have been captured on November 29, 1944 during the battle of Linden. Here is a letter he sent to his parents about a week or two later. He seems to be a bit upset.

[pfrost]

Compared to a letter sent almost a couple of months later. In fact, he even mentions that he is doing a bit better. "Things dont seem that bad to me now than they did when I was first captured".

[pfrost]

Also in the group is a short letter from his parents back to him that it seems was returned to sender.

[pfrost]

In the first page of the Bill Mauldin book, he wrote this. Co K, 335th Inf. Reg, 84th Inf. Div. Also his 84th patch and discharge patch are in the book. They are sewn in with white thread rather than being glued!

[19delta-uav]

wow what a great grouping

[pfrost]

Last item. On the next page, it looks like the tried to reconstruct his time as a POW. Also included is a purple heart ribbon with the date of his capture. He may have been slightly wounded and been awarded the medal? Have to do some research on him.

 

Got the whole shebang for 50$!

[pfrost]

Thanks guys. Its kind of a modest group, but it was just sitting around deteriorating. The book is water damaged in places and the telegrams are getting acid burnt and creased. At least I can give it a good home.

 

Patrick

[FightenIrish35]

thats a neat grouping...

[dogfacedsoldier]

Hey Patrick,

 

I would call that an outstanding grouping. Maybe not as large as it could be, but I think it's just great!!

 

Jon

[KASTAUFFER]

Nice group! I have been collecting POW mail for a long time. POW mail from Stalag XIB mailed by an American is scarce.

 

I have 600-700 POW postcards from Americans in Germany and only 2 of them are from this camp.

 

Kurt

[Custermen]

Cool group.

 

I have a post card from my Uncle who was at Stalag IIb that looks just like the first one. Mine has a stampe with camp ID and a German postage stamp.

 

Why does the last postcard have Japanese writing? Was this a standard form issued by US for both Europe and Pacific? Odd?

 

Steve

[KASTAUFFER]

Cool group.

 

I have a post card from my Uncle who was at Stalag IIb that looks just like the first one. Mine has a stampe with camp ID and a German postage stamp.

 

Why does the last postcard have Japanese writing? Was this a standard form issued by US for both Europe and Pacific? Odd?

 

Steve

 

During WWII , there were 2 different POW forms... PMG 111 and PMG 112. The one with Japanese writing is PMG 112 and was printed late in the war and was meant for both theaters of war. It didnt get ised much.

 

Kurt