Private J. D. Caves: The Long Journey Home
Timeline of Events
Timeline of Events
13 September 1943
Germans take control of Campo 57 and transfer Denis by train via Bischofshofen to Stalag XVIIIC (317) at Markt Pongau, 50km south of Salzburg. Issued POW tag 32679.
24 September 1943
Denis travels by train from Markt Pongau to Stalag VIIIA at Görlitz, on the modern German/Polish border.
October - November 1943
Denis worked in a sugar factory at Strelen (now called Strzelin), 50km south of Wroclaw.
November 1943
Denis returned to Stalag VIIIA at Görlitz.
November - December 1943
Denis returned to Strelen sugar factory.
End December 1943
Denis spent Christmas at Stalag VIIIA at Görlitz.
1-3 February 1944
Denis was transferred to Stalag 344 (formerly VIIIB) at Lamsdorf (now called Łambinowice in Poland), Southwest of Oppeln (now called Opole).
18 February 1944
Denis employed in Commando (working camp) E725 near Stalag VIIIB at Teschen (now called Cieszyn on Czech/Polish border).
28 February - June 1944
Denis based at Stalag VIIIB at Teschen and spent time in a work camp at "Bismark near Rattowity." We have not been able to locate Bismark or Rattowity.
10 July 1944
Denis employed in Commando E494 at Glewitz (now called Gliwice in Poland).
22 July - 29 August 1944
Denis worked on a railway line - Commando E728 at Oderburg, near modern day Bohumin in Czech Republic and Chalupki in Poland. It was a railway junction through which passed supplies to the Eastern Front.
10 September - 1 January 1945
Denis held at Stalag VIIIB at Teschen. He was not fit enough to work in the coal mine.
January 1945
Denis returned to Commando E728 at Oderburg.
27 January 1945
Denis evacuated westwards ahead of the advancing Red Army.