An interesting book to read, although its in German, is "Die Gefangenen" by Paul Carrell and G�nter B�ddeker, 1980, ISBN 3-550-06025-4, with great photos. They depict the lives of prisoners all over the globe, with a large part of POWs in the US, some of their escapes and recaptures. Some just wanted to go into town for a different scene, some escaped and got as far as Quebec, where they were to be picked up by a submarine, which also was caught by the waiting naval forces. Most only went back to Germany because they had no choice. Another book that is quite interesting is the "Cruise of the Atlantis", a depiction of the run of Capt Rogge who captured many allied freighters and had as many as 6 crews from captured vessels aboard, being outnumbered 3or 4 to 1, even having some ships sort of in tow. It is in book form and also as an article in Readers Digest, about 1953/54.
Guenter in Michigan
An interesting book to read, although its in German, is "Die Gefangenen" by Paul Carrell and G�nter B�ddeker, 1980, ISBN 3-550-06025-4, with great photos ...
Another book that is quite interesting is the "Cruise of the Atlantis", a depiction of the run of Capt Rogge who captured many allied freighters ...
Rogge was the stuff of legends, like Rommel in the desert and Skorzeny with his many daring exploits. He was truly larger than life. We all know brutal and bloody side of WWII, but the story of the Atlantis hearkens to another era - one of personal honor, bravery, and gallantry, that sadly, is often absent from the annals of history. The raider Atlantis circumnavigated the world for almost two years sinking or capturing 22 Allied ships while disguised as a merchant vessel. Captain Rogge (later a Vice-Admiral by the war's conclusion, and eventually a Rear-Admiral in the West German Bundesmarine) and the Atlantis were the epitome of this chivalrous band of deadly sea raiders. The book mentioned, authored meticulously by historian Joe Slavic, will not disappoint! Also worth mentioning perhaps is the old De Laurentiis movie production of Under Ten Flags, based on the exploits of the Atlantis ((and culled from the original diaries of Rogge), done in 1960 starring Van Heflin and Charles Laughton.
Great contribution Guenter. The story of Captain Rogge should be mandatory reading, on both sides of the Atlantic (IMO).
Jb
PS. On an offbeat note, Emperor Hirohito only decorated three Germans during his tenure. They were Reich Marshal Herman Goering, Field Marshal Irwin Rommel and Captain Bernhard Rogge.