Heide Internment Camp

[spottedcow]

Hi All,

I 've searched the google and this forum for information about the British internment camp established in Heide at war's end. I believe Rudolf Hoss was initially held in this camp. I'm not interested in him but would appreciate any info on the camp itself, such as the official name, the unit that ran it, how many pows were held there, conditions, when open, when closed, and perhaps mostly where would the camp archives be located.

Thanks for any and all help with this.

[Der Max]

Hi!
My grandfather was a POW at this camp from the end of the war till late november 1945. His discharge document bears the Stamp of 56 Disbandment Group. I have recieved the following information and I will have a look around for more and get back to you:

"Check Meldorf, only 15km south of Heide. Meldorf was the Entlassungslager for Heide (disimprisonment camp?). Heide was to the best of my knowledge a very large british POW camp. I found a couple of books about Heide in German "Als die Waffen schwiegen" and "Westkueste", both by Holger Pliening."

Cheers

[spottedcow]

Thanks for the response Der Max. I would be grateful for addition info if you find it.

Patrick

[Der Max]

No problem! I looked again at the certificate of discharge, 56 Disbandment Control Unit under an allied discharge officer named Capt. Dugald Macbrayne M.B.E. R.A. 28 november 1945, will dig for more info soon.

Der Max

[spottedcow]

Thanks again - look forward to it.
Patrick

[Der Max]

Have now taken a look at the book by Holger Pienig mentioned above. Wonder if I should purchase it and try to contact the author.

Cheers

Der Max