Russian Polish WW1 POWs

Discussions on all aspects of the First World War not covered in the other sections. Hosted by Terry Duncan.
Post Reply
User avatar
henryk
Member
Posts: 2559
Joined: 27 Jan 2004, 02:11
Location: London, Ontario

Russian Polish WW1 POWs

#1

Post by henryk » 30 Aug 2021, 20:51

https://forum.polishorigins.com/viewtopic.php?t=17080
Polish Origins Forum
Posted: 4 hours ago at 9:26 am Post subject: WWI: Russian POWs in barracks with Polish POWs

Has anyone heard of the Russische Polnische Zivil Arbeit Abteilung? Or can you tell what type of uniforms these men are wearing?

My grandfather served in the Russian Army in WWI. He was a translator and so likely an officer. He was injured and sent to a hospital in Danzig (now Gdansk). Then he was sent to a POW camp, possibly in Austria. After the war he went to Ostrog, Poland (now in Ukraine), where he met his future wife. Both families were Jewish.

I have a photo of him in a group of POWs (see below) standing in front of a building holding several signs. One says "R.P.Z.A.A. 28" I've had the sign identified as German and as an abbreviation for: Russische Polnische Zivil Arbeit Abteilung. Google translate says is: Russian Polish Civil Labor Department. I don't know what the number 28 means.

There are also several small signs with numbers: "10" and "48"

Does anyone know about this Department? Or what the numbers mean?

Also, can you tell what type of uniforms the men are wearing? Their hats and coats are not all the same. I don't think anyone is wearing insignia but its hard to tell since the photo is so worn.

I've also attached another photo of 3 men who I think are POWs since they have no insignia on their uniforms. Any ideas on where the uniforms might be from?

Last, but not least: How/why would these guys have had personal photos taken in the middle of the war as POWs? They apparently were given copies to keep. I also have a solo pic of my grandfather, which was inscribed on the back "To Yakov Ropman". I don't know who he was, but somehow the pic was with my gf when he came to the US.

Thank you for any info at all!
Attachments
sol_in_army_group_wwi_edited_2_105.jpg

GregSingh
Member
Posts: 3877
Joined: 21 Jun 2012, 02:11
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Russian Polish WW1 POWs

#2

Post by GregSingh » 31 Aug 2021, 02:37

As far as I can see nearly all of them are in Austro-Hungarian uniforms.
Was it a common thing to dress POWs in opponent's uniforms???

These two with numbers 10 and 48 look like in Russian Imperial Army uniforms.
Perhaps these two Russians are POWs (hence large numbers on them), not the other guys?


User avatar
henryk
Member
Posts: 2559
Joined: 27 Jan 2004, 02:11
Location: London, Ontario

Re: Russian Polish WW1 POWs

#3

Post by henryk » 31 Aug 2021, 20:45

I interpret "Russian Polish POW" to mean Russian POW of Polish origin. Use of Austro-Hungarian uniforms is odd.
To date, there are no responses in the originating Forum.

Post Reply

Return to “First World War”