Soviet pows in Axis hands

j.north · Post by **j.north** » 06 Sep 2002 15:54

When Hungarian, Italian and Romanian units took Soviet prisoners on the Eastern Front did they guard and look after them or were they handed over to nearby German units?

If they were 'kept' by the relevant Axis forces how were the Soviets treated - doees anyone have info on this?

I understand that Italy, Hungary and Finland chose to abide by the Geneva convention on Soviet pows regarding the Soviets, unlike the Germans.

Thanks,

Jonn

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 06 Sep 2002 23:29

Romania also respected the Geneva convention and the Soviet POWs were treated pretty well.

I have more details, but now it's late (1:30 AM) and I barely can keep my eyes opened. Only the Scorpions concert keeps me awake.

More tommorow! 8)

Lupo Solitario · Post by **Lupo Solitario** » 07 Sep 2002 08:33

AFAIK russian POWs were commonly given to Germans and it's quite logical standing all the logistic troubles to keep them in Italy or elsewhere.
Until in italian hands, they were treated quite good....

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 07 Sep 2002 08:45

j.north wrote: When Hungarian, Italian and Romanian units took Soviet prisoners on the Eastern Front did they guard and look after them or were they handed over to nearby German units?

That depended on the situation, I think.
By March 1944, there were 89,973 Soviet prisoners in Romania. The situation was difficult in the 1941-42 winter, when many lacked warm clothes, shoes, soap. But in 1942, things got better. In May 1943, Eduard Chapuisat and David Traz from International Red Cross Committee visited 6 out of 12 camps, 1 hospital and one work site (agricultural).
After seeing the Budesti camp (11,200) they noted:
Generally, the POWs seem healthy and well fed. However, their clothing is not very good. The bedrooms are rather primitive, but satisfactory.
The Corbeni camp (2,000):
The POWs are well clothed, seem healthy and each man has a very good blanket.
The Calcatova-Balca camp (600)
The Soviet officers are accommodated in small rooms of 2-3 beds. The food is good.

To have a general idea, by March 1944, Romania gave the Red Cross 75,000 POW names. Finland - 3,000, Italy - 314, Hungary - 250 and Germany - 343

There were also US (1,095) and British (52) POWs. The officers were housed in a hotel in a mountain resort. The NCOs received less attention, until the International Rd Cros interviened and measures were taken to create better conditions for them.
On 12 November 1943, the American Red Cross asked the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva to transmit to the Romanian Red Cross its "appreciation for its co-operation and services regarding the American POWs".
Swiss delegates visited also American POW camps. The conclusions:
One can say that not only the prisoners did not have any reason to complain, but they declared themselves very satisfied by the treatment they received. Life in the camp is so good, that some seem to almost forget that they are prisoners.

At the end of August 1944, 56 B-17s evacuated the 1,095 Americans, 54 British, 5 Yugoslav and 2 Dutch, before the "Allies" from the East got their hands on them.

Antti V · Post by **Antti V** » 09 Sep 2002 17:31

To have a general idea, by March 1944, Romania gave the Red Cross 75,000 POW names. Finland - 3,000, Italy - 314, Hungary - 250 and Germany - 343

That is weird that Finland did give only 3000 names, when there was 60.000 Russian POW in Finland. What is your source, Victor?

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 10 Sep 2002 09:15

The source is Dinu C. Giurescu, Romania in al doilea razboi mondial, ALL Istoric, 1999
I do not know where prof. Giurescu got the data for Finland. Maybe you got more accurate figures.

Juha Hujanen · Post by **Juha Hujanen** » 10 Sep 2002 15:25

Finns did get c.64000 Soviet pow during 41-44.Most pows were caught 41 during attack phase.July c.1000,August c.15300,September 20447,October 12013,November 4876 and December 3082 pows.

Source Jatkosodan historia 6.

Regards Juha

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 10 Sep 2002 15:58

I was hoping you would have figures of how many of those soldiers names were communicated to the International Red Cross in Geneva.

Juha Hujanen · Post by **Juha Hujanen** » 10 Sep 2002 17:10

I sadly couldn't find figures reported to International Red Cross :oops:But Finnish Red Cross did hold a compleatly identification card system of pows in Finland and info from them were send to Internationally Red Cross.Finland did get parcels from USA,Sweden,Switzerland,Argentine and others and parcels were delivered to pows.

Btw.Mannerheim was chief of Finnish Red Cross.

Juha