Layforce and Stalag IVC

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Ann Bateman Guest 5/28/2003 05:24:38	Subject: Layforce and Stalag IVC IP: Logged Message: My late father-in-law, Sidney Gordon Bateman, was captured, as a member of the 'Layforce' commandos, at the fall of Crete. He owned a book stamped with 'Gepruft 20 Stalag IVC' - which I understand was at Wistritz, in Czechoslovakia - but my husband believes that his father was a prisoner-of-war in Germany itself. I would be grateful if anyone who knew Sidney Bateman and has any relevant information about his life during the war would let us know, as we would be very interested. Thank you. Ann Bateman.
Simon Blake Guest 7/09/2003 05:12:58	RE: Layforce and Stalag IVC IP: Logged Message: My great uncle was in 7 commando Layforce on crete and never spoke much of his army service. I have had to do much reading to get an idea of his service life and i recommend, Special forces in the desert war 1940-1943 by the public record office war histories, 'The raiders'The army commandos 1940-46 by robin neillands, Commandos and rangers of world war 2 by james ladd.I am sorry i cant help you anymore although it sounds like you are in the same situation as me. cheers!
Tony Guest 10/04/2003 11:40:44	RE: Layforce and Stalag IVC IP: Logged Message: Stalag IV C was at Wistritz now known as BYSTRICE in the Czec rep. Tony
Tom Rowles Guest 10/30/2003 22:14:51	RE: Layforce and Stalag IVC IP: Logged Message: Hi, my Dad was capture by German paratroops on Crete while serving with Lay Force. He first fought in Greece and returened to Alexandria and went directly back to Crete on a Royal Australian Navy distroyer where they were soon captured. He spent a lot of time in Stalag VIIIB and worked in the Auschwitz industrial area. Dad has mentioned working on farms in Cech Republic. In 1945 he was involved in a breakout from a camp there as a result of which 4POWS were executed after recapture (shot in the back)by camp guards. He was recaptured by the German army.The graves of the four men involved were found by the Canadian government in the 1990s outside Prague. Dad was liberated in the company of two USAAF colonels by the US Army in April 1945 in a small village between Munich and Nuerenberg. Dad has some amazing stories but only in the past few years has it not been too painful to talk about what happened to him. What he saw in the Auschwitz area is almost impossible to talk about.

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