Kronenberg Collection

WORLD WAR II POW OFFICER CAMP:

GROSS BORN

THE GROSS BORN OFFICERS POW CAMP, OFLAG II D, WAS LOCATED IN A TOWN CLOSE TO PILA IN THE DISTRICT OF BYDGOSZCZ. THIS CAMP FIRST HOUSED FRENCH OFFICERS AND IN LATE SUMMER OF 1943, 3000 POLISH OFFICERS WERE TRANSFERRED HERE. THE PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN MAJOR PAUL HAUSE PROPOSED THE OPENING OF A POST OFFICE IN THIS CAMP.  INTERNAL MAIL STARTED OPERATIONS ON DECEMBER 3, 1943 AND LASTED UNTIL THE CLOSING AND EVACUATION OF THE CAMP ON JANUARY 28, 1945.