Civilian labor units assigned to US military in Germany WW2

Question

It's my understanding when Polish forced laborers were liberated in Germany, they were assigned to noncombatant civilian labor units under command of US military.&#160; I had 3 uncles forcibly taken from home in Poland to forced agricultural labor in Germany.&#160; They were designated as Displaced Persons when the war ended.&#160; I have two later photos of them in what look like US military uniforms, taken before they emigrated to the US in 1947.&#160; General googling on this subject has yielded copies of documents identifying for example "Labor Supervision Company US Army", and even "discharge" papers for individuals in these units.&#160; Any information on this subject would be appreciated.

Research Services at the National Archives · Answer

Displaced Persons records have been found, sometimes, among the Civilian Personnel Records at the National Archives in St. Louis. This would occur if they were employed at the Displaced Persons camp by the Department of the Army/Air Force or Labor Service. We also have the Official Personnel Folders of the Displaced Persons Commission (DPC), however this does not imply that it includes those forced laborers. The goal of the DPC was to eventually repatriate if possible, and therefore records on individuals and their &ldquo;employment&#8221; were rarely kept. There are also records of the Displaced Persons Commission kept in Washington. A description of them can be found at; https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/278.html and https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww2/refugees.html#iro .

Raymond Zawalski · Answer

Hello, I am Raymond Zawalski, a former member of the Labor Service organization. Actually I was borne into the organization, since my Father was also a member since Dec 1945. I am also the informal Labor Service historian and I am currently helping three Groups in Poland, France and Germany to understand what Labor Service was all about. Just let me know what you are Looking for and I may be able to help Raymond

maryanne bennie · Answer

My Polish father was a POW in Germany and he too worked for the US army for a couple of years after the war ended. It was my understanding that this happened frequently. I have in my possession a certificate which gives him clearance as an employee of US Army but I have yet to find any files or records of his in any official capacity. He was in Bensheim Germany. Good luck with your research, I hope my information helps a little. MaryAnne Melbourne, VIC Australia

Richard CIESIELSKI · Answer

Hello Mister Zawlaski my name is Richard CIesielski i'am trying find any information about my father in law he was also taken from his home in Poland during WWII and became a forced laborer in Germany during WWII. After being liberated at the conclusion of the War, we don't have any information where he was staying only that he was inviolve in US Army in Reims (France) &#160; We only have attached pictures when he was in France. He get married with my mother in law (April 1947) and decided to stay in France... with the mention where he was in the US Army. do you think if it is easy have some informations of this part of life . than you by advance Richard Ciesielski

Lavinka Trinkelson · Answer

Thanks so much for your offer.&#160; I'd be interested in obtaining a copy of the discharge document you mentioned, as well as a copy of the photo showing the uniform.&#160; I've attached two photos of uncles in what appear to be US military uniforms for comparison.&#160; They were just teenagers and were literally dragged out of bed in the middle of the night and taken to forced labor in Germany, never to see Poland again.&#160; As information, if you have not already done so, you can contact the International Tracing Service to see if they have any record of your relatives for the period of their persecution by the 3rd Reich.&#160; https://www.its-arolsen.org/en/information/request-for-information-on-victims-of-nazi-persecution/ Also the Polish national archives have a lot of information available online http://szukajwarchiwach.pl/search?q=anders%20army&order= Best Regards

Renata Dash · Answer

Hi, Lavinka.

I am not sure what the circumstances were surrounding my father's "capture" (for lack of a better word) and his being sent into forced labor. His sister was taken at the same time.

I am attaching the following document here (front and then back though side two shows here first): Franciszek Krawczyk Certificate of Discharge side two and then side one. More docs will follow in next post(s).

Dad's Certificate of Discharge from US Military Side 1

Renata Dash · Answer

Renata Dash · Answer

Here is a picture of my dad in uniform. Alone and with some others on a bench.&#160; Not sure exactly what that uniform is but may be military police?

Renata Dash · Answer

Here is my father's "Temporary Registration with the Military Government of Germany" (after he was freed from forced labor):

Renata Dash · Answer

I am attaching some other documents that showed various training courses that my father was provided with an opportunity to complete.

Renata Dash · Answer

As per my last post, I am attaching more documents pertaining to the time period that my father was in forced labor.&#160; Additional pages can be added if you are interested.

Civilian labor units assigned to US military in Germany WW2

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