Sodus Point POWS running to the soccer field. Photo courtesy of Debra Werfelman, From the book “World War II Prisoner of War Camps in Wayne County, New York and Their Prisoners” by Annette T. Harris
In the last days of 2018, I was contacted by Andreas Suchi. Andreas was researching the story of his Grandfather who had been a German POW during World War 2 at our Sodus Point POW camp. Andreas had the diary of his Grandfather that contained information from the time of his capture in Normandy in July 1944 through his time spent in the Sodus Point POW camp. After helping Andreas obtain some additional information, he told me he was translating the diary (which was written in old German) into English and would I be interested in having the translated diary for our website? Uh…..YES!!!!!!
He has finished the translation of the first part of the diary (10 pages) which starts from his Grandfather’s time and capture in Normandy (June/July 1944) until November 1944 where he is in the Fort Niagara POW camp.
Here is the first part: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ruxTkszjX7pAeTd75VsSPBFgdKh81NIA/view?usp=sharing
Here is the second part of the diary (21 pages) which deal with his time in the Sodus Point POW camp from when he arrives on Sept. 25, 1944 until May 20, 1945 just after the War ends.
Here is the second part: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13HUOGmDjzYnleaS-OHIgdqUewagSwuxp/view?usp=sharing
In Part 3, the 17 page diary covers May 1945 just after the War ends until November 11, 1945. Walter is waiting to go home and is anguishing over the fate of his wife and daughter who now are in Russian occupied Germany east of Berlin.
Here is part 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ucTpIa76PyhwZvKI8oeQJfh_jnUpDY26/view?usp=sharing
In Part 4, the 10 page diary covers November 22, 1945 until May 12, 1946. Walter finally leaves the Sodus Point POW camp and travels to New York City where he is shipped off to England and awaits an uncertain fate. When will he be allowed to go home?
I realize that this fourth part leaves us at a cliff hanger as to what happens to Walter’s family but Part 5 may reveal all……stay tuned.
Here is part 4: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MBFFPFqU5k0hnCaXJ0PhPMS21g4dD-0R/view?usp=sharing
I will update this page with the fifth part of the diary when Andreas finishes the translations.
