During World War II a group of German soldiers were captured in Africa and transferred to a POW camp in Stowell,Texas. I believe it was on Pear Orchard Road, but Mary Devillier said her husband Jerry can tell us where it was. The following photos of the soldiers are from the Ethyle White collection and the letter below is from one of the POWs to a Mr. Griffin in Stowell (I believe), whose plantation he worked on. The letter was in Buster Penick's collection of WWII memorabilia. I typed the letter as it was written.
Cherbourg, June 19, 1946
Dear Mr. Griffing, (Griffin)
Surely You will be wondering about the unknown voice from somewhere of the world. At first I beg You to accept my honest regards to You and Your family. Now I’m going to introduce myself to You. My name is Guenter Dresp. I’ve been one of the German P.W.’s, who worked at your plantation until December last year. Do you remember the tall, red-blonde German? If you could spare a little bit of time, reading my lines thoughtfully, I would be glad, because only then You would really comprehend what is urging me to remember You. I believe human beings are equal. Once they are bad off, they will indulge in memory their good times. I’m too true-hearted to conceal this. Doesn’t the Lord give this peculiarity into every man’s soul? Of course, He had given every human being a soul, which feels, comprehends, and recognizes, not only about himself, but to share luck, sorrow, hope, want, and misery of his fellow-creatures, too. Doesn’t we find these truths in the Holy Bible or in the life of Jesus Christ, our Lord, symbolized?
At this time I’m in French captivity, living near the town of Cherbourg. We’re housing in old tents on windy hills. Though summer is coming on, it rains and storms incessantly, due to the “Canal weather”! I’m looking upon the wide ocean and in memory I’m wandering back the times, which had been so eventful and disappointed to me. When we left China (Tex.) last year we rode to Camp Polk. Finally on Jan. 22 the train brought us to New York. On Feb. 1 in a clear night we were passing the white illuminated, Statue of Liberty. After a stormy 9 days crossing of the Atlantic we sighted the European coast. Le Havre was supposed to be our destination and so was our first disappointment. But nevertheless we didn’t give up hop of being at home very soon. How often and often we had been told that officially by the U.S. War Department! Then, as a lightening out of a clear sky we were surprised by the fact of being transferred to France. Now we’ve time to think about our new buffet of fate. I don’t have the intention to ask you as a U. S. citizen for an expression of opinion. I only am wondering why the U.S. authorities didn’t give us time to prepare ourselves for this new situation. Some days ago I received a letter from home telling me the destruction of my home in the last weeks of the war. My parents died some years ago. My elderly Aunt and my 20 year old sister remained alive. God be thank that I’m still single, despite of my 25 years, so I’ve a sorrow less.
Dear Mr. Griffing, (Griffin) now I beg you to imagine my situation as following. Since 1941 I’ve been separated from my relatives uninterruptedly. Under the hot sun of Africa we had done our duty as soldiers. Only the desert, the sun and the thirst companioned us every day. In May 1943, when the “golden sun of freedom” was leaving us, to physical hardships the physiological ones added. After 5 months of captivity in the “black continent” we changed over to the “New World.” There our fate had been far more bearable. We got good food and had a good lodging. But the longing for home and freedom remained. Now, after 5 years of absence we already saw the great circle closing, but the Fate said: “Not yet.”
My present “shelter” is situated in the British sector of Berlin, where my 2 relatives are living. Only by the fact, that represents of the Western Democraties are walking in my town, I’m willing to go behind the “Iron Curtain.” I’m also conscious of my duty to care for my 2 beloved ones. I hope to get a job because of my profession. ‘m a toolmaker, worked on precision tools, agricultural and general machinery and tools. I’ve knowledge in agriculture, too. Shortly before the war I’ve been getting an engineer. Nowadays my hometown is a heap of ruins, and everybody is supposed to begin reconstruction by suffering very much, maybe up to the next 10 years. The Frenchman treats us what may be called fair; though France is by now a poor country, as far as the food situation is concerned. That’s the trouble spot we’re involved naturally with.
Only one thought gives us vital energy every day: to be free very soon. For this we’re praying to the Lord. May He give us the possibility to start a new life, no matter where it may be or what the circumstances are. During this bad period of our life we accumulated a large amount of energy and cognitions, ready to use those ones in this New Epoch, in other words we’re ready to work for the peace and fortune of mankind.
If I should have the honour, to hear something from You, Dear Mr. Griffing, I would be very happy. Simultaneously I would be so glad for Your efforts to fulfill the Word of The Lord and for seeing Your active co-operation for the real understanding between the peoples of all over the world.
My new home address:
GUENTER DRESP
BERLING – SPANDAU
WOERTHER STR. 5
GERMANY
In thankful memory I am sending my honest regards to You and Your family. Might the Lord be mercy upon You and Your beloved folks and spare You from misfortune and illness!
Yours most respectfully
Guenter Dresp