The SAAF Forum

Hello
Hope someone can help.
I'm looking for info on Pilot William Peter Ridley and navigator Jacobus Adrian Stephanus Louw. 16 sqn SAAF (1944) Both POW after crash landed Beaufighter.

Maybe some info in Graeme Gibson's book "Path of Duty" (?) Unfortunately can't find the book.
I would love to find out a bit more about the accident or their story after capture.

Thank you in advance.

Hallo

Jacobus Adrian Stephanus Louw was at Stalag Luft 3 (POW no 3611)vin 1944, the Museum there will be able to help you more. https://muzeum.zagan.pl/en/

If you want I can send you the contact details of a person there responsible for the records. I will be visiting their records store at the end of November.

Jacobus Adrian Stephanus Louw was a POW in Belaria , one of the Sub Camps of Stalag Luft 3.

Here is an online link of it, and I have my copied list confirming it
https://www.rafcommands.com/database/pows/index.php?qname=&qcntry=&cur=0&qunit=&qnum=&qmem=L3&qdate=1944-02-16

Here is a map of the location from a RAF air photo. in the Right op corner you can see where the sub camp is. The main camp is just behind the railway station.



There is a photo at the archive of the museum of the South African Air force Prisoners in Belaria.

In the lists there was a Louw in the march to the west but unsure if it was him at the end of the war.

Quote:

Stalag Luft III (Belaria) was opened on January 7th, 1944 and closed on 27th January 1945 when its personnel were moved to Stalag III A, Luckenwalde.

This report deals only with the period from January 7th 1944 until February 2nd 19445, the date of arrival at Luckenwalde.

https://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/air-40-1490-stalag-luft-iii-belaria-nominal-roll-of-prisoners-of-war-and-recommendations.85506/

Could find nothing about William Peter Ridley,

But then, look no further:


https://www.saairforce.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6601&hilit=Path+of+Duty&start=0

Quote:

Graeme contacted me for info on my Father (William Peter Ridley) who flew in 16 Squadron. The book is at the Binders and will be out in 2 weeks time. Very exciting news.