Bacup historian's search for Stalag Luft press gang (From Lancashire Telegraph) AN historian is searching for the journalists behind a secret newspaper produced under the noses of the Nazis in a German prisoner of war camp. Archivist John Reid, from Bacup, has built up a fascinating picture of how the underground publication came to be produced by captured RAF men in the infamous Stalag Luft camp. The newspaper, produced with handmade pen nibs, was bound in plywood covers and eventually smuggled back to Blighty, where it was acclaimed by Winston Churchill. According to Mr Reid four budding hacks from East Lancashire helped to compose the newspaper, which was produced in 1944 and contained articles, cartoons and caricatures. Former engineer Mr Reid, 67, of Ronaldsway Close, has tracked down the names and last known addresses of the quartet and is anxious to get in touch with them or surviving relatives and friends. He has already managed to speak to the family of one ex-serviceman, W. Kershaw, of Station Parade, Todmorden. But there are three others who he would like to find out more about - J.A. Catley, of Nelson Street, Nelson, L. Davies, of Top-o-the-Close Road, Walsden, Todmorden, and M. Lee, of Lonsdale Street, Nelson. Mr Reid said: “The newspaper was produced in secret and written by hand with homemade nibs because normal nibs had been confiscated to try and stop the production of false papers, used in escapes. “The 84 pages contained news of life in Stalag Luft plus very many fine drawings, caricatures, poems and cartoons. “I am particularly keen to obtain photographs, documents and letters that I could copy and place in an album. “This will bring out the personal element of all the men listed and become a tribute to all those who spent many years in captivity.” The paper was dubbed the Yorkshire Post - Kriegie edition, after the name German guards used for prisoners of war. More than 20 other POWs were involved in the paper’s production and the Leeds-based Yorkshire Post produced a souvenir edition of 300 copies of the wartime paper after World War Two. Mr Reid came across the tale of the Stalag Luft paper during years of research. The camp was liberated by Allied forces in 1945. He has written a complete history of 199 Bomber Support Squadron and is frequenlty contacted by the family of former servicemen wanting to find out what happened to missing loved ones in the conflict. People can contact Mr Reid regarding the Stalag Luft paper on 01706 874797 or by e-mail on john.reid27@ntlworld.com
Another poorly researched article, there were several "Stalag Luft" P.O.W. camps, I cannot recall which one this article refers to.
