AWESOME WW2 German Kriegsmarine battleship, German P.O.W. built in Canada, help?

[Discostu]

Hi guys,


Picked this up recently in Alberta (Lethbridge) where there was a giant POW camp during WW2 that held over 30,000 Germans. The ship is made out of two types of wood, and has been masterfully crafted with great attention to detail, including flags, planes, and turrets. Several of these were built in the area by German P.O.W.s, who would trade them for ciggarettes. I thought this might be the Tirpitz or Bismark but am not sure, it has 18 guns (3 are missing), two planes and a few masts I am planning to put back on. It also has the censor's mark with kings crown, which was put on all objects leaving the camp:


"CANADA INT.EP(?)
68 CENSORED"

Lethbridge was camp #133, so I am not sure if there was a camp 68 or not. I was wondering...


1. What boat could this be? It has 18 guns, two planes and a mast with flags, perhaps it could be identified?
2.Does anyone recognize the markings?
3. Anyone else have POW art?


I have put this up in the model and ground dug section as well.

Thanks!

[BubbaZ]

Hi,
Although there are some discrepancies, I would also say it is Bismarck class.
Here is a site with all KM ships described:
http://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/index.html
Cheers,
Hubert

[Ludwig]

Nice! Yes, it could be Bismarck (or Tirpitz) IMO.

[John Robinson]

I wonder if any of the Bismarck survivors were sent to Canada?

John

[Discostu]

I wonder if any of the Bismarck survivors were sent to Canada?

John

My thoughts exactly. I know a large number of kriegsmarine members were in Canadian camps, though not sure how many were in this area of Alberta. Now I need to start putting up the masts properly!

[RichardT]

Originally Posted by John Robinson

I wonder if any of the Bismarck survivors were sent to Canada?

John

There were Bismarck POWs in Camp 23, Monteith, Ontario. Don't know about elsewhere.

Richard

[John Robinson]

I would think it could only have been made by a Bismarck man. Why would a U-boat or an Afrika Corps soldier make it for example? Or have the details down so well.

To me, it is a safe assumption to make.

John

[Discostu]

Hi guys,

The Ship was from the Medicine Hat camp in Alberta based on the research done by a friend since the stamp was issued in January 1946 in Medicine Hat- meaning this could have been built anytime before that and sold or given to a soldier. German POWs were still inturned till late '46 if I recall correctly.

I would think it could only have been made by a Bismarck man. Why would a U-boat or an Afrika Corps soldier make it for example? Or have the details down so well.

To me, it is a safe assumption to make.

John

Thanks John.... now how would a Bismark vet make it to Medicine Hat Alberta?

[RichardT]

Possibility also that it might have been given to a member of the Veteran's Guard who moved from Monteith to Medicine Hat camp, although I don't know how often they were transferred.

Possibly, as has always been, that another prisoner enamoured with ships might have made it. Model ship builders, from all walks of life, have always been numerous, needn't have even been a navy man.

The possibilities of abound as to how it might have arrived at Medicine Hat camp.

The expert on such matters hasn't put in his two-cents worth. Where are you RJ?

Richard

[Discostu]

Originally Posted by RichardT

Possibility also that it might have been given to a member of the Veteran's Guard who moved from Monteith to Medicine Hat camp, although I don't know how often they were transferred.

Possibly, as has always been, that another prisoner enamoured with ships might have made it. Model ship builders, from all walks of life, have always been numerous, needn't have even been a navy man.

The possibilities of abound as to how it might have arrived at Medicine Hat camp.

The expert on such matters hasn't put in his two-cents worth. Where are you RJ?

Richard

Hey Richard,

I think the stamp means that it was taken out of the Medicine Hat camp, so it would have most probably been built there, though I am sure the POW could have been transfered there from another camp, or as you said just liked the ship and not been in the navy - quite a shame the artist didn't leave a tracible name!

[RichardT]

Hi Discostu,

I agree that is probably the case, the boat being built in the Hat. What ever the case, a very nice boat and as you say, a shame that it is unsigned. Good catch.

Richard

[Robert Henderso]

Originally Posted by BubbaZ

Hi,
Although there are some discrepancies, I would also say it is Bismarck class.
Here is a site with all KM ships described:
http://www.german-navy.de/kriegsmarine/ships/index.html
Cheers,
Hubert

Among the PoW model ship builders, the Bismarck was the most popular. The master craftsman who made this unit, and another that is 99% identical in my collection was not necessarily a Bismarck crewman. They did not always attempt to make the model identical to the ship represented - eye appeal is part of the modelers option - small model ships can become too crowded at times. My sample has Censor No. 68, also attributed to Med. Hat Camp.

Bismarck crewmen were sent from England to to Monteith, ON., the Officers to Bowmanville, ON.

Beginning in 1943 PoW's could volunteer to work out of the large camps for pay, some were disbursed between bush camp, farm work, etc. (under guard), including Bismarck survivors.

Known collectors specializing in and dedicated to PoW memorabilia from Canada are less than 6, the count probably being 4.

Check the webb at: http://germanpowcanada.com/

Robert

[Discostu]

Many thanks Robert, your information is excellent and very helpful!!

Do you have the name of the craftsman that build both our ships? I was planning to clean the boat, make a little plaque for it and put it in a case to avoid damage.

Many thanks!


Stu

[John Robinson]

Nice link.

Here are images from an album I own from a U-boat 1WO captured in the Med.

John

[John Robinson]

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