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"YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN"
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Duncan C. Norris Jr. was the beloved son of Duncan C. and Pauline Haithcock Norris. Dick Norris was born on Apr. 2, 1920 in McColl, Marlboro Co., SC and died on Aug. 5, 1955 at the VA Hospital in Cross Creek, Fayetteville, Cumberland Co., NC at the age of 35. Dick was buried on Aug. 7, 1955 at Sunset Memorial Park in Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., SC. Dick Norris was a Telephone Lineman by trade and his home was at 111 Fleet St., Bennettsville, SC.
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Duncan C. Norris married Mary Sue Adams...
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"YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN"
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥
Duncan C. Norris Jr. was the beloved son of Duncan C. and Pauline Haithcock Norris. Dick Norris was born on Apr. 2, 1920 in McColl, Marlboro Co., SC and died on Aug. 5, 1955 at the VA Hospital in Cross Creek, Fayetteville, Cumberland Co., NC at the age of 35. Dick was buried on Aug. 7, 1955 at Sunset Memorial Park in Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., SC. Dick Norris was a Telephone Lineman by trade and his home was at 111 Fleet St., Bennettsville, SC.
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Duncan C. Norris married Mary Sue Adams in 1946 in Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., SC. Mary Sue was born on Jan. 01, 1928 and died on Jun. 16, 1998 at the age of 68. Dick Norris' second wife was Betty Lou Brigman who was born on Nov. 11, 1931 in Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., SC and died on Jul. 5, 2001 in Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., SC at age 70.
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Children of Duncan C. Norris and Mary Sue Adams:
1. Barbara "Bobbie" Sue Norris Latham, b. Aug. 20, 1946. Children of Bobbie Sue Norris and William "Bill" Latham:
...Andy McGuirt, b. Nov. 17, 1966, d. Jul. 25, 1985 at the age of 18. He was the grandson of Duncan C. Norris and Mary Sue Adams Norris Ziebell.
...Kevin McGuirt, b. Jun. 08, 1973. He was the grandson of Duncan C. Norris and Mary Sue Adams Norris Ziebell.
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Children of Duncan Norris and Betty Lou Brigman:
2. Charles "Chuck" Edward Norris, b. Jul. 31, 1952 of LAUREL HILL, SC
3. John Henry Norris, b. Feb. 3, 1955.
(Wife) Betty Faye Rogers Norris, b. Nov. 19, 1955.
...Amy Gwen Rogers Norris, b. Mar. 3, 1973
...Tyler Shane Norris, b. Jun. 12, 1974
...John Christopher Norris, b. Jun. 13, 1976, and Melissa D. Norris
...Anthony "Andy" Blease Norris, b. Dec. 15, 1977, and Casey Quick Norris
...Kasey Lee Norris, b. Feb. 6, 1979, and Cyril Kendrell Lowery
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RITES HELD SUNDAY FOR DUNCAN NORRIS
Duncan C. Norris, Jr, 35, died at 2 o'clock Friday morning in the Veterans' hospital in Fayetteville where he had been critically ill for the past two months. Funeral services were held at 2:30 Sunday afternoon at the Church of God, interment following in Sunset Memorial Park. The Rev. J.B. Merritt was in charge. He was the son of D.C. Norris and Pauline Haithcock Norris, who survive. Also surviving are his wife, the former Betty Lou Brigman; one daughter, Barber Sue; two sons, Charles Edward and John Henry Norris; three brothers, Frank Norris of Baltimore, Bill Norris of Bennettsville, and John Norris of the U.S. Army in Germany; four sisters, Mrs. Ruth Pain of Bennettsville; Mrs. Irene Collins of St. Paul, N.C.; Mrs. Peggy Seacrist of Fayetteville; and Mrs. Geraldine Hall of Hamlet.
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Duncan C. Norris
United States Census, 1930
Name: Duncan C. Norris
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1930
Event Place: Gastonia, Gaston, North Carolina, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 10
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race (Original): White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1920
Birthplace: South Carolina
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: South Carolina
Household, Role, Gender, Age, Birthplace
Duncan Norris Head M 38 North Carolina
Pauline Norris Wife F 33 South Carolina
Irene Norris Daughter F 12 South Carolina
Duncan C. Norris Son M 10 South Carolina
John C. Norris Son M 7 South Carolina
Ruth Norris Daughter F 5 South Carolina
Willis E. Norris Son M 1 South Carolina
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Name Duncan C. Norris
Gender Male
Wife Pauline Haithcock
Son Duncan C. Norris
Other information in the record of Duncan C. Norris from North Carolina, Deaths
Name Duncan C. Norris
Event Type Death
Event Date 05 Aug 1955
Event Place Fayetteville, Cumberland, N.C.
Birth Year 1920
Burial Date 07 Aug 1955
Burial Place Bennettsville, S.C.
Cemetery Sunset Memorial Park
Gender Male
Age 35
Marital Status Married
Race (Original) White
Occupation Telephone Lineman
Birth Date 02 Apr 1920
Birthplace S.C.
Father's Name Duncan C. Norris
Mother's Name Pauline Haithcock
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Siblings of Duncan C. "Dick" Norris Jr.:
1. Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Norris
2. Irene Norris Goodman Collins
3. Duncan C. "Dick" Norris Jr.
4. John Collier Norris
5. Ruth Norris Pain Rothwell
6. Willis Earl "Bill" Norris
7. Mildred Geneva "Peggy" Norris Seacrist
8. Joseph "Joe" Harold Norris
9. Geraldine "Bootsie" Norris Hall
10. Sarah Edna Norris
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Duncan C. Norris Historical Timeline
April 2, 1920 - Born in McColl, Marlboro Co., SC, the beloved son of Duncan and Pauline Haithcock Norris.
July 25, 1941 - Joined the Army at the age of 21 and became part of Company E 168th Infantry Regiment. The 168th Infantry Regiment & 175th Field Artillery, with attached units, were sent to Scotland to train for the invasion of North Africa.
November 8, 1942 - Landed at Algiers in North Africa with the 168th Infantry Regiment attached to the 34th Infantry Division and II Corps in support of Operation Torch.
On November 8, 1942, the invasion commenced with landings split between three beaches—two west of Algiers and one east. Under overall command of Major General Charles W. Ryder, Commanding General of the U.S. 34th Infantry Division, British 11th Brigade Group from the British 78th Infantry Division, landed on the right hand beach, U.S. 168th Regimental Combat Team, from the 34th Infantry Division, supported by 6th Commando and most of 1st Commando on the middle beach while the U.S. 39th Regimental Combat Team, also from the U.S. 34th Division, supported by the remaining 5 troops from 1st Commando landed on the left hand beach.
February 17, 1943 - Captured by Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's troops during the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid in Tunisia, North Africa. The 168th Infantry's last stand took place at Kasserine Pass where Colonel Thomas D. Drake of the 168th Infantry was left in command of a mixed group of about 400 men. After running out of ammonition the unit was forced to surrender when they were overrun by Panzer tanks.
The Battle of Sidi Bou Zid (Unternehmen Frühlingswind/Operation Spring Breeze) took place during the Tunisia Campaign from 14–17 February 1943 in World War II. The battle was fought around Sidi Bou Zid, where a large number of American units were mauled by German and Italian forces.
Sidi Bou Zid was defended by the U.S. 34th Infantry Division, 168th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) (Colonel Thomas Drake) and the tanks of the 1st U.S. Armored Division Combat Command A (CCA). U.S. Lieutenant General Lloyd Ralston Fredendall, the commander of II Corps, had caused most of this force to be placed in defensive "islands" on high ground, which risked defeat in detail.
While Eisenhower struggled to contain squabbles on the Allied side, the Germans refueled their tanks and continued west. On the 14th they hit Sidi Bou Zid, ten miles beyond Faid. With over 200 tanks on both sides, a huge, drawn-out battle appeared in the making. But American armor was spread too thin, and the panzers punched through in only one day. An ineffective counterattack the next day and the stunning capture of some 1,400 troops forced the Americans to undertake a major withdrawal. As the 1st Armored Division fell back, enemy pressure eased. However, on the 16th the panzers resumed their westward push, seizing Sbeitla, twenty-five miles beyond Sidi Bou Zid. Again, the Americans scrambled back to establish a new defensive position, this time at Kasserine Pass. Four days of successive defeats cost II Corps dearly. The Americans lost 2,546 missing, 103 tanks, 280 vehicles, 18 field guns, 3 antitank guns, and 1 antiaircraft battery. Even service and medical companies, miles behind the infantry and armor, had been reached by the onrushing panzers.
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a151626.pdf
168th's BAPTISM BY FIRE AGAINST THE GERMANS
The 168th RCT were hastened forward to an isolated portion of the front, assigned a new regimental commander, Col. Thomas D. Drake, and attached to the 1st Armored Division. They were then led into position during the night by a 1st Armored Division lieutenant who became disoriented. At daylight they found themselves sitting like ducks in front of the German lines. A pitched battle ensued, resulting in cooks being among the first casualties. With courage, however, the 168th rebounded and drove back the enemy.
OFFICIAL DETAILED REPORT OF THE SURRENDER AT KASSERINE PASS WRITTEN BY COLONEL DRAKE
Colonel Drake was to write an official report of the encounter for the U.S. military sometime later. In this report he refers to himself in the third person as he describes events on 17th February:
The enemy stopped and started leaping from their trucks, while enemy tanks immediately began encircling the American column. One U.S. plane flew over at this point and opened fire on the column. Our men, with surging morale, thought it was the promised air support but it apparently was a lone night fighter, a little late getting back from its mission.
One German truck was hit and set on fire. Colonel Drake immediately deployed his mixed command and opened fire with the weapons that they had. By this time there were about 400 men in the command and not more than half of them were armed.
Colonel Drake asked for volunteers of an officer and men; the officer to lead the group of men to a knoll in their rear as the German Infantry was running to circle them. First Lieutenant William Rogers, Artillery Liaison Officer of the 91st Armored Artillery, volunteered to lead the twelve men and urged them to follow him. They gained the desired ground, a little knoll in the desert, and they were able to hold the enemy off for about an hour. At the termination of the hour Lt. Rogers and all his men had been killed.
The Germans brought up several, tanks, all of them with yellow tigers painted on their sides and opened fire. They also set up machine gun positions and supplemented that with rifle fire. While they were doing this their infantry completely encircled the small American force. After three and one-half hours of fighting the American fire power diminished and then practically ceased as the men were out of ammunition or had become casualties. Finally an armored car bearing a white flag came dashing into the American circle.
Colonel Drake ordered his men to wave the car away. When the car failed to respond he then ordered his men to fire upon the German car. Some of the men began to fire but others could not – as they had no ammunition and then they began surrendering in small groups.
German tanks came in following that vehicle without any negotiations for surrender. The Germans had used the white flag as subterfuge to come inside the circle of defense without drawing fire. Their tanks closed in from all directions cutting Colonel Drake's forces into small groups.
The men who did not surrender were killed by the Germans. One tank came toward Colonel Drake and a German officer pointing a rifle at him called out, "Colonel, you surrender." The Colonel replied, "You go to hell," and turned his back. He then walked away and two German soldiers with rifles followed him at a distance of about fifty yards. Colonel Drake was then stopped by a German major who spoke good English and was asked to get in the German Major's car where he was taken to German Divisional Headquarters.
Colonel Drake was taken to General Schmidt, Group Commander of the 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions at German Divisional Headquarters, where the German General immediately came forward to see him, drew up at attention, saluted and said, "I want to compliment your command for the splendid fight they put up. It was a hopeless thing from the start, but they fought like real soldiers."
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The German Commander promised Colonel Drake that all the American wounded would be cared for and that he could leave American medical personnel to properly look after them, but immediately upon Colonel Drake leaving the field, the American medical personnel were carried off as prisoners and the American dead and wounded left to the ravages of the Arabs, who proceeded to strip the dead and wounded and to beat insensible those wounded who protested to the stripping of their clothes.
The American prisoners were assembled in a group and under guard marched back through the afternoon and night along the road to DJ,. LESSOUDA. Those Americana who were lightly wounded or who became ill because of fatigue, lack of food and water and could not keep up with the column were ruthlessly bayonetted or shot. Many were walking barefooted because the Arabs had, taken their shoes from them under the supervision of the German soldiers.
Prisoners-of-War
The men had been left to the systematic robbery of the German soldiers, and some junior officers, for a period of about a half hour. During this time pockets and kits were thoroughly searched, often at the point of the rifle or the bayonet presented at the unprotected belly – watches, rings, pocketbooks, pens and all valuables were ruthlessly seized. They wore then formed in a column of fours, officers at the head, and started to the rear. Three German tanks brought up the rear of the column, which was flanked by armed guards, waiting to strike, bayonet or shoot, any who for any reason straggled.
All day they marched through desert sands with unrelieved thirst almost unbearable. Colonel Drake appealed to the German Commander in the name of common humanity to give the men a drink of water, but was met with the statement, "We only have enough for our troops." Near midnight they were finally halted for the remaining hours of darkness. The men were herded into a circle in the open desert and there practically froze in the piercing cold of the African night.
THOMAS D. DRAKE, 015364 Colonel, G.S.C., WDGS (Formerly Commanding 168th Inf)
March 29, 1943 - Arrived at Stalag IIIB at Fürstenberg, Germany on the border of Poland and the Oder River
January 31, 1945 - Evacuated from Stalag IIIB because of the advancing Russian Army, and begins the Long Death March to Stalag IIIA. This was a 7-day forced march through the snow, about a 63-mile march in extreme winter conditions. If a POW was unable to walk he would be shot by the Germans.
February 7, 1945 - Arrived at Stalag IIIA at Luckenwalde, Germany (about 50 km (31 mi) south of Berlin. The town area includes the villages of Frankenfelde and Kolzenburg).
April 22, 1945 - Liberated from Stalag IIIA by Russian troops
June 13, 1945 - Arrived back in the United States
July 4, 1945 - A final report was made by the International Committee of the Red Cross
September 21, 1945 - Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army and received the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism and Bravery
1946 - Married Mary Sue Adams in Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., SC.
Aug. 5, 1955 - Died at the VA Hospital in Cross Creek, Fayetteville, Cumberland Co., NC at the age of 35
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Duncan C. Norris became a prisoner of war during WWII. He was captured by the Germans during the Battle of Sidi Bou Zid at Kasserine Pass in Tunisia, North Africa on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1943, and was held captive at Stalag IIIB & Stalag IIIA for 2 years and 4 months. PFC DUNCAN C. NORRIS, Co. E 168 Infantry Regiment, U.S. ARMY, SERIAL NUMBER RA-34098225, AREA: North Africa, THEATRE: Tunisia, STATUS: Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated, PRISON: Germany, CAMP: Stalag 3B (IIIB) Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia (Also KDOS [USA]#1-5; ARB BTNS 225-255) 52-14.
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The Red Bull in World War II 34th Infantry Division Resources 1941-1945
POW LIST
168TH INFANTRY (1942 - 1945)
Units of the 34th Division
1251 NORRIS DUNCAN C 34098225 PVT INF SC 168 INF STALAG 3B
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Duncan C. Norris - Prisoner of War Record
Held in Stalag 3B near Fuerstenberg, Prussia
Duncan C. Norris was a Private in the Army during World War II. Duncan was captured by Nazi Germany while serving in Tunisia, North Africa and was sent to Stalag 3B near Fuerstenberg, Prussia where 4,222 other American POWs were held. There was no date on the initial report of Duncan's capture. However, a final report was made by the International Committee of the Red Cross on July 4, 1945. Ultimately, Duncan was returned to military control, liberated or repatriated.
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Stalag 3B Details
The full name of this camp is Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia (Also KDOS [USA] #1-5; ARB BTNS 225-255) 52-14, and it was controlled by Nazi Germany. The National Archives has records for 4,222 Allied prisoners held here, 4,175 of whom were liberated, and 37 of whom did not survive their captivity. Compared to Nazi Germany's other camps with at least 10 prisoners, Stalag 3B had one of the highest numbers of prisoners, and 4,136 more than average. The highest number of prisoners held at a German camp was 8,412. For context, Japanese camps held a maximum of 9,012 prisoners, and an average of 65 prisoners.
Additional Details:
Camp Name: Stalag 3B
Stalag is an abbreviation of the German word "Stammlager" and was the label for camps that housed non-officers.
Latitude - Longitude: 52.145 - 14.6728
Nearest City: Fuerstenberg
Region: Brandenburg
Country: Prussia
Location Today: Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany
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History of POWs at Stalag IIIB and Stalag IIIA: The following information was taken from the personal account of "Life Behind Barbed Wire" by "Angelo M. Spinelli and Lewis H. Carlson."
After being captured, the American prisoners of war were put on a JU-52 plane and flew to Capua, Italy, which was near Naples. After landing in Italy, the prisoners stayed there for about a week or ten days, and then were taken to the train station and jammed like animals into 40-and-8 boxcars, so-called because they could carry forty men or eight horses. They were locked in with no water or food, and then taken to Munich, Germany.
The prisoners arrived at Stalag 7A at Moosburg just northeast of Munich. They stayed there for only a few days before being reloaded on the same kind of boxcars and shipped to Stalag IIIB where they would spend the next twenty-two months. The prisoners of war arrived in Stalag IIIB on March 29, 1943. On that first day, one of the guards told them they would never get out alive. Those words stayed with the POWs every moment as a prisoner of war.
One of the German officers in Stalag IIIB told the POWs that the camp contained some 3,500 Americans POWs, 12,000 Russians, 8,000 Frenchmen, and 1,000 Serbians. Stalag IIIB was primarily for noncommissioned officers, with the enlisted men and officers sent to other camps. The American POWs were the first Americans in Stalag IIIB and were put in their own compound. There was a double row of barbed wire that separated the American compound from those ones containing other nationalities. There was also a ten-foot warning wire and if the POWs crossed this wire into the warning zone, they would be shot.
After arriving at Stalag IIIB, the POWs were given tetanus shots in the chest. At that time of year, it was very cold, and because of a lack of heat the POWs had to sleep with all their clothes on. They slept on straw mattresses that were filled with mice, fleas, ticks, and lice.
The POWs had one stove per barracks and one washroom in the building with only a few cold-water spigots for more than 300 men. If they wanted hot water, they had to haul it from the kitchen, if there was some available. There was only one large latrine available toward the rear of the camp. When it was full, the Russian prisoners came and shoveled it into a 'honey wagon,' which was then spread out on nearby farmers' fields. The American prisoners had six barracks in Stalag IIIB, each holding 300 plus prisoners. Later another six barracks were added and as many as 450 prisoners of war were crammed into a single barracks building.
Because the POWs could not be forced to work, they usually stayed in the sack until about 6:55 am in the morning. Roll call was at 7:00 am. Roll call was taken whether it was raining or snowing and they had to stand in the rain or snow until the Germans arrived at a figure that satisfied them. Three or four men would count the POWs and often had a difficult time agreeing on the total numbers. Afterwards, they ate breakfast if there was anything to eat.
The German ration for breakfast was usually only ersatz coffee. Ersatz is made of roasted rice, roasted peas, and roasted chicory. Muckefuck, a generic term in Germany for coffee substitutes, possibly from the French "mocca faux". After breakfast they would be free to go to classes, play ball, or do anything they wanted. Lunch normally consisted of a watery soup. After lunch they were free again until late in the afternoon when there would be another roll call, and would have to stand outdoors and get counted again. For supper the Germans might give them a few patotoes, some ersatz bread, and maybe some meat.
On January 31, with Russian troops closing in, the German officers, with little warning, order the POWs to evacuate Stalag IIIB to another prison camp, Stalag IIIA. This was a 7 day forced march through the snow, about a 63 mile march in extreme winter conditions. If a POW was unable to walk he would be shot by the Germans. This departure was so hasty that the prisoners were provided with no provisions and had nothing to eat on the forced march except a few pieces of bread. Water was also in equally short supply. Under such harsh conditions many of the prisoners became sick before reaching Stalag IIIA at Luckenwalde on February 7, 1945.
POWs remained at Stalag IIIA in Luckenwalde for three months before being liberated by the Russians. The living conditions were much worse than they had been in Stalag IIIB, particularly because of the overcrowding and the lack of sanitary facilities. The POWs were liberated by the Russians on April 22, 1945. After the Russians moved into Stalag IIIA there was total chaos. Most of the German guards had fled or been killed by the Russians.
After Russian troops liberated Stalag IIIA at Luckenwalde on the morning of April 22, 1945, they quickly moved on to the battle of Berlin, leaving the prisoners on their own. After the liberation, U.S. Army ambulances transported those prisoners too sick to walk back to the American lines. The normal procedure for all liberated prisoners were to be flown to Paris and then transported by land to Camp Lucky Strike at Le Havre, which was the staging area for prisoners of war returning to the States.
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Record as written by Flight Sergeant David Berrie, RAF POW in Stalag 3A near Luckenwalde in Germany
This is a record of events in diary fashion from the time of liberation until I ran out of paper and/or enthusiasm. Due to the original writing having faded I have rewritten it exactly as it was in the first place but have added notes to make it clearer.
22 April 1945 Sunday
Day of liberation. At 6am this morning awakened by the cries of "The Russians are here". It was an officer in a staff car who carried out an inspection of the camp then returned to his H.Q. Between 8am and gam we were visited by an armoured column who were loudly cheered by all American and British personnel. The Russian P.O.W's left the camp to join their own forces whilst we stayed in our compounds awaiting developments. Our C.O General Ruger left camp to arrange matters with the Russian authorities. Wing Commander Collard was thus left in charge. British and American personnel behaved in an orderly manner but French and Italian's were a disgusting mob causing our authorities no end of trouble. Gunfire continued all day and German aircraft put in several appearances but did no damage as fire from the woods close by quickly chased them away. Went to bed expecting to be awake all night.
(Note: General Ruger (Norwegian) was the senior camp officer and W/CDR Collard became senior officer primarily for the RAF.
23 April 1945 Monday
Spent a poor night's sleep chiefly because of aircraft strafing and gunfire from heavy artillery as well as mortar and machine gun fire. Was on picket duty from 9am until 11am. Still gunfire all around and many Russian aircraft overhead. Received half a cup of really good soup and 1/10 loaf of bread as well as a ration of butter. Russian officer promised us a good supply of food for remainder of our stay here. Water problem not too good as the only pump available was being beset by a huge queue. Took a long time to get off to sleep tonight which is very unusual for me.
24 April 1945 Tuesday
Still awaiting the link up but news was reassuring as it was evidently only a matter of hours. Still lots of Russian aircraft overhead mostly Airocobras. The Offlag, American and our own compounds were opened to us all today which gives us lots more freedom. Much appreciated this fact. Good soup, today again half a cup but potato ration much better indeed.
25 April 1945 Wednesday
Most monotonous day so far. Kept waiting for things to happen but uneventful.
26 April 1945 Thursday
As Wednesday only Russians say link up has taken place.
27 April 1945 Friday
S.B.O (Senior British Officer) goes to see Russians to request our transport to Allied H.Q. This is not possible. Informed that the Russian permanent staff are in charge of us now in place of the operational units. Told by Russians that because of a large German unit retreating this way we were nearly evacuated during the night. Much heavy artillery and small arms fire all around camp. American war correspondents observed in Luckenwalde on their way to Berlin. They promised they would visit us on their way back. Major of the Russian repatriation board arrived in camp this morning and officers of the U.S First Army reported to be in Luckenwalde. Going to bed much cheerier tonight.
28 April 1945 Saturday
Russian girl Doctor arrived at 2215 hours last night and wanted particulars of sick by 0600 hours this morning. Some of the lads went out on a walking tour this morning and all received plenty of support from Russian sentries and patrols whenever anything was required. Don't think much of the officers conduct but I expect they are as fed up as I am and some are younger than me which is maybe the only excuse I can offer. A fair ration of soup today but according to paper there is supposed to be a lot of meat in it but I didn't find a bit. Still I enjoyed it very much as it was good thick pea soup. My trousers ripped across the seat so I had to put a light blue patch right across. On the whole a wet and miserable day.
29 April 1945 Sunday
Late last night a convoy of 50 lorries carrying food and clothing arrived with a staff to look after our camp headed by Captain Medvidw. Lorries were still being unloaded this morning. He decided our quarters were intolerable and said he hoped to move us to a better camp. This camp was found and evidently is a beautiful camp but lacks water and lighting as yet. This news seemed to prepare us for a longer stay than we expected. Our government has been informed and the next move must come from them. The N.C.O Lager containing Stalag Luft 7 personnel beat the Offlag 4-2 at football.
30 April 1945 Monday
General Famen from Marshall Koniev's H.Q says he hopes to move us to the Adolf Hitler Lager as soon as possible it being a much superior camp and would be worth the difficulties if we stayed here for any length of time. This news seemed to indicate a long stay here which has us all fed up but the General says it has to go thro'
Diplomatic channels and we must bide our time. Wally and Pat are thinking of leaving and making for home.
1 May 1945 Tuesday
Pat and Wally left at 0710 this morning. Had breakfast with them and after giving each my address bid them good luck and all the best. Wally didn't seem so keen but away he went. Had to go to the funeral of a Polish Officer this afternoon.* Uncomfortable all thro' as it was an R.C service and all commands were in the Polish language. Choir was very good. Camp being thronged with Italians and I would gladly be rid of them. Peas have an adverse effect on me as they are blowing me up with wind. Trying to walk it off. Listened to the six o'clock news (7 o'clock our time) and it seems Germany is ready to surrender. Fairly large battle going on all around us today and artillery fire has been heavy the past 24 hours. had my first hot shower since Feb 8th today. What a joy it was too.
(*Note: Because we had been members of a Polish Squadron it was assumed we could speak Polish hence the reason I had to go to the Polish officer's funeral. The young American officer in charge of our squad was in a somewhat similar position but couldn't even understand the commands so we had to whisper them to him. The Wally mentioned was actually a Pole real name Waclaw Dworokwsky who wasn't keen on giving names etc. to the Russians so I supplied him with a route to the Elbe at Wittenberg from a large scale Wehrmacht map I had acquired earlier.
2 May 1945 Wednesday
Listened to British 9 o'clock news and couldn't help laughing at all the arrangements for V day. After listening to the tirade for a few days ago of how quickly P.O.W's would be got home it is rather a let down to find we are still here after ten days of liberation. First thing when I awoke this morning was to hear that Hitler was dead and Doenitz was in command. Big battle raged all around last night and this morning but it seems to have finished now as the Russians are all moving west and have taken 120,000 prisoners from this area. Heard the Germans in Italy had surrendered and that Lubeck had fallen. Our advance guard had to be withdrawn from the Adolf Hitler Lager because of the refugee trouble and the danger of our men being hurt as they have arms and we are not allowed by our own C.O to possess them.
3 May 1945 Thursday
More Italians arriving and the lads are buying their horses for a song. More Russian columns passed westwards mostly horsedrawn. Lager has become a mass of horses of all kinds. B.B.C news good. Best news so far is the arrival of two Yank war correspondents who said nothing was known about us until 4 days ago when four Yanks from this camp reached the Elbe. They couldn't get thro' sooner because of the big battles taking place all around us. They are taking all particulars and flying them to General Eisenhower and London tomorrow. A war correspondent P.O.W Captain Beatty is leaving with them and taking nominal roles etc. Glad to see something might happen at last. Rations for today very poor indeed and most boys are thinking of striking out on their own. Can't blame them as life here is far from good.
4 May 1945 Friday
Spent most of the morning in bed and cooking. We made scones out of an issue of flour. More American officers arrived this morning and said we would be evacuated within the next 3 or 4 days. This news has greatly increased all our spirits. However greatest news of all was when I heard on the six o'clock home service news that we had been liberated. What a relief after waiting for 12 days to hear it on the news. Go to bed highly jubilant as we expect first removal lorries in the morning.
5 May 1945 Saturday
Eagerly awaiting lorries - George has to go to Luckenwalde to bake bread. First time we have to split up since P.O.W's which was unfortunate as we wished to stay together until we reached home. 1300 hours first American ambulances arrive. Four trucks arrive later with K rations. Made scones in the afternoon. Did a night shift of work from 12-2am.
6 May 1945 Sunday
George arrived back at 0800 hours. French had taken over bakery. Evacuation of Americans begin with us standing by. Evacuation stopped by Russians and some trucks sent away empty. Everybody as mad as hell as the Russian instructions haven't reached them. (Note: George had been selected to go to the bakery because he had some experience whilst on vacations from college with a friend's father's bakery.
7 May 1945 Monday
Registered with Russians. Negotiations still going and more trucks arriving. Finally this evening an American Officer and Russian officials set off for Marshall Koniev's H.Q. Awaiting their return. Caustic remarks made against BBC commentators nattering about V.E day and so on.
8 May 1945 Tuesday
Boys streaming to trucks but nothing official through yet. Russians order trucks to return empty. Boys leave camp in all directions. Some return later, others are interned etc. Barracks well below strength. Heard Churchill and the King.
9 May 1945 Wednesday
100 Russian trucks arrive. Don't know who for but seem to be either for the Norge officers or ourselves. Camp being cleared up by ourselves but French and Italian quarters still in filthy condition. Must close narrative because of lack of paper. What I thought would be a little story of wonderful happiness has gradually deteriorated into a gloomy history of several thousand Allied ex P.O. W's.
David Berrie
To complete this story I should say that we eventually ended up in the Adolf Hitler Lager which was at least first class accommodation for us. It was stated to have been quarters for S.S troops. For myself I was admitted to the camp hospital on 18/5/45 because my left knee had blown up once again. It had given me a lot of trouble on the march from Stalag Luft 7 at Bankau near Kreuzberg to Luckenwalde ie from 19/1/45 - 8/2/45. Our own medical officer was going to remove my knee cap and pin the leg straight but suggested I allow the Russian M.O. to do so as he was very much more skilled than he was - I agreed and the operation was fixed for 1 pm on Sunday 20th May 1945. However, the Russian trucks arrived at 0500 that morning and took us to the river Elbe at Wittenberg where we were handed over to the Americans. We were taken to Halle by truck and then to Brussels by Dakota. We finally arrived by plane in the South of England on 26/5/45 and were taken to Cosford near Wolverhampton for medicals, kitting out and so on. We arrived there at one o'clock in the morning but the staff did a fantastic job and I was on the train for Scotland at ten o'clock that same evening. I arrived home finally shortly after 9 am on 28/5/45.
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Duncan C. Norris
United States, World War II Prisoners of War
Name Duncan C. Norris
Event Type Military Service
Event Place Germany
Residence State South Carolina
Race White
Race (Original) 1
Military Service Inf: Infantry
Military Status Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
Military Service Branch Army
Parent Military Unit Group/Regiment/Commands/System
Subordinate Military Unit Rifle
Military Rank Cadet, USMA or Chief Warrant Officer or Private or Apprentice, Seaman
Destination Place Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia (Also KDOS [USA] #1-5; ARB BTNS 225-255) 52-14
Service Number 34098225
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The Red Bull in World War II 34th Infantry Division Resources 1941-1945
168TH INFANTRY (1942 - 1945)
1251 NORRIS DUNCAN C 34098225 PVT INF SC 168 INF STALAG 3B
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PFC Duncan Norris saved the life of Lieutenant Billy Goldberg while they were in captivity as prisoners of war. The Germans were going to shoot Lieutenant Goldberg for being a Jew. PFC Norris stopped the Germans by telling them that he grew up with Billy Goldberg and knew him personally and that he was not a Jew but was adopted by a Jewish family and if they were to shoot him that they would be making a grave mistake. Because of what PFC Norris said to the Germans, they did not kill Lieutenant Goldberg.
POW: Lieutenant William Crosland Goldberg, Sr. (Fellow Prisoner of War)
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=146802057
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FOLD3 HONOR PAGE TO PFC DUNCAN C. NORRIS
https://www.fold3.com/page/641423924_duncan
_c_norris/?msg=new
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Duncan C Norris
in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
Name: Duncan C Norris
Race: White
Age: 21
Birth Date: 2 Apr 1920
Birth Place: Marlboro County, South Carolina, USA
Residence Place: Bennettsville, Marlboro, South Carolina, USA
Registration Date: 27 Jun 1941
Registration Place: Bennettsville, South Carolina, USA
Employer: Unemployed
Weight: 142
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5' 7"
Next of Kin: Pauline Norris
Household Members:
Name Relationship
Duncan C Norris
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