1. GENERAL
The material in this section consists of two items: a translation of a German
printed form issued in pads and designed to be filled in after the interrogation
of British prisoners of war, and a translation of a set of German instructions
entitled "Notes on the Interrogation of British Prisoners of War." These
instructions were found attached to the inside cover of a pad of the forms. This
material should give the reader an excellent idea as to what kind of standard
information the Germans make every effort to obtain from United Nations prisoners.
2. A SPECIMEN BLANK
No. 01061
FORM FOR P. W. INTERROGATION (ENGLAND)
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(Interrogating Unit) |
(Place) (Day) |
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To
CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMY
Dept.—Foreign Armies.—West.
To be transmitted by the quickest means.
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Name:
Christian Name:
Year of Birth:
Rank:
Number: |
Taken
At
On
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Name |
Army Corps.
Division.
Brigade.
Battalion.
Type of Company. |
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Regular Army or Territorial Army |
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Mobilization and transport overseas |
Place |
Command |
Date |
Table of or- gani- zation of unit |
Em- bar- kation Place, Date |
Disem- bar- kation Place, Date |
Route taken (places and dates) |
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Unit arrived in the line |
What units in the same Division? |
Other units known |
At From To
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Name. Division. Place. Date.
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Particulars of weapons, tanks, equipment, antigas equipment |
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Morale: (Losses) |
Other important items. |
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REMARKS:
1. Important papers
(diaries, orders) are to be attached to the copy sent
direct to the Chief of the General Staff in the Field.
2. Items of local
interest only are to be put on a special sheet only for units
interested.
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3. THE INSTRUCTIONS
Notes on Interrogation of British Prisoners of War.
a. The blanks are to be filled in as fully as possible.
b. Exact identification of the unit is particularly important. In
the infantry, "regiment" actually means the parent unit. It has no
number—only a name. The tactical formation that corresponds to
our "regiment" is the British "brigade." The brigade is identified by a
number, and consists of three battalions from various regiments. Since
battalions from one regiment will be found with different brigades, it
is especially important to find out the battalion's number.
Units of other arms are numbered, except for certain tank and armored
units which were cavalry, originally and which have kept their names.
For further remarks on British Order of Battle, list of regimental names, explanation
of ranks, badges, and English abbreviations, see the handbook, "The British Army."
c. Further questions to be put to prisoners:
(1) Have there been any alterations in the Order of Battle as printed in
the handbook? Are alterations in progress, particularly with regard to
armored formations?
(2) How far have infantry and other units been equipped with antitank and light
antiaircraft units? With which units are there signal units that do not belong
organically to Division Signals? What is known about the Army Air Corps or
the Airborne Division (parachute and airborne troops)? Strength, organization,
training, equipment, and armament of Commandos and Special Service Troops?
(3) Effect of our weapons and tanks, morally and technically? Losses in
personnel, weapons, and equipment?
(4) What is known about Amphibious Transport (Landungsfahrzeuge)? New
weapons (machine pistol, antitank, artillery, explosives, and hand grenades)? New
tanks, especially new infantry tanks, and new armament and armor on known types of
tanks? Active and passive Chemical Warfare preparations?
(5) What is known about operations in conjunction with Americans and other Allies.
(6) What rumors are there about future operations?
(7) What about the home front? Formation of new units? Movements overseas? Situation
regarding supply and food? Opinions as to prospects in the war? General morale?