Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

I have a note that in 1963 a researcher called Geoff Rowe inspected a number of 1940/41 period Ausweis documents held in Canada by: "Directorate of Air Force History, Ottawa, Canada".

My enquiries in Canada have thus far drawn a blank as to where they are now. Can anyone offer a clue?

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

Andy: Dave Wadman tried to find out about this on my behalf and drew a blank-no help despite hastening

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

Thanks, Chris. They are out there somewhere!

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

Well.... recall Raiders of the Lost Ark. Does Canada have a similar place? ;)

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

In Dave Wadman's basement, I shouldn't wonder!

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

Canada began sending German documents back to Germany in the 1970s so perhaps that is where they are now.

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

An interesting possibility, George! So, are there any clues as to where exactly in Germany they may, perhaps, be filed away? Presumably at the Bundesarchiv?

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

Hi,

I go with George on this one! I actually saw correspondence relating to a variety of Canadian held documents that had been returned to Germany between 1976 and 1992 when I was doing some work for the UK government in 1999.

Regards

David

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

But weren't they microfilmed earlier?

Bruce

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

If its of any interest I will attempt to copy the document listing the i/d cards held in Canada during the 1960's....although I suppose that may be a little futile if we don't know where they are! Even so, if they are in Germany, I wonder whether the German authorities will ever allow them to be viewed under Federal German Law? Beats me why captured material was ever returned - or, at least, why it was not copied first. Hopefully that comment, which does not have any anti-Germanic or political undertones, (far from it!) will not start World War 3! I'm just miffed that, if returned to Germany, nobody now knows where the hell they are - or even if they may have been destroyed, perhaps? Rant over......!

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

Hi,

If they went along similar lines to some of the docs returned to Germany from the UK they may not have been microfilmed due to their being 'Not of Historical Interest'. A lot of personal type items returned were apparently to be used for pension/benefits claims investigation. This may give a clue to their location.

Regards,

David

Re: Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada
 

In total, there were 139 cards plus "15 unidentified" - whatever that means! I suspect many of these guys were captured by Canadians, and looking down the list I know of several who certainly went through Canadian hands. Many of them were 1940/Battle of Britain period, others later, Malta etc etc. Some casualties. Others POW's. On my list I have DOB, Unit and aircraft code letters.

I had been given a contact, Dr Harris, at:

harris.sj@forces.gc.ca

However, he could throw no light. Maybe if others asked they'd look harder? Maybe.