Luftwaffe ausweis documents held in canada

[Andy Saunders]

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?

[Chris Goss]

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

[Andy Saunders]

Thanks, Chris. They are out there somewhere!

[John Beaman]

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

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by John Beaman

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

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

[George Hopp]

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

[Andy Saunders]

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?

[David Ransome]

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

[Bruce Dennis]

But weren't they microfilmed earlier?

Bruce

[Andy Saunders]

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......!