Biographical/historical information

G. Vince Howell was born in Waynesville, N.C., and attended North Carolina State College from 1939-1940. In 1942, Howell entered the U.S. Air Corps and was assigned to duty aboard B-24 bombers flying raids over Germany. His plane was shot down in April 1944 and the crew captured. Sent to the famous German POW camp, Stalag 17-B, Howell remained there for a year before being liberated during April 1945.

Scope and arrangement

In this interview Howell relates his experiences at Stalag 17-B. Descriptions of camp life include cooking facilities, bath and toilet facilities, German food rations, and general conditions. Of particular interest are contents of Red Cross parcels, trade rings between Russian and American prisoners, activities for prisoners, and radio reception by inmates. Mentioned are attempts to escape, means of communicating with friends and family in the States, and methods of punishment.

Howell also discusses briefly the end of World War II and its effect on Stalag 17-B, the former inmates' march westward, and their existence until American troops arrived.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of G. Vince Howell

Processing information

Processed by C. Carter, April 1984

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Repository does not own copyright to the oral history collection. Permission to cite, reproduce, or broadcast must be obtained from both the repository and the participants in the oral history, or their heirs.

Metadata Rights Declaration

General note

1942-1945

Related material

G. Vince Howell Papers (#0213) East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA

Key terms

Personal Names

Howell, G. Vince

Corporate Names

Stalag XVII B Krems-Gneixendorf
United States. Air Force--Airmen

Topical

B-24 (Bomber)
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Austrian

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