Zedelgem

masthead of the Latvian soldiers' newspaper in Zedelgem Camp, in mimeograph purple

POW camp 2227

Zedelgem is a microcosm of the Latvian experience in World War II. Latvians only seeking to free their homeland after multiple invasions labelled and treated as Nazis, their self-help organization, Daugavas Vanagi being denounced by the Soviets as a Nazi front—charges of Nazism that still echo today.

The story of how Zedelgem came to be is the story of the Baltics of World War II. The town of Zedelgem is now working to save and preserve for posterity the last remaining bits of POW camp 2227 so that the story of what happened there can be told for generations to come. A story which above all else eloquently tells of the Latvian spirit and will to survive.

The project to preserve Zedelgem consists of several efforts. First is preservation of this, and other camps, in Zedelgem, an effort supported by the town council. There is also an initiative to recognize the Flemish soldiers who also fought communism on the Eastern front—of course, this is more problematic, as Russia still officially denounces anyone who is anti-Soviet in WWII as a Nazi. Finally, there is a private initiative to publish a history of the the camp, the town, the events, and the history surrounding them. Together, these will be a lasting memorial to to both Flemish and Latvian soldiers who died at the Eastern Front.

We have been privileged to have been contacted to assist with this project in translating materials. We have been given permission to reproduce those here and will add them as work progresses.

POW camps in and around Zedelgem

Camp 2227, which was generally used for Baltic soldiers, was not the only camp in the area. Camp 2226 was used for Germans; other Zedelgem camps were used for other nationalities or for segregating POWs by military rank. Following is page from an inventory of POW camps which includes the camps at Zedelgem.

"Restricted" document from the "H.Q. 21 Army Group"*
German personnel under British control
As at 1800 hrs Thursday 19 Jul 45
(Summary of Surrendered Troops and PW)
 
*21 Army Group was under Field. Marshall Montgomery commanding
View the original [here]

The official Zedelgem POW camp web site can be found at www.zedelgem-pow-camp.be

Please contact us if you are interested in assisting with translations or with supporting the Zedelgem projects. And visit again to check back on progress!

• Zedelgem introduction
• Notebook of hand-written Latvian Legion songs last belonging to Private Kārlis Cinītis — translation in progress