POLICE COMMENDATION

Mass Escape of German Prisoners of War - 11th March, 1945. The recent escape of 70 Prisoners of War from the Camp at Bridgend set the Force a task which called for the prompt and energetic attention of all ranks. At the outset, it was clear from reports which reached the Police that it would be anything but an easy matter to trace and recapture the escaped men, who would take full advantage of what they achieved in getting away from the Camp in different directions. In view of the magnitude of the escape, measures had to be taken to organise the search and maintain keen observations on a far wider scale than could be done by the limited numbers of Service and Police personnel; and, for this purpose, an appeal was made by the Chief Constable for the aid of all available Special Constables, members of the Home Guard, Wardens, and members of the general public who could give assistance. The response to this appeal fulfilled all expectations. With the least possible delay search parties were methodically organised and a comb-out was undertaken, which yielded such good results that within the space of six days all of the Prisoners had been recaptured and returned to the Camp. Through the energy and vigilance of the search parties, and the wonderful co-operation of the members of the public who passed on to the police without delay any information they considered would be helpful, only eight of the escaped Prisoners of War were able to make their way outside the County of Glamorgan; four of whom had taken possession of and driven away in an unattended motor car immediately they escaped from the Camp, and were probably outside Glamorgan before their escape was reported to the Police. It is known that the other four boarded goods trains at isolated spots. Messages of thanks for the good work done by the Police have been received from both the Officer Commanding, South Wales District, and the Officer Commanding, Severn Sub District, and the Chief Constable desires to take this opportunity of expressing his personal appreciation, not only of the members of the Force, the Police Auxiliaries and the Special Constables, but also of the invaluable assistance given by the members of the Home Guard, the air Raid Wardens, members of other branches of the Civil Defence Service, and the very large number of other public spirited citizens who came forward and gave their services so readily at a time when they were so much needed. It is desired that this expression of thanks for assistance rendered should be conveyed also to the Ministers of Religion, of all denominations, who contributed such useful and material assistance in connection with the search by announcing to their congregations that this large number of Prisoners of War had escaped, and that if any persons resembling them were seen the matter should be reported without delay to the Police. It is impossible to send a personal message of appreciation to all who assisted in the protracted search, and, for this reason, the Chief Constable hopes that the members of the Force in their respective districts will convey this message of thanks to all those persons who co-operated as the source for disseminating the information for the valuable assistance which was so spontaneously given, and proved so effective. By Order JOSEPH JONES CHIEF CONSTABLE. ***(1936 - 1952)*** To each Supt. (4) To each Insp. (2) To each Sec. Sgt. (2)