Special Camp XI - Island Farm Camp 198

On the 31st March 1945 the last of the 1,634 prisoners were moved from Camp 198 to Camp 181 Carburton Worksop Nottinghamshire England . This was mainly done as a precaution incase another tunnel remained undetected at Island Farm.

Island Farm was then designated the title of Special Camp Eleven and given a new commandant Major D.B. Topham (previously Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel Darling).

The reason the camp was rebranded with the name of "Special Camp" was because it was now going to receive high ranking German officers. Despite the war being over, these German officers are being held for a variety of reasons:

a) Whilst war crimes investigations were being conducted.
b) Awaiting their own war trial.
c) As witnesses expected to give evidence at another officer's war trial
d) Awaiting extradition transfer to requesting countries.

9th January 1946

The date of the opening of Special Camp 11 has been stated as 17th November 1945, but the first officers came on Wedneday 9th January 1946. Officer arrival at Island Farm Special Camp 11 A few of the officers were related to each other e.g: Leutnant Hans Gerd von Rundstedt & Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt (Father & Son) Some of the officers held at Special Camp 11 were some of Hitler's closest advisers during WWII e.g. Generalfeldmarschalls: Rundstedt, Manstein, Kleist & Brauchitsch. Many of the high ranking officers would not associate with the ORs (Other Ranks) and at meal times refused to join tables with them.

9th January 1946 (Click image to enlarge)

21st / 25th June 1946 - Camp Visit by P.Rossiter

Camp Commandant: Major D.B. Topham Interpreter: Captain Ted Lees PoW Complement: 162 PoWs - 162 officers - 0 Other Ranks (OR) German PoW - Camp Leader: General der Fleiger Hans-Georg von Seidel German PoW - Deputy Camp Leader: Generalleutnant Kurt Weckmann German PoW - Medical Officer: St/Arzt Pilawka

Unrest between Other Rank Orderlies and Batmen (Click image to enlarge)

20th October 1946 - Camp Inspection by Major T. Barry

Camp Commandant: Major D.B. Topham PoW Complement: 181 PoWs German PoW - Camp Leader: General der Fleiger Hans-Georg von Seidel

20th October 1946 (Click image to enlarge)

24th March 1947 - Camp Inspection by Sgt T.R.Gibson

English classes are currently suspended due to fuel shortages

24th March 1947 - Page 1 (Click image to enlarge)

24th March 1947 - Page 2 (Click image to enlarge)

28th / 29th July 1947 - Camp Inspection by Mr E. F. Peeler

Camp Commandant: Major D.B. Topham PoW Complement: 305 - 155 Officers, - 150 Other Ranks (OR) German PoW - Camp Leader: General der Fleiger Hans-Georg von Seidel

28th July 1947 (Click image to enlarge)

September 1947 - Major D.B. Topham is retiring

25th September 1947 (Click image to enlarge)

29th September 1947 (Click image to enlarge)

Major Topham - Service Record (Click image to enlarge)

Name: Major Denis Bevan Topham
Enlisted: 30th May 1939
Unit: 9th Royal Fusiliers
Promotions:
- Captain - August 1940
- Major - December 1941

Camp Commandant at Camps:
- Camp 13 - December 1941 - February 1943
- Camp 11 (Trent Park) - February 1943 - February 1944
- Camp 1 - February 1944 - May 1944
- Camp 11 ( Island Farm Special Camp ) May 1944 - September 1947

1st / 2nd December 1947 - Camp Inspection by Major T Barry

Camp Commandant: Major Clements - note the new camp commmandant ! PoW Complement: 89 German PoW - Camp Leader: General der Fleiger Hans-Georg von Seidel German PoW - Deputy Canp Leader: Admiral Voss German PoW - English teacher: Generalleutnant Harry Hoppe [ incorrectly written Hopper in the report ] Restricted PoW walks, ban on civilian contact hoped to be lifted and hut heating considered a "poor affair"!

1st December 1947 - Page 1 (Click image to enlarge)

1st December 1947 - Page 2 (Click image to enlarge)

3rd / 4th May 1948 - Camp Inspection by C.M. Griffiths

Camp Commandant: Major Clements PoW Complement: 234 - 81 officers - 153 Other Ranks (OR) German PoW - Camp Leader: General der Fleiger Hans-Georg von Seidel [ Incorrectly written Seydel) German PoW - English teacher: Generalleutnant Kurt Kruse Last inspection prior to repatriation (12th May 1948)

3rd May 1948 - Page 1 (Click image to enlarge)

3rd May 1948 - Page 2 (Click image to enlarge)

SPECIAL CAMP ELEVEN