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GermanBY HOLLY FLETCHERTimes CorrespondentA former German POW is asking Gettysburg Times readers for their help in locating an American friend,It has been more than 65 years since Josef Bibracher ‘Visited” Gettysburg-He was a 17-year-old German officer cadet from the 89th Mountain Regiment, brought over to the United States from Naples, Italy, in a very basic prisoner of war ship in 1944.He was sent first to Camp Forrest in the south and then to Gettysburg.A German prisoner-of-war camp was located on Gettysburg battlefield land between 1944 and 1945. The prisoners were brought to Adams County to work in the fields, orchards, and canning factories to replace that part of the local labor force that was serving in the armed services.Jo’s friend, Phil Fairclough, has done several hours of one-on-one internews with Jo as part of a book he is writing.“I must say, Jo was a very ‘volatile’ prisoner who provoked many reactions,” he saidJo admits that, as a soldier, he felt the need to resist and at one camp, he stole the American flag from the mess, cancelling all privileges for his fellow prisoners.He and three other prisoners also managed to escape the Gettysburg camp, staying out for about a week before the sheriff’s department picked them up at a local farm.“We traveled at night and I remember going through an area full of Civil War statues, which looked quite frightening in the gloom,” he recalled.While he and his comrades were here, they worked at the Heinz Factory inPhotos courtesy of Josef BibracherThis photo was taken between 1944 and 1945 and is of an unidentified girl whom Josef Bibracher met during the period that he was held at the prisoner of war camp on Gettysburg battlefield. Bibracher is seeking help from the Times readers. He would like any information that might help put him in touch with the unknown girl or her family. Bibracher and the young lady’s family formed a friendship during World War II.Chambersburg. rural England with his wifeNow in his 80s and living in Maureen, Jo said he has fondWhile being held as a POW, Josef Bibracher worked at the Heinz Factory in Chambersburg. Bibracher met the young lady shown in the photo at left when she came to visit her father who also worked at the plantmemories of the American family he met here.“For the first time in my life I felt I was accepted as an ordinary human being, by them and their little girl. I am old now, but often think back to the kindness I received from them,” he wrote.He sent a photograph to the newspaper and is asking readers for their help in locating the girl. He does not recall her name, or her address, but said she would be about 70 years old now. Her father was an employee at the factory where Jo worked.“I wonder if she still lives in your area. I would be very pleased if she was there and wanted to correspond,” he said.Anyone with information is asked to contact JosefBibracher, either by mail: Chameleon, Mossey Green, Ketley Bank, Telford, TF2 ODL, Shropshire, England, orby phone: 01952 610952.POW seeks American friend from the pastH. J. Heinz Company Factory, Chambersburg, Pa-For All Your Lawn Garden NeedsPlants Trees ShrubsPerennials Hanging Baskets Statuary
Newspaper Details
Gettysburg Times
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, May 15, 2009
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Gettysburg C.
PA, USA 22 Apr 2021
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