"Arsenal" Win the Cup - WWII PoW Reports

[Horridge]

We found this newspaper cutting loose within my late Granddad's WWII scrapbook. It references a letter written by my Great Uncle about a football cup that his kommando had organised within a prisoner of war camp. The younger brother mentioned in the final sentence is my Granddad.

I hope some of you find this of interest, I felt it was too interesting to not share. Unfortunately, we don't know where or when it was published.

[g88ner]

wow, thanks Horrdige. That certainly is interesting, so thanks for sharing it with us!

[Red Gunner]

German war camp in Poland... Was Podolski our captain?

[QuartzGooner]

Thanks Horridge...the language of the report seems so funny to me, "By gosh" and so on.

I actually think it is really important that you send this to the club, they have an official historian and if they are not aware of it could add it to the club's archive.

[email protected]

or

0207-619-5003

Or send it to the Final Word page in the match day programme, [email protected]

[hugh jardon]

Thanks for posting that, found it very interesting and you must be very proud of your Grandad. I guess football must've been something the POWs used to keep morale up in what must've been unimaginably difficult times.

As Quartz suggested, try sending a copy into the club, it could make it into a match programme.

[Simon]

Thanks for this - nice bit of history. Oh, and welcome to the forum!

[Steve_I]

wonderful find! Cheers for posting.

[SPARKSY]

Stuff like that is good to read. Send it to the club mate. I'm sure that sort of thing would go in the museum.

[Sal]

Dear Chris,

Good evening by Salvatore, an Italian Gooner. Having seen your article on "Arsenal" (title_"Arsenal" win the Cup, also on Arsenalcollective.co.uk), I may signal You this web address:

http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/ind ... war-heroes

As You can see, this article states that 'Rangers' had won the Championship of a Prisoner-of-War Camp in Germany (date of report; 01st of November 1942). Apparently, 14 teams had competed, all with names of English and Scottish First Division Clubs. Preston North End was declared second.

I suppose this competition is the "league" reported by J.F. Horridge in the end of the article.
So, I consider that:
a) two competitions have been carried out: one "cup" and one"league"
b) "Arsenal FC" won the "cup (5 teams), and Rangers were second (this "cup" had to be ended before 05th July 1942)
c) subsequently, Rangers won the "league" (14 teams) and Preston NE were second in the League (this "league" had to be ended before 01st November 1942).

Perhaps, You could ask the Editor of this Rangers site for information about the report. In fact, the journal name is not reported. Alternatively, I could contact them also.

Anyway, I am with You all: this news should be sent to Arsenal FC !!

All the Best
Sal

[DB10GOONER]

As an absolute history buff (particularly military history) I absolutely love this thread. Top marks.

[SPUDMASHER]

I used to work at the Crittal Windows Factory in Silver End

The whole village is still in an environmetal protection area and those of you that know of 'Crittal' windows will be aware that they are metal with absolutely no insulation. Houses in the village are still prevented from changing them for new windows even today.
The village was built up around the factory in 1923 by Sir Francis Crittal to accommodate his workers.

The village is a complete shithole and is known locally as "The End". Visit and you'll soon realise why!