| Place | Africa: North Africa, Western Desert |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR90/062 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1 |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Plunkett, John James Sargeaunt, J A H |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | 1942 |
| Access | Open |
| Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. | AWM371 90/0854 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Plunkett, John James (Sergeant, b.1912 - d.?); Sargeaunt, James A H (Squadron Leader)
Description
Collection consists of two items - a prisoner of war letter written by 404216 Sergeant John James Plunkett, RAAF; and a postcard written by 70600 Squadron Leader James A H Sargeaunt, RAF. Both are written in September 1942 from a Stalag Luft POW camp in Germany and addressed to 253218 Squadron Leader Wilfred Bailey Tart at RAAF Headquarters, London.
The letter by Plunkett describes the crash of his aircraft in the desert near Sollum (Egypt) on 7 August 1942, a trek of 16 days and about 180 miles towards his base before being captured by the German Afrika Corps on 23 August. Plunkett details his medical condition and asks Tart to make arrangements for the storage of his kit bags, and requests warm clothing be supplied by the Comforts Fund via the Red Cross to get him through the upcoming winter.
The postcard by Sargeaunt asks to let people know he is alive and well, and requests that tobacco and/or cigarettes be sent from the Comforts Fund via the Red Cross.
Both men served on Vickers Wellington bombers with No. 458 Squadron RAAF.