Glossary of WWII POW Terms From “The Shoe Leather Express”

Note:  The following terms are helpful to anyone researching their Dad’s, Grandpa’s, Uncle’s, etc., WWII experience:

From Page 106 of Joe O’Donnell’s “The Shoe Leather Express” – Book 1

40 & 8           World War I type boxcar, capacity 40 men or 8 horses; utilized in transporting WWII POWs

KRIEGSGEFANGEN     Prisoner of War                                                                                                                                                                             

KRIEGIE              Acronym for prisoner

VORLAGER      Outer lager housing the German Administration

ZIMMER              German for room

STALAG LUFT          Prison camp for enlisted airmen

P.O.W.       Prisoner of War

DULAG LUFT        Transit Camp

I.P.        Initial point; a landmark or point where all bombers turn to make the final run over target with no evasive action taken during the bomb run.

KLIM CAN       Milk spelled backwards, a can that contained powdered milk

S-2       Intelligent Agency U.S.A.

“D” BAR         Concentrated chocolate

LOG BOOK       a Prisoner of War diary

DIGGER          Jail

KILOMETER x .6214 = mile

MILE x 1.609 = Kilometer

SHOE LEATHER EXPRESS       A mode of transportation, walking