Finding soldier Tom: Solving family mystery of WW2 Soviet prisoner of war
Summary
A Soviet prisoner of war known as "Tom" escaped from a Nazi labor camp on Jersey during World War II and was hidden by a local family for over two years. After the war, he returned to the Soviet Union and disappeared from contact, but recent research traced his descendants to Uzbekistan, revealing more about his life and the risks taken by those who helped him.Key Facts
- About 2,000 Soviet prisoners and forced laborers were brought to Jersey by the Nazis.
- Tom escaped a forced labor camp in 1943 and was sheltered by the Le Breton family.
- The Le Bretons risked their lives to hide Tom, as helping escapees was dangerous.
- Tom was allowed to read to and play with the Le Bretons' children during his hiding.
- After the war, Tom returned to the Soviet Union but stopped contacting the family after three letters.
- Soviet returning prisoners of war often faced suspicion, interrogation, and punishment.
- Tom's full identity was unknown for decades until BBC Russian helped locate his descendants in Uzbekistan.
- Some Jersey residents who helped Soviet escapees, like Louisa Gould, were deported and killed by the Nazis.
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