The Library/Archives recently acquired a scrapbook relating to a Nebraskan’s military service during World War II and his capture and imprisonment in a German POW camp. Quentin M. Coyle, a native of Valley, Nebraska, served as a Liberator bomber pilot during the war. On April 24, 1944, Coyle’s plane was shot down over Germany and he was forced to parachute to safety.
Quentin M. Coyle. (NSHS RG5694.AM)
After landing in the Black Forest region near Schappach, Germany, Coyle was captured and held in the local jail until he could be transferred to Stalag Luft III at Sagan (approximately 80 miles southeast of Berlin). Coyle was held at Sagan until January 27, 1945, when Russian troops threatened the area and the Germans were forced to move their prisoners to Nuremberg. Two months later he was moved to Moosburg. It was there on April 29 (Coyle’s birthday) that General Patton’s Third Army liberated the prisoners.
The scrapbook contains the telegram to Quentin’s father, George Coyle, from the War Department informing him that his son was currently “missing in action.” Also included are various newspaper clippings about Quentin’s imprisonment. However, the most interesting items contained in the scrapbook have to be the letters and postcards sent home by Quentin Coyle during his time as a prisoner of war.
Telegram from the War Department. (NSHS RG5694.AM)
POW postcard, May 12, 1944. (NSHS RG5694.AM)
POW postcard, May 12, 1944, reverse. (NSHS RG5694.AM)
POW letter, Dec. 20, 1944 (NSHS RG5694.AM)
This is just one of many collections that document a Nebraskan’s service and sacrifice during World War II. To find out more about what other resources are available, check out our website.
Tom Mooney, Curator of Manuscripts
This is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. Will have to stop by the archives some time and see it!
It is an interesting story. After the war, Coyle worked for United Airlines…first in Des Moines and then in Omaha.
I agree with Marsha. This is amazing. What an interesting look at life as a POW. Do you have other POW stories in your archives?
We do have various other collections relating to prisoners of war including LeRoy Ihrie, Willis Jones and Archie McMaster. If you go to our main website and type “prisoner of war manuscripts” (without the quotes) in the main Search box, it should bring up a list of various collections relating to prisoners of war.
Dear Mr. Mooney,
I donated the Quintin Coyle scrapbook. He was my aunt’s brother and I found it while cleaning out her effects after her death. I just want to thank you so much for the wonderful job you have done with it. I am thrilled to see this documented and appreciated. I made the right decision entrusting it to your collection.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Mona Tipton
Thank you for your gracious donation. I’m glad we were able to give this scrapbook a good home. It’s a wonderful addition to our collections, and I’m sure it will be appreciated by researchers for years to come.