Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp

By 1st Sgt. Jacob ConnorMarch 24, 2025

Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lester F. Schrenk together with Polish junior cadets on March 22, 2025, as he returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV, Tychowo, Poland. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war during WWII at Stalag Luft IV. This is the first time he has returned since being released over 80 years ago. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The train station in Tychowo, Poland, where Lester F. Schrenk arrived to as he was transported as a prisoner of war 81 years ago. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war, and returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV, on March 22, 2025. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army color guard from the 1st Armor Division honored Lester F. Schrenk as he arrived at the train station in Tychowo, Poland, where he arrived to as he was transported as a prisoner of war 81 years ago. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war, and returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV, on March 22, 2025. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lester F. Schrenk with U.S. Army Capt. Steve Ashman visits Stalag Luft IV, a former prison of war camp but now a monument to honor and remember the prisoners of war who were held captive during WWII in Tychowo, Poland, March 22, 2025. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war and returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lester F. Schrenk visits Stalag Luft IV, a former prison of war camp but now stands a monument to honor and remember the prisoners of war who were held captive during WWII in Tychowo, Poland, March 22, 2025. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war and returned to the site for the first time since he was released captivity. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army color guard from the 1st Armor Division honored Lester F. Schrenk on March 22, 2025, as he returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV, Tychowo, Poland. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war during WWII at Stalag Luft IV. This is the first time he has returned since being released over 80 years ago. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army color guard from the 1st Armor Division honored Lester F. Schrenk as he arrived at the train station in Tychowo, Poland, where he arrived to as he was transported as a prisoner of war 81 years ago. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war, and returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV, on March 22, 2025. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL
Captive for 15 Months, WWII Veteran Returns to POW Camp
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lester F. Schrenk together with U.S. Army Soldiers on March 22, 2025, as he returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV, Tychowo, Poland. Les, a 101-year-old veteran, survived 15 months as a prisoner of war during WWII at Stalag Luft IV. This is the first time he has returned since being released over 80 years ago. (Photo Credit: 1st Sgt. Jacob Connor) VIEW ORIGINAL

TYCHOWO, Poland - Eighty years after his liberation from a German prisoner of war camp, 101-year-old Lester F. Schrenk returned to the site of his captivity, Stalag Luft IV in Tychowo, Poland, on Friday, March 22, 2025.

"To be back here in Poland after all these years, it's truly a blessing," Schrenk said, his eyes twinkling. "There was a time when this place held painful memories, but that anger, that resentment... it has no place in my heart anymore."

Schrenk, known as "Les," was a Sergeant in the U.S. Eighth Air Force, serving with the 92nd Bomb Group, 327th Squadron. He was captured on Feb. 22, 1944, after his B-17 bomber, "Pot O' Gold," was shot down during "Operation Argument," a raid on the German airfield Aalborg-West in Denmark.

He managed a daring escape from the plummeting aircraft moments before it crashed, parachuting to the ground and into the hands of the Germans. His capture marked the beginning of a harrowing 15 months in captivity.

Stalag Luft IV housed mostly American POWs, but also held captive airmen from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, as well as Polish, Czech, French and Norwegian service members.

Schrenk endured brutal interrogations and the deprivation of war as a prisoner. He found solace in writing poetry with his fellow American prisoners, clinging to hope amidst the uncertainty. He often reflected on the German ace who shot down his plane, questioning why he was spared.

"I'm glad I lived to talk about it," Schrenk said. "I put all the bad things behind me a long, long time ago."

On Feb. 6, 1945, Schrenk joined some 8,000 men from the camp on what became known as the "Death March." The prisoners were given their remaining Red Cross parcels and forced to march under guard about 15-20 miles per day for 86 days.

Schrenk served as a ball turret gunner, assigned to the 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, stationed at RAF Podington. His story of service and survival against unimaginable odds continues to resonate.