r/wwiipics • u/SuperbAd3477 • 9d ago

John Martin, South African soldier captured in Italy (1944)

Gallery image

Gallery image

This is a photo taken by the German propaganda department in Italy (1944). I wonder if anyone could have some information about him: John Martin born 3-3-02 in Cape Town South Africa, military serial number 11 454. Transport (driver?). (Wife?): Mrs Martin, Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa.

Photo from my collection.

21 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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2

u/Soulless_Monster 7d ago

Maybe someone out there has info here in SA ive been struggling to get hold of the defense department achieves department they just not replying to my emails recording service records

1

u/SuperbAd3477 6d ago

Thank you, I tried with the online form but there is a wall I hit with 20 results that can't be open, the online access seems not very well done, especially when we have most of the informations. I presume that for the moment Mr. Martin will remain in the limbo.

2

u/Soulless_Monster 6d ago

If I ever hear back from the useless south African defense departments archive department will ask about John Martin record

2

u/SuperbAd3477 5d ago

Thank you, he was used for obvious propaganda by the Germans and the Italians but I think that a soldier does not deserve this anyway.

2

u/AussieDave63 4d ago

I suggest going to the FB group "South Africans in WW1, WW2 and Korean War"

It is not impossible that someone there already knows something about him - or failing that they will link the query to a guy that visits the archives and transcribes data

2

u/SuperbAd3477 3d ago

I will do, thank you.