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FORCED MARCHES, FREEDOM AND REPATRIATION
FORCED MARCHES, FREEDOM AND REPATRIATION
In early 1945, the Russians approached Stalag Luft III from the east, whilst the Allies moved in from the West. In January 1945, the camp was evacuated and prisoners were force-marched to other camps during one of the coldest European winters on record. Many servicemen died but Dwayne Linton survived – finally being interned at Stalag VII-A, Moosburg, in southern Silesia. He was liberated by the Allies in April 1945, flown back to England by the RAF, and eventually repatriated to the USA.
Dwayne Linton returned to a happy civilian life in Herrin, Illinois, still pursuing his lifelong love of flying, and raising a family of three sons with his wife, Margaret Ruth. He undertook many activities that helped others, and took a keen interest in veteran servicemen groups. Dwayne Linton died in 2000, aged 85; Margaret Ruth died just a few weeks later. He is still remembered in his home town of Herrin as a friendly, easy-going, humorous man who was always modest and retiring about his outstanding war record.
Dwayne Linton returned to a happy civilian life in Herrin, Illinois, still pursuing his lifelong love of flying, and raising a family of three sons with his wife, Margaret Ruth. He undertook many activities that helped others, and took a keen interest in veteran servicemen groups. Dwayne Linton died in 2000, aged 85; Margaret Ruth died just a few weeks later. He is still remembered in his home town of Herrin as a friendly, easy-going, humorous man who was always modest and retiring about his outstanding war record.
A dog-tag, acquired by Dwayne Linton, for Stalag 10-C, Bad Sulza, Thuringia. In January 1945, Dwayne was force-marched from Stalag Luft III to several POW camps before final incarceration at Germany’s largest prison camp, Stalag VII-A, Moosburg, southern Bavaria. He was liberated by the US Third Army in April 1945.
In order to join the RCAF in 1940, Dwayne Linton had to divorce his wife, Margaret Ruth, because the RCAF would not enlist married men at the time. On his return to the USA in the summer of 1945, Dwayne’s first priority was to re-marry Margaret Ruth at a civil ceremony in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Dwayne Linton and his wife Margaret Ruth, on the day of their wedding in Saint Louis, summer 1945.
Dwayne Linton in the 1950s. A hard-working and much respected citizen in his southern Illinois locality, he did much to help others through voluntary work and membership of several charitable and ex-military organisations. He continued to fly after the war, and always loved aviation.
Dwayne Linton died in 2000, aged 83. His wife, Margaret Ruth, passed away just a few weeks later. They lie together in a small cemetery, surrounded by cornfields, at Freeman Spur, southern Illinois.
