Carolus Marinus Popelier 1918 - 1945

Born 29.10.1918 in Gorinchem
Died 23.2.1945 in Mauthausen

Biography

As a prospective reserve officer flyer Royal Navy, Carolus Marinus Popelier was taken prisoner on 15 May 1942 in Roermond, Netherlands. The same day he was transported to Oflag XIII B Nuremberg-Langwasser. It was a trick of the Germans. Carolus and other officers thought they had to report only. They also had a train ticket for the return journey. He was prisoner number 31598. On 2 August 1942 they left Oflag XIII B Nuremberg-Langwasser for a 6-day-trip to an unknown destination. On 8 August 1942 They arrived in Stalag 371 to Stanislau (Current Ukraine). On 11 January 1944, Carolus Popelier escaped from Stalag 371, along with the cadets-ensign Ad Verhage, Sieb van der Pol, Joop Singor, Ary Ligtermoet, Hans von Seydlitz Kurzbach and Sergeant Albert Ernst. On 18 January 1944, Carolus was with Ad Verhage captured and brought back to Stalag 371. On 3 March 1944, he tried with several others again escaping from Stalag 371, but this failed. In the beginning on April 1944 Carolus was transferred with eight others to Gross Rosen concentration camp in Poland. Carolus came with Ad Verhage, in the camp Hospital, because they were so weakened Marinus Carolus Popelier was transferred in June 1944 to Mauthausen concentration camp. Very likely he was killed on 23 February 1945 within the “Aktion Kugel” (as punishment for his escapes) at Camp Mauthausen in Austria.

The family Popelier was informed about the death of Carolus Marinus Popelier at the end of December 1945, after an investigation of Ritmeester W. CH. J. M. van Lanschot Commissioned of Z.K.H. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.

Michel Huisman

Location In room