The photo above is the gate at Buchenwald Concentration Camp. The phrase on the gate says “Jedem Das Seine” which is the literal German translation of the Latin phrase suum cuique, meaning “to each his own” or “to each what he deserves.”
Buchenwald was a concentration camp established on Ettersberg Hill near Weimar, Germany, in July 1937. It was one of the first and the largest of the concentration camps within the Altreich.
On August 20, 1944, 168 Allied forces airmen arrived in Buchenwald. Below is their story.
Squadron Leader Phil Lamason’s story is one of extraordinary courage, leadership, and resilience. During World War II, Lamason, a New Zealand Royal Air Force officer, played a crucial role in saving the lives of 168 Allied airmen who were illegally imprisoned in the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp by the Nazis. This group, known as the KLB Club (from “Konzentrationslager Buchenwald,” German for “Buchenwald Concentration Camp”), faced unimaginable hardships. Yet, thanks to Lamason’s leadership, they survived. This blog explores Lamason’s background, the events leading to the formation of the KLB Club, the harrowing experiences of the airmen in Buchenwald, and the impact of Lamason’s actions, which highlight the enduring themes of heroism, solidarity, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Phil Lamason: A Life of Duty and Courage
Phil Lamason was born on September 15, 1918, in Napier, New Zealand. From a young age, he exhibited a strong sense of duty, which later defined his military career. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 1940 and trained as a pilot. By the time of his capture in 1944, Lamason had become an experienced and highly respected bomber pilot, leading numerous missions over Nazi-occupied Europe as part of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Bomber Command. His commitment to his comrades and his unyielding moral compass would soon be tested in the most extreme conditions imaginable.
The Downfall: Capture and Imprisonment
In June 1944, during a bombing mission over France, Lamason’s Lancaster bomber was shot down by German forces. He and his crew parachuted out of the stricken aircraft, but Lamason was captured by the Gestapo shortly after landing. Along with other captured Allied airmen, he was classified as a “terrorflieger” (terror flyer) by the Nazis—a designation used to strip them of their rights as prisoners of war (POWs) under the Geneva Convention. The Nazis falsely accused these airmen of being spies and saboteurs rather than legitimate military personnel. This designation placed them outside the protections typically afforded to POWs. Consequently, instead of being sent to a POW camp, Lamason and 167 other airmen were sent to Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
Buchenwald: A Living Hell
The Buchenwald Concentration Camp, located near Weimar, Germany, was one of the most prominent and most notorious camps within the Nazi system. It was primarily a labor camp where prisoners endured brutal conditions, forced labor, starvation, and frequent executions. When the 168 airmen arrived at Buchenwald in August 1944, they were shocked by the horrors they witnessed. They were stripped of their uniforms, denied their rights as POWs, and forced to live in squalor alongside political prisoners, Jews, and other persecuted groups.
The airmen’s situation was dire. They were given meager rations, subjected to grueling forced labor, and housed in overcrowded, disease-ridden barracks. The camp’s commandant made it clear that the airmen would receive no special treatment, and they soon realized they were not recognized as POWs by the German authorities. Death hung over them constantly, as they were aware that the Gestapo had initially intended to execute them.
The Formation of the KLB Club
It was in this nightmarish setting that Phil Lamason’s leadership indeed emerged. As the highest-ranking officer among the airmen, Lamason took responsibility for their welfare. He immediately began organizing the men, maintaining discipline, and enforcing military conduct, which was crucial for their survival in such dire circumstances. The group of 168 airmen became known as the KLB Club, a name derived from the German abbreviation for Buchenwald concentration camp—Konzentrationslager Buchenwald.
Lamason’s determination to protect his men and secure their recognition as POWs became his driving mission. Despite the dangers, he repeatedly appealed to the camp authorities, demanding that the airmen be transferred to a proper POW camp. He refused to accept their illegal imprisonment and the treatment they were receiving. Lamason’s persistence was remarkable; even when faced with threats of execution, he continued to assert the airmen’s rights under international law.
The Turning Point: Transfer to Stalag Luft III
Lamason’s efforts eventually bore fruit. In October 1944, after weeks of relentless appeals and negotiations, Lamason succeeded in drawing the attention of the Luftwaffe (the German Air Force). The Luftwaffe, unlike the SS and the Gestapo, had a vested interest in maintaining the rules of war regarding airmen, as many of their own pilots were held in Allied POW camps. Realizing the potential repercussions if the airmen were executed or left to die in Buchenwald, the Luftwaffe intervened.
On October 19, 1944, just days before the airmen were scheduled to be executed, the Luftwaffe arranged for their transfer to Stalag Luft III, a POW camp for Allied airmen located in Sagan (now Żagań, Poland). The transfer marked the end of a terrifying ordeal that had lasted for nearly two months. While conditions at Stalag Luft III were far from ideal, they were a significant improvement over Buchenwald. The airmen were finally recognized as POWs and were able to communicate with their families and receive Red Cross parcels. Their shaven-headed, emaciated appearance shocked their fellow PoWs.
Stalag Luft III has its own significance in World War II history; it is known for the Great Escape story.
Phil Lamason’s leadership and moral courage saved the lives of the 168 airmen in Buchenwald. His actions are a powerful testament to the importance of leadership, integrity, and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. The KLB Club members were forever bonded by their shared experiences, and they continued to honor Lamason and each other in the years following the war. Despite his pivotal role, Lamason remained largely unknown outside New Zealand until his story was publicized in the 21st century through documentaries and books.
The story of the KLB Club is significant not only because it highlights the horrors of Nazi concentration camps but also because it underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of standing up for justice, even in the darkest of times. Lamason’s refusal to give in to despair, his unwavering commitment to his comrades, and his relentless pursuit of their rights under international law serve as enduring lessons in leadership and humanity.
Sources
https://www.phillamason.com/the-story
Donation
I am passionate about my site and I know you all like reading my blogs. I have been doing this at no cost and will continue to do so. All I ask is for a voluntary donation of $2, however if you are not in a position to do so I can fully understand, maybe next time then. Thank you. To donate click on the credit/debit card icon of the card you will use. If you want to donate more then $2 just add a higher number in the box left from the PayPal link. Many thanks.
$2.00
History of Sorts 
Leave a comment