Title: Edward and Elmer T. Lian Papers, 1969-1995
ID: OGLMC/208
Creator: Lian, Elmer T. (1918-2001)
Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 00/00/1972
Languages: English [eng]
The Edward and Elmer T. Lian Papers date from 1969 to 1995 and have been divided into two series.
Series 1: Edward Lian
Series 2: Elmer T. Lian
Elmer T. Lian of Grand Forks, North Dakota, donated numerous additions: July 20, 1982 (Accession 82-1008), February 1983 (Accession 83-1057), the summer of 1984 (Accessions 84-1317 and 85-1368), and March 30, 1989 (Accession 89-1646).
A donation was received from Steve Hoffbeck, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on July 28, 1993 (Accession 92-1840).
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Ed Bonhoff, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acquisition Method: Donation; the original acquisition records are unavailable.
Related Materials:
North Dakota Prisoner of War Reports: OGLMC 786
Kriegieland: Conversations with ex-POWs,Video #1018-1040, 1427-1433
Stalag Luft I POW 55th Anniversary, Video #1460-1462
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item) Edward and Elmer T. Lian Papers. OGLMC 208. Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid revised and migrated to Archon in July 2015.
The second series is the largest in the collection and consists of material written by and/or related to Elmer T. Lian. This includes several publications related to Lian's experiences as a POW (Prisoner of War) in the Second World War, several autobiographical publications, an oral history interview and newspaper clippings.
This series also includes scanned copies of two underground newspapers from Stalag Luft I. "POW-WOW" was the official underground newspaper and contained news articles gathered from a hidden BBC radio at the camp. "BOW-WOW" was a spoof of the official "POW-WOW" and printed "only unreliable news." Both of these publications were gathered by Elmer Lian and scanned by his son, Steven. The scans are preserved on a Special Collections server and are available by contacting Special Collections.
Prisoner of War Writes His Story by Marilyn Hagerty, 9 September 1970
Prisoners of the Nazis by Darrel Koehler, 2 April 1995
POW hero Lian dies by Stephen J. Lee, 4 June 2001
Elmer Lian: 'An extraordinary man' (editorial) by Chris Breitling, 17 June 2001