Prisoners of War and Their Involvement in the War Effort: A Forgotten Chapter in WWII History

During World War II, the experiences and roles of prisoners of war (POWs) in both Axis and Allied camps were complex and sometimes surprising. Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insight into the broader context of the conflict and the human stories behind the historical events.

Captivity and National Beliefs

One often-overlooked aspect of the war is how prisoners, particularly those from occupied countries, sometimes willingly joined the war effort of the captors. The nazis, believing their own propaganda, thought that Americans would be more willing to fight the Soviets than the nazis. However, this belief did not extend to U.S. prisoners of war, who had no inclination to join the German military. On the other hand, many German prisoners did volunteer for work outside the camps, driven by boredom or even to counteract weight gain, leading to a complex and sometimes contentious relationship between incarcerated soldiers and their captors.

A Colditz Prison Incident

An interesting and humorous event took place at the Colditz prisoner of war camp in Germany. During a morning parade, German officers asked for volunteers to work in civilian jobs outside the camp. This request was met with silence until a French prisoner stepped forward, volunteering using a less commonly known skill. His statement that he would rather work for 20 Germans than one Frenchman, referring to his previous job as an undertaker, elicited laughter and concern from his fellow prisoners. This incident highlights the unique and often unexpected dynamics within prisoner of war camps.

Role of Allied POWs in the War Effort

American prisoners of war did not typically join the German war effort voluntarily. However, many Axis troops did. POWs were often offered compensation, such as credits that could be redeemed for basic amenities, and even wages as per the Geneva Convention. These opportunities often attracted workers due to the contrast between the "opulent" food in the POW camps and their previous conditions. To counteract the issue of weight gain, U.S. officials sponsored football leagues for POWs, recognizing the mental and physical benefits of such activities.

Labor and Support for the Allied Causes

Prisoners in both Axis and Allied camps were put to work, performing tasks ranging from farm labor to construction. German prisoners in the U.S. were often utilized in potato and beet cultivation efforts, contributing significantly to the U.S. war effort. This work was not merely a form of physical labor but also a strategic necessity, as it freed up local labor for more critical military endeavors.

Challenges and Relationships

While many POWs embraced their work, others faced challenges, including ideological conflicts among fascists and anti-fascists. Secret courts were formed within some camps, and punishments were meted out unfairly. Some POWs escaped, but for various reasons, they rarely managed to evade capture for long. The most famous case of an escaped POW was Georg Gaertner, who managed to evade capture for four decades before being deported back to the U.S. after the war, only to find that U.S. authorities had lost interest in prosecuting him.

Despite the challenges, the relationships between POWs and their captors were not entirely negative. In many parts of the Midwest, especially among ethnic German communities, a surprising cordiality existed. Some POWs even maintained or rekindled relationships after the war. This phenomenon underscores the complexity of human interactions in the face of extreme circumstances and competing loyalties.

Conclusion

The experiences of prisoners of war in World War II are a testament to the unpredictability of human behavior in the face of conflict. Their involvement in the war effort, both as laborers and sometimes as true believers, highlights the myriad ways in which war shapes individual and collective identities. These stories enrich our understanding of the complex nature of the conflict and the individuals who lived through it.