Georgia's Prisoner of war camps
In World War II, the military installations in Georgia were often used as prisoner of war camps for war prisoners, such as Fort Oglethorpe, Fort Benning Fort Gordon, and other camps. By 1943, these camps held German, Austrian, and Italian prisoners, and each prisoner was separated from prisoners of different nationality. Larger camps could hold between 2,000 to 4,000 prisoners, and the prisoners were treated humanely, which surprised many of them. In prison, they were given food, sleeping quarters, medical care, and even educational opportunities in some cases. Many of the prisoners also helped maintain the camps, and some helped mow the lawns and painting buildings.
Despite the adequate treatment the Germans received, some loyal Nazis caused trouble in the camps, such as stopping work, and building up anger and resentment in the prison camps. The loyal Nazis usually had power over the other prisoners by using fear, pride for Germany, and sometimes even murder for people who they believe seem suspicious. The U.S. tried to find these Nazis, but were generally few successes. In 1944, a prisoner was strangled bye the others when they believed he reported a planned work disruption. The U.S. officials found the murderers, and were tried and executed in 1945.
Near the end of the war , the War Department started a reeducation program in 1944, where they showed the negative features of Nazis through photos and films to the prisoners to encourage the prisoners to change their views on the Nazis. Some prisoners were also given lessons about English, America's history, and the U.S. government. All of the prisoners were sent home at the end of the war in 1945, except for those that were arrested for various crimes. In the 1950s, some prisoners began to leave Europe and go back to Georgia to find jobs and to leave the destruction in Europe.
Despite the adequate treatment the Germans received, some loyal Nazis caused trouble in the camps, such as stopping work, and building up anger and resentment in the prison camps. The loyal Nazis usually had power over the other prisoners by using fear, pride for Germany, and sometimes even murder for people who they believe seem suspicious. The U.S. tried to find these Nazis, but were generally few successes. In 1944, a prisoner was strangled bye the others when they believed he reported a planned work disruption. The U.S. officials found the murderers, and were tried and executed in 1945.
Near the end of the war , the War Department started a reeducation program in 1944, where they showed the negative features of Nazis through photos and films to the prisoners to encourage the prisoners to change their views on the Nazis. Some prisoners were also given lessons about English, America's history, and the U.S. government. All of the prisoners were sent home at the end of the war in 1945, except for those that were arrested for various crimes. In the 1950s, some prisoners began to leave Europe and go back to Georgia to find jobs and to leave the destruction in Europe.