Axis Prisoners of War in the U.S. During WWII oral histories, 1999

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Access to original audiocassettes is restricted pending reformatting. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Life in a CCC camp: Axis Prisoners of War in the U.S. During WWII oral histories, 1999, SdArch 0017, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
.095 cubic feet 5 folders, 5 audiocassettes
Creator:
Owen, Gregory L.
Abstract:
The collection comprises five interviews with people associated Prisoner of War (POW) camps in the Shenandoah Valley. Interview topics range from transportation of prisoners to the camps use of POWs as a labor force.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Life in a CCC camp: Axis Prisoners of War in the U.S. During WWII oral histories, 1999, SdArch 0017, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises five interviews with people associated Prisoner of War (POW) camps in the Shenandoah Valley. Interview topics range from transportation of prisoners to the camps use of POWs as a labor force.

Interviewing Benjamin Lee May, Jacob Saylor, Dow Souder, and Karl Baumann, the interviews discuss topics such as internment camps in Virginia, the Geneva Convention, and German POWs harvesting crops. Most of the interviews have these men recounting their experiences from their childhood where they lived adjacent to the Timberville Camp.

Records the recollections of Benjamin May during the three-month period in 1944 when German POWs were interned in a camp near Timberville, Virginia These men were used primarily as a labor force for harvesting crops in the area. May was six years old when the Timberville Camp was erected adjacent to his farm. Mentions the Geneva convention and general positive treatment of POWs by guards and the community: Recalls the reactions of towns people and POWs towards each other: At first some fear and resentment by locals, followed by acceptance by the community when the POWs proved to be friendly and hard working. The group at the Timberville Camp were young teenagers who enjoyed singing and were skilled mechanics and carpenters. (One group carved an altar and made benches for the St. John's Lutheran Chapel in town)

Records the recollections of Saylor during the three-month period in 1944 when German POWs were interned in a camp near Timberville, Virginia These men were used primarily as a labor force for harvesting crops in the area. Saylor relates his experiences with German POWs from the perspective of a youngster who had just turned thirteen when they arrived in Timberville. His contact with the POWs occurred while working in the Hollar Orchard as a water boy. Recalls bringing prisoners snuff. Mentions the Geneva convention and general positive treatment of POWs by guards and the community: Recalls his reaction and others towards POWs: At first some concern, followed by acceptance by himself and the community. Recalls seeing Italian interns in New Market accompanied by a German shepherd dog. Mentions the difference in treatment between the German POWs and Italian diplomatic interns: the common German soldiers were required to work whereas the Italians did not. Recalls history of Italians capture, confinement at the Ingleside Hotel in Staunton along with the German diplomats and the families and staff, separations following Italian surrender in 1943 and final internment at Shenvalee.

Records Souder's recollections of the three-month period in 1944 when German POWs were interned in a camp near Timberville, Virginia (These men were used primarily as a labor force for harvesting crops in the area). Souder relates his experiences with German POWs from the perspective of a young man in his early thirties who supervised the work of the POWs at Mutual Cold Storage, a cooperative apple produce warehouse in Timberville. This warehouse, which was owned by the fruit growers in the area (Byrd family) stored not only apple products but other government products for the armed forces. Mentions procedure used to acquire prisoners to work as a supplemental labor force. Talks about the condition of the POWs, most of whom were draftees, their work ethic, and guards. Mentions the Geneva convention and general positive treatment of POWs by guards and the community

Records the recollections of Karl Baumann, a German prisoner of war during World War II in the United States at Camp 8, Lyndhurst/Sherando Lake, Virginia from April through November 1945. Recalls his early schooling and life as a merchant mariner in his teens; experiences in the German Navy and submarine duty during the War (incl. wounding at the invasion of Normandy, June 1944, evacuation to a hospital at Brest, capture and shipment to a POW camp in England and later to the United States). Describes experiences in this country as a POW, primarily at Camp 8, Lyndhurst, Virginia: various routines (roll call, cleaning, food/meals); work assignments and projects such as cutting pulpwood, working for local farmers; clothing; and the use of exchange coupons. Describes experiences with near-food shortages (strike) and an incident resulting in cell punishment. Talks about relations with fellow prisoners and American civilians (incl. a local farmer, Galen Heatwole, who later sponsored his return back to the United States); and military guards. Records events leading up to and return home to Germany January 1946. Philosophises about human rights during wartime and religious beliefs. In general, recalls conditions in Germany leading up to the War, his life as a German soldier and POW in the U.S., and reasons for returning

Biographical / historical:

Prisoner of War (POW) Camps in Virginia started in mid-1943 and was a major transit point for POW camps throughout the rest of the United States. Locations, such as the Timberville Camp, were established to house POWs for the purpose of contract labor. The Timberville camp was estimated to house 205 POWs with the purpose of contracted labor in forestry.

Acquisition information:
Collection was donated on May 4, 1999 by Gregory L. Owen.
Processing information:

Collection was originally cataloged at the item level; the descriptive metadata was compiled into a finding aid format in 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Names:
Owen, Gregory L.