| Other Odds and Ends; Internment; Brain Washing; Camps on Home Soil |
The story of America's civilian German Alien Internees during the war remains overshadowed by
that of the Japanese. However, 11,000 persons, including many American-born children, were
interned by the end of war by simple virtue of their German ancestry, leaving behind a legacy of
ruined lives, lost fortunes, shattered families and even suicide. At least 53 military and INS facilities
were used to house these mostly innocent civilian internees. Many were completely stunned by a
home invasion by three to seven gun-slinging FBI agents, sometimes taking place in the middle of the
night. The personal property left behind by some individuals was lost or stolen.
that of the Japanese. However, 11,000 persons, including many American-born children, were
interned by the end of war by simple virtue of their German ancestry, leaving behind a legacy of
ruined lives, lost fortunes, shattered families and even suicide. At least 53 military and INS facilities
were used to house these mostly innocent civilian internees. Many were completely stunned by a
home invasion by three to seven gun-slinging FBI agents, sometimes taking place in the middle of the
night. The personal property left behind by some individuals was lost or stolen.
Dragged off to various camps and a hasty hearing at a special Hearing Board, aliens deemed
"potentially dangerous to the public peace and safety of the United States" were typically sent in a
sealed off train with all windows shuttered to various camps. These civilians were viewed as
Prisoners of War and forced to wear government issue uniforms.
"potentially dangerous to the public peace and safety of the United States" were typically sent in a
sealed off train with all windows shuttered to various camps. These civilians were viewed as
Prisoners of War and forced to wear government issue uniforms.
They were initially housed in tents or crude cabins with inadequate washing and toilet facilities and
surrounded by barbed wire, warning signs and machine guns. Some were later sent on to family
camps like Crystal City or Seagoville in Texas. Beginning in early 1942 and ending in May of 1945,
there was also wholesale internment in the U.S. of thousands of Latin American Germans who were
kidnapped from their homes and shipped in dark holds of ships to the USA, all under the guise of
hemispherical security, and these unfortunate aliens were subsequently charged with illegal entry once
the war was concluded! There was continued internment of a large group of internees until 1948 for
no valid reason. Other Internees: the Columbus
surrounded by barbed wire, warning signs and machine guns. Some were later sent on to family
camps like Crystal City or Seagoville in Texas. Beginning in early 1942 and ending in May of 1945,
there was also wholesale internment in the U.S. of thousands of Latin American Germans who were
kidnapped from their homes and shipped in dark holds of ships to the USA, all under the guise of
hemispherical security, and these unfortunate aliens were subsequently charged with illegal entry once
the war was concluded! There was continued internment of a large group of internees until 1948 for
no valid reason. Other Internees: the Columbus
As for German POWs kept on American soil from 1942-1945, most were shipped to and detained in
about 500 camps in rural areas across the USA, mainly in the South and Southwest but also in the
Great Plains and Midwest (12,000 POWs were held in camps in Nebraska alone). In spite of the
Geneva Convention, specially trained prison officials set about molding the minds of the 380,000
German prisoners who filled numerous US camps from 1943 onward. Prisoners were expected to
turn them into "US-style democrats" using coercion, brainwashing and threats.
about 500 camps in rural areas across the USA, mainly in the South and Southwest but also in the
Great Plains and Midwest (12,000 POWs were held in camps in Nebraska alone). In spite of the
Geneva Convention, specially trained prison officials set about molding the minds of the 380,000
German prisoners who filled numerous US camps from 1943 onward. Prisoners were expected to
turn them into "US-style democrats" using coercion, brainwashing and threats.
Although it makes for uncomfortable reading, the concept of concentration camps was not a German
invention and was a well-established system throughout the world long before wars with Germany.
Just a scant few of British-run camps elsewhere are mentioned below.
invention and was a well-established system throughout the world long before wars with Germany.
Just a scant few of British-run camps elsewhere are mentioned below.
German, Italian and Japanese civilians were interned in camps Motuihe and Somes Islands in World
War II, the same camps where German civilians living in New Zealand were interned in World War I.
War II, the same camps where German civilians living in New Zealand were interned in World War I.
850 German Canadian civilians were accused of being spies for the Nazis, as well as subversives and
saboteurs during WW Two. Many German Canadians interned in Camp Petawawa were from a
nineteenth-century migration in 1876 who founded a farm villages called Germanicus in Ontario.
Their original farm homesteads were expropriated by the federal government with no compensation
and they were imprisoned behind barbed wire in the camp. The Foymount Air Force Base near
Cormac and Eganville was built on this expropriated land. Notable was that not one of these
homesteaders from 1876 or their grandchildren had ever visited Germany again after 1876, yet they
were accused of being "German Nazi agents". 756 German sailors, mostly captured in East Asia,
were also sent from Indian camps to Canada in June, 1941.
saboteurs during WW Two. Many German Canadians interned in Camp Petawawa were from a
nineteenth-century migration in 1876 who founded a farm villages called Germanicus in Ontario.
Their original farm homesteads were expropriated by the federal government with no compensation
and they were imprisoned behind barbed wire in the camp. The Foymount Air Force Base near
Cormac and Eganville was built on this expropriated land. Notable was that not one of these
homesteaders from 1876 or their grandchildren had ever visited Germany again after 1876, yet they
were accused of being "German Nazi agents". 756 German sailors, mostly captured in East Asia,
were also sent from Indian camps to Canada in June, 1941.
In British-India, British interned enemy nationals (mostly Germans) during both wars, including
Germans who had acquired British citizenship in India. There were at least 11 interment facilities
here in World War II. Most internees were then deported in late 1946. Germans shipped to Hamburg
were sent to the former Neuengamme concentration camp for "de-Nazification".
Germans who had acquired British citizenship in India. There were at least 11 interment facilities
here in World War II. Most internees were then deported in late 1946. Germans shipped to Hamburg
were sent to the former Neuengamme concentration camp for "de-Nazification".
Isle of Man: During World War II, about 8,000 people were interned in Britain, many being held in
camps at Knockaloe and Douglas on the Isle of Man where the British had also interred Germans
during WW One. The internees included enemy aliens from the Axis Powers, principally Germany
and Italy. The British government rounded up 74,000 German, Austrian and Italian aliens. Within 6
months the 112 alien tribunals had individually summoned and examined 64,000 aliens, and the
majority were released, having been found to be "friendly aliens" (mostly non-Germans). Eventually
only 2,000 of the remainder were interned. Initially they were shipped overseas. The last internees
were released late in 1945, though many were released in 1942. In Britain, internees were housed in
camps and prisons. Some camps had tents rather than buildings with internees sleeping directly on
the ground. Men and women were separated and most contact with the outside world was denied,
conditions which drew criticism from a variety of sources.
camps at Knockaloe and Douglas on the Isle of Man where the British had also interred Germans
during WW One. The internees included enemy aliens from the Axis Powers, principally Germany
and Italy. The British government rounded up 74,000 German, Austrian and Italian aliens. Within 6
months the 112 alien tribunals had individually summoned and examined 64,000 aliens, and the
majority were released, having been found to be "friendly aliens" (mostly non-Germans). Eventually
only 2,000 of the remainder were interned. Initially they were shipped overseas. The last internees
were released late in 1945, though many were released in 1942. In Britain, internees were housed in
camps and prisons. Some camps had tents rather than buildings with internees sleeping directly on
the ground. Men and women were separated and most contact with the outside world was denied,
conditions which drew criticism from a variety of sources.
France certainly had its share of camps, most with horrible conditions as previously mentioned. Even
the Netherlands did! Under Operation Black Tulip in the Netherlands, a plan to evict all Germans
from the Netherlands, on September 10, 1946 Germans and their families in Amsterdam were pulled
from their homes in the middle of the night and given one hour to collect fifty kilogrammes of
luggage. They were allowed to take only one hundred Guilders. The rest of their possessions were
confiscated by the state. They were taken to concentration camps near the German border, the
biggest of which was Mariënbosch near Nijmegen. The operation ended in 1948 after 3,691 Germans
(15% of German residents) were deported.
the Netherlands did! Under Operation Black Tulip in the Netherlands, a plan to evict all Germans
from the Netherlands, on September 10, 1946 Germans and their families in Amsterdam were pulled
from their homes in the middle of the night and given one hour to collect fifty kilogrammes of
luggage. They were allowed to take only one hundred Guilders. The rest of their possessions were
confiscated by the state. They were taken to concentration camps near the German border, the
biggest of which was Mariënbosch near Nijmegen. The operation ended in 1948 after 3,691 Germans
(15% of German residents) were deported.
In general the treatment of the average POW was decent. It was not good for those prisoners who
were considered "hard core Nazis" and they were treated roughly, segregated from others and kept
longer, often in the wilds of Scotland and other remote areas. There have also been cases of torture
brought to light in recent years as well. German airmen were brutally interrogated in some cases to
extract information. All were subjected to "re-education" before release.
were considered "hard core Nazis" and they were treated roughly, segregated from others and kept
longer, often in the wilds of Scotland and other remote areas. There have also been cases of torture
brought to light in recent years as well. German airmen were brutally interrogated in some cases to
extract information. All were subjected to "re-education" before release.
In postwar Belgium, a tribunal until October, 1946 dealt with "war criminals" which included Belgian
collaborators; They were sent to places such as Breendonk Concentration Camp. 4.357 were
sentenced to death, with 111 executed. Collaborators were deprived of their right to vote and over
322,000 Belgians were affected.
collaborators; They were sent to places such as Breendonk Concentration Camp. 4.357 were
sentenced to death, with 111 executed. Collaborators were deprived of their right to vote and over
322,000 Belgians were affected.
Belgium also took in Baltic soldiers who had understandably fought on the side of the Germans to
protect their homeland from the communists. Nearly 25,000 Latvians, for example, were interned in
Allied POW camps, initially those run by the British in Germany. In the fall of 1945 most of them,
about 12,000, were transferred to POW Camp 2227 at the Zedelgem camp in Belgium (Camp 2226
was used for Germans). However, the Allies also transported the Baltic refugees to Swedish ports
where they were shoved aboard freighters and deported together along with several hundred former
German soldiers to the USSR, where they spend their lives in slave labor in Communist hellholes. In
both situations, they often received beatings, and occasionally were even used for live target practice
by the guards. They were released from Allied camps during 1946 when the Western Allies
concurred that the Latvians were not Nazis despite their SS uniforms.
protect their homeland from the communists. Nearly 25,000 Latvians, for example, were interned in
Allied POW camps, initially those run by the British in Germany. In the fall of 1945 most of them,
about 12,000, were transferred to POW Camp 2227 at the Zedelgem camp in Belgium (Camp 2226
was used for Germans). However, the Allies also transported the Baltic refugees to Swedish ports
where they were shoved aboard freighters and deported together along with several hundred former
German soldiers to the USSR, where they spend their lives in slave labor in Communist hellholes. In
both situations, they often received beatings, and occasionally were even used for live target practice
by the guards. They were released from Allied camps during 1946 when the Western Allies
concurred that the Latvians were not Nazis despite their SS uniforms.
When released, the Latvians had no home to return to, and they left Displaced Persons camps and
forged new homes in Australia, Europe, Canada, South America, and the US. Their self help
organization (which was and still is denounced by the Soviets as a Nazi front), Daugavas Vanagi,
went with them.
forged new homes in Australia, Europe, Canada, South America, and the US. Their self help
organization (which was and still is denounced by the Soviets as a Nazi front), Daugavas Vanagi,
went with them.
At least most were not spit upon in England. Left: German prisoners parade down an English street
after D-Day. A small amount of German prisoners were sent to British POW camps from 1939 to
mid 1943, but it was not until their defeat in North Africa that the camps in Britain took in large
numbers. Italian as well as German prisoners were interned in camps across England, Scotland and
Wales. After 1942, most were shipped directly to New York and approximately 25,000 were sent on
to two large camps in Canada. The British did not want large numbers of German POWs on their
soil, and sent most elsewhere, some to distant parts of the British Empire. They did run camps in
Great Britain, however, over 600 in all.
after D-Day. A small amount of German prisoners were sent to British POW camps from 1939 to
mid 1943, but it was not until their defeat in North Africa that the camps in Britain took in large
numbers. Italian as well as German prisoners were interned in camps across England, Scotland and
Wales. After 1942, most were shipped directly to New York and approximately 25,000 were sent on
to two large camps in Canada. The British did not want large numbers of German POWs on their
soil, and sent most elsewhere, some to distant parts of the British Empire. They did run camps in
Great Britain, however, over 600 in all.
| In Merry Old... |
An organization called the Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre (CSDIC), a division of
the British War Office, ran a secret prison at Bad Nenndorf following the British occupation of
north-west Germany in 1945. One of their most notorious centers elsewhere was known as the
London Cage, located in an exclusive neighbourhood of London. Official documents recently
revealed that the London Cage was a secret torture centre where German prisoners who had been
concealed from the Red Cross were beaten, deprived of sleep, and threatened with execution or with
"unnecessary surgery". However, conditions at Bad Nenndorf, a small, once-elegant resort near
Hanover, was far worse. Secret records recently opened and disclosed horrific torture and suffering
of many of the 372 men and 44 women who passed through the center during the 22 months it
operated before its closure in July 1947, not only former NS party members, but private German
citizens. Several local citizens claimed that one could hear the prisoners' screams at night.
the British War Office, ran a secret prison at Bad Nenndorf following the British occupation of
north-west Germany in 1945. One of their most notorious centers elsewhere was known as the
London Cage, located in an exclusive neighbourhood of London. Official documents recently
revealed that the London Cage was a secret torture centre where German prisoners who had been
concealed from the Red Cross were beaten, deprived of sleep, and threatened with execution or with
"unnecessary surgery". However, conditions at Bad Nenndorf, a small, once-elegant resort near
Hanover, was far worse. Secret records recently opened and disclosed horrific torture and suffering
of many of the 372 men and 44 women who passed through the center during the 22 months it
operated before its closure in July 1947, not only former NS party members, but private German
citizens. Several local citizens claimed that one could hear the prisoners' screams at night.
Included with the German POWs were a number of Balts who had joined the German forces out of
fear and hatred of the Soviets. The Lithuanians and other Baltic refugees present in Sweden reacted
to this decision with despair, knowing the POWs would in many cases meet sudden death and most
would not be seen or heard from again. But the US pressed the case, and in early 1946, an US
military official published the following statement in German newspapers: "...most of the refugees
from the Baltic States have fled to Germany only because of their sympathy for National Socialism.
In addition, the refugees from the Baltic lands are most responsible for the crimes committed, which
create hardships for the refugees of other nationalities as well, and cause disturbances among the
inhabitants." The New York Times echoed this sentiment and presented Baltic refugees to the
American public as "pro-Nazi collaborators" who had fled their lands willingly. In January 1946,
Sweden handed over 146 Baltic and 2,364 German soldiers who had been interned in Swedish prison
camps to the Soviet Union.
fear and hatred of the Soviets. The Lithuanians and other Baltic refugees present in Sweden reacted
to this decision with despair, knowing the POWs would in many cases meet sudden death and most
would not be seen or heard from again. But the US pressed the case, and in early 1946, an US
military official published the following statement in German newspapers: "...most of the refugees
from the Baltic States have fled to Germany only because of their sympathy for National Socialism.
In addition, the refugees from the Baltic lands are most responsible for the crimes committed, which
create hardships for the refugees of other nationalities as well, and cause disturbances among the
inhabitants." The New York Times echoed this sentiment and presented Baltic refugees to the
American public as "pro-Nazi collaborators" who had fled their lands willingly. In January 1946,
Sweden handed over 146 Baltic and 2,364 German soldiers who had been interned in Swedish prison
camps to the Soviet Union.
Many preferred death to the horrible fate which awaited them at the hands of the vengeful
communists and there was an attempted mass suicide. At least seven of the internees died during the
process, but the number was possibly much higher and blocked by censorship. Above: Suicide in
Sweden; Baltic and German soldiers being extradited from a prison camp in Eksjö.
communists and there was an attempted mass suicide. At least seven of the internees died during the
process, but the number was possibly much higher and blocked by censorship. Above: Suicide in
Sweden; Baltic and German soldiers being extradited from a prison camp in Eksjö.
A similar situation played out in Sweden. In June 1945 the Swedish government, at the insistence of
the US and Britain, signed an agreement with the Soviet Union to give them the approximately 3,000
German soldiers who were interned in Sweden at the time of German capitulation. The agreement
was implemented (after a delay) on January 23, 1946, even though most of the Swedish press and
public protested the inhumane decision of the Swedish government.
the US and Britain, signed an agreement with the Soviet Union to give them the approximately 3,000
German soldiers who were interned in Sweden at the time of German capitulation. The agreement
was implemented (after a delay) on January 23, 1946, even though most of the Swedish press and
public protested the inhumane decision of the Swedish government.
Behavioral scientists at the Pentagon directed a "reeducation" program using liberal arts professors
who entered over 500 camps nationwide imposed a program that stressed only positive aspects of
American society. German POW collaborators and American educators censored popular books and
films as they feverishly promoted democratic humanism and condemned German "wartime heroics".
who entered over 500 camps nationwide imposed a program that stressed only positive aspects of
American society. German POW collaborators and American educators censored popular books and
films as they feverishly promoted democratic humanism and condemned German "wartime heroics".
More than 7,000 German prisoners of war were brought to twelve different camps in Utah where
hundreds of German prisoners had also been held during World War One, in fact, more than 500
German seamen captured on board the German cruiser SMS Cormoran at Guam and the SMS Geier
at Hawaii when America declared war on Germany were interned at Fort Douglas between June
1917 and March 1918. Fort Douglas was also the prison for "enemy aliens", conscientious objectors,
and others arrested for violations of wartime legislation.
hundreds of German prisoners had also been held during World War One, in fact, more than 500
German seamen captured on board the German cruiser SMS Cormoran at Guam and the SMS Geier
at Hawaii when America declared war on Germany were interned at Fort Douglas between June
1917 and March 1918. Fort Douglas was also the prison for "enemy aliens", conscientious objectors,
and others arrested for violations of wartime legislation.
On May 7, 1945, there were 250 German prisoners of war still housed at a camp that had been set
up at the end of Main Street in Salina, Utah awaiting repatriation back to their homeland. They were
housed in 43 tents scattered across the camp grounds with guards towers looming above. On July 8,
1945, Private Clarence Bertucci began his midnight shift and soon took his .30-caliber machine gun
and aimed at the tents where the prisoners were sleeping, methodically firing 250 rounds. He hit
thirty tents in a fifteen-second rampage. He killed six prisoners and wounded twenty-two (of which
three later died) before a corporal managed to disarm him.
up at the end of Main Street in Salina, Utah awaiting repatriation back to their homeland. They were
housed in 43 tents scattered across the camp grounds with guards towers looming above. On July 8,
1945, Private Clarence Bertucci began his midnight shift and soon took his .30-caliber machine gun
and aimed at the tents where the prisoners were sleeping, methodically firing 250 rounds. He hit
thirty tents in a fifteen-second rampage. He killed six prisoners and wounded twenty-two (of which
three later died) before a corporal managed to disarm him.
Bertucci had bragged in advance of what he intended and was completely unrepentant after the
massacre. He was briefly placed in a hospital for a psychiatric assessment, and despite the absence of
any evidence of mental impairment, Bertucci was declared insane by a military panel and sent to a
New York mental hospital. There is little information available about how long he spent there, but he
lived until 1969. His victims were buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery clad in U.S. military uniforms.
massacre. He was briefly placed in a hospital for a psychiatric assessment, and despite the absence of
any evidence of mental impairment, Bertucci was declared insane by a military panel and sent to a
New York mental hospital. There is little information available about how long he spent there, but he
lived until 1969. His victims were buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery clad in U.S. military uniforms.
In 1988, the German Air Force funded the refurbishment of the memorial statue at Fort Douglas
Cemetery created by German-born stone carver and immigrant to Utah, Arlo Steineke in honor of 21
German prisoners from World War One who died there. Representatives from Germany rededicated
the statue in honor of all the deceased prisoners, and included the phrase: "and all victims of despotic
governments around the world". Of the tens of thousands of Germans POWs in the United States
during World War II, only 2,222, less than 1 percent, tried to escape, By 1946, all prisoners had
been returned to their homes..if they had one left.
Cemetery created by German-born stone carver and immigrant to Utah, Arlo Steineke in honor of 21
German prisoners from World War One who died there. Representatives from Germany rededicated
the statue in honor of all the deceased prisoners, and included the phrase: "and all victims of despotic
governments around the world". Of the tens of thousands of Germans POWs in the United States
during World War II, only 2,222, less than 1 percent, tried to escape, By 1946, all prisoners had
been returned to their homes..if they had one left.
| Civilian Internees |
| Massacre |
Those who didn't comply were sent mainly to Camp Alva in Oklahoma, a maximum-security camp
for those the military deemed "hardcore Nazis and Nazi sympathizers". At least forty-six captives
died while in custody there.
for those the military deemed "hardcore Nazis and Nazi sympathizers". At least forty-six captives
died while in custody there.
In 1940, German combatant prisoners went to Canada at the request of Britain. Between 1940 and
1944, over 40,000 German POW were kept on Canadian soil behind Canadian barbed wire in places
like Kananaskis-Seebe, Lethbridge & Medicine Hat, Alberta and Kitchener, Bowmanville, Kingston
& Gravenhurst, Ontario.
1944, over 40,000 German POW were kept on Canadian soil behind Canadian barbed wire in places
like Kananaskis-Seebe, Lethbridge & Medicine Hat, Alberta and Kitchener, Bowmanville, Kingston
& Gravenhurst, Ontario.
