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German Prisoners of the Second World War in the United States examines the complex lives of German POWs held on American soil during WWII, exploring camp policies, internal conflicts, and their lasting impact on prisoner mental health.
This comprehensive historical analysis reveals the untold story of German POWs through previously unknown archival materials from British, American, Red Cross, and German sources. Readers will discover how problematic camp policies created dangerous conditions, while internal warfare between Nazi minorities and mainstream German soldiers led to violence and murder within the camps. The book examines the British-American partnership that shaped the camp system, explores the psychological trauma experienced by prisoners, and evaluates how Americans attempted to balance security with humane treatment. A compelling comparative analysis contrasts WWII POW care with contemporary treatment of prisoners from the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, offering insights into the evolution of prisoner treatment and raising important questions about future POW policies.
This book will appeal to undergraduate students and readers interested in contemporary American history, World War II studies, and trauma research. It also serves as an excellent resource for courses on wartime history, prisoner treatment, psychological trauma, and military ethics.
List of contents
0. Foreword: Then and Now: POWs in West Germany after World War II Peter Petschauer 1. Introduction 2. International Law and the POW 3. A Brief Overview of American Camp Policy and Life 4. A Flood of Prisoners: The British and American Relationship to Managing POWS 5. Policy Problems: Segregation 6. [Un]Foreseen Consequences: Problems Created by the Prisoner of War Policy 7. Germans and American: American Stigma of the German POW and the Power of Fraternization 8. Employing Prisoners of War and the American Economy 9. Recreation 10. A Bird's Eye View: Camp Concordia and Camp Campbell 11. War Rages Unchecked: German POW Case Studies and American Military Trials 12. Trauma and the POW: Examples of Prisoner Treatment that Could Lead to the Onset of PTSD 13. The War's End and Reeducation 14. Conclusion: Where Do Go from Here? 15. Endmatter: Table of Murders and Assaults in Camps in the United States, 25 November 1943 to 24 March 1944
About the author
Amy Hudnall holds appointments in the Departments of History and Interdisciplinary Studies at Appalachian State University. Hudnall's work focuses on genocide, perpetrators, and trauma. She was the Interim Director for the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies.
