1 world war ii
1.1 phase of war
1.2 middle phase of war
1.3 late phase of war
1.4 after ve-day
1.5 numbers of german pows in britain, 1945–46
1.6 repatriation
1.7 numbers of german pows in britain, 1946–1948
1.8 welfare
1.9 work
1.10 relations civilian population
1.11 re-education
world war ii
early phase of war
initially germans captured british naval personnel (mainly submariners) , members of luftwaffe (german air force). first prisoners captain , crew of submarine, u-39, on 14 september 1939, days after outbreak of war. commanding officer, captain gerhard glattes, serve 1 of longest terms pow in british hands: released in april 1947 after seven-and-a-half years in captivity. luftwaffe personnel captured include franz von werra, known 1 got away book , subsequent film of title.
initially 2 prisoner of war camps established:
camp no. 1, grizedale hall, cumbria.
this forty-room mansion reserved officers , became known u-boat hotel . had space 200 prisoners of war, in november 1939 occupied twenty-one men.
camp no. 2, glen mill, oldham, lancashire
this former cotton mill housing 2,000 other ranks (i.e. rank of sergeant or lower). conditions considered poor, far overcrowding , inadequate sanitation concerned. there few big buckets there, stench terrible, 1 former inmate remembers.
during phase of war, britain adopted policy of sending enemy prisoners canada. measure intended preclude possibility of pows escaping , making way germany. further reason given food , other necessities in short supply within united kingdom. consequently, men shipped canada there enough fill troop carrier. meant total held within uk seldom exceeded 2,000 men, whereas 9,000 german prisoners being held in canada late 1942.
middle phase of war
the situation changed dramatically following desert war. united states had been @ war germany since december 1941, , in late 1942 british , american forces began joint campaign against german , italian troops in north africa. these axis forces surrendered in may 1943, leaving allies around 260,000 enemy prisoners of war on hands. half of these pows german, half italian. united states , britain had agreed in joint operations share prisoners on 50-50 basis, regardless of nation’s army had captured individual soldiers concerned. (this meant, example, pows captured in desert war divided equally between britain , usa, although majority of prisoners in particular campaign had been taken british). however, britain s resources over-stretched, , government asked usa take 130,000 prisoners in addition own share . american government agreed on condition able use pows labour force within united states, , subject britain’s undertaking foot bill shipping men europe when time came. agreed these men technically count british prisoners, though detained in american camps.
britain s own german prisoners desert war held in camps in middle east, exception of few high-ranking officers sent britain interrogation. (britain s italian prisoners taken united kingdom, housed in network of camps, , used workforce, predominantly in agriculture.)
late phase of war
after d-day — invasion of europe — large numbers of german military personnel taken prisoner. after allied landings, captured german troops rounded , taken invasion beaches, small fleet of lst (landing ships, tank) had been detailed transport them england.
as rule, surnames began letter in first half of alphabet sent united states of america. group ferried portland, dorset, , onward reception camp @ devizes, wiltshire. after few days transferred via liverpool united states. when ports such cherbourg subsequently came under allied control, shipments of german prisoners transferred troopships directly usa. names began letter in second half of alphabet transported united kingdom, arriving @ cluster of ports comprising portsmouth, gosport , southampton. majority taken transit camp @ kempton park racecourse interrogation, , onward network of several hundred camps around country, many of had earlier been built , occupied italian prisoners, due repatriated earlier germans. first time, number of german prisoners of war held in britain reached substantial total.
after ve-day
the practice of transferring prisoners either britain or usa continued until german surrender in may 1945, when still larger numbers of german troops became prisoners of allies. (see german prisoners of war in northwest europe). majority of these pows held in camps within germany, , in former german-occupied territories, such belgium.
conditions in british-run camps in belgium described extremely harsh, , when financial secretary war office, frederick bellenger, received reports on situation stated have been filled horror . camps in belgium closed down , prisoners transferred britain late july 1946.
in 1946, united states chose repatriate of pows in camps. germans informed being repatriated germany, set free. however, 130,000 of these men british-owned prisoners, according 50-50 split referred above. instead of being transported germany , released, delivered liverpool , informed on arrival have remain in captivity in britain further unspecified period. these events caused considerable resentment among germans, many of them had fought against , been captured american forces, , had been unaware until technically prisoners of british.
the episode undermined britain s attempts promote democracy. quote british member of parliament tom driberg: may american officers got them on boats on pretext [that going straight germany] had no authority give undertaking. may said in order them go quietly, nonetheless undertaking given, , while in minds cannot possibly preach them democracy particularly fair or desirable system of government.
driberg’s statement echoed 1 of prisoners, said: under national socialism told believe told. promised lots of things promises never kept. in america promised on way germany. promise broken. how expect me believe @ all?
with arrival of these additional prisoners, total in britain exceeded 400,000 in september 1946.
numbers of german pows in britain, 1945–46
repatriation
following pressure politicians, religious groups, red cross, , sizeable sector of public, british government began repatriate german prisoners in september 1946.
reasons given not following course of action sooner include:
britain s need work force agriculture , reconstruction of buildings , infrastructure damaged during war;
the collapse of germany s economy: britain claimed germany not have been able support additional 400,000 men. prisoners, however, expressed view should have been allowed return home , rebuild own country, instead of working in britain. in practice, though, unlikely accommodation men have been provided, @ least in initial period following germany s surrender. doubtful whether materials, transport , other resources required country s reconstruction have been provided @ time;
britain s commitment repatriate italian prisoners of war: italy had switched sides, , italians no longer regarded enemy. not until italians had been returned country resources (including shipping) made available repatriation of german pows.
once repatriation of german prisoners had commenced, of men had been returned germany latter half of 1948. @ late stage, britain still desperately short of agricultural workers while, @ same time, significant number of pows reluctant return germany. (reasons included original home being within soviet sector; being in relationship british woman; , adverse reactions atrocities committed nazis). britain introduced scheme under men discharged prisoner status , apply stay on civilian workers. 30,000 men asked join scheme , under 25,000 accepted. 1 of chosen applicants former paratrooper bernhard ( bert ) trautmann, went on become legendary footballer manchester city. of other men stayed on under initiative still resident in britain @ time of writing (2016).
numbers of german pows in britain, 1946–1948
welfare
medical , dental care in pow camps provided visiting british doctors , dentists, or german prisoners appropriate qualifications gained in germany before enlisting in forces.
an important principle enshrined in geneva convention pows must provided same living conditions holding power s own troops. british government able meet these strict requirements: however, wartime shortages of food, clothing, fuel heating, , other necessities, dictated requirements of convention not complied with. while food given prisoners of similar nutritional value provided british troops, not of same quality, , pows complained diet monotonous. however, after unconditional german surrender, britain adopted position convention no longer applied, since 2 sides no longer @ war. (see geneva convention (1929), article 75).
in event, international red cross report states: in usa , great britain, @ end of war, there practically no change: living conditions of prisoners of war remained similar in force during war.
work
even before german surrender of pows put work agricultural labourers on trial basis. after ve-day prisoners required work (excluding officers not forced so. officers did, however, volunteer tasks). pows employed on farms, britain urgently needed high level of food production, , there shortage of agricultural workers. performed other duties, shown following table, reflects situation in mid-1946.
at first usual groups of thirty men escorted armed guards fields work. kept under close supervision @ times. however, following german surrender, british government allowed prisoners billeted on farms employed under minimal supervision. typically, 1 4 pows live @ each farm, taking meals farmer , family. in way close bonds forged between farmers , german prisoners. according former prisoner of war interviewed imperial war museum in 1994, lucky. stayed [a family] looked after me extremely well. treated me son in respects. day call them english parents
the prisoners received pay of 1 shilling (5p) per day. position of british government merely pocket money , , responsibility of prisoners own government (i.e. germany) make arrears when men repatriated. in matter, britain neglected consider german government no longer existed, , control of germany rested in hands of britain itself, , other allies. (see allied commission). basic rate of pay augmented bonuses work , satisfactory behaviour. upon release pow status theoretically possible, taking these emoluments account, receive lump sum of £40, in practice pows received considerably less. 1 former detainee states upon discharge in 1948, received sum of £19 in pay , various accrued bonuses. not 4 years service in wehrmacht (german army) , prisoner of war, remarked in 2012 interview.
a controversial topic use of prisoners of war disposal of unexploded bombs, land-mines , munitions. dangerous activities of kind expressly forbidden geneva convention. but, mentioned above, britain maintained geneva convention not valid in post-war period. britain argued prisoners in question had volunteered these duties. @ least 3 german pows known have died while carrying out these hazardous tasks.
during catastrophic snowstorms suffered britain in winter of 1946-7, german pows stood shoulder shoulder allied troops in effort re-open essential road , rail links. importance of labour @ critical time cannot overstated.
relations civilian population
some citizens felt animosity towards german prisoners, particularly during war , afterwards. time passed, though, mood changed. reported many people sympathised prisoners, had no immediate prospect of being repatriated. , practice of billeting pows farmers provided opportunity atmosphere of trust , friendship evolve.
in late 1946 civilians allowed first time invite prisoners homes christmas. 1 german moved experience wrote local newspaper: in no way prepared done me during christmas day family. dear part of it. were, too, had had too, , went went too.
restrictions on prisoners were, late 1947, removed. men allowed leave camp unescorted , walk around surrounding district. mix civilians; visit cafés , cinemas; , attend church services. many met local women, though there ban on romantic liaisons : once ban lifted, 796 marriages between german pows , british women took place immediately. many more follow. (see national archives: rg 48/2009)
re-education
the british authorities made determined effort re-educate prisoners showing them faults in nazi regime, , trying convince them of advantages of democratic government. after german surrender prisoners required watch film depicting atrocities of concentration camps, had been liberated allied troops. in 2012 interview former prisoner recalled: stunned ... fought them [hitler s germany], , risked life , lost home ... ashamed german. thought, don t want them, don t want go home. (on release ex-prisoner stayed in britain , later became naturalised british subject).
prisoners encouraged produce own camp magazines, , weekly german-language newspaper, wochenpost, published british government pows. lectures visiting speakers arranged, , libraries, gramophone records, , film shows provided. of these activities intended demonstrate principles of freedom of speech , political , racial tolerance. pows deemed suitable more intensive instruction invited attend college @ wilton park, had been set benefit, , still in existence.
the scientific commission history of german prisoners of war (often referred maschke commission, after chairman, erich maschke) came following conclusion: although whole many critics saw re-education efforts made victorious powers problematic , questionable, fact none of powers made such decisive effort great britain — particularly in respect of pows — assist germany s return free , democratic european group of nations ... in respect prisoners held in great britain ... way ahead of compatriots in germany.
writing in 1960s ex-pow stated: ... 1 notices constantly, in every serious conversation, had luck prisoner of war in britain. write word luck quite intentionally, because, believe or not, today here in west germany considered advantage have been prisoner of war in britain.
it advantage point of view of prisoners physical well-being, following table shows. percentages represent fatalities among pow populations of allied nations. (they include pows held in territories nation in question, both inside , outside home territory. figure united kingdom, example, includes british camps in overseas territories such canada , middle east within uk itself).
in words of german historian rüdiger overmans, while number of deaths in american captivity small in comparison other states, should observed holding power highest level of resources no means 1 lowest death rate.
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