Mr. Grosse
US History
May 3, 2017
WWII Prisoner of War
World War II was a global war that began in 1939 and lasted to 1945. Over 30 different countries were involved in the war including over 100 million people. During the war there were two formal opposing militaries that were known as the Allies and the Axis. This was a massive war as it impacted so much of the daily life of all people in their ways of living. During this war the Holocaust also happened which resulted in the killings of approximately 11 million people. Multiple bombings occurred during the war often happening in highly populated civilian areas. There is no exact count of the fatalities that happened but it is estimated to have been between 50 and …show more content…
The stalags were the soldiers that were in the blue area and consisted of both officers and enlisted soldiers. Oflags were in the red area and this is where the officers were kept. The World War II is thought to have begun in September 1939 which started with the invasion Of Poland by the German Nazis. (contributors)
Prisoners of War were soldiers, airmen, and sailors that became a product of the war. They were in Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Far East, Asia, and North Africa. The Geneva Convention had rules in place on the way the prisoners were to be treated. The Geneva Convention had different treaties in place to protect the prisoners. It was in place to protect those that were sick and or unable to work. Also, for the soldiers that were rendered during combat. (Wikipedia)
The Germans did not follow the rules of the Geneva Convention. The Nazi’s determined the treatment of the prisoners in which they held captive. They viewed the prisoners and not only racially less valuable but as well as potential enemies. They also thought that they would be taking up some of their living space. The Soviet prisoners were some of the first ones to face death as a result of starvation. The working prisoners should have received up to 2200 calories per day; unfortunately they were only given 700 calories per day. Often time out of desperation they would eat grass and leaves. With so little food given to these …show more content…
Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
The Good Conduct Medal
WWII Victory Medal
Oak Leaf Cluster of the Purple Heart
Purple Heart Medal
(In this capacity fought in battle)
There are journals in which my Great Grandfather kept after he returned as a POW in Germany.
While fighting in the war he was shot in his right hand. After being held as a POW they were still signs of medal pieces in his hand. After weeks of being held captive they were moved in a small truck only to have been completely covered so that they had no idea where they would be relocated. In a journal that my great grandfather left he indicated that often times they would have to take care of the dead soldiers that had been captured along with him.
He along with many other soldiers is lucky to have ever survived. He was honored as a true American hero.
Bibliography contributors, Wikipedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, n.d. World War II.
Garcia, J. Malcolm. "German POWs on the American Homefront." 15 September 2009.
Trueman, C N. "Prisoner Of War: Learnig Site." 25 May 2015.