Stalag Wisconsin Book

I have read three books very recently that dealt with prisoners of war or had a section of the book about prisoners of war.

Our POWs in all of our armed conflicts have been grossly mistreated and brutalized by their enemy captors. And, at times, it has been shown that US or UN captors have also improperly treated their prisoners or those perceived to be our enemies.

Stalag Wisconsin..... gave a very gratifying look at how prisoners of WWII were treated in Wisconsin. The book listed and described the many POW camps that were in Wisconsin.

Until about 15 years ago when I met a farmer whose father had utilized POW labor, I did not know that there were camps in Wisconsin. The farmer that I had met had related the story to me that, although the farmers were not supposed to feed the POW laborers while working on his farm, the farmer's father stated that they would eat in his house at his table with the rest of the family or hired laborers.

A similar story was related many times in the book from other farms or businesses. It was quite surprising to learn of the minimum amount of security that was maintained at the various camps - almost as much to keep the citizens from fraternizing with the prisoners as to prevent escapes.

Escapes were rare and covered in the book. Most POWs especially the Germans faced significantly better conditions in the Wisconsin camps than back in Germany or the Nazi army. Most of the "escapes" were actually found returning to camps as they had gone into town for cigarettes, a couple of beers or, in some cases, to see the girls.

Much of the work done by the POWs involved agricultural jobs on the farms or in the canneries harvesting and processing vegetables and fruits. Sometimes, farmers would hire several POWs for grain and other farm crop harvests. The POWs were paid a standard POW rate from the Army but the canneries and the farmers were charged a higher "going rate" for labor. The difference provided income to the US treasury.

The camps often made use of fairgrounds or other large event places or accommodations in areas around the state where camps were set up. Improvements such as electricity, bathroom and shower facilitates and concrete floors were or needed to be added to the camps. Prior to arrival, POW and guard work crews would come to the site to perform the tasks. The improvements were, then, paid for by the various canneries and farmers using the POW labor.

Take a chance, and read the book. It is easy reading and brings back one's knowledge that the Army and Wisconsin citizens humanely treated the prisoners held in the state.