POW camps in American, insider story

mookiemookie · 02-13-07, 01:59 PM

U-boat crews in general were treated very well in U.S. POW camps. I remember reading about the ones here in Texas where the guards would eat with the prisoners, earning the Germans respect. They worked, learning farming and butchering, working as a mechanic on the Army base vehicles, leatherworking and such. For the work they were paid coupons worth 80 cents a day and could spend it at a canteen for smokes, toiletries and 3 beers a week.

One good story I remember was that there were something like 250 books in German for the POWs to read at this camp donated by the YMCA. The POWs had so many of their work coupons left over that they put them all together and ended up donating $442.00 to the YMCA for the books and $353.07 to the International Red Cross.

Interesting stuff!

Morts · 02-13-07, 02:03 PM

someone should start a thread with war histories

(WW2)
told by their grandparents/other

that would be really intresting

The Munster · 02-13-07, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morts

someone should start a thread with war histories

(WW2)
told by their grandparents/other

that would be really intresting

Then sticky the thread. I think most People on this Forum are hungry for this sort of information.

I have a true account I could contribute from an elderly Gentleman [81] with a sharper brain than mine but it involves a British Submarine and not a U-Boat.

Morts · 02-13-07, 02:10 PM

yea

bigboywooly · 02-13-07, 02:40 PM

Uboat - Brit sub whats the difference Kpt
Tell all mate
We are waiting

sunvalleyslim · 02-13-07, 02:56 PM

Kapt Munson,

Fire away..............lets hear it.

AVGWarhawk · 02-13-07, 03:11 PM

Unfortunate these great stories are passing away everyday. Funny how most who where there just looked at it like a job and have moved passed it. Yet, we are very interested. I have my uncles first and last B-17 mission over Kiel from the State Dept of the US.

02-13-07, 01:59 PM	#1
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	U-boat crews in general were treated very well in U.S. POW camps. I remember reading about the ones here in Texas where the guards would eat with the prisoners, earning the Germans respect. They worked, learning farming and butchering, working as a mechanic on the Army base vehicles, leatherworking and such. For the work they were paid coupons worth 80 cents a day and could spend it at a canteen for smokes, toiletries and 3 beers a week. One good story I remember was that there were something like 250 books in German for the POWs to read at this camp donated by the YMCA. The POWs had so many of their work coupons left over that they put them all together and ended up donating $442.00 to the YMCA for the books and $353.07 to the International Red Cross. Interesting stuff! __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here. Last edited by mookiemookie; 02-13-07 at 08:09 PM.

02-13-07, 02:40 PM	#5
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Uboat - Brit sub whats the difference Kpt Tell all mate We are waiting __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

02-13-07, 02:56 PM	#6
sunvalleyslim Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 1,142 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	Kapt Munson, Fire away..............lets hear it. __________________ Crew member/ decommission member TM2(SS)(SD) 3/68-7/70 DIESEL BOATS FOREVER USS SEGUNDO (SS398)

02-13-07, 03:11 PM	#7
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,276 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Unfortunate these great stories are passing away everyday. Funny how most who where there just looked at it like a job and have moved passed it. Yet, we are very interested. I have my uncles first and last B-17 mission over Kiel from the State Dept of the US. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-13-07, 02:03 PM	#2
Morts Admiral Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,395 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	someone should start a thread with war histories (WW2) told by their grandparents/other that would be really intresting

02-13-07, 02:10 PM	#4
Morts Admiral Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 2,395 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	yea