Nebraska POW Camps: A History of World War II Prisoners in the Heartland

by Melissa Amateis Marsh

Overview

During World War II, thousands of Axis prisoners of war were held throughout Nebraska in base camps that included Fort Robinson, Camp Scottsbluff and Camp Atlanta. Many Nebraskans did not view the POWs as "evil Nazis." To them, they were ordinary men and very human. And while their stay was not entirely free from conflict, many former captives returned to the Cornhusker State to begin new lives after the cessation of hostilities. Drawing on first-person accounts from soldiers, former POWs and Nebraska residents, as well as archival research, Melissa Marsh delves into the neglected history of Nebraska's POW camps.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781625849557
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	04/15/2014
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Melissa Amateis Marsh was born and raised in Bridgeport, Nebraska, and is a lifelong Nebraska resident. She holds a BA in history with a minor in English from Chadron State College and an MA in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Marsh is an editorial assistant at UNL's Center for Great Plains Studies in Lincoln. She is also a historical novelist and freelance writer. Marsh lives in Lincoln with her husband and daughter.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Acknowledgements 11

Introduction 13

Part I Welcome to America 19

1 Overview of the U.S. POW Camp System 21

2 Nazism and Reeducation in the POW Camps 35

Part II The Nebraska Camps 47

3 Camp Scottsbluff 49

4 Camp Atlanta 73

5 Fort Robinson POW Camp 97

Part III Case Study: A Closer Look at the Intellectual Diversion Program at Fort Robinson 111

6 Nazism and Reeducation at Fort Robinson 113

Part IV The Branch Camps 129

7 Camp Scottsbluff Branch Camps 131

8 Camp Atlanta Branch Camps 137

Conclusion 147

Notes 149

Index 169

About the Author 171