One Escape: Camp Perry Held 6,000 POWs

by
posted on June 21, 2020
cp-huts-1.jpg

More than 6,000 prisoners of war were interned at Camp Perry during World War II. They were part of the more than 350,000 German and Italian POWs who were sent to more than 400 security locations in the United States.

The Italians were the first group to arrive here. Many of the Germans were veterans of Rommel's famous Afrika Korps.

According to local news sources who visited the camp in July, 1944, the prisoners received essentially the same rations as the American troops. They also maintained their own barber shop, shoe repair and carpentry shop.

Camp Perry huts
The WWII POW huts at Camp Perry as they appear today.


Most of the POWs were described as skilled, hard workers with many trades.

They worked on local farms, fields and local industries, which included the Erie Proving Grounds located adjacent to the camp.

When there were complaints by a few workers concerning the discipline at the camp, the commander fired a cannon over the prisoners' heads. They went back to work promptly.

Only one prisoner escaped from the camp, but he was recaptured eventually. In 1946 the last of the POWs was repatriated.


See more: Six Things You Didn’t Know About Camp Atterbury

Latest

2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1
2014 Nra World Shooting Champ 1

Classic SSUSA: The Inaugural NRA World Shooting Championship

Begin with 159 world champions, run them through 11 shooting stages, all with standard guns provided by the match sponsors, and you end up with a new trophy and $50,000 awarded to the inaugural NRA World Shooting Champion.

Legends: Sue Ann Sandusky 1952-2024

The shooting sports community mourns the loss of Sue Ann Sandusky, a three-time NRA All-American, Army veteran and Distinguished service rifle shooter, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Gunwerks Spike Feet Set Designed To Improve Grip And Add Stability In Uneven Terrain

This new set of spike feet for the Gunwerks Elevate 2.0 bipod promises to maintain a solid grip in tough terrain.

XS Sights Expands DXT2 Pro Series, R3D 2.0 Lineup For SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory And FN Pistols

XS Sights adds models to the DXT2 Pro Series and R3D 2.0 lineups that will fit SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and FN pistols.

Modern Technology Implemented To Surmount Logistical Hurdles: 1958 National Matches

The more than 4,000 shooters at the 1958 NRA National Matches were greeted by advanced technology used to speed up administrative tasks during the most populous period in National Match history.

Looking Back At The 2009 NRA National High Power Championship

With a single X-shot determining the winner of a 300-yard shoot-off and a surprise at the awards ceremony, the 2009 NRA High Power Rifle matches held everyone’s attention right to the end.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.