PRISONER OF WAR CAMP
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES SENT US THE REPORT MADE BY THE SWISS LEGATION ABOUT THE POW CAMP AT CAMP UPTON
PRISONER OF WAR CAMP
From the pamphlet Camp Upton Convalescent Hospital
The 1234th Prisoner of War detachment in front of entrance gate to prison camp.
The 1234th SCU Prisoner of War Camp was activated 21 May 1945 with the arrival of 500 German prisoners from Fort DuPont, Delaware. No time was lost in assigning the prisoners of war to essential post tasks, for nearly one half went out to work on their second day in camp, and all on the third day. Additional prisoners were sent in for off post contract labor on the farms in surrounding neighborhood. In spite of early difficulties due to lack of detachment personnel, full use was made of this labor supply, and later a complete re-education program to combat Nazism was established; thus, the camp fulfilled its two main purposes. It continued to do so thru all changes, transfers, and repatriation. Fair treatment helped to show the value of democracy to these Germans.
Panoramic view of Prisoner of War Camp from one of the towers.
