Did you know that in WWII, there were German POWs right down the road in the United States?

When I was in college, I was shocked to learn there were actually German POWs in the United States. This video (which you must watch on YouTube) goes into great detail on the topic.

A brief summary…

During World War II, the United States held over 425,000 German prisoners of war (POWs) in various camps across the country. Following the capture of German soldiers, they were transported to the U.S. as part of an agreement with the Allies. The conditions in these camps varied; some were well-kept, with prisoners allowed to work on local farms or in factories, while others were stricter. Many German POWs formed friendships with their American captors, and some even chose to remain in the U.S. after the war ended. The legacy of these POWs includes a complex interplay of wartime policies, cultural exchange, and post-war integration.

…and a postwar literary movement: Die Gruppe 47 and Its Impact on German Literature

Die Gruppe 47 was a collective of writers and poets that emerged in post-World War II Germany, notably in the late 1940s. The group included prominent figures such as Heinrich Böll, Günter Grass, and Ingeborg Bachmann. They sought to redefine German literature in the wake of the war, focusing on themes of guilt, responsibility, and the human condition.

Their meetings often featured readings and discussions that fostered a spirit of experimentation and critical engagement with Germany’s recent past. The collective played a pivotal role in promoting modernist literature, encouraging a break from traditional forms and narratives that had dominated pre-war literature.

The impact of Die Gruppe 47 was profound; it not only paved the way for a new generation of writers but also helped shape the cultural landscape of West Germany. Their emphasis on confronting the moral complexities of history laid the groundwork for contemporary German literature, influencing both themes and styles for years to come.

Die Gruppe 47 actually had it’s beginning in a US POW camp. I post this with thanks to Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Schoeps of the University of Illinois — a brilliant and passionate educator.