The History of Local WWII POW Camps at Historical Society of Kent County

Please join the Historical Society of Kent County on Friday, October 5th, as we present, The History of Local POW Camps.

Between 1941 and 1945, about 425,000 enemy prisoners of war were held in captivity in the United States. The first POW was brought to the U.S. on December 7, 1941 and by the end of the war, this country held more prisoners inside its own territory than it would in any conflict before or after. The nation entered the war without facilities or adequate plans to handle the flood of POWs that would soon arrive.

As planning for the necessary facilities moved ahead, restrictions were put in place that established a “blackout area extending about 120 miles inland from both coasts.” Obviously, this single rule meant no camps would be established in most of the east coast states and certainly none on the Eastern Shore. But by 1944, some hard truths facing the state of Maryland called for some changes. The draft had dramatically reduced available farm labor. Since Eastern Shore farm production was a primary source of food for U.S. troops in Europe, any dramatic decrease in this important production would create serious problems. Thus, by late 1944, faced with a possible reduction in food production and pressure from the U.S. senators from Maryland, the Federal government began planning to send 2,750 POWs to the Eastern Shore. Church Hill and Easton would receive about 850 to be held in camps at the Easton Airport and along route 213 in Church Hill. The men would help reduce the labor shortage on the farms and in the canneries and thus help reassure that the U.S. armed forces would have sufficient rations as the war dragged on.

Many of these German POWs who ended up in local camps have spoken very positively about their experiences in Kent and Queen Anne’s counties and their stories can still be told by few remaining members of the local farm families who worked with these men every day.

We hope to see you all at the Bordley History Center!

History Happy Hour
Bordley History Center
301 High Street
Friday, October 5th, 4 PM

For more information call the Historical Society of Kent County 410-778-3499 or visit our Facebook page.

Please arrive early to grab a seat!
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~ Historical Society of Kent County