Sixteen million Americans served in World War II. Of these, over 120,000 lived out part of the war behind barbed wire. In the European theater, 93,941 Americans were held as prisoners of war (POWs). These “Kriegies,” short for Kriegsgefangener (German for POW) counted the days until liberation and created dream worlds for themselves inside the camps.

In a series of camps spread over Nazi-occupied territory, American POWs spent their time in barbed wire worlds — “waiting on winning,” as one POW newsletter described the experience. As a signatory of the Geneva Conventions and fearful of reprisals against German POWs held in the US, Germany generally adhered to the measures outlined for the humane treatment of prisoners of war.  However, American POWs interned by Germany’s ally, Japan, were protected by no such restraints; of the 27,465 Americans captured in the Pacific, 11,107 would not return home, a death rate of over 40%. Ultimately, wartime circumstances and the leanings of individual camp leaders dictated the fates of those held captive in Europe. As prisoners of the Germans during World War II, life was difficult, often boring, and above all, uncertain — 92,820 men lived to tell of their experiences.

Map of Selected European POW Camps