Ive been told that there were forced Labour camps in Britain after the 2nd world war is this true?

Question

A German friend of my grand fathers came here recently for probably his last visit . I talked to him about the war. He told me he was a prisoner of war in a camp up North and I was suprised to learn that he was kept here a year to two years after the war having to work without pay, this was totaly against the Geneva convention and his Human Rights, he and other prisoners requested to go home immediately after but were put into solitary confinement and told that their food rations would be stopped if they did not work. They went a week without food and one man had to be force fed. Did we in Britain really stoop that low. Why were the prisoners not released as soon as the war ended

The question was why were the prisoners kept up to two years after the war aginst their will and forced to work. The German and my Grand father became freinds because my grand father was based in that camp and slipped them food where he could. My grand father is a witness to these events but is afraid to speak out for fear of prosecution. Other PO's and Guards may still be alive who may have witnessed these events, so, PO'S and guards at these camps don't let these expeirences die with you speak the truth, do not trust the historians pass information on to a second party before the historians so that at least one or two people can varify the truth, rather than a PC truth.

Answer 1

World War Two
German Prisoners of War in Britain

In 1939 there were just two Prisoner of war camps in Britain. By the end of the war; there were more than 600.

Each camp was given a number and was either a disused building - factory, college, hotel etc, or was a specially constructed building known as a Nissen hut.

Although there were German prisoners of war in Britain from 1939, Britain was reluctant to accept large numbers of German prisoners of war until there was no longer a threat of a German invasion of Britain. Prior to the successful allied defeat of Germany in Africa in 1943, the majority of German prisoners of war were sent to camps in Canada and the US.


However, after the allied invasion of Western Europe, known as D-Day, 6th June 1944, captured German soldiers were transported to Britain. Those who were Luftwaffe pilots or who were suspected of having knowledge of German military plans, were taken for interrogation before being sent to a camp. Strong Nazi supporters and members of the SS were sent to remote camps such as in the Scottish Highlands.

The terms of the Geneva Convention stipulated that prisoners of war should not be forced to work while in captivity. However, given the choice, many German prisoners of war chose to work rather than sit around the camp doing nothing. Those that chose to worked on farms - harvesting, digging ditches or repairing fences, in the construction industry - rebuilding homes damaged by bombing, or clearing bomb damage.

There were also activities within the camp such as lectures, concerts and English lessons, football and other sports. The range of alternative activities such as these varied from camp to camp.

German prisoners of war were allocated the same food ration as British servicemen and given access to medical care. However, although they were relatively well looked after many German prisoners of war suffered mentally. They had no information about their families, the state of their country or when they would be released.

At the end of the war. prisoners were subjected to a re-education programme designed to equip them for life in the new Germany. Prisoners were also assessed with regard to continuing loyalty to Nazi ideals. Those that showed continuing loyalty remained in captivity. The first German prisoners of war returned to their homes in 1946, the last in 1949.

(I think the last paragraph is significant here. I suspect that those considered to be die hard Nazis would be treated more harshly than others. Don't forget that also it was only after the cessation of hostilities that the depth and extent of Nazi atrocities became widely known - which, no doubt, effected the way in which German POWs would be perceived and treated by those responsible for guarding them.)

Answer 2

It's an arguable load of crap. From the American perspective, they wouldn't take into account that they came in late on both counts. This would make them look rubbish and it would put a question mark over the argument that it was the addition of American soldiers that sealed the win on both wars. Having lived in Britain, I think stronger international cooperation would have existed after World War I if the Americans had joined the League of Nations, and could have possibly prevented or changed the causes World War II. In my opinion, the Americans joining in the wars turned around the outcomes. However, it can't be denied that their reluctance to join both wars very likely prolonged both wars and caused more people to die. So while they brag about "saving the world", their isolationistic policies (particularly on World War II) and general near-apathy towards Europe only delayed peace and got more people killed.

Answer 3

This is simply not true.
German and italian pows were not forced to work but most of them did anyway.
I recently visited EDEN CAMP near york.It is a former pow camp.
Here is a fantastic insight into pow life.
There is also a display of arts,and amazing handicrafts painstakingly constructed from minimal materials.
Im sure the pow camps werent a picnic but neither was anyones life in britain after the war, we were virtually bankrupt.

Answer 4

My boss told me that he was a conscientious objector during World War 2. He wasn't British and didn't support War so he said he wouldn't join up. Even tho' he was a different nationality they sent him to a camp in the Isle of Man and locked him up. The financier Tiny Rowlands was there, too. I think he said he was there for a year and a half. He called it His Majesty's Concentration Camp when he wrote to the Home Office seeking release.

Answer 5

dont know ive heard something about it, they had german prisoners of war to rebuild britain after the war was over.

Answer 6

don't know why they released as soon as the war ended but I did here something about it. we may never know the answers but I assume that they have been released now. Lets be happy that they have been released now, but it is very sad indeed whatever happen makes you realize your problems are not so bad.

Answer 7

I don't think that was unreasonable, he was the enemy.

Answer 8

THAT IS NOT TRUE,,,,,