Did the American send the Axis Pows back to America during WW2?

Question

If so, what was the rationale behind in sending them over the long distance and the number of these POWs involved?

Answer 1

In a way,I'm not answering your question,but thanking you for asking it. My grandfather was one of the Germans that came here. The story goes that he was a German exchange guard which to me didn't make sense (why would they allow a German to come and go?) Obviously he was here as a prisoner. Everyone is dead now so I can't find out much about it. My family was very secretive about a lot of things. Even my father did not know he was adopted by his stepfather after his father deserted him until he was in his 20's
Thanks for your question and to all that answered.

Answer 2

In the early part of WW2 Axis prisoners were imprisoned on the North American continent. The British became this practice in 1940 by shipping POW's to Canada. 1 German Pilot did manage to escape by swimming the Niagara river and entering the US. then to Mexico, across to Spain and into occupied France where he survived the war.
Reasoning for this was simple, in 1940 Britain became the front line. Housing Axis prisoners within operational range of Axis Air& Naval commandos was a security risk, transporting them back to Canada was less a risk, and since a huge amount of shipping was returning the the USA empty it was fairily cost effective to transport the prisioners to Canada. The chances of a prisioner being able to return to duty was far less 3000+ miles away.
When the US entered the war the US adobted the pratice continued, the POWs were allowed to work in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Convention. POW's had to volunteer and were paid.

Answer 3

There were large German POW camps in Minnesota's Duluth area. In fact they got along so good with the people of the area, very little concern was used to guard them. They were taken out on week-ends for dances in the city and to the theater in the city.

The same thing happen in most American cities. Some were so amazed at America that were a large percentage of them that asked to be left here in America, there wish was granted and, some, going back home, came right back.

Answer 4

Yes, many german troops were sent back to america, the rationale behind it was so that they could have no chance whatsoever in getting back into the war. The POW's were put to work, just about any physical labor you can think of they did it.

Answer 5

Yes, some Axis POWs were sent to prison camps on this continent during the war, and there was atleast one breakout. I don't know what the reasoning was behind doing so, probably to make it harder for them to excape and return to the fight. All I've ever seen has concerned German POWs sent here.

Answer 6

Most definitely!

During WWII, my Dad, a flat-footed, color-blind conscientious objector, hauled a crew or German POWs around to work on farms in South Alabama. It was just Dad, a Nisei guard, and about 15 Germans in a truck. Dad said he was always worried that the Germans would overpower the guard and take off.

Doc

Answer 7

Yes, many of them. It was practical. Troop ships were ferrying our soldiers to Europe. They could bring POWs back. Being an ocean away from home made it rather difficult for them to escape for long. Break outs were not a major problem here. I'd bet many of them felt safer and better off here than they would have been fighting in Europe. It would have been easier to feed them here rather than shipping food over to camps in England. We were already having trouble helping keep England fed.

Answer 8

Yes, and many worked in agricultural jobs, I believe.

One such location, I believe, was in my home state of Wisconsin, the Door County area, working in apple or cherry orchards, or working the land.

What's also interesting is that many, many of these POWs either stayed in America or moved back with their familes shortly after the war, since they enjoyed the culture. (As was the case with Germans in the heavily German-American upper Midwest -- which also resembled their home country's landscape.)

Answer 9

Yeah, my mother grew up in southwest Oklahoma and used to see Germans and Italians picking cotton. Transporting them here really wasn't a problem. All those ships bringing soldiers, equipment and supplies to Europe had to return to the US to pick up more, and it was easier to bring POW's back on the return trip than to take up room on the trip to Europe with their food and other supplies.

Answer 10

properly what you're buddy pronounced is partly real. on the time it wasn't an extremely super party, it in no way has, in spite of if it wanted to connect the axis becuase properly they're nazi's. the OVERULING majority of yank's have been detrimental to the assumption.