Learn the surprising history of WWII POW activities in our region from presenter Ann Shields who has interviewed over 70 German ex-POWs, guards, vets, and civilians in the US and in Germany.
This presentation addresses WWII German POW camps and activities in the Washington DC Metro area. Three local camps of different size and mission provide examples of the immense wartime program for confinement of 375,000 Germans in the USA. Topics include the labor program, escapes, interrogations, relationships with locals, Nazi threats in camp, classified code work, escape/evasion packages for downed US aircrews, and debriefing of the German rocket scientists. The camp histories of Ft. Meade, Ft. Hunt/PO Box 1142, and Fairfax Camp are highlighted with photos, maps, interviews, and a display of POW items.
Ann Shields is a nurse for the Department of Defense at Fort Belvoir. Her interest in German POWs began in 2005, culminating in a five year oral history project documenting POW labor in her Indiana hometown area. Over the years she has conducted over 70 interviews with German ex-POWs, guards, Army vets, and civilians in the US and Germany, where she lived for two decades. Additional research and interviews in the Washington DC are ongoing.
Virginia's Constitution is a traveling exhibition from the Library of Virginia to mark the 50th anniversary of the state's current constitution.