Map of the prisoner of war camps in the United States. Prisoners of War (POW) were members of the armed forces who were captured by the opposing side during combat. The rights and treatment of POWs were outlined in the 1929 Geneva Convention. The word “prisoner” is misleading as POWs were not prosecuted for participating in the war nor was their detainment a form of punishment. Their detainment was to prevent their further participation in the war. POWs arrived in the U.S.by ship from Britain, France, and North Africa; these nations were unable to detain any more men due to facility and food shortages. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Map of Camp Forrest Prisoner of War encampment, Tullahoma, Tennessee. Ten POW facilities were established in Tennessee; four were main camps and six were branch camps. Camp Forrest was the main command center for these camps. Courtesy of Colonel Russell S. Wolfe Family
Map of Camp Crossville Prisoner of War encampment, Crossville, Tennessee. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Prisoners of War working on Middle Tennessee railroads. POW employment was based on the individual’s skill set and interest. POWs worked in the post Station Hospital as doctors, orderlies, pharmacists, and lab technicians. Many POWs viewed employment as an opportunity to learn a new skill and profession that would be useful when the war ended, and they returned home. Courtesy of John Allan
Prisoners of War made camouflage nets at Camp Forrest in early 1943. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Prisoners of War worked on local farms to help with the planting and harvesting of crops. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Italian prisoners of war playing bocce ball. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Federal Government report detailing Prisoners of War labor usage. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Horse carved by an unknown Prisoner of War during World War II. Courtesy of Camp Forrest Foundation
Drawing of a prisoner behind barbed wire drawn by an unknown Prisoner of War during World War II. Courtesy of Camp Forrest Foundation
Mountain scene painted on a piece of wood. A Camp Forrest Prisoner of War painted the landscape and gave it to Chuck Bugg. Bugg worked as a guard at Camp Forrest. Courtesy of Chuck Bugg Family
Mountain scene painted on a piece of wood. A Camp Forrest Prisoner of War painted the landscape and gave it to Chuck Bugg. Bugg worked as a guard at Camp Forrest. Courtesy of Chuck Bugg Family
