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- Notes:
- This is the interior of the Roman Catholic chapel at Zwickau. The photograph shows the altar and communion rail with some French prisoners praying. The Madonna and Child statue to the left of the altar and the fleur-de-lys pattern on the altar cloth indicate the church was used for Catholic masses. The church is relatively ornate with several pictures and a banner in the corner.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- This is the entrance to an escape tunnel through the floor of the French adjutant's room at Zwickau. Tunneling was a popular means of escape for POW's who had expertise in mining and excavation. Large numbers of war prisoners could escape if the tunnel extended beyond the security zone of a prison camp.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A French prisoner of war, tied to the stake for breaking one of the camp rules at Zwickau, receives a glass of water from a compassionate Romanian POW to help alleviate the French soldier's suffering.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- This is an example of a three-Mark bill issued on 1 January 1916 for use in the prison camp at Zwickau. The note clearly indicates that it can only be spent to purchase goods in the prison camp. The Germans sought to prevent the use of this money to bribe the guards or to support an escape from the camp.
- Date Created:
- 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French prisoners used these tools to build a tunnel to escape from the prison camp at Zwickau. The tools included a winch handle, air pipe, a pair of pliers, a battery, a plug and washer, a hammer, a bucket, a spade, a sand borer, and an electrical cable. These prisoners were well-prepared for their construction project.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A photograph inside the escape tunnel that French prisoners used at Zwickau. The fleeing prisoners discarded their uniforms to the right and changed into civilian clothing before leaving the tunnel for freedom. The prisoners took advantage of the building's foundation in their escape plan.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French and Russian prisoners "air out" their mattresses in the sun outside their barrack in the prison compound at Zwickau. Prisoners had to periodically clean out their bedding and linens to eliminate vermin which could quickly spread diseases in the cramped conditions in the enlisted men's barracks.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A POW distributes letters outdoors to French and Belgian prisoners at Zwickau. These letters have been approved for dissemination by the German censors. Note the white identification badges sewn on the left breast pocket of the prisoners' uniforms.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Russian prisoners of war study in a synagogue in the prison camp at Zwickau. Several sit at a table, reading the Talmud and several men standing in the rear of the synagogue wear prayer shawls. The synagogue is not as ornate as the Catholic chapel in the camp.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The exit of the escape tunnel dug by French prisoners outside the prison wall at Zwickau. They selected a spot to emerge which was far from the German sentries and difficult to see from the guard tower. Dressed in civilian clothing, they made their way to a neutral country.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
