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- Notes:
- This photograph provides a panoramic view of the prison camp at Ohrdruf. It clearly shows the prison camp barracks, the wire fence (with a German sentry on guard duty), and the Thueringian hills in the background.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Prisoner librarians manage the circulating library for French and Belgian POW's at Ohrdruf. Although the book collection is small, the vast majority of books are in circulation among the prison's population since books offered one of the few mental diversions available in prison camps.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- This photograph illustrates the French library collection at Ohrdruf. The American YMCA provided a large number of books and pre-war magazines to stock the libraries of prison camps across Germany.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Seven prisoners of war at Ohrdruf enjoy some refreshments outside of their barracks. French, French North African, Belgian, Russian, and British (Scottish) soldiers partake in a social opportunity early in the war.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- While most enlisted men lived in large dormitory settings, some POW's enjoyed more elegant surroundings. These five French prisoners, probably non-commissioned officers, are enjoying a dinner that includes several bottles of wine and an ample supply of bread, served on a white table cloth. Only one of the participants is in a uniform, which includes a Red Cross armband.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A large group of Russian prisoners are finishing up their soup and prepare for their baths (as demonstrated by the towels over many of their shoulders). German authorities imposed strict bathing regimen on all prisoners of war as an important means in preventing the outbreak of epidemics in camps. The Germans often commented on the Russian prisoners' reluctance to bathe despite the health risks of not doing so.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A military funeral possession marches to the cemetery outside the prison camp at Ohrdruf. The dead inmate is a French soldier and his comrades serve as pall-bearers in the funeral. The casket is followed by a German officer and chaplains as well as some of the deceased's comrades.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- German commandants allowed prisoners to publish prison camp newspapers to provide POW's with information about camp activities. This is a copy of the front page of "Le Journal du Camp d'Ohrdruf," the French language newspaper printed for French and Belgian prisoners at Ohrdruf (issue No. 11, 24 October 1915).
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French prisoners at Ohrdruf pass the time by playing a friendly game of lotto (bingo) out in the prison yard. Gambling was a serious vice, especially when men had a lot of free time on their hands and regulations attempted to eliminate high stakes gambling. Most POW's had few possessions after their capture, which limited gambling opportunities. Note the prisoner identification badges on the left breast of each POW.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Nine members of the stringed orchestra at Ohrdruf pose for this photograph. The American YMCA shipped musical instruments to prison camps as part of the Association's social program. Access to instruments permitted musicians the opportunity to maintain their talent in preparation for post-war employment and the music performed by the orchestras and bands in prison concerts helped boost the morale of the prison population in general.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
