Topic: Christmas - Detroit Housewives League - Michigan Memories Search Results

Notes:: Despite the peace treaty between Russia and Germany, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (3 March 1918), Russian POW's continued to languish in German prison camps due to the Russian Civil War. Russian prisoners could not return home because the Allies did not want to swell the ranks of the Red Army and rail transportation through Poland was cut off due to the Russo-Polish War. The American YMCA sent War Prisoners' Aid secretaries back into Germany to provide relief for Russian POW's and M.V. Arnold was assigned to the prison camp at Parchim to restore welfare services. This program, developed by the Russian POW's to honor Arnold's work, depicts various scenes in the prison camp: food provided by the Association, a Christmas tree, a boxing match, a view of a camp barrack, and a German sentry guarding the fence. Note the Red Star at the top of the program. Bolshevik agitators infiltrated many of the German prison camps especially after German authorities captured Red Army troops that chose internment in East Prussia rather than decimation by the Polish Army during the Russo-Polish War.
Date Created:: 1920-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

Notes:: The British internees at Ruhleben designed this Christmas card, depicting a jack of clubs, complete with a set of golf clubs. The prisoners' Christmas cards attempted to inject a bit of humor during a time of year when prisoners were especially home sick.
Date Created:: 1917-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

Notes:: Three Russian prisoners pray on their knees before the altar in the chapel at the prison camp in Millowitz. The altar is decorated with paintings of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus (to the left), Christ (to the right), and the Last Supper (on the top) and there are two Orthodox crosses on the pillars of the room. The chapel is also decorated for Christmas--two small Christmas trees flank the altar and there is garland hanging from the rafters.
Date Created:: 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

Notes:: Russian prisoners gather around the prison compound at Wieselburg in the snow for Christmas celebrations in January 1918. An Austrian officer stands in the center of the compound with a decorated Christmas tree in the background.
Date Created:: 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

Notes:: Handwritten letter and envelope with transcript by Joe Olexa to Agnes Van Der Weide, dated December 28, 1944. The envelope is sent from Co. L, 26th Infantry A.P.O.-1, c/o Postmaster New York, New York, dated December 30, 1944. In the letter, Joe writes to Agnes while in a hospital in France, awaiting his operation and reassuring her for the reason behind his recent lack of communication. He also writes asking Agnes if she had an enjoyable Christmas and wondering what Santa brought her this year.
Date Created:: 1944-12-28T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries
Collection:: Veterans History Project (U.S.)

Notes:: Prisoners assemble outside of a YMCA hall in an Austrian prison camp in preparation for their Christmas celebration. Dignitaries are standing on the steps of the building by the front door.
Date Created:: 1917-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

Notes:: Thousands of Russian prisoners celebrated Christmas outdoors in the prison compound at Purgstall by a large, decorated Christmas tree. American YMCA Secretary Paul B. Anderson took this photograph during the celebrations.
Date Created:: 1917-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

Notes:: Russian prisoners stand in front of the YMCA building in the prison camp at Spratzern. The building and the flag pole are decorated with garlands, possibly for Christmas celebrations.
Date Created:: 1916-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:: Western Michigan University. Libraries

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