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- Notes:
- This photograph shows the "tent prison" (Zeltlager) where some Allied prisoners lived during the construction of the prison camp at Guestrow during the winter of 1914-1915. Some barracks, in the background, have already been constructed. The Germans expected the war to be short in duration and did not anticipate the incarceration of millions of Allied prisoners. As Entente POW's poured into Germany, the prisoners went to work constructing prison facilities. The assignment of prisoners to tents, especially during the winter, led to a number of protests from Allied governments.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A German sentry stands guard next to one of the artillery pieces in the prison compound at Guestrow. The Germans designed prison camps with security in mind. By establishing artillery emplacements, the Germans could concentrate superior fire power throughout the camp in the event of a mass rebellion by the prisoners.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French and Russian prisoners conduct business at the prison bank at Guestrow. POW's earned money while working on labor detachments and received funds from friends and family back home. POW's did not receive legal currency but instead used Lagergeld, money which could be used for purchases inside the prison camp. By eliminating access to legal tender, German authorities hoped to reduce opportunities for bribery and funding escape attempts.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- These prisoners are soaking in a special disinfection bath in the prison camp at Guestrow. Nearly arrived POW's, especially from the Eastern Front, carried a variety of diseases and they entered the quarantine station at a prison camp after their uniforms were disinfected and they had received a shower or disinfection bath.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French, British, and Russian prisoners of war join civilian internees for this picture of the narrow gauge railway in Guestrow. They sit on one of the locomotives and cars with a German NCO and guards, with a second locomotive to the right. The Germans constructed railways in larger prison camps to move supplies, men, and materials as part of the daily operations of the camp facility.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- French bakers prepare bread dough in the prison kitchen at Guestrow while fresh bread cools on the shelves behind them. These bakers had to produce a large amount of bread every day to meet the dietary requirements established by the German Ministry of War.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Prisoners unload provisions from a train at the prison camp at Guestrow under the direction of German officers and guards. A hand truck sits on the ground in front of the provisions. To feed the large numbers of POW's in parent camps, the Germans had to ship in large quantities of provisions on a regular basis.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- A French sculptor works in his workshop at Guestrow on a statue which will be part of a POW memorial in the prison camp cemetery. There are three other statues under construction which will commemorate fallen comrades from the prison.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- Russian tailors are hard at work at their sewing machines and unrolling bolts of cloth in the tailor shop at Guestrow. Most prison camps were self-sufficient in terms of employing prisoners with trade experience. These tradesmen helped keep the camp running while improving the living standards of the prisoners.
- Date Created:
- 1915-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
- Notes:
- The members of the British Help Committee in the prison camp at Guestrow work in their well-stocked store room. The shelves of the room are full of packages for distribution to destitute British prisoners in the camp.
- Date Created:
- 1918-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Western Michigan University. Libraries
