1945 American Red Cross Map of German Camps w/ American POWs

This is a 1945 American National Red Cross map of German prison camps holding American prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian internees. Centered on eastern Germany, camps are labeled in striking red. Various symbols are used to mark camps for prisoners of war, airmen, officers, civilian internees, hospitals, and Marlag and Milag, where Navy and Merchant Marine personnel were imprisoned. Indexes along the left and right sides of the map list the names of each camp, the nearest town, and in in what square of the map grid they are located. These are divided into the same five categories, allowing viewers to quickly find the specific category in which they are interested.

The American Red Cross and American POWs in German POW Camps

The American Red Cross had no direct contact with American POWs in Germany (or for that matter American POWs held by the Japanese). They did, however, assemble and send over 27 million care packages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for distribution to American POWs. These included nonperishable foods like powdered milk, coffee, and biscuits, along with other items such as cigarettes and soap. POWs were supposed to receive a package a week, although in practice that rarely, if ever, happened, particularly as the war progressed and conditions worsened in Germany and supply lines fell apart due to Allied bombing. Even so, when they were received, the food in the parcels played a critical role in the survival of many POWs.

The American Red Cross in the United States During World War II

The American Red Cross also published bulletins in the U.S. for next of kin, aid workers, and other interested parties that was decidedly positive. It was deemed necessary that only good news be printed, and that the impression was put forward that all Allied prisoners were well treated by the Germans, even if that was not the whole truth. The Red Cross also organized volunteers to pack the millions of parcels sent to the ICRC for distribution to POWs.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by The American National Red Cross in 1945. Only one example is catalogued in the OCLC and it is part of the collection at the University of Memphis.