Near Crawford in Dawes County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

German P.O.W. Camp

Photographed By Connor Olson, May 25, 2021

1. German P.O.W. Camp Marker

Inscription. This camp, constructed to house three thousand men, received the first German prisoners of war in June 1943. Most of the soldiers were members of the Afrika Korps. The prisoners were allowed to work on farms and ranches in the area and received a wage guaranteed by the Geneva Convention. Their labor was a boon to Nebraska's war-depleted agricultural work force. This camp closed in September 1945, but some former prisoners found sponsors among their captors and returned to become U. S. citizens.

Erected by Nebraska State Historical Society. (Marker Number 299.)

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Nebraska State Historical Society series list.

Location. 42° 40.156′ N, 103° 26.186′ W. Marker is near Crawford, Nebraska, in Dawes County. Memorial can be reached from Bridges to Buttes Byway (U.S. 20) 1.3 miles west of 1st Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crawford NE 69339, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Red Cloud Agency (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Red Cloud Indian Agency (about 700

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feet away); Fort Robinson and the Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); K-9 Training Area (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sea Level Bench Mark (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Flight of the Cheyennes (approx. 1½ miles away); Cavalry Barracks/Cheyenne Outbreak (approx. 1½ miles away); Officers’ Row, 1874-1875 (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crawford.

Photographed By Connor Olson, May 25, 2021

2. German P.O.W. Camp Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 26, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.