Brownwood in Brown County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Prisoners of War at Camp Bowie
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 16, 2023
1. Prisoners of War at Camp Bowie Marker
Inscription.
Prisoners of War at Camp Bowie. . During World War II, Camp Bowie housed several thousand German prisoners of war. The first arrivals, many of whom were troops from General Rommel's division in North Africa, came in 1943. The U.S. Army allowed the prisoners to write and receive letters and to take classes in the morning, including English, forestry, metal work, radio, bookkeeping and law. They listened to lectures and music at night. The prisoners also worked on a farm outside the compound, and many remained in contact with local farmers after the war, some even later returning to visit. The U.S. government closed Camp Bowie in 1945, but it was not until June 1946 that all German prisoners were returned home.
During World War II, Camp Bowie housed several thousand German prisoners of war. The first arrivals, many of whom were troops from General Rommel's division in North Africa, came in 1943. The U.S. Army allowed the prisoners to write and receive letters and to take classes in the morning, including English, forestry, metal work, radio, bookkeeping and law. They listened to lectures and music at night. The prisoners also worked on a farm outside the compound, and many remained in contact with local farmers after the war, some even later returning to visit. The U.S. government closed Camp Bowie in 1945, but it was not until June 1946 that all German prisoners were returned home.
Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13663.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1946.
Location. 31° 39.541′ N, 98° 58.291′ W. Marker is in Brownwood, Texas, in Brown County. It is on State Highway 45 0.3 miles west of County Road 237, on the right when traveling east. SH 45 at T.R. Havins Terrys Unit, west of Indian Creek Rd. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brownwood TX 76801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Big Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 10.5cm lhFH 18 (approx. 1.6 miles away);
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 906 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
