Camp Beale POW Compound

Camp Beale POW Compound. . 1st sign on the marker: , Among Camp Beale's 60,000 residents were about one thousand German Prisoners-of-War (POW). Construction crews converted several dormitories and store houses between D and E and 2nd and 4th Streets into a prison camp. A tall, barbed wire topped fence enclosed 17 barracks, four mess halls, a canteen, six storehouses (that also served as recreation halls), and a chapel. Two guard towers, with floodlights, maintained watch over the compound., Opened on 17 May 1944, Camp Beale's POW compound served as a base camp for five other POW camps in the area: Windsor, Davis, Arbuckle, Chico, and Napa. Each camp held approximately 1000 prisoners. All the camps provided agricultural labor to local farmers and ranchers. But the POWs at Camp Beale helped in other ways. Besides providing for their own care and feeding, they filled various service positions around the post. POWs worked as orderlies and medical technicians at the hospital. They serviced and repaired vehicles at the motor pool. The camp laundry used 260 POW's. The post engineer employed POWs as carpenters, plumbers and railroad maintenance-men. The quartermaster had 500 prisoners sorting and sewing clothing in the warehouse., 2nd sign on the marker: , In accordance with the Geneva Convention, the government paid POWs $.80 a day. The POW labor saved Camp Beale an estimated $3 million in employee wages. Prisoners received their pay in coupons, which they could redeem for cigarettes, newspapers, ice cream or other treats. The prisoners' canteen even sold beer, but there was a two-glass limit. When not working, the men played soccer or practiced musical instruments sent by the German Red Cross. A prisoners' symphony orchestra and band put on operettas and variety shows. Profits from the canteen bought over five thousand books (all in English) for the prisoners' library. Movies and newsreels (screened for derogatory statements about America) also entertained the prisoners., 3rd sign on the marker: , Qualified Army personnel taught classes in the compound. English grammar and American history were the most popular. Although prisoners had to pay for the privilege, almost everyone attended. A POW hobby shop provided equipment and supplies for watchmakers, carvers and artists. Beautiful mural on cell walls attest to the prisoners' artistic ability. Several fortunate local people received prized painting as gifts from these German artists. There was also religious services, POWs served as chaplains. The chaplains expressed surprise at their excellent treatment. One remarked, "Many of us would like to return to America, and someday we hope it can be arranged." Some POWs did return to settle in this area., Today, only a solitary confinement cell block remains from the POW compound. Once, the walls reflected the occupants' hopes and fears. One wrote, "Never look back in life, and always look forward." Another asked, "What is truth in America?" Still another lamented, "I had it so good in America, I wish I had never seen it." One prisoner expressed the dream of most of all, "Oh, how I would like to go home." Weather and vandals have destroyed most of the drawings and writings.