Did you realize that Ohio was home to a prisoner of war camp during World War II? The Buckeye State accommodated both German and Italian POWs, with some detainees being involved in labor at the Erie Proving Ground in Ottawa County. Known at the time as Camp Perry Proving Ground, it stood as one of the largest POW camps in Ohio during the war. This significant site holds great interest for those passionate about both World War II history and Ohio’s past.
Remarkably, even though Camp Perry Proving Ground is a notable historical site, it remains relatively unknown to many locals. Originally established in 1918, this camp played a crucial role during a pivotal time in history.
During this period, Ohio hosted numerous prisoner-of-war camps. In addition to other notable locations, prisoners were held in cities like Bowling Green, Celina, and Defiance.
One significant facility was the Camp Perry Proving Ground, situated in Ottawa County, which served primarily as a training site for artillery personnel. During World War II, over 5,000 individuals were employed at Camp Perry, including a contingent of Italian and German prisoners of war.
The decision to transfer POWs to America stemmed from logistical challenges faced by the United States in adequately feeding and sheltering them in North Africa and Italy. The U.S. military believed that holding these prisoners would also diminish the fighting spirit of other enemy troops.
The image shows the rifle range at Camp Perry, which officially ceased operations in 1967 and was later referred to as Erie Proving Ground.
The Erie Proving Ground played a crucial role beyond its military testing functions, later functioning as a facility for storage, maintenance, and repairs in the post-war period.
During the year 1943, Ohio housed over 8,000 prisoners of war from Germany and Italy within its various POW camps.
In Ohio’s POW camps, detainees included individuals from various military ranks, with a significant number being officers.
At Camp Perry, the POWs were engaged in the reconditioning of weapons and the preparation of supplies for soldiers fighting abroad.
Following Italy’s surrender, a number of Italians chose to remain in their roles at American military installations to support the ongoing war effort.
The Italian soldiers who were held as prisoners of war in Ohio were overseen by guards during the night and were housed in camps. During daylight hours, they were primarily engaged in labor, working in agricultural fields, factories, or at the Erie Proving Ground located in Camp Perry.
Have you heard about the fascinating history of the POW camp located in Ohio? We’d love to hear your insights and thoughts about this significant site. Feel free to share your comments below!