Processed by
Emily Castle
January 2006
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
1 folder |
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COLLECTION |
2–3 April 1945 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Historical Collectible Auctions, Graham, NC, June 2005 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
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RELATED |
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ACCESSION |
2005.0249 |
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NOTES: |
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During World War II most families were notified of prisoners-of-war by telegram. About every six months after the original notification of the men’s status the families would receive postcards generally describing the men’s health as good and their living conditions as at least tolerable.
Conditions for prisoners of war were usually less than tolerable. The barracks the men were housed in became overcrowded after the first few months of war. The men slept two to a bed because of lack of heating and inadequate blankets. An average daily menu would contain: half-cup of coffee, three potatoes, one cup of soup, one slice of bread, and one serving of margarine. Vegetables were issued only when available and within the limits of the quantities available to German citizens.
Treatment of the prisoners at many of the camps was never considered good, and at times was brutal. When prisoners were caught trying to escape they were usually shot. In general, health of the prisoners was good. They maintained their weight until the last month or so before the evacuation; they were active in games and sports, and stayed mentally healthy by keeping busy. The main ailment for prisoners was skin diseases, but improvements were always noticed during the summer months when men could be outside most of the time.
Sources:
American Prisoners of War in Germany. Military Intelligence Service War Department, 1945 [cited 4 January 2006]. Available from World Wide Web: (http://www.valerosos.com/AMERICANPRISONERSOFWAR.pdf)
This collection consists of a TLS from Mr. and Mrs. Claude E. Daily in New Albany, Indiana, to Mr. and Mrs. Cousins in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It informs them the name Francis Cousins was given as a prisoner of war on a German prisoner of war radio program on 2 April 1945. Also in the collection is the transmittal envelope sent the next day, on 3 April.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Letter and envelope from Daily to Cousins, 2 Apr. 1945 |
Folder 1 |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, SC 2779).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.