Milag Nord Prisoner of War Camp

Group Photos - Gabe describes how and why group photos were taken

Group photographs of occupants of each barrack were taken at intervals by Walter and Willi Winkler, brothers who had a photographic business in the locality. These official photographs were distributed among the prisoners in the hope that they would be sent home to show how well they were being treated. These official photos can be identified by having a decal edge and are usually stamped Gepruft (examined) on the reverse.

            Apart from these, various incidents made those in Milag suspicious of any other photographer. On one occasion a photograph, taken whilst the seamen were leaving the morning appel, appeared in a German magazine, captioned, "happy relaxed seamen strolling to roll call". Other pictures of hospital patients or men engaged in hobbies were used to demonstrate to the German public and the world at large just how well these guests of Germany were treated.

George Shaker's log (Part 4) contains a number of group photos.

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©Murray Armstrong, London Ont. Canada 2005