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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Karlsruhe


rob carman

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Was there a POW camp in or nearby Karlsruhe?

Rob Carman.

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Yes, (DULAG XIV ??(number unknown))

This is one of the more "dodgy" camps, established in 1917. Officially, it was a Durchgangslager (Dulag) - a transit camp. I say "dodgy", because rumour has it , that it was established in an attempt to avert air raids on Karlsruhe - in other words a form of "human shield".

Dave.

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Yes, after an allied bombardment killed some children who attended a circus show in the city IIRC...

Collateral damage was then also a problem (in fact bombardments on cities (also occupied ones) did generally more damage to civilian infrastructure and killed and wounded more civilians than troops).

Jan

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This raid in the Spring of 1916 was a major contributor to the establishment of the camp, but several others also played their part, especially the one of 9th January 1917 (if this, indeed,was the true cause for it's establishment here that is - it may just be co-incedence). However, it 's a fact that during future airraids, many civilians congregated around the camp.

The camp , incidentally, was located near the Royal Residence and railway station, near the centre of the town, surrounded by high buildings, hotels and restaurants. The circus that Jan refers to was also held in the city centre, not too far away from where the camp was later established.... another coincedence? Who knows?

Dave.

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