SPEAKER PRESENTATION: Tuesday, October 29
(please note, program is on Tuesday, not the normal Wednesday evening)
Author David Fielder. Doors open at 5 p.m. for book signing. Presentation at 6 pm
Program sponsor: Southbound Fuel
Most people don’t realize that during WWII the U.S. government brought over 400,000 German and Italian POWs to the United States. Beginning in 1942, more than 15,000 of these enemy soldiers were sent to Missouri and held in 30 camps around the state, including Camp Weingarten. Contrary to common expectations, the camps were relatively pleasant places, and in fact the government was criticized for treating the prisoners too well.
The POWs had a great deal of freedom and opportunities for recreation. They worked (for pay!) on local farms, sometimes completely unguarded. Many friendships grew out of this interaction between prisoners and residents, some of which lasted decades after the war. Through photographs and stories from those who experienced it firsthand, David Fiedler tells of the fascinating, yet little-known story of when the POWs came to Missouri, and how residents reacted when they came face-to-face with the enemy.
David Fiedler has been a writer for more than 20 years. His material has appeared in the Wall Street Journal and been carried by the Associated Press and the New York Times Syndicate.
Writing The Enemy Among Us allowed Dave, a life-long Missourian, to combine his knowledge of the state with degrees in German and political science and experience as an officer in the U.S. Army. For it he received the Governor’s Award for the Humanities. Dave also wrote an accompanying novel and screenplay to go with the original history.
Mr. Fielder’s book, The Enemy Among Us is available in the museum gift shop.