A Forgotten Chapter of WWII History
February 12, 1944, marked the arrival of German soldiers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.), bringing a piece of World War II history to this remote and rugged region. Members of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Corps were transported across the Atlantic and the United States to POW camps such as Camp Evelyn and Camp Sidnaw. Eventually, approximately 1,000 German prisoners of war (POWs) would reside in five camps scattered across the U.P., with others sent to facilities in the Lower Peninsula.
A Journey Across the Atlantic
With Great Britain running out of space for POWs captured in North Africa and Europe, the United States agreed to house them. German prisoners were transported on liberty ships, which had delivered U.S. troops to Europe, and then moved inland by train. Many passed through Illinois before heading north to Michigan.
By 1944, five camps were established in the U.P.: Evelyn, AuTrain, Sidnaw, Pori, and Raco. Originally built as Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps, these sites were converted to house POWs. Guarded only lightly due to the U.P.’s isolation, harsh winters, and challenging geography, the camps were relatively secure.
Life in the Camps
The camps were not just places of confinement but hubs of activity. POWs engaged in labor, art, music, and education. At Camp Pori, for example, prisoners created a zoo with squirrels, snakes, and other small animals and formed a 16-piece orchestra. Camp AuTrain was home to an industrious POW who crafted a working cuckoo clock from a cigar box, while Camp Sidnaw hosted soccer matches, track competitions, and even moonshine-making operations under the barracks.
POWs received $0.80 per day for their work, which they could use to purchase small comforts like candy, cigarettes, and beer. Their labor contributed significantly to local and national efforts, valued at $9 million during their 15-month tenure—equivalent to $159 million in today’s dollars.
Local Reactions and Lasting Impressions
Initially, some locals viewed the arrival of German POWs with suspicion, but these fears largely proved unwarranted. For the most part, the prisoners maintained good behavior and even fostered a sense of community with their captors. In some camps, German prisoners staged plays, painted, and carved wooden sculptures.
In stark contrast, the nearby conscientious objector camp in Germfask struggled with disruptive residents who refused to work, earning disdain from locals who felt the German POWs showed greater diligence and respect.
Fading Memories
By August 1945, the POW camps began closing, with all five U.P. camps shuttered by April 1946. Today, nature reclaims these sites, leaving behind only faint traces like cement foundations, buried artifacts, and overgrown roads. Items such as root beer bottles and utensils have been uncovered over the years, offering glimpses into this unique period of history.
The POW and Conscientious Objector Camps in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
The forests of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were home to several fascinating and unique camps during World War II. From German POWs to war objectors, these camps left a quiet but lasting mark on the region. Here’s a closer look at the six notable camps and their stories:
POW Camp AuTrain – Alger County
Originally established as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in 1935, Camp AuTrain reopened as a POW camp in May 1944. It housed 226 German POWs along with 2 officers and 37 enlisted men. Today, remnants such as a cement foundation with soldiers’ names remain along the North Country Trail. Hidden artifacts, including root beer bottles, utensils, and even partial toilets, have been unearthed over the years and are now safeguarded by the U.S. Forest Service.
POW Camp Evelyn – Alger County
Camp Evelyn, the first POW camp established in the U.P., housed 139 POWs alongside 2 officers and 37 enlisted men. Located in a now grassy field with buried cables and faint traces of old roads, it once saw a surprising reception from locals. Crowds gathered to meet the arriving German POWs, who smiled and waved as they stepped off the train. Initial distrust from residents gradually faded as fears proved unwarranted.
POW Camp Pori – Houghton County
Camp Pori housed 215 POWs, 2 officers, and 39 enlisted men. It stood out for its unexpected features, including a small “zoo” created by POWs who collected squirrels, mice, and snakes. The camp also hosted a 16-piece orchestra and offered an impressive education program. Classes in languages, math, shorthand, and music history provided opportunities for POWs to develop new skills during their internment.
POW Camp Sidnaw – Houghton County
With 251 POWs, 2 officers, and 33 enlisted men, Camp Sidnaw fostered a sense of community with its choir, soccer matches, track competitions, and even ping pong tournaments. However, life at this camp had its quirky side, too—POWs secretly distilled moonshine beneath their barracks. By 2000, little evidence of the camp remained, but its story still echoes in local history.
POW Camp Raco – Chippeewa County
Camp Raco housed the largest number of POWs among the U.P. camps—267 prisoners, along with 3 officers and 43 enlisted men. POWs earned $0.80 per day for their labor, which they could use to purchase candy, cigarettes, and even beer. Their work provided significant value, with companies paying the government the standard rate for their contributions.
Camp Germfask (Conscientious Objector Camp) – Schoolcraft County
Unlike the POW camps, Camp Germfask was home to 80 “conchies,” or conscientious objectors. These individuals, many of whom were college graduates, resisted work at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, frequently destroying property, polluting water, and undermining supervisors. Their actions drew criticism from locals, who often expressed more respect for the hard-working German POWs than for these disruptive Americans. The camp lasted only a year before being disbanded, and most of its occupants were sent to California.
Though the camps are now fading into history, their stories offer a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each location reflects the resilience, creativity, and complexities of life during wartime.
