09/04/2026
⚓ Did you know Ohio played a massive role in housing World War II prisoners of war?Nestled right on the shores of Lake Erie near Port Clinton, Camp Perry is famous today for its National R***e Matches and Ohio National Guard training. But back in September 1943, it took on a sobering new mission as a major Axis POW base camp.Here is a quick look back at a fascinating piece of local history:🪖 The Prisoners: Camp Perry housed between 4,500 and 6,000 prisoners. First came Italian soldiers in 1943, followed by German troops—including many from Rommel’s infamous Afrika Korps—in 1944.🚜 The Labor: Because of a massive wartime labor shortage, these prisoners weren't just sitting in cells. They worked on local Ohio farms, picked tomatoes, processed food, and worked in quarries under guard supervision.📍 The Network: Camp Perry wasn't alone. It served as the "hub" for several smaller branch camps scattered across Ohio, including sites in Columbus, Bowling Green, Celina, and Defiance.🧱 What’s Left Today: While the tents and wooden huts are mostly gone, some of the original brick mess halls and structures from that era still stand on the grounds today.History is right in our backyard! Check out the photos below to see what life looked like at the camp during the 1940s. 👇 Perry
Ohio History Hunter Lake Erie Beach Hounds
