Nebraska POW Camps: A History of World War II Prisoners in the Heartland

During World War II, thousands of Axis prisoners of war were held throughout Nebraska in base camps that included Fort Robinson, Camp Scottsbluff and Camp Atlanta. Many Nebraskans did not view the POWs as "evil Nazis." To them, they were ordinary men and very human. And while their stay was not entirely free from conflict, many former captives returned to the Cornhusker State to begin new lives after the cessation of hostilities. Drawing on first-person accounts from soldiers, former POWs and Nebraska residents, as well as archival research, Melissa Marsh delves into the neglected history of Nebraska's POW camps.

Melissa Amateis Marsh was born and raised in Bridgeport, Nebraska, and is a lifelong Nebraska resident. She holds a BA in history with a minor in English from Chadron State College and an MA in history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Marsh is an editorial assistant at UNL's Center for Great Plains Studies in Lincoln. She is also a historical novelist and freelance writer. Marsh lives in Lincoln with her daughter.