The National World War II Museum in New Orleans has an awesome exhibit right now on American POWs in the Third Reich. If you can't make it to New Orleans and see it in person (like me), you can check out the online exhibit here: http://www.guestsofthethirdreich.org/home/ There is an AMAZING diary you can browse through on the "Camp Life" link. It is a YMCA Wartime Log Book, as described here: "Beginning in 1943, the War Prisoners Aid of the YMCA—dedicated to the spiritual, educational, and recreational needs of POWs—supplied blank journals for inclusion in Red Cross Aid packages bound for Europe. It was reported that they sent enough journals for every American POW, although later numbers suggest that only 25,000 were printed. It is unknown how many actually made it into the hands of prisoners, or how many survived the camps, forced marches and the intervening years. Wartime Logs came with a cover letter containing the instruction to let the book be a “visible link between yourself and the folks at home.” The journals were coveted, bartered and traded. They created a precious forum in which to list frustrations and to sketch out hopes and desires."
My husband took me to the museum for our anniversary. I highly recommend that anyone check the place out. We spent all day there, complete with the 4D movie presentation beforehand. Can't wait to return! Its worth a visit from anywhere.
We were there in '06. They told us the P-47 and P-51 that hang in the atrium are kept in flyable condition. They lower them once a year and change the oil and do an annual FAA inspection on them. A very world-class museum.
Another great resource for insight into the POW experience is at the National Prisoner of War Museum at the former Andersonville Civil War prison camp. http://www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisit/natl_pow_museum.htm
