The Case:
History Detectives investigates a portrait made by an American POW in a World War Two German prison camp.
In 1943, as American air attacks against Germany increased, the Nazis moved the growing number of captured American airmen into prisoner of war camps, called Stalags. Over 4,000 airmen ended up in Stalag 17-b, just outside of Krems, Austria, in barracks made for 240 men. How did these men survive the deprivation and hardships of one of the most infamous prisoner of war camps of the Nazi regime?
65 years after her father became a prisoner of war, Gloria Mack of Tempe, Arizona has a portrait of him which appears to be drawn by another POW while they were both prisoners in Stalag 17b.
What happened to the artist? Did he survive the camp? History Detectives guest host Eduardo Pagán uncovers a stoic act of defiance and dignity behind the Stalag’s barbwire.
Related Content
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
GAR Photograph
How did two African Americans come to be part of this photograph in Reconstructionist-era America?
-
Also in Season 7
Civil War Bridge
Has a new discovery rewritten Civil War history?
-
Related Investigation
Japanese Balloon Bomb
Is this scrap of fabric evidence of a secret wartime attack on the United States' mainland?
-
Also in this episode
Seadrome
Did floating airports dot the Atlantic before modern air travel?
-
Also in Season 7
PsychoPhone
Did Thomas Edison make a machine to unlock the secrets of the dead?
-
Also with Eduardo Pagán
Pancho Villa Watch Fob
Did the owner of this watch fob witness the horrifying raid on Pancho Villa?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.