Volume 11 , Issue 26

The Duration of WWI

Behind Fences In Oklahoma Across the sun-baked plains of Oklahoma in the west and the tree covered, misty mountains in the east, nothing remains to show a part Oklahoma played during World War II. The pre-existing buildings that were used, show no evidence of the part they played in the past. The sites that were built now are covered by businesses, farms, and ranches.

All that remains, are records in the Archives, microfilmed newspaper accounts, records of interviews conducted and the memories of the people that lived and worked near the enemy alien and prisoner of war camps that existed in 26 counties around the state.

It is strange that there was so much going on at the military posts during WWII that was never known by the public. As you know, even the men in service did not have free access to the various military camps - and certainly were not privy to the functions of any of them.

The list indeed does show Ardmore Air Field was used (in part) for a POW camp along with Camp Howze, Texas. Camp Howze was a very large Army infantry camp located at Gainsville, Texas.

Ardmore was an Army Air Corps base [this was long before the Air Corps became the Air Force]. We have heard rumors that Camp Howze was also used (in part) as a POW camp. I never even saw a German POW anywhere during my 3 1/2 years of service in WWII.

The general public was not even aware about the American Japanese being confined on the west coast until after the war was over. I'd be surprised if a list, such as this, could be found anytime during the war.
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