CCC Salina Creek POW Camp, Salina, Utah

POW's in America. The war was over ... the enemy surrendered. 371,000 Italian and German prisoners were to be housed in special camps in the United States. And so they came ... hundreds of ships and thousands of men who had fought under a different flag. 150 main camps and 500 branch camps were set up and administered under the U.S. Army. With few exceptions, the POWs were content. "I could be happy here. The food is excellent, the clothing adequate, and no one is shooting at me." This blog highlights the CCC Salina Creek POW camp.

15,000 POWs were assigned to Utah. The main central camp was located in Ogden. Smaller camps were established Ft. Douglas, Orem and Salina. By 1942, all but three of the old Salina Creek CCC camp buildings had been removed, however, tents soon replaced the buildings to accommodate the new POW camp inmates. With the sons of farmers serving abroad in the war, manual labor was in short supply. The helping hands of the POWs helped fill that need to service the areas vital sugar beet industry. The Salina, Utah camp held 250 inmates with three towers and 43 tents.

POW Camp, Salina Utah 1942-1945

1945 Willy MB

The little utility vehicle that helped the war. Both Willys Overland and Ford produced the "Leapin Lizzie" to meet the high demand of the U.S. military during WWII. Willys produced 363,000 units and Ford produced 280,000 units. Most parts of the two vehicles were interchangeable.

Large rule used for training

U.S. Army Issue with carrying case
worn on the belt

The slide rule was also known as a "slipstick," is a mechanical analog computer, used extensively during WWII by B-29 flight engineers on bombing runs and by infantry in battle to calculate firing trajectories.

1942 1-1/2 Ton G506 Cargo Truck

Some of these trucks were supplied to Russia on a "lend lease" program. After the war, most were left in Russia. Many are still being used today.

Jewel Box

Crafted from scraps of wood, popcycle sticks and matchsticks, this unique jewel box was created by a POW for the Johnson family of Aurora in gratitude for their kindness.

On July 8, 1945, two months after the war ended in Europe, Private Clarence Bertucci, a guard stationed at the camp, opened fire with a .30-caliber machine gun on 43 tents where the POWs were sleeping. In just 15 seconds Bertucci peppered the barracks with 250 rounds because, he later said, he “just didn’t like Germans.” He killed six POWs and injured 23, three of whom later died at Salina’s hospital. Bertucci was later declared insane and sent to a mental hospital.