Most People In Arizona Don’t Know About Our Old German POW Camp
By Katie Lawrence|Published April 26, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Papago Park in Scottsdale is home to some incredibly unique geological structures, and nothing suggests the site has ever been anything besides a natural wonder. That couldn’t be further from the truth, however, as the popular outdoor attraction is the site of a former WWII prisoner-of-war camp. With a massive escape and several deaths, Camp Papago Park left quite a dark stain on history.
Thousands of visitors flock to Papago Park annually; many are unaware of its dark history.
Captain Jürgen Wattenberg, the highest-ranking German prisoner at the camp, began organizing the escape almost immediately upon his capture. Other escapees, including Captain Lieutenant Friedrich Guggenberger (pictured here), were located shortly after -- some having made it within 30 miles of the Mexican border!
Some of the inmates anticipated severe punishment, however their only repercussion was bread and water rations for the length of time they were missing. Unrelated death did occur at the camp, when Werner Max Herschel Drechsler was murdered by fellow inmates for disclosing German secrets to U.S. Navy authorities. Seven men implicated in the crime were subsequently executed.
The site is used as base for the Arizona National Guard.
Located on the base is the Arizona Military Museum, a free attraction that works to preserve and encourage appreciation for the state's military history.
The building itself is a relic, first serving as a National Guard arsenal before it was converted into maintenance shop for German POWs.
Exhibits depict various aspects of Arizona military history, ranging from the Spanish Conquistadors to Navajo Code Talkers, guns to missle launchers, and even a single engine "Huey" helicopter of the U.S. Army.
There's an entire display dedicated to Camp Papago Park, as well.
The Arizona Military Museum is open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on weekends. It is most likely closed right now due to COVID-19, so call or email before visiting. Click here for the website.
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