Did you know there was a Massachusetts training camp for WWII soldiers in Mashpee on Cape Cod? World War II impacted almost every corner of the Earth, including Massachusetts. Between the onset of war in 1939 and the Allied victory in 1945, this state saw its fair share of upheaval, tragedy, and triumph. By the time World War II was over, the United States changed forever and welcomed home back millions of soldiers.

However, even many lifelong residents don’t know that the Bay State was actually home to a German POW camp in Massachusetts (Prisoner of war). Here’s the story behind Camp Edwards. 

Camp Edwards is a military training installation located in Mashpee on Cape Cod. It was first opened in 1938 and quickly transformed from a small training post to a bustling hub of military activity.
Facebook/Camp Edwards
The camp was originally built to house and train 30,000 service people. A mock German village was actually constructed on the base in order to train soldiers.
Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress
In 1942, the base expanded to become a hospital and a POW camp for captured German soldiers. As many as 2,000 German troops were held there at any given time.
Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. Nicholas Giammarco
Many of the German soldiers were from the infamous Afrika Korps. The prisoners worked various jobs around the base and were also sent to work on nearby farms and in local cranberry bogs.
Wikimedia Commons/US Government

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German prisoners were also responsible for helping to salvage lumber after a hurricane swept across Cape Cod in September of 1944.
Facebook/Camp Edwards
By the war’s end, more than 5,000 POWs had been detained at Camp Edwards. Most of these were eventually repatriated. Camp Edwards has since been solidified as an important part of Massachusetts history.
Facebook/Camp Edwards
Today, Camp Edwards is still an active training site for the Army National Guard. It’s now home to a “theatre immersion training” area, where soldiers train in simulated, realistic combat environments.
Facebook/Camp Edwards
The POW camp at Camp Edwards is just one of many hidden pages of Massachusetts history.
Facebook/Camp Edwards

It’s easy to forget how much history is hiding just out of sight in Massachusetts. Did you know about the wartime history of Camp Edwards in Massachusetts? Do you know anyone who served at Camp Edwards? Please share your story in the comments below. Do you know of a fascinating piece of Massachusetts history that you would like to share? Let us know about it by submitting a nomination form and we may write an article about it in the future.

Did you know that the world’s largest collection of World War II naval vessels can be found right here in Massachusetts?

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What are the best historic towns in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has the best historic towns that everyone should visit. Massachusetts is bursting with Revolutionary American history, incredible architecture, and breathtaking natural scenery. Taking a trip to see these beautiful and charming towns will be a vacation you never forget. Here are some of the best historic towns in Massachusetts:

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Camp Edwards, Mashpee, MA, USA