Posted in Nebraska
December 09, 2020
Most People In Nebraska Don’t Know That Fort Robinson Was A German POW Camp In WWII
Most people know Nebraska’s Fort Robinson as a former US Army fort, a historic site, and the site of Sioux Chief Crazy Horse’s death. Or maybe you’re familiar with the state park’s breathtaking landscapes, bountiful recreational activities, and historic lodging. There’s one part of Fort Robinson’s history, though, that many people aren’t aware of: it served as Nebraska’s largest German POW camp in World War II.
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The American captors attempted to "de-program" the Nazi prisoners under the top-secret Intellectual Diversion Program by providing “the facts of American history, the workings of democracy, and the contributions made to America by peoples of all national origins.” Some non-Nazi prisoners, including Otto Eichentopf, pictured here, chose to become U.S. citizens after the war.



This important military post is now an absolutely beautiful and history-rich state park near Crawford in Nebraska’s panhandle. If you’ve never visited, this unique spot deserves a place at the top of your bucket list. Find out more about why Fort Robinson is one of the most beautiful parks in the nation that everyone should visit.
Address: Soldier Creek Rd & US Hwy 20, Crawford, NE 69339, USA