WWII Prisoners of War in Ogden

POWs Looking at Camp Clock

The Prisoners of War at Defense Depot Ogden oral history project is the documentation of the lives of the Italian and German prisoners that were held at DDO during World War II. The Ogden Defense Depot, designated as a POW camp on October 11, 1942, was one of the first ten camps in the country. An estimated 5,000 Italian prisoners and approximately 4,000 German prisoners were sent to the facility. The prisoners worked in local warehouses, farms, and orchard. After Italy surrendered in 1943, Italian Service Units were created which allowed the Italians greater freedom than the Germans, including visits to downtown Ogden. The camp closed during the summer of 1946 after the 10,000 prisoners were shipped home. This project contains interviews from people who had interaction with the Italian and German POWs, including the community of Weber County and POW widows. They discuss they daily lives of the prisoners which includes conditions at the camp, work related issues, and the feelings of the community surrounding the POW camp.

Eleanor Kososik, a widow of a German prisoner of war, relates her husband's experiences at the Defense Depot Ogden during World War II, as well as his encounters as he made his way from Germany to the United States. The interview took place on November 22, 2005.

Gary Larsson shares his memories of Ogden, including his experiences with POWs during World War II. The interview took place on January 31, 2006.

Allie Lee Taylor Lawler discusses her memories of working at the adjutant general's office at the Defense Depot Ogden during World War II. The interview took place on November 21, 2005.

William Eugene Lawler shares his experiences working as a guard at the Defense Depot Ogden during World War II. He describes his interactions with the prisoners of war, including transporting them to their work in the orchards. The interview took place on November 21, 2005.

Charles McFarland discusses his memories of World War II POWs working on his family's turkey farm in Harrisville. The interview took place on December 14, 2005.

Jack Mecham discusses his memories as a young boy with German prisoners of war who worked in agriculture during World War II in American Fork, Utah. The interview took place on December 7, 2005.

Lucille Nebeker discusses her time spent working at the Defense Depot Ogden during World War II, and her interactions with the other workers and the prisoners of war. The interview took place on February 6, 2006.

Eleanor C. Painter describes her time working as a forklift operator during World War II at the Defense Depot Ogden. She shares her memories of working with the Italian prisoners of war, and her husband's service in the Navy. The interview took place on January 30, 2006.