Stalags – Prisions or Slave Camps?

The extreme mental torture and physical exhaustion many prisoners of war experienced during the war caused a unique psychological condition called Post traumatic stress disorder. Although this condition is mostly acute in nature, many POWs who survived the atrocities of war are still haunted by this traumatic experience. During the war, many POWs have to struggle against constant starvation, endless torture and many other unspeakable condition that about both extreme physical and mental fatigue. In stalags or in any other prisoner camps, the situation remained the same. However, the gravity of the cruelties done only differs.

Despite being released from war camps, a prisoner of war is bound to experience a dramatic change in his life. From a period of strong emotional trauma comes a time of grieving and healing. Immediately after release or escape, POWs will experience a sense of relief that will allow them to reintegrate back into their communities. However, the strong emotional trauma associated with prisoner camps will forever be etched into their subconscious memory. Some may try to forget these experiences, however, once the stimulus is sensed, it will trigger once again the extreme trauma that was felt during the war.

Prisoners of war are symbols of courage and sacrifice that was given during the world war. Much sacrifice has been given into the war to achieve the peace that we are currently enjoying right now. Despite this, most survivors would be forever haunted by the violence that is the running theme of wars. Having been reintegrated back into society, most POWs would feel the sudden change in environment and may even enjoy the sense of freedom that was given to them. However, the fact remains that their whole experience of war is something that have shaped them and changed their perspective of life forever.

Among the attempts of many directors to portray the horrors of war, nothing has come closer than Stalag 17. This 1953 film directed by a Jewish refugee himself depicted the atrocities of war and how the extreme living conditions could change the very personality of human beings. This highly acclaimed film is considered as one of the best films illustrating how violent war can be. Moreover, it told people of the universal truth that until people are tried under the harshest living conditions, it is nearly impossible to tell which one is telling the truth and which one is full of lies.

The plot of Stalag 17 is centered on the struggle of a group of prisoners of war to escape the infamous Stalag 17. However, despite their ingenious plot for their great escape, they have always been discovered and hindered from achieving their true goals. The plots progressively turned into a darker shade as the POWs discover that there is a traitor amongst them who is constantly leaking out their plans to camp officers. This treachery has left them with many sacrifices that included the death of two of their inmates.

As the plot of the story progresses, the prisoners of war are able to realize the compelling truth that war would truly bring about the very nature of human beings. Their constant struggle to fight insanity amidst the extreme living conditions and unspeakable horrors in war camps is really one to admire. During wars, only the fittest are able to survive and live to see another day. Thus, people are more than willing to pull each other down rather than help one another to achieve their desired goal. However, it was portrayed that in the end, people who know how to outwit others are the only ones capable of a great escape.

The only thing that is common during a state of war is the haunting violence and constant crimes against humanity. Regardless of where the war is located, there are people bound to experience the atrocities that is a recurring theme among war conditions. Stalags or prisoner of war camps are common means to detain prisoners who often are used for slave purposes. POWs are often starved to death or overworked to extreme physical and mental exhaustion. Some are even sentenced to death without stating any reason for this atrocious behavior. With the end of World War, many countries became signatories for providing rights of POWs even during a state of war.

During war, stalags have become concentration camps of many POWs. Often, prisoners are taken to separate camps depending on their ranks and service position. A Stalag Luft is intended for prisoners who are military flying personnel. On the other hand, Marlags are POW camps intended for detaining all types of Navy personnel. Depending on a particular branch of service, POWs were taken to different base war camps. Military officers with high ranking positions are taken to Oflags in different military districts. Records show that the German army was divided into 17 military districts; each of which is capable of holding their own stalags and oflags with separate sub camps for each main camp. With that large of a camp, you can just imagine how many people actually became POWs and suffered the extreme violence that is brought by wars.

In Auswichz alone, it has been estimated that more than 2,000,000 POWs were slain through numerous crimes against humanity. And that is one of the 17 main camps that were established during the war. Certainly, this large scale crime against humanity has resulted in many sacrifices. Those who were able to survive will forever live with a scar that has changed their life forever.