Camp Atterbury
Item
-
Camp name
-
Camp Atterbury
-
Country
-
USA
-
Short description
-
'Camp Atterbury itself was a bustling military installation. More than 200,000 American troops underwent rigorous
preparation there before deploying overseas, while the sprawling Wakeman Hospital provided treatment to 85,000
severely wounded U.S. service members. In this complex environment, the Italian POWs resided in a designated
compound adjacent to both the hospital and the training grounds. Remarkably, despite their status as enemy
combatants, the Italian prisoners and American soldiers coexisted without significant incident, demonstrating the
possibility of peaceful interaction even in times of war.
The living conditions of the Italian POWs were notably humane. They were housed in barracks identical to those of
their American counterparts, consumed the same quality of food, received clean uniforms, and had access to
comprehensive medical care. Their camp offered certain amenities as well, including a chapel that predated their
arrival.' Description written by the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana
Our Lady’s Chapel in the Meadow