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Indian Wars and Frontier Conflicts

Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944)

1944
Arizona
Era
Indian Wars and Frontier Conflicts
Year
1944
Location
Arizona
Status
Historical record
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
German POWs: 3,200 including U-boat crews
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
US Army guards: ~400
Outcome
25 German U-boat officers tunneled 178 feet and escaped Dec 23, 1944 — largest POW escape in US history. All recaptured within weeks.
The Battle

History & Significance

The largest POW escape on US soil; the escape tunnel under the Arizona Canal took months to dig. Escapees attempted to reach Mexico. Documented in Jürgen Wattenberg's diary.

Casualties & Losses

No deaths; all 25 escapees recaptured

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944) take place?
Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944) took place in 1944.
Where was Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944) fought?
Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944) was fought in Arizona, United States.
What was the outcome of Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944)?
25 German U-boat officers tunneled 178 feet and escaped Dec 23, 1944 — largest POW escape in US history. All recaptured within weeks.
What was the significance of Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944)?
The largest POW escape on US soil; the escape tunnel under the Arizona Canal took months to dig. Escapees attempted to reach Mexico. Documented in Jürgen Wattenberg's diary.
Protected heritage nearby

Historic Sites near Camp Papago Park (German POW Escape 1944)

Hunt's Tomb
Industrial · 0.2 mi
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Poston War Relocation Center
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Gila River War Relocation Center
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Titan II Missile Complex — Davis-Monthan AFB (308th SMW)
1963
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All battles in Arizona›
Source

Content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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