History of the Tonkawa German Prisoner of War Camp during World War II has been researched and documented by Rex Ackerson and Dr. Bill Corbett, both former professors at Northern Oklahoma College.
Prisoner of War human interest stories have been told in this column. Undoubtedly, there will be many stories lost forever. Remembering a story told by church members, there were monthly dinners held in the Methodist Church and referred to as ‘State Dinners.’ Military personnel from the camp were guests and seated at tables according to their home state. Those having birthdays during the month were recognized.
The Masonic Temple opened their basement for dances for the camp GI’s. Local young women would attend. The old phonograph displayed in the McCarter Museum provided the music.
Names that standout of three former POW’s are: Max Wolfel, Johannes Kunze and Hans Jaenisch.
Max Wolfel was the prisoner who was General Erwin Rommel’s pilot and personal attache. Johannes Kunze was the prisoner who was accused of treason and murdered at the camp by his German comrades. Hans Jaenisch was an acclaimed German artist. Upon arriving at the Tonkawa Camp prisoners were required to turn in all personal belongings. On the train ride from New York to Oklahoma Jaenisch had made sketches of scenes he saw from the train window.Fortunately, the sketches made their way to the right people and he was asked to decorate the Officers’ Club. A contractor from Ponca City, George Sober, worked for the post engineers. George and Hans became friends with George talking to Hans about how democracy in America worked. Jaenisch painted several pictures in watercolor on wallboard for the Officers’ Club.
Jaenisch painted 4 panels to cover the windows in the movie theater. One of the panels featured a nude lady. It was hit with the GI’s but when local women learned about it they protested. The theater was also used as a chapel on Sundays and the picture was not appropriate. Years after WWII, Hans Jaenisch and his work was featured in the ‘Life’ magazine.
When Camp Tonkawa was closed in 1945, a guard, whose home was in Alva, OK, took two pictures that Jaenisch had painted at the camp.
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