American History Tellers Daring Prison Escapes | Nazis in the Arizona Desert | 4
24 snips
Sep 24, 2025 Discover the incredible story of Camp Papago Park, where German POWs ingeniously escaped from a seemingly secure facility in the Arizona desert. Learn about Captain Jürgen Wartenberg, a determined leader who orchestrated a tunnel escape involving over 20 soldiers. From the meticulous planning to the dramatic manhunt that followed, the podcast captures the tension and intrigue of one of the largest manhunts in American history. Explore the aftermath of their daring escape and how the war impacted their lives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Scale And Strategy Of U.S. POW Camps
- The U.S. held over 400,000 POWs across 700 camps during WWII, dispersing them far from battlefronts.
- Camp Papago Park in Arizona housed elite German U-boat crews chosen for remote, harsh deterrence.
New Commander Finds A Flawed Camp
- Colonel William Anthony Holden arrived at Papago Park in August 1944 to clean up a troubled camp.
- He found a sprawling dusty site with five compounds, wooden barracks, two eight-foot fences, and 15 watchtowers.
U-Boat Crews Were Elite Prisoners
- Camp Papago Park intentionally housed U-boat crewmen, who were elite, well-trained, and ideologically committed.
- These men were not conscripts but dedicated sailors eager to continue serving Germany.
