Toward the end of the second world war, hundreds of Italian and German prisoners of war found themselves at camps scattered across the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Many of these internees were paid small wages to work on farms or in factories throughout Minnesota.

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Read more about it in Dean B. Simmons’ Swords Into Ploughshares: Minnesota’s POW Camps During World War Two, which you can pick up at Bookshop.org. If you’re into Minnesota history, like I am, this book is a fascinating read, and I highly recommend it.

Did you know about these World War II-era prisoner of war camps in Minnesota? Please share any facts or information you may have about them with us in the comments.

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