[Manuscript Maps of Prisoner of War Enclosure 24 – Tourlaville, France]

Manuscript maps of the Allied prisoner-of-war camp located near Tourlaville, France.

This rare collection of maps captures an often overlooked aspect of the Allied advance across Europe during World War II – the management of thousands of German prisoners of war. As chances for victory became increasingly slim for the Third Reich, its soldiers surrendered en masse – over 2.5 million would ultimately capitulate to the Allies on the Western Front alone. Specially built camps, more than two dozen in total, were constructed to house the enormous influx of POWs.

Continental Central Prisoners of War Enclosure (CCPWE) Number 24 was established on February 5, 1945 to accommodate 40,000 prisoners in tents. The expansive facility was located outside Tourlaville, France, and consisted of empty stockades surrounded by barbed wire fences, guard towers, and hedgerows. Local amenities included a bathing structure, hospital, and local supply of fresh water. Supporting military facilities were also present; a motor pool, mess hall, and barracks (separated by French and American), to name a few.

This trio of hand-written maps each provides a different overview of CCPWE 24 at Tourlaville. Two sheets are drawn to a very similar (large) scale, though with a slightly different orientation and varying numbers of prisoner enclosures. They share several other characteristics, such as the handwriting style and legend, that indicate they were probably created by the same person. A third sheet, drawn at a smaller scale of 1:5000, shows the layout of the camp in relation to the surrounding villages. Tourlaville can be seen in the upper right and several other supporting structures, like French Civilian Barracks, are outlined and labeled. Further details on each map are available below:

• Tourlaville P.W.E. T.24 – Sheet measures 21.6″ x 17.75″ and shows moderate spotting throughout, concentrated most heavily in the upper right (see scan). Soft vertical creases where previously folded. According to text in the lower right, the map was executed on February 17th, 1945 by the Geographic Service of the 3rd Marching Battalion of Normandy (le Service Geographique du 3eme B.M.). Likely the earliest of the three sheets, this image outlines the grounds of the camp and labels relevant infrastructure. Manuscript annotations along the outer edges possibly reflect plans for future expansion, reflected in subsequent sheets.
• Tourlaville C.C.P.W.E. 24 – Sheet measures 23.4″ x 18.6″ and shows heavy spotting in a 3″ strip down the center, as well as scattered elsewhere. Soft vertical creases where previously folded and minor edge wear. A more colorful adaption of the preceeding example, with an image that extends to include the nearby hamlets of Quevillon, Vigot, Graingore, and Quewastre. The number of enclosures has been increased to 33 and the American Area has been enlarged; otherwise the outline is largely the same as before. An illegible signature can be seen in the lower right, but no identifiable author or publisher is attributed.
• [Untitled Topographic Map] – Sheet measures 25.1″ x 19.4″ and shows moderate toning in a 6″ strip on the right side. Scattered spotting, including a spot the size of a dime in the lower left. According to text in the lower left, this map was executed on March 26, 1945 by the Cartographic Service of the 3rd Marching Battalion of Normandy. Topography is shown in contours, highlighting the landscape of the area, and the camp facilities are colored in red (prisoner), blue (American), and mixed (French).

Sources: The American Legion;  Les Camps de Prisonniers Allemands; International Committee of the Red Cross; Archeopages;