Italian POWs

Many Italian soldiers were taken prisoner with the Africa Corps in Tunisia and in the invasion of Sicily. Italian Service Units wore US Army uniforms with an 'Italy' patch, lived in lightly guarded camps, and worked as service and support troops.

Many POWs were housed at a compound on the west side of the Army Air Base at the lakefront in the 1960s. The camp was directly across Franklin Avenue from the giant Consolidated Aircraft plant, showing how little concern there was for sabotage in the later stages of the war. This site is now the parking area for the UNO-Lakefront Arena.

Photo Courtesy of NOLA.com