During World War II the former Lower Falls Civilian Conservation Camp was converted to a prisoner of war camp to house captured German soldiers. Not much is known of the Camp, though there are still area people who remember seeing the German POWs supplying scarce manpower to area farms and local canning factories. After the War the soldiers returned to Germany and eventually the Camp was taken down. See our Glimpse of the POW Camp for more information!

Recently an artifact came to light from the POW Camp era. It appears that a local man, Archie Maker of Dalton NY, found a booklet and a letter in the old barracks shortly after the War. The original owner of the letter is only identified as "Arnfried" . We do know that he was a young man far from home who had a letter from his Mother while being held at the Park.

Today these "Pieces of the Past" serve as reminders of an important episode in Letchworth Park's history.

 Here is a translation of the letter done by Soeren Melskotte, a German exchange student in my American History Class. We are grateful to Soeren for his work in translating and explaining the letter. Soeren tried to keep as close to the original wording as possible. Some additional notes are found at the bottom of the web page.

"Bywalk 51483 The 1.9.44 (Sept 1, 1944)

My Dear Arnfried!

We haven't heard anything from you, for a longer (period of ) time. Something from you has to come some time. The fruits in the garden are ripening. How well, could we use you boys to pick the fruit. Your sisters are happy, that they can experience this for some time. They have never been here for the fruit harvest. I am just happy that Hiltraud hasn't upset her stomach yet. Karl Gohning is still on vacation. Wolfgang comes Sunday, he will be a Night Hunter. Eberhard is still at the harvest-help. Walter is for training at the RAD. Unfortunately I haven't heard anything from Dad. I have written you several times already, that he is missing since 8.6 (June 8th). I hope, that he has come in American captivity. Stay healthy and think about the future. Warmest greetings from your Mother, Grandmother in Hindern."

Some additional notes on the letter:

Soeren did some additional research on some of the factual information provided in the letter. Wolfgang was a "Night Hunter" which probably means he flew the Ju 88R-1, a German fighter plane equipped with camouflage coating, special coverings to hid ethe flames of the engine exhausts, and a radar system. Walter was "training in the RAD". The RAD was the German National Work Service which started a year after the American CCC program. The RAD provided work for the unemployed, labor for local government projects, and what one sources describes as "pre-military training and indoctrination". All German males had to enter the Reich Arbeits Dienst (RAD) when they finished high school. It is likely that Arnfried was aware that he was held in an old CCC camp, a program that was, in some ways, similar to the RAD program that Arnfried had once been a part of. (Soeren recommends viewing the photographs of the Night Hunter and the RAD program found on Wikipedia)

Also note that Arnfried's father had not been heard of since June 8th. That was two days after D-Day? Was he a defender at Normandy? His family had hoped that he had been captured by the Americans, so it may be that he had been stationed in France or perhaps Italy.

You will also see a Texas address on the envelope. Perhaps Arnfried and others were transferred to an East coast camp near the end of the War.

If a visitor has memories of the camp, German POW's at Letchworth, or additional information on the story of German prisoners held in the United States, please send it along.

Special thanks to Soeren Melskotte for his help!