Stalag (German POW camps)

Stalag was the designation for German World War II prisoner-of-war (POW) camps, primarily housing soldiers captured from the Allied forces. These camps were part of Germany's system for detaining enemy combatants under the Geneva Conventions. Conditions varied widely but often involved barrack-style accommodations, basic supplies, and limited freedoms. While some camps maintained relatively humane treatment, others experienced severe overcrowding, forced labor, and harsh discipline. Stalags played a critical role in wartime logistics and POW management, reflecting both Germany's military policies and the complexities of international wartime conventions.