Liebenau Internment Camp, Germany: Part 14

Picture 14

A happy gathering of some of the women internees on the steps of the Schloss. The six hundred women comprised of many nationalities and all ages. The English were mostly housed in one wing, Clara House and the East Europeans in St. Joseph’s House. The Schloss itself was the was the domicile of the nuns and some VIPs among the internees. As children we couldn’t gage the relationship or compatibility of the adult camp, but we were aware of rumblings and spite among the resident women. We children were of course treated like children anywhere — amused, encouraged, reprimanded and scolded. Apart from haphazard schooling from some of the more dedicated internees, we found plenty of communal amusement and interest to while away the days: theatre, song, table tennis, indoor games, outdoor activities, woodwork and craftwork etc.
From time to time we were taken to the local dentist or doctor for check-ups. There was only one single incident of an escape by a woman who managed to reach Switzerland. Rumour had it that she was mad and had taken leave of her senses. Extraordinary in retrospect.

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