The Enemy Within
Synopsis
More than 38,000 German soldiers were held in prisoner of war camps across Canada during World War II, including Theo Melzer in Lethbridge, Alberta.
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Synopsis
Eva Colmers returns to Regensburg, her hometown in Germany, and reflects on her father Theo Melzer's experiences as a prisoner of war in Canada. Captured by British forces in 1942, Melzer spent three years in a camp in Lethbridge, Alberta. His letters from captivity reveal a sense of kindness from his captors, contrasting the treatment of German POWs in other countries. The film includes interviews with Melzer and other former POWs discussing their captivity and interactions with Canadian soldiers.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Find out how Lethbridge treated German POWs with fairness.
- See the emotional scars left on soldiers after captivity.
- Meet the narrator's father and uncle and their war stories.
Did You Know
- Over 38,000 German soldiers were held in Canadian prisoner of war camps.
- One-third of German soldiers captured by the Soviets died in captivity.
- The narrator's father wrote 124 letters from the POW camp in Lethbridge.
- The narrator's uncle was 19 when he was sent to fight on the Eastern front.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many German soldiers ended up in Canadian prisoner of war camps?
More than 38,000 German soldiers ended up behind Canadian barbed wire.
What was the living condition for German prisoners of war in the Soviet Union?
Living conditions for German prisoners of war in the Soviet Union were extremely poor, with more than one-third of them dying in captivity.
What did the letters from the POW camp in Lethbridge contain?
The letters from the POW camp in Lethbridge contained personal messages from the author's father to his family, expressing hope for his return and describing the humane treatment he received.
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