During World War II, more than 425,000 prisoners of war were sent to camps all over the United States. Approximately 15,000 POWs were sent to Utah, and were housed in camps in Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Salina. The camps were staffed by American soldiers who were unable to fight overseas for reasons including those with physical or discipline issues.
The Salina POW camp was home to one soldier who had a long record of discipline problems, and in 1945 he committed a massacre that was the largest killing of enemy soldiers in the U.S. during the war.
In 1944, the Salina Camp was opened. It housed 250 German POWs, who were sent there to help with the sugar beet harvest.
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook
The camp consisted of 43 large tents and three guard towers. It was a temporary camp to handle overflow from Fort Douglas and provide local labor.
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook
The German soldiers helped with the harvest, and residents in Salina reported that they were helpful and friendly. The war ended in May, 1945, but in July they were still waiting to be sent home to Germany.
CLSH/Google
Guard duty at a POW camp was not a preferred assignment, and many of the men at the camps around the country were bitter that they weren’t fighting overseas. One man at the Salina Camp, Private Clarence V. Bertucci, was particularly upset that he hadn’t been given the chance to fight against the Germans.
Linda Rawson/Google A sixth-grade dropout, Private Bertucci was court-martialed twice during his service. He had ongoing discipline problems, and though he had been enlisted for more than five years, had never managed to raise his rank above that of a private.
On July 7, 1945, Private Bertucci went to a bar in town and spent the evening drinking. He stopped in at a cafe before returning to camp, and told a waitress there that she would hear about something interesting happening at the camp that night.
CLSH/Google At the start of his shift, Bertucci climbed up into a watchtower that was outfitted with a .30 caliber machine gun, then began firing into the tents full of German POWs. After 250 rounds, he was out of ammunition, and yelled, “Send up more ammo! I’m not done yet!”
The carnage was horrifying. 9 German POWs were killed, and 19 were seriously injured.
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook Bertucci showed no remorse about his crime, and was later found to be insane. He was sent to a mental hospital in Brentwood, New York.
The POWs who were killed were buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery. They were given full military honors. As soon as they were recovered enough to travel, the wounded men were sent home to Germany.
Frans R. Lambrechtsen/Google The murder of the German soldiers was nicknamed “The Midnight Massacre,” and the tragedy is the largest killing of enemy prisoners on U.S. soil during World War II.
In 2016, a museum was built at the site of the POW camp. Visitors can see photos, memorabilia, and displays, and learn more about the history of the camp.
James S Turner/Google During spring and summer, the museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit Camp Salina’s Facebook page for more information. Have you visited the museum here? We’d love to see your comments!
CCC&POW Camp Salina, Utah/Facebook
CLSH/Google
Linda Rawson/Google
A sixth-grade dropout, Private Bertucci was court-martialed twice during his service. He had ongoing discipline problems, and though he had been enlisted for more than five years, had never managed to raise his rank above that of a private.
At the start of his shift, Bertucci climbed up into a watchtower that was outfitted with a .30 caliber machine gun, then began firing into the tents full of German POWs. After 250 rounds, he was out of ammunition, and yelled, “Send up more ammo! I’m not done yet!”
Bertucci showed no remorse about his crime, and was later found to be insane. He was sent to a mental hospital in Brentwood, New York.
Frans R. Lambrechtsen/Google
The murder of the German soldiers was nicknamed “The Midnight Massacre,” and the tragedy is the largest killing of enemy prisoners on U.S. soil during World War II.
James S Turner/Google
During spring and summer, the museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 598 E Main St, Salina, UT 84654, USA
