page_title: Deportations from the German-occupied Channel Islands
section_title: Laufen
hierarchical_section_title: Deportations from the German-occupied Channel Islands / Camps / Laufen
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Schloss Laufen mit Salzburger Stadttor
context_page_description: Deportations from the German-occupied Channel Islands refers to a specific wave of deportations by Nazi Germany of British citizens who were residents of the Channel Islands. The stated reason was retaliation for internment of German citizens in Persia by the British Government.
  On direct instructions from Adolf Hitler, and in breach of both International Law and the terms of surrender signed in July 1940, Nazi German forces deported and interned 2,300 Channel Island civilian residents who had committed no crimes.
  There were other deportations of British citizens from the Channel Islands, including deportations of Jews residing in those islands.
context_section_description: Ilag VII in Laufen is located in Bavaria with views of the Alps on the border with Austria and was designated a camp for single men. Previously used as an officers' POW camp, its name changed from Oflag to Ilag (Internierungslager) when the civilians arrived. It was a Schloss with multiple floors and staircases. Receiving single men aged over 16 from Dorsten and Biberach, the camp senior was initially Frank Stroobant, before Ambrose Sherwill took over in June 1943.  A few American civilians were already in the camp. It was easier for men to adapt to camp life, however there was more trouble in this camp caused by hunger and boredom.
  Not receiving any Red Cross parcels before Christmas 1942, they were surprised when a nearby POW camp donated every person in Laufen with a tin of condensed milk and a packet of biscuits. Letters home mention how cold the weather and castle are.
  As with the other camps, a fire brigade, canteen, tailors and shoemakers were set up. The YMCA supplied 1,500 books for a library and having 27 teachers, classes were set up in five languages and 33 subjects.  Sports and amusements had to be created. On one occasion an individual, using makeup and suitable clothing pretended to be Adolf Hitler, inspecting various camp facilities and awarding the camp doctor with an Iron Cross. It resulted in the discovery that there was a camp “stooge” when a letter addressed to the camp commandant was found informing him of the antics.
  John Lingshaw from Jersey decided to collaborate with the Germans and volunteered in August 1943 to go to Berlin and teach English to women working in the propaganda service. After the war, he was prosecuted and sentenced to 5 years in prison.
  A 93-page memorial book, titled The bird-cage: Ilag vii Laufen, Oberbayern - Germany was written in 1944 and published in 1945.
  Boredom was a major problem. Some internees were permitted to undertake paid work outside camp. The moral view of whether work should be done was strongly debated in the camp.
caption: Laufen Schloss
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