Physical activity of prisoners of war in Oflag VII A Murnau during The Second World Wars

In the Third Reich and occupied countries, the Germans established a network of POW camps. Within these camps, prisoners of war underwent basic physical activities to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Notably, one of the largest among these camps was Oflag VII A Murnau, situated in Bavaria. Materials and Methods: A search of archival sources stored in Polish archives, alongside analysis of available literature from specialised scientific libraries was conducted. Historical research methodologies, primarily involving source analysis and criticism, were employed. Results: Oflag VII A Murnau was established by the Germans on 25 September 1939, and liberated by the Allies on 29 April 1945. Throughout this duration, the camp housed over 5,000 Polish officers. To mitigate the effects of prolonged inactivity and the loss of hope for liberation, measures were taken to combat what was termed the ‘barbed-wire disease.’ A Department of Physical Culture was instituted within Oflag Vll A, tasked with sustaining the physical fitness of the prisoners. Eight sports clubs were formed, offering instructor courses, sports-themed lectures, fitness demonstrations, and organised competitions. Among the most favoured sports were volleyball, basketball, athletics, gymnastics, football, and tennis. Conclusions: Despite the exceptionally challenging conditions of captivity, the prisoners of war held at Oflag VII A Murnau successfully implemented strategies to sustain their physical fitness. A significant contributing factor facilitating organised physical activities was the satisfactory state of sports facilities, due to the camp's location within former German army barracks. Equally crucial was the heightened awareness of the prisoners, many of whom were athletes, including Olympians. These individuals became the driving force behind the vibrant sports culture within Oflag VII A Murnau.