WW 2 Internment Camp

About WW 2 Internment Camp

During World War II (1939–1945), the Union Defence Force established a large internment camp in the Free State town of Koffiefontein to house those considered a threat to South Africa’s war effort. The camp was one of several, including Andalusia and Ganspan, created to manage Axis prisoners and domestic dissenters. Italian Prisoners of War: Approximately 2,000 Italian soldiers captured during the North African campaign. German POWs: A smaller number of German soldiers were also detained on-site. South African Internees: About 800 South Africans suspected of being pro-Nazi or members of the Ossewabrandwag, a far-right group opposed to South Africa's support for Britain.