Arizona Topographic Map
The topography of
Arizona. What would
influence you if you
were trying to escape
back to Germany?
What factors would
influence your
choices?
Railroad Map
Railroad routes for
Southern Arizona
circa 1940. What are
the options for
escape? Where
would you choose to
go?
Roadmap of Arizona, 1940
The prisoners had
an Arizona
roadmap just like
this. What routes
might you choose
to escape? What
thoughts go into
your choices?
Immediately After the Escape

The news hit the papers immediately after
the escape. Note the reward for the return
of the prisoners. How would this change
your plans if you escaped?
-
The exit to the tunnel.
Escapees from Papago Park
Heinrich Palmer
made it to within 10
miles of the Mexican
Border
Jurgen
Wattenberg,
ranking officer and
a “ring leader” of
the escape.
Prisoners at Papago Park
News Articles Related to the Escape
Remnants of World War II

Very little remains from Papago’s role in
WW II
A few
foundations
remain from
the camp.
The entry at
the Arizona
Military
Museum
was a
workshop at
the POW
camp.
Overlay Map of Papago Park
POW Camps in Arizona

Buckeye #1, Maricopa County, AZ (branch camp under Pima,
530 Germans)
*Buckeye #2, Maricopa County, AZ (branch camp under Pima,
530 Germans)
*Casa Grande #1, Pinal County, AZ (branch camp under
Florence, 500 Germans)
*Casa Grande #2, Pinal County, AZ (branch camp under
Florence, 450 Germans)
*Continental, Pima County, AZ (branch camp under Pima, 150
Germans)
*Cortaro, Pima County, AZ (branch camp under Florence, 300
Germans)
*Cotton Center, Maricopa County, AZ (branch camp under
Papago Park, AZ, 300 Germans)
*Davis-Monthan Air Base, Tucson, Pima County, AZ (base
camp, 400 Germans), now Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
POW Camps in Arizona

Duncan, Graham County, AZ (branch camp under Pima,
sometimes Florence, AZ, 200 Germans)
*Eleven Mile Corner, Pinal County, AZ (branch camp
under Florence, 300 Germans)
*Eloy #1, Pinal County, AZ (branch camp under Pima,
sometimes Florence, AZ, 300 Germans)
*Eloy #2, Pinal County, AZ (branch camp under Pima,
sometimes Florence, AZ, 37 Germans)
*Florence (Camp), Florence, Pinal County, AZ 85232
(base camp, 5500 Germans), now Arizona State Prison
*Imperial Dam, Yuma County, AZ (base camp, ISU)
*Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, AZ (branch camp
under Pima, 850 Germans)
*Maricopa, Pinal County, AZ (branch camp under
Florence, 315 Germans)
POW Camps in Arizona

Mt. Graham, Graham County, AZ (branch camp under Florence,
250 Germans)
*Navajo Ordinance Depot, Bellemont, Coconino County, AZ
(base camp, 250 Germans)
*Pima Prisoner of War Camp, Papago Park, Maricopa County,
AZ (base camp, 1800 Germans), bought by the City of Phoenix
in 1959
*Queens Creek, Maricopa County, AZ (branch camp under
Pima, 350 Germans)
*Roll, Yuma County, AZ (branch camp under Pima)
*Safford, Graham County, AZ (branch camp under Florence,
150 Germans)
*Yuma, Yuma County, AZ (branch camp under Pima, 350
Germans)
*Yuma Test Station, Yuma, Yuma County, AZ (base camp, 650
ISU)
Sources
Historic Road Maps
http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/pams/road.html
Papago Park POW camp site
http://home.arcor.de/kriegsgefangene/usa/camps_usa/papago_p
ark.html
Arizona Historical Society
www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org