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Newbury Racecourse was requisitioned by the War Office in August 1914, and turned into an internment camp for prisoners of war.

Civilians from enemy nations, known as 鈥渁liens鈥�, were billeted in the stables alongside wounded German officers. Tents were also erected to house the men and racing was put on hold.

Internees were considered low risk and, therefore, granted more freedom and privileges within the camp. More than 3,000 men were guarded there by members of the National Reserve, until they were moved on to the Isle of Man or ships stationed off the south coast. The Camp closed completely in December 1914.

Reports in the German press alleged ill treatment of prisoners at the camp but an inspection by an American delegation and letter written to The Times in 1915, by an Austrian prisoner on parole, completely dismissed these claims.

Location: The Racecourse, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 7NZ
Image shows German internees laying out clothes to dry in the sun at the prisoner war camp in October 1914
Photograph courtesy of Imperial War Museums
Presented by 91热爆 Reporter: Janice Hunter. Voice of Austrian POW: Oliver Stohlmann

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