Date of Award

2006

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.H.K.

Department

Kinesiology

Keywords

History, Canadian.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

While essentially a detestable circumstance, most Second World War prisoner of war camps in the European theatre exhibited recreational outlets for POWs. Some gardened, attended lectures, or enjoyed theatrical productions; others developed tools, read books, or maintained a diary...still, many played sports. This study is an attempt to determine the sports experience of Canadian POWs at Stalag Lufts I, III, and VI. Conclusions were drawn from contemporary literature, archival documents, published and unpublished prisoners' recollections, and interviews with ex-POWs. The sports environment identified was active, constant, and deliberate. The War Prisoners' Aid of the YMCA provided most of the goods; Canadian prisoners were able to participate in softball, cricket, swimming, golf, volleyball, basketball, boxing, soccer, rugby, football, gymnastics, boxing, fencing, track and field events, badminton, deck tennis, table tennis, ice skating, ice hockey, running, and 'circuit bashing.' Participation was often highly organized, and served numerous ends. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2006 .D38. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-01, page: 0132. Thesis (M.H.K.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2006.

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