oflag

Oflag, short for Offizierslager, was a designation used by Nazi Germany during World War II for prisoner-of-war camps specifically for captured officers. While enlisted men were typically held in Stalags (Stammlager), officers were housed in OFlag camps. These camps were often considered to have slightly better conditions than Stalags, although this was not universally true and depended greatly on the specific camp and its commandant.

The Geneva Conventions of 1929 provided a framework for the treatment of prisoners of war, and OFlag camps were intended to adhere to these regulations. Officers in OFlag camps were generally not required to perform manual labor, a key distinction from enlisted men who were often forced to work. They were typically housed in barracks or rooms, often with more space per person than in Stalags. Camp life in OFlag could involve a degree of self-governance, with prisoners electing their own leaders and organizing their daily routines.

However, conditions within OFlag camps varied significantly. While some offered opportunities for education, recreation, and even the formation of small orchestras, others were characterized by overcrowding, shortages of food and medical supplies, and harsh discipline. The treatment of prisoners was ultimately at the discretion of the German authorities, and exceptions to the rules were not uncommon. Escape attempts were also a feature of OFlag life, with prisoners meticulously planning and executing daring breakouts. The designation of OFlag highlights the stratification within the POW system established by the German military.