“She Hasn’t Eaten in 9 Days” — German POW Women Watched in Silence as Americans Prepared a Feast

In the sweltering heat of August 1945, Margaret Vogle, a 23-year-old former radio operator for the Wehrmacht, leaned weakly against a wooden fence at Camp Rustin, Louisiana. She had not eaten in nine days, not because the Americans had starved her, but because she refused to eat. The propaganda she had absorbed throughout the war had painted the Americans as brutal savages, merciless and intent on making her beg for scraps like a dog. Now, as she stood among 200 other German women prisoners, the reality was far more complex than the lies she had been fed.

The Weight of Fear

The day Germany surrendered was etched in Margaret’s memory with eerie clarity. It was a Tuesday, a day that always signified laundry day in her mother’s house in Hamburg. As the announcement crackled over the radio, the normalcy of folding sheets in the summer air felt surreal. By Friday, however, she found herself in handcuffs, her life irrevocably altered. The British soldiers who arrested her were polite but cold, ordering her to pack a small bag and come with them.

Margaret had spent four years sending coded messages across Europe, believing she was part of a noble cause. Now, she was a prisoner, her identity stripped away. The chaos of the processing center in Bremen was overwhelming. Thousands of German soldiers and military auxiliaries were being sorted, tagged, and shipped to various destinations. Margaret was grouped with around 200 women, all of whom had served in various capacities within the military—secretaries, nurses, and telephone operators—but now they were all prisoners.

When she learned she was being sent to America, the word hit her like a physical blow. America, the land of jazz music and Hollywood, was now her destination as a prisoner. The ship that transported them across the Atlantic, the USS General W.H. Gordon, was a gray military transport vessel that had once carried American troops to Europe. Now it was filled with German prisoners like her.

The Journey Across the Atlantic

The journey was grueling. The hold was cramped, the air thick with the smells of salt, diesel, and too many bodies packed too closely together. On the third day at sea, American sailors brought food down to the hold—metal trays loaded with white bread, real butter, and something they called Spam. Margaret stared at the food in disbelief. In the final months of the war, she had lived on watery cabbage soup and sawdust bread.

As the women around her eagerly devoured the food, Margaret held back, convinced that the Americans were trying to poison them. An older woman named Elsa warned her not to eat, insisting that the enemy wanted to weaken them before interrogations. Margaret nodded, her resolve firm. She would not give in; she would rather die with her beliefs intact than survive on food provided by those she had been taught to hate.

Arrival in America

When they finally docked in New Orleans, the oppressive heat hit Margaret like a wave. The American soldiers lined the dock in their crisp uniforms, some looking bored, others curious. One young soldier even smiled at her, but she quickly looked away, confused by the kindness that contradicted everything she had been taught.

At Camp Rustin, the wooden barracks were simple but well-maintained, surrounded by tall pine trees and fields of cotton. The camp felt oddly peaceful, and the American soldiers seemed relaxed, even bored. Captain Dorothy Hayes, the camp administrator, addressed the women with a calm authority, assuring them they would be treated with dignity and respect. They would receive three meals a day, medical care, and the opportunity to write home.

Margaret sat in stunned silence. Three meals a day? In the final desperate months of the war, she had counted herself lucky to eat once. The announcement felt surreal. How could they be treated so well after everything they had done?

The First Meal

The first meal in Camp Rustin was a revelation. The aroma of roasted chicken and fresh bread filled the air as the women lined up in the mess hall. Margaret watched as the other women received their portions, their eyes wide with disbelief. Some wept at the sight of food, while others ate with a desperation that spoke of long months of starvation.

But Margaret remained steadfast. She would not eat. She would not give in to what she perceived as a trap. As she sat alone at a table, she felt the weight of her decision. The smell of the food was intoxicating, and the sight of the women enjoying their meals made her stomach churn with hunger.

Bridget, a fellow prisoner, sat across from her, trying to convince her to eat. “You must eat something. You look like a ghost already,” she urged. But Margaret shook her head, insisting on her principles. She would not betray her beliefs, even if it meant starving herself.

A Turning Point

Days passed, and Margaret’s health deteriorated. The camp doctor warned her that she was dangerously underweight, but she remained resolute. It wasn’t until she collapsed one hot afternoon that everything changed. She awoke in the infirmary, where a kind nurse tended to her.

After several days of recovery, Margaret began to reconsider her stance. She realized that the kindness she had been shown was genuine. The Americans were not the monsters she had been led to believe. They were simply people trying to do the right thing.

On the eighth day, she finally accepted food. The broth was warm and comforting, and as she ate, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. For the first time, she allowed herself to embrace the mercy that was being offered to her.

Rebuilding Trust

As the weeks turned into months, Margaret began to rebuild her life at Camp Rustin. She worked in the laundry, earning wages for her labor and gaining strength with each meal. The kindness of the American soldiers and Red Cross workers began to break down the walls she had built around her heart.

She formed friendships with the other women, sharing stories and experiences. They laughed and cried together, finding solace in their shared struggles. Margaret’s perspective shifted as she learned to see the humanity in those she had once viewed as enemies.

The Journey Home

When the announcement came that they would be repatriated to Germany, Margaret felt a mix of emotions. She was eager to return home but also terrified of what awaited her in the ruins of her homeland. The journey back was filled with uncertainty, but she carried with her the lessons she had learned in America.

Upon her return to Germany, Margaret faced the stark reality of a devastated nation. Hamburg was unrecognizable, reduced to rubble. Her family was struggling, and the guilt of her survival weighed heavily on her. Yet, she also understood the importance of sharing her story—the story of mercy, kindness, and the capacity for change.

Conclusion

Margaret’s journey from a prisoner of war to a survivor transformed by unexpected kindness is a testament to the complexity of humanity. In a world torn apart by war, she learned that mercy can exist alongside guilt, that kindness can challenge deeply held beliefs, and that the truth, while painful, is essential for healing.

Her story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, compassion can shine through, bridging divides and fostering understanding. As she moved forward, Margaret dedicated her life to sharing her experiences, ensuring that the lessons learned would not be forgotten. In doing so, she honored the memory of those who had suffered and celebrated the resilience of the human spirit.