“They Were So Kind to Me” — German Female POWs Fell in Love With Their American Guards
On February 14, 1946, while America celebrated Valentine’s Day with cards and chocolates, a remote prisoner of war camp in Crossville, Tennessee, bore witness to a profound and unexpected twist of fate. At Camp Crossville, the air was thick with tension and uncertainty as Lieutenant Colonel William Hammond read a series of letters that would change the course of several lives forever. The letters, penned by four German women prisoners, revealed a shocking truth: they had fallen in love with their American guards.
The Letters of Love
Among these letters was one from Margaret Klene, a 24-year-old former radio operator from Munich. Her heartfelt plea was both simple and complex: she requested to delay her repatriation to Germany to explore her feelings for Corporal Thomas Bennett, the American guard who had shown her kindness during her captivity. It was a request that defied military regulations and expectations, revealing a human connection forged in the crucible of war.
Colonel Hammond was taken aback. Fraternization between guards and prisoners was strictly prohibited, and such a request suggested a breakdown of the rigid boundaries that defined their relationship. Yet, he knew his men, including Corporal Bennett, were professionals who maintained appropriate conduct. Still, the implications of these letters were staggering.
A New Kind of War
The story of Margaret Klene began on November 12, 1944, when she and a group of German women arrived at Camp Crossville, having been captured during the Allied advance in France. The camp had originally housed Italian prisoners, but as the war shifted, it was repurposed for these German women, many of whom were auxiliaries or support staff.
Margaret, with her dark blonde hair and military posture, was a picture of resilience and defiance. However, beneath her composed exterior lay a profound sadness—a reflection of the loss and trauma she had endured. She had been taken prisoner along with her communications unit, and the weight of her circumstances was heavy.
Corporal Thomas Bennett, a 26-year-old farm boy from Kentucky, was among the guards assigned to the camp. He had experience with male prisoners but was unsure how to interact with female POWs. When he first met Margaret, he was struck not by hostility, but by her vulnerability. Their initial interactions were marked by a shared sense of humanity, setting the stage for an unexpected bond.
The Seeds of Connection
As the weeks turned into months, Margaret and Thomas found themselves drawn to each other. Their relationship blossomed amidst the backdrop of war and captivity. Thomas began to notice Margaret’s isolation and vulnerability, particularly during the harsh Tennessee winter. Concerned for her health, he requested additional blankets for the women’s barracks, a small act that would change everything.
When he delivered the blankets, Margaret was taken aback by his kindness. Accepting help from an enemy felt like a betrayal, yet she was so cold that she hesitated only briefly before accepting the warmth he offered. Their conversations evolved from simple exchanges to deeper discussions about their lives, dreams, and fears. Thomas offered to help Margaret learn English, and what began as language lessons blossomed into something more profound.
The Turning Point
As spring arrived, so did the news of the horrors unfolding in Europe. Reports of concentration camps being liberated began to filter back to the United States, and Captain Patricia Morrison made the decision to share these reports with the German women at Camp Crossville. The images were devastating—skeletal figures behind barbed wire, mass graves, and the stark reality of the atrocities committed in the name of their country.
Margaret was shattered by the revelations. She had long ignored the whispers of horror surrounding her, convincing herself that she was simply doing her duty. Now, faced with undeniable evidence, she grappled with her complicity and the moral implications of her past. In a moment of vulnerability, she confided in Thomas, questioning how she could reconcile her identity as a soldier with the atrocities committed by her nation.
Thomas, seeing her pain, offered comfort and understanding. “What matters isn’t where you’ve been or what you’ve done in ignorance. What matters is what you do once you know the truth,” he told her. It was a defining moment that deepened their connection, blurring the lines between captor and captive.
The Aftermath of War
Victory in Europe Day on May 8, 1945, brought celebrations across America, but for Margaret, it marked the collapse of everything she once believed. She found herself in a liminal space, disconnected from both her German identity and her new life in America. As the weeks passed, the reality of her situation became increasingly complex. She received letters from home detailing her family’s struggles, including the loss of her father and the disappearance of her sisters.
Margaret was torn between her obligations to her family and her feelings for Thomas. Despite the war’s end, the emotional turmoil continued. She felt a profound guilt for her relative safety while her family suffered in a devastated Germany. The thought of leaving Camp Crossville and the life she had built there filled her with dread.
As the camp prepared for the repatriation of the remaining German women, Margaret made a bold decision. She requested a meeting with Colonel Hammond to formally ask for a delay in her repatriation. She wanted time to explore her feelings for Thomas and to determine if their connection could survive outside the confines of the camp.
A Test of Love
Colonel Hammond, surprised by her request, recognized the gravity of the situation. He understood that granting her request would set a precedent, but he also saw the genuine connection between Margaret and Thomas. After deliberation, he decided to allow her request, but with strict conditions. Margaret and three other women who had developed similar relationships would be reclassified as displaced persons, no longer prisoners of war.
The news created a stir in the camp, and the implications of the decision rippled through the ranks. For Thomas and Margaret, it meant they could explore their relationship without the constraints of military oversight. However, the reality of their situation remained daunting. They would have to navigate the complexities of post-war life, societal expectations, and the challenges of building a future together.
Love in the Face of Adversity
As the months passed, the realities of life outside the camp proved challenging. Many of the women who had requested delays found themselves struggling to adapt to their new circumstances. Anna and Greta, who had developed relationships with American guards, faced the harsh reality of distance and societal pressure. When their American partners were reassigned, the relationships faltered, and both women ultimately chose to return to Germany.
Margaret, however, remained resolute. She had secured sponsorship from a local family and was determined to make a life for herself in America. On March 1, 1946, she walked out of Camp Crossville carrying her small leather satchel, but everything about her had changed. She was no longer just a prisoner; she was a woman with dreams and aspirations.
Three weeks later, on April 12, 1946, Thomas appeared on the Henderson family’s porch, carrying wildflowers and a heart full of hope. Their reunion was filled with unspoken emotions, and as they sat on the porch swing, Thomas confessed his feelings. He asked Margaret to marry him, offering her a chance to build a life together, despite the challenges they would face.
A New Beginning
Margaret’s heart soared as she accepted his proposal. They married on June 22, 1946, in a small ceremony surrounded by friends and family. It wasn’t the fairy tale wedding she had once envisioned, but it was filled with love and authenticity. Their journey was just beginning, and they faced challenges together as they navigated the complexities of their relationship.
Over the years, Thomas’s family gradually accepted Margaret, won over by her quiet strength and devotion. They settled in Tennessee, where Margaret found work as a translator, and Thomas managed a small farm. They welcomed three children into the world, raising them with a blend of German and American traditions.
A Voice for Change
Years later, Margaret stood before an audience at a military wives conference in Washington, D.C., sharing her extraordinary journey. She spoke about the complexities of love and identity, challenging the audience to see beyond uniforms and nationalities. “I didn’t fall in love with a guard or a captor. I fell in love with a man who saw past my uniform to recognize my humanity,” she declared.
Her story served as a testament to the power of love to transcend boundaries, reminding everyone that behind every uniform, there are human beings making difficult choices. Margaret’s transformation from a German prisoner to an American citizen influenced immigration policies for war brides and displaced persons, paving the way for countless others.
Conclusion
The story of Margaret Klene and Thomas Bennett is a poignant reminder that love can flourish even in the most unlikely circumstances. Their journey illustrates the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for compassion to bridge divides. In a world often defined by conflict and division, their love story stands as a beacon of hope, proving that kindness can change everything and that the courage to love is one of the most powerful forces of all.
