Abstract

In addition to identifying and describing the various forms of physical education in prison camps in Germany (from 1940 until 1945) the study describes the complex and equivocal situation of French prisoners of war. On the one hand they went through depths of physical and moral suffering due to the humiliating conditions of imprisonment, on the other hand they developed an enormous ability for dealing with the extremely difficult situation in which they found themselves. Eyewitness reports of prisoners confirm that this topic has to be examined with great care and tact. The prisoners were divided into three units of physical education (preparation of general physical education in the Base Camp [Stalag] in Fürstenberg, the Aspirantenlager in Stablack and the Officers Camp [Oflag] in Edelbach). Sports activities proved to be a good opportunity for the young prisoners to make their life in prison bearable. The contradiction between using physical activities as a "way to happiness" and being imprisoned at the same time turned into an inner conflict for the prisoners. This article is based on various sources: reports from former prisoners of war, authentic documents and books that are preserved in the Museum for Re-sistance and Deportation in Besançon. Verf.-Referat