Ruhleben was an Internment Camp in Germany for British internees, and the first part of this book contains letters from one of the prisoners (referred to as ‘Richard Roe’) to his mother. He was an Oxford undergraduate who was in Hamburg when war broke out, He was unable to get away before the shutters descended and was interned in Ruhleben. The second part is based on the Camp journal called “In Ruhleben Camp” – a little periodical of 48 pages, illustrated by Stanley Grimm, an inmate. Between them we have a most interesting account of life in the camp, which, because of the many branches of study including a laboratory, all organised by the internees, was referred to by the visiting Bishop of Bury (the only authorised visitor) as ‘The University of Ruhleben.” Illustrations include a plan of the camp and of one of the barracks as well as picturing various activities.Among the internees was Sir Timothy Eden, held there from 1914 to 1916, and this account is prefixed by a letter in which he states the case for a wholesale exchange of civilian prisoners.
IN RUHLEBEN
Life in a civilian internment camp for British internees in Germany. Based on letters home from one of the internees and on the camp journal.