There were about 25,000 German, Italian, and Japanese prisoners of war in Iowa from 1942 to 1946. There were two main camps, Algona and Clarinda, which housed about 3,000 POWs each. There were 19 branch camps in the state where the prisoners worked in farm fields, at detasseling corn, or canning vegetables.

The POWs returned to their home countries after the war, but many Iowans stayed in contact with the prisoners, and the prisoners later visited Iowa. Linda Betsinger McCann has been able to speak to many of them.

Linda Betsinger McCann is a native Iowan who has always loved learning about Iowa history. She began sharing some of her information with her grandchildren who were completely shocked by what they heard. A few field trips, and the grands were hooked. A publisher approached Linda about publishing her books, and the “rest is history.”

Linda has had 14 non-fiction Iowa history books published, and she will have copies available for purchase. Her newest book, which is to be out this fall, is Rosie the Riveters of Iowa.  She is an author of non-fiction Iowa history; including Prisoners of War in Iowa; Prohibition in Iowa; several books about the Civilian Conservation Corps in different areas of Iowa; and The Vanished Towns of the Cedar Valley series. Linda will have copies of all her books for sale. They are $20 each, and she can only take cash or checks.

The event is Aug. 27, 2023.

All are invited to attend this event at no charge at the English Valleys History Center at 108 N. Main St. in North English. Donations are accepted.