Watercolour Painting, c. 1943
P20080017001

Between 1942 and 1946, Lethbridge’s population grew by upwards of 13,000 persons after the Federal Government decided to locate one of Canada’s largest prisoner of war (POW) camps on the north eastern outskirts of the City. Camp 133’s internees were detained German soldiers, including members of the Deutsches Afrika Korps, downed Luftwaffe aircrew and captured Kriegsmarine sailors. The Camp’s local impact was significant and included the use of POW labour on surrounding farms to offset the shortage of manpower caused by the war.

This painting was given to 10 year old Murielle Nikles by Camp 133 internee Hans Laugstrof in the fall of 1943. The work was created by fellow camp internee Harald Pfaehler. On their way home from school in Nobleford, Alberta, Nikles and her younger sister came into contact with POWs working in a sugar beet field. There, she met Laugstrof and struck up a conversation with him in English. In the weeks that followed, she made a point of talking with him as he worked in the field. Guards watching the POWs generally took no interest in the friendship. In addition to the watercolour, Laugstrof also gave Nikles chocolate bars which she, as a civilian, could not easily obtain.

A second painting by Pfaehler was given by Laugstrof to Murielle’s younger sister Gladys.

Donated by Murielle Nikles

Camp 133 Postcard, c. 1943 P20091000000 Camp internee Sergeant Major Hans Laugstrof is pictured in the group portrait, standing on the extreme right. A member of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force), he befriended the painting’s donor in 1943 while performing farm labour in a field near Lethbridge, Alberta. Donated by Murielle Nikles