WW2 Era Birthday Card Made by German POWs in Maine for a Fellow Prisoner. Details in comments.

This handmade card was created by German prisoners of war held at the camp in Houlton, Maine, and is dated December 10, 1944. The camp was used to house more than 1,100 German prisoners during the war.

It was made for a fellow prisoner, Wilhelm Böttcher. The card was put together by the camp choir group, which is shown in the artwork and musical theme throughout the card.

The card reads:

>“ Westwards roams the gaze, east-[wards speeds the ship] (The opening line of Richard Wagner’s opera, Tristan and Isolde.)

>Even if we are tired from work, there is still enough energy for a song

>We wish our dear comrade Wilhelm Böttcher all the best on his birthday and for his future life!

>Congratulations from the choir of the Singing and Playing Society!

>10 December 1944
German Prisoner-of-War Camp
Houlton, Maine. USA. “

The inside is signed by members of the camp’s singing and music group, listing numerous fellow prisoners by name.