Italian American Museum Exhibits on View

By John Caserta

The images of the war in Iraq resonate the macabre realities of wars fought throughout history. Embedded journalists, reporters and photographers risk their lives to deliver stories and capture images of soldiers, casualties and prisoners of war. For Angelo Spinelli, these images recall the risk he undertook in creating one of the largest collections of photographs depicting life in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II.
Risking his life with every click of the camera, Spinelli managed to take over 400 extraordinary photos secretly while he was imprisoned at Stalag III-B in Furstenburg, Germany. An exhibit of 92 photographs gathered from his collection will be on display until May 16th at the Italian-American Museum’s temporary residence at the John Calandra Institute (28 West 44th Street on the 17th Floor).
Angelo Spinelli, an Italian-American born in New York, is the only United States prisoner of war known to have taken photographs during his captivity. The exhibit, entitled “Behind the Barbed Wire: Angelo Spinelli’s Photo Documentation of Life and Culture in a POW Stalag Camp,” displays both his equipment and the photographs he took between 1943 and 1945, mostly at Stalag III-B.
As a combat photographer for the United States Army Signal Corps, Spinelli documented all aspects of life as a GI. While photographing an assault by the 1st Armored Division in North Africa, the Germans captured Spinelli and other soldiers. When he arrived at Stalag III-B he quickly learned the value of American cigarettes to German soliders. In exchange for a Bessa Voightlander camera, Spinelli gave one of the German soldiers 8 packs of cigarettes. He continued to trade additional packs of cigarettes for more film and, eventually, a tripod. Since the instructions on the film were written in German and he had no light meter, Spinelli had to continuously experiment with the camera to determine the correct shutter speed. As a result, about 400 of the 1200 photographs were properly exposed.
Despite his constant experimentation with the equipment, Spinelli managed to capture a vivid depiction of the physical and emotional torment experienced by many allied prisoners of war during World War II. The majority of the photographs illustrate the men’s attempts to distract themselves amidst the squalid conditions of the prison. Some photographs capture the rare instances of prisoners sharing rations, singing in holiday choirs, playing in bands or even enjoying an occasional game of baseball all of which helped to interrupt the monotony and despair of prison life.
Realizing that he could be killed for carrying any of his equipment, Spinelli managed to conceal his camera in his oversized paratrooper pants as he walked around the camp. To conceal his prints and negatives, Spinelli dug a hole underneath his bed that was an arm’s length deep and covered it with cement. According to Spinelli, the guards gave the prisoners advanced warning of searches. Since guards were also held accountable for any goods found, these warnings served them as well. For 27 months, Spinelli managed to elude the guards and capture these haunting images.
Spinelli, who is 85 and lives in Florida, donated his collection along with his tripod and cameras to the Andersonville National Historic Site in Georgia. Fred Boyles, the superintendent of the organization which holds the photos in the collection of its National Prisoner of War Museum, says, “The photographs provide invaluable insight into the monotony of camp life, the means of coping and each individual’s yearning for freedom.” Chief Ranger Fred Sanchez adds, “The photographs and negatives are truly a national treasure. Their importance will be recognized and appreciated for generations to come.”
Many have argued that his work merits a Congressional Medal of Honor as he went above and beyond his call of duty to provide this historical documentation. Jim Spinelli, Angelo’s son, regards his father’s collection of photographs as invaluable historical documentation. He says, “My father was not sure if he would leave Stalag III-B alive. He did what he was trained to do. He risked his life for history.” As the recipient of the Legion of Merit for bravery during war, Angelo Spinelli undoubtedly deserves praise and recognition for his bravery. His collection of over 400 photographs not only serves as an unparalleled documentation of World War II but also as testimony to the strength and determination of the human spirit.

The exhibit, maintained by Concetta Macchia, is open to the public from Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and by appointment (212-642-2031).