What is now Punta Gorda Airport was orginally opened as an air base during Workd War II. During that time, we know that there were German prisoners of war at the base (pictured above).
POW camps were established throughout Florida during World War II. In May 1943, Allied forces had begun shipping to the United States those captured in war. Close to 10,000 went to Florida camps, many at or near military bases. In the camps there were fights among the Germans over support for the Nazi cause. Germans captured early in the war, when the Nazis were winning, tended to be more patriotic than those taken prisoner later, when the Germans were losing. There were a few attempts at escape, but most escapees were quickly caught. At the end of the war the camps were closed. Source: 200 Quick Looks at Florida History by James C. Clark
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