On June 4th, 1943, over 2,500 German soldiers arrived at Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia, expecting strict confinement and harsh treatment. What they witnessed instead shocked them to their core: a society at war that treated enemies with unexpected humanity, abundance, and freedom. From integrated workplaces and women in authority to fully-stocked camp libraries, educational programs, and generous Christmas celebrations, these POWs experienced a version of America that defied Nazi ideology. They