News

Throwback Thursday - July 14, 2022

  • Published
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

 

On July 18, 1943, a terrible tragedy befell Robins Field when four Italian POWs were killed and nine others were injured when lightning struck a tent in which they had taken refuge during a storm. They were members of a work detail at Robins Field. As World War II wore on, U.S. and Allied officials decided to house captured German and Italian prisoners in America to discourage escape attempts. At Robins Field, the Italian POWs resided peacefully performing mostly grounds keeping jobs.