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Did You Know?

During World War II, a camp for Italian prisoners of war (POWs) was established on a farm near Excelsior in the Free State province of South Africa. The camp housed Italian soldiers captured in North Africa, who were put to work on local farms and infrastructure projects. Prisoners were required to sign in monthly, a practice typical of POW camps to maintain accountability and prevent escapes. The camp operated from around 1942 until the end of the war, after which the prisoners were repatriated. The site is a tangible reminder of South Africa's role in the Allied war effort and the presence of foreign POWs on its soil.

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