Utah history is long and interesting; the state even played a role in World War II. During the war, more than 425,000 prisoners of war (POWs) were sent to camps all over the United States. Approximately 15,000 POWs were sent to Utah, and were housed in camps in Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Salina. The camps were staffed by American soldiers who were unable to fight overseas for reasons including those with physical or discipline issues.

The POW camp in Salina, known as Camp Salina was home to one soldier who had a long record of discipline problems, and in 1945, he went on a heinous killing spree, which would come to known as the Utah prisoner of war massacre and was the largest killing of enemy soldiers in the U.S. during the war.

In 1944, Camp Salina was opened. It housed 250 German POWs, who were sent there to help with the sugar beet harvest.

The camp consisted of 43 large tents and three guard towers. It was a temporary camp to handle overflow from Fort Douglas and provide local labor.

The German soldiers helped with the harvest, and residents in Salina reported that they were helpful and friendly. The war ended in May, 1945, but in July they were still waiting to be sent home to Germany.

Guard duty at a POW camp was not a preferred assignment, and many of the men at the camps around the country were bitter that they weren't fighting overseas. One man at the Salina Camp, Private Clarence V. Bertucci, was particularly upset that he hadn't been given the chance to fight against the Germans.

A sixth-grade dropout, Private Bertucci was court-martialed twice during his service. He had ongoing discipline problems, and though he had been enlisted for more than five years, had never managed to raise his rank above that of a private.

On July 7, 1945, Private Bertucci went to a bar in town and spent the evening drinking. He stopped in at a cafe before returning to camp, and told a waitress there that she would hear about something interesting happening at the camp that night.

At the start of his shift, Bertucci climbed up into a watchtower that was outfitted with a .30 caliber machine gun, then began firing into the tents full of German POWs. After 250 rounds, he was out of ammunition, and yelled, "Send up more ammo! I'm not done yet!"

The carnage was horrifying. Nine German POWs were killed, and 19 were seriously injured.

Bertucci showed no remorse about his crime, and was later found to be insane. He was sent to a mental hospital in Brentwood, New York.

In 2016, a museum was built at the site of the POW camp. Visitors can see photos, memorabilia, and displays, and learn more about Utah history, particularly the history of the camp.

The POWs who were killed were buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery. They were given full military honors. As soon as they were recovered enough to travel, the wounded men were sent home to Germany.

The murder of the German soldiers was nicknamed "The Midnight Massacre," and the tragedy is the largest killing of enemy prisoners on U.S. soil during World War II.

So, did you know about Camp Salina and its ties to World War II? Ever visited the historic site and its accompanying museum? If so, what’d you think? Know of another interesting historic site in Utah or have a tidbit of Utah history you’d like to share? Whatever you have to say, we want to hear it, so share your thoughts with us.

Read to plan a visit to Camp Salina? For more information, check out the Camp Salina Facebook page, where you’ll find information on the site as well as operating hours and lots more.

Can’t get enough Utah history? Check out this historic small town in Utah. Small in size only, it’s so well preserved that it offers a glimpse into the past like no other.