WW2 German Prisoner of War Camp Remains on Shores of Belfast Lough

Towards the end of the Second World War, many Germans found themselves at Prisoner of War Camps in Northern Ireland.
A list of Prisoner of War Camps published by Historic England lists Camp 173, a Base Camp and Camp 681, a German Working Company Camp.
Concrete bases of Nissen Huts remain standing in woodland.
When not excelling at sports, the German Prisoners of War at County Down became known as master handymen. They constructed many items of wood, scrap metal, cardboard, or paper. Items included dolls and toy soldiers for children and also the repair of clocks and watches belonging to locals.
By June 1948, the Prisoner of War Camp was no longer in use. At 1100hrs on 23rd and 24th June 1948, an auction took place for the public sale of all the camp contents.
All 91 Nissen huts measuring 36’ x 16” being sold.
Between 1944 and 1948, around 13,000 Germans were Prisoners of War in Ulster-based camps. These men from the Wehrmacht, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe wore grey and white armbands. From these, camp authorities could tell the political allegiance and status.
Not many POW’s wished to escape from Britain as they could end up back on the frontline again. Frequently prisoners had “trustee” status and used to work on local farms near the Clandeboye Estate.