Revenge of the Ritchie Boys

German Jews who could escape fled the extermination frenzy that Hitler and the Nazis unleashed against the Jews. They had lost relatives who were murdered by the Nazis and fled to America. Many of the men were drafted into the U.S. Army. Because of their ability to speak native German, many were assigned to Camp Ritchie and its Military Intelligence Training Center.

Intensively trained to use their native language abilities, they became known as the “Ritchie Boys.” They were trained to interrogate German prisoners of war to obtain current battlefield information and military plans, helping Army commanders anticipate German military movements and defeat them. They also translated and interpreted German documents taken from prisoners and deceased German soldiers, providing insight into current German military thinking.

The Ritchie Boys risked their lives by sneaking behind German lines to capture prisoners and obtain important documents. They proved to be a tremendous asset to generals such as George Patton, commander of the Third Army, and John Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. The Ritchie Boys did not shy away from danger, and many lost their lives in the war against—and ultimately the defeat of—the Nazis.