Stalag XXI-A at Shildberg operated from September 1938 to March 1943. Initially, the camp held civilian prisoners, housed in the various buildings of the town. In September 1940, Franciscans from Niepokalanow, including Father Maximilian Kolbe, were deported there. Military prisoners arrived from mid-May 1940, first Poles, then French of the colonial army at the end of May, and English of the expeditionary corps who had fought at Dunkirk, in August. In December 1942, the Polish prisoners of war were sent to other camps, while the French and English remained. A few Yugoslavs were also registered. An Oflag was then created in the autumn of 1943 on the site of the Stalag. It held Dutch, Italian, Serbian, Soviet and Norwegian officers. It was liquidated at the end of January 1945.