Prisoners at Ruhleben Prisoner of War Camp lining up for their bacon ration at Christmas, painted by artist and Ruhleben prisoner, Nico Jungmann. The Ruhleben camp was located about 10km west of Berlin and was originally a racecourse. It was converted during the First World War to accommodate around 5000 civilians (mainly British) who were in Germany at the outbreak of war, as well as captured crew of fishing trawlers and other civilian ships. The German authorities adhered to the Geneva Convention and the detainees in the camp were allowed to administer their own affairs, with a postal service, police force and library.