For all countries involved, World War II created a heavy demand for labor, and simultaneously diverted able-bodied men into the armed forces.  While nations such as the United States cultivated a new work force made up of women and other groups, the German authorities established labor camps to exploit the labor of their prisoners.  By the end of 1944, around 7.5 million Jews, Gypsies, and other civilians, as well as some two million prisoners of war, had been interned in special labor camps.  These camps were attached to armament and industrial factories, chemical plants, mines, farms, construction projects, and lumber operations.  Working and living conditions were harsh, and a large percentage of the labor force died from overwork, maltreatment, disease, and starvation.  Many individuals who became unfit for further work were simply murdered. 

Some forced laborers, particularly those working in armament factories, were able to cause significant damage to the German war effort through sabotage.  Since punishment for this form of resistance was immediate death, much of the damage prisoners did to war machinery was undetectable, such as using weakened bolts to fasten critical airplane parts.