Since the early 1600’s prisoners of war have been mistreated and used as a military tactic during the acts of war. The prisoners of World War Two are known to have endured unimaginable conditions serving their countries during this period of great turmoil. Their stories not only changed the rights of prisoners but also educated the public on the horrors of imprisonment and the value of their survival. Throughout the text, research will develop on what is previously known and exploit the survival, conditions, and the worst treatment of prisoners of war during the Second World War. The conditions described by Prisoners of war play a major roll in the sum of ghastly deeds throughout World War Two’s extent. As conflict arose throughout Europe
…show more content…
These prisoners were treated cruelly and inhumanely by their captors. The Japanese held prisoners of war of many countries in terrible camps throughout Japan and forced them to work in hideous conditions, and treated them barbarically. (Wukovits 1) Prisoners slept in crowded gross barracks on mats and slept eight people to a place. Because the living conditions were so bad, disease and malnutrition in the camps was also common. “In 1942, the Japanese decided that each prisoner would get fifteen ounces of rice or barley, a few vegetables and sometimes a few bits of meat each day” (Wukovits 39). The Japanese took no pity on the sick but were ruthless killers along with the commonly hired Koreans, which were owned by Japan at this time. The prisoners of war were treated as slaves by the Japanese. Prisoners had to build bridges, dig ditches, garden, work in the fields, and mine. The Burma-Thailand Railroad was the biggest thing based primarily on Prisoner’s of war hard labor, sweat, and blood. The Japanese believed in barbaric thinking and treated the prisoners of war inhumanely. “Some prisoners are even known to have been subject to Some were even known [to have been ] used for medical experiments, including live vivisections and assessments of biological weapons” (Daws 1). The prisoners would be beaten with sticks and wire. Lighted cigarette butts were pressed onto bodies and put into noses and ears. There were crucifixions. Men had to hold buckets filled with sand or water in the sun for days. Some prisoners of war were shot at the end of the War to keep their treatment a secret. The Japanese were at the time very nationalist thinkers and would treat any who gave up or dishonored their country worse than others. "Many of the commanders and guards in Prisoner of war camps were Koreans – the Japanese apparently did not trust them as soldiers – and it is said
These prisoners were treated cruelly and inhumanely by their captors. The Japanese held prisoners of war of many countries in terrible camps throughout Japan and forced them to work in hideous conditions, and treated them barbarically. (Wukovits 1) Prisoners slept in crowded gross barracks on mats and slept eight people to a place. Because the living conditions were so bad, disease and malnutrition in the camps was also common. “In 1942, the Japanese decided that each prisoner would get fifteen ounces of rice or barley, a few vegetables and sometimes a few bits of meat each day” (Wukovits 39). The Japanese took no pity on the sick but were ruthless killers along with the commonly hired Koreans, which were owned by Japan at this time. The prisoners of war were treated as slaves by the Japanese. Prisoners had to build bridges, dig ditches, garden, work in the fields, and mine. The Burma-Thailand Railroad was the biggest thing based primarily on Prisoner’s of war hard labor, sweat, and blood. The Japanese believed in barbaric thinking and treated the prisoners of war inhumanely. “Some prisoners are even known to have been subject to Some were even known [to have been ] used for medical experiments, including live vivisections and assessments of biological weapons” (Daws 1). The prisoners would be beaten with sticks and wire. Lighted cigarette butts were pressed onto bodies and put into noses and ears. There were crucifixions. Men had to hold buckets filled with sand or water in the sun for days. Some prisoners of war were shot at the end of the War to keep their treatment a secret. The Japanese were at the time very nationalist thinkers and would treat any who gave up or dishonored their country worse than others. "Many of the commanders and guards in Prisoner of war camps were Koreans – the Japanese apparently did not trust them as soldiers – and it is said