POW's - Prisoners of War Flashcards
1
Q
What does POW stand for?
A
Prisoner of War
2
Q
What is the survival rate of Australians captured by the Germans during WWII?
A
97%
3
Q
How many Australians were captured by the Japanese during WWII?
A
21,467
4
Q
Approximately how many Australians died in captivity under the Japanese?
A
8000
5
Q
What code did Japanese officers believe in that affected their treatment of POWs?
A
Bushido code
6
Q
What were some causes of death for Australians in captivity under the Japanese?
A
- Executions
- Beatings
- Slave labour
- Starvation
- Disease
7
Q
What were the conditions like for Australian nurses during WWII?
A
Denied rights and treated brutally
8
Q
What types of forced labor were POWs subjected to?
A
- Clearing
- Building railroads
- Building bridges
9
Q
What was a common punishment for disobedience among POWs?
A
Withdrawing food
10
Q
When was the National World War One Museum and Memorial founded?
A
1926
11
Q
What was the original purpose of the National World War One Museum?
A
A memorial for those who lived and died in WWI
12
Q
What significant event is commemorated at memorial Hill in the National WWI Museum?
A
Dedication by five major military leaders
13
Q
List the countries represented at the dedication of memorial Hill.
A
- Belgium
- Italy
- France
- Great Britain
- The United States
14
Q
What does imprisonment represent in the context of WWI?
A
Most commonly shared war experience
15
Q
How many people were estimated to be held as prisoners of war during WWI?
A
Nearly 9 million
16
Q
Where were internment camps located during WWI?
A
On every inhabited continent
17
Q
What was a significant factor in the experience of imprisonment during WWI?
A
Universal longing for freedom
18
Q
What did international military leaders agree upon regarding POWs during WWI?
A
Humane treatment
19
Q
What was a key outcome of WWI regarding prisoners?
A
Long-term mass incarceration
20
Q
How many prisoners of war were there by January 1915?
A
Almost 1.5 million
21
Q
What was the global distribution of camps in Europe during WWI?
A
251 camps
22
Q
What notable aspect did Japan have regarding its treatment of POWs?
A
Model captor state, providing exemplary care
23
Q
What geographical factor influenced the capture of prisoners on the Eastern Front?
A
Large-scale movements
24
Q
What was the mortality rate of African combatants during WWI attributed to?
A
Lack of medical care
25
What influenced record-keeping about African participants in WWI?
Colonial attitudes
26
What was the distinction between captured combatants and civilians during WWI?
* Captured combatants: Prisoner of War
* Captive civilians: Internee
27
True or False: There were internment camps in the United States during WWI.
True
28
How many German internment camps were there in the U.S. during WWI?
At least four
29
What was a key aspect of maintaining internment camps during WWI?
International aid efforts
30
What did the International Red Cross provide for POWs?
Packages of aid
31
What was a common camp activity for POWs?
* Theater performances
* Craft activities
32
What was one of the main purposes of the camps during WWI?
To help individuals survive
33
What was significant about the Romanza Railway Tragedy?
Estimated 25,000 of 70,000 prisoners died
34
What was allowed for prisoners regarding their religious practices?
Freedom to practice their religion
35
What was one of the outcomes of the efforts to recognize humanity amidst war?
Increased disillusionment with war after WWI
36
What were the two critical factors influencing prisoner survival rates?
* Food delivery
* Hygiene controls
37
What was the post-war process of sending prisoners home called?
Repatriation
38
Who was Edgar M. Halliburton?
One of the first Americans captured in WWI
39
What was a significant aspect of Halliburton's story?
Symbol of courage and patriotism
40
What was a key difference in camp conditions between officers and enlisted men?
Officers had better conditions and privileges
41
What was the impact of international law on the treatment of prisoners?
Different camps for officers and enlisted men
42
What did the National WWI Museum and Memorial's online collections showcase?
Varied experiences of officers versus enlisted men
43
What are the camp conditions for officers compared to enlisted men?
Officers had better, separate camps as per international law, while enlisted men were housed in different camps.
44
What privileges did officers have that enlisted men did not?
Officers could hire portrait artists and might have Batmen (servants from enlisted ranks), while enlisted men did not receive the same level of privilege.
45
What is an example of officer experience during captivity?
The Philopolis album showcases officer experience.
46
How were stories used as propaganda during wartime?
Stories and depictions were used as propaganda to inflame emotions and incite anger.
47
What was the intent behind images taken by American photographers of German prisoners?
The intent was to demonstrate good treatment of prisoners by Americans, implying reciprocal expectations.
48
Why did images of well-treated German prisoners resonate with American audiences?
A significant portion of the American population had German immigrant backgrounds or ancestry.
49
What are two museum exhibits related to prisoners of war?
* Life Behind the Wire: Prisoners of War at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago
* Captured at the National World War One Museum and Memorial in Kansas City
50
Who is Sarah Covner?
Sarah Covner is a historian at Columbia University who wrote the book 'Prisons of the Empire.'
51
What motivated Sarah Covner to study Japanese history?
She grew up in the 1980s with concerns that Japanese companies were taking over the world.
52
What significant archives did Covner use for her research?
* Japan
* South Korea
* India
* Switzerland
* Australia
* The Netherlands
* Great Britain
* Ireland
* United States
53
What did the presenter aim to provide through their PowerPoint presentation?
Additional context and information regarding POW experiences.
54
What was a major factor in the suffering of Allied POWs?
Lack of planning by the Japanese government regarding POW care.
55
What does bureaucratic incoherence refer to in the context of POW treatment?
The Japanese system was improvised with tangled chains of command that left camp commanders largely autonomous.
56
What was the treatment of Russian POWs during the Russo-Japanese War?
The Japanese treated Russian POWs remarkably well, far better than the Russians treated Japanese POWs.
57
What shift occurred in the treatment of POWs from the Russo-Japanese War to World War II?
The treatment of Allied POWs was significantly harsher due to changes in warfare and military codes.
58
What did the Japanese military code of 1941 state regarding POWs?
It instructed soldiers not to accept the shame of becoming a POW.
59
What were POW camps often viewed as in the context of the Japanese military?
POW camps became a 'dumping ground' for individuals deemed unfit for frontline service.
60
What was the role of the Prisoner of War Information Bureau?
To create ID cards and lists of POWs, although it was insufficient for the number of captured individuals.
61
What impact did food scarcity have on POWs?
Food scarcity led to malnutrition and significant changes in health due to different diets.
62
How did communication barriers affect POW experiences?
Language barriers led to misunderstandings and perceptions of defiance toward captors.
63
What was the significance of empathy shown by guards toward POWs?
Empathy from a guard could make them a 'better' guard in the eyes of the prisoners.
64
What confusion occurred even after the end of the war?
There was confusion and chaos among Allied forces regarding the treatment and release of POWs.
65
What did many POWs and internees feel about their situation?
They held racist views and felt humiliated to be prisoners of the Japanese.
66
How did POWs differentiate between guards?
They made distinctions between better and worse guards based on empathy shown by the guards.
67
What type of empathy did many POWs show?
Empathy for the suffering of civilians outside the camps.
68
What confusion occurred after the war ended?
Allied forces struggled to determine the location of POW camps and the nationalities of the prisoners.
69
What was the role of the Christian Airport Information Bureau?
They failed to keep track of the locations of POW camps and nationalities of prisoners.
70
What state did Korea remain in for about a month after the war?
Confusion as Allied forces tried to identify the POWs.
71
What global issue was highlighted by the starvation of many Japanese people?
Global food shortages during and after the war.
72
What led people to attempt to break into POW camps?
They believed the prisoners had more food.
73
What were the reasons for the global food shortage by 1945?
* Logistical problems
* Dietary requirements of different nationalities
* Famine in India
74
What happened to food distribution despite the USA producing large amounts?
Logistics and distances hindered its distribution.
75
What was a significant consequence of the lack of food in Japan during the war?
Food became a form of currency during the Allied occupation.
76
Why do we often hear similar stories from POWs?
Surveys completed during repatriation were structured, leading to similar answers.
77
What do broad conclusions about war crimes suggest?
Some of the worst experiences can result from poor planning, not just intentional acts.
78
What factors contributed to the inhumane treatment of POWs in Japanese camps?
* Accident
* Bureaucratic incompetence
* Pure logistics
* Individual evil people (but this wasn't policy)
79
What is a common misconception about Japanese treatment of POWs?
There is no evidence of an inherent character or culture leading to abuse.
80
What has been a response to the book discussing POWs?
Some people suggest it makes excuses for the Japanese.
81
What is essential to understand regarding perceptions of the Japanese during WWII?
A more multicultural view of World War II is important.
82
What should be considered when examining POW stories?
The context and purpose of their presentation.
83
What question is raised about retribution by released POWs?
It is possible that retribution occurred, similar to that with German guards.
84
Is the topic of Allied POWs in Japan widely pursued in scholarly research?
No, it is not widely pursued by the mainstream Japanese scholarly community.
85
What expectation existed among some veteran Korean guards about history education?
That the topic would eventually be included in textbooks.
86
What general trend was observed regarding attitudes toward ethnicity during WWII?
Nations tended to look down on other ethnicities.
87
What was the impact of Allied actions on POW fatalities?
More than half of all POW fatalities were caused by Allied bombs and torpedoes.
88
What does acknowledging deaths caused by Allied actions do?
It does not diminish the terrible experiences of POWs.
89
What was the rejection of the clause to recognize all races as equal in 1919 related to?
Allied propaganda portrayed enemy soldiers in specific ways.
90
What has changed regarding the understanding of Asian cultures over time?
Understanding has improved significantly.
91
What future research directions are suggested in the text?
Understanding the experience of internment of civilians.
92
What contrasting priorities did the American and Japanese governments have during WWII?
American government was concerned about POW welfare; Japanese government was concerned about Japanese citizens but not POWs.
93
What does the term 'internment' refer to?
The state of being confined as a prisoner, especially for political or military reasons.
94
What complicates the understanding of internment for colonial British families?
Their varying degrees of freedom of movement.
95
What is a common image associated with POW camps?
Guard towers, barbed wire, and machine guns.
96
What was the National World War One Museum and Memorial originally created for?
As a memorial for those who lived and died in WWI.
97
How many prisoners of war were held during WWI?
Nearly 9 million people were held as prisoners of war.
98
What geographical factor influenced the imprisonment experiences during WWI?
The geography of deployment significantly impacted recognition and treatment of POWs.
99
What were the living conditions like for Australian POWs under Japanese captivity?
Food was scarce, medical supplies were limited, and camps were rife with diseases.
100
What was the attitude of Japanese officers towards POWs based on the bushido code?
They showed no compassion for prisoners.
101
What was the survival rate of Australians captured by Germans during WWII?
97% survival rate.
102
What were some punishments used to deter disobedience among POWs?
* Withdrawing food
* Forcing the sick to work
* Being locked in a bamboo box
* Beaten or killed.
103
What was the status of forced labor tasks assigned to POWs?
Varied from clearing to building railroads and bridges.
104
What is the significance of the Treaty of Lausanne regarding WWI?
It marked one of the treaties that officially ended the war.
105
What was the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regarding POWs?
They have archives and an interactive website displaying global locations of camps.
106
How did colonial attitudes affect the record-keeping of African participants in WWI?
It led to incomplete or non-existent data.
107
What was the distinction between captured combatants and captive civilians during WWI?
Captured combatants were considered POWs; captive civilians were considered internees.
108
What happened to Emil Yurg during WWI?
He was interned in the UK while on his way to Germany to fight.
109
What is a captured combatant considered during WWI?
A prisoner of war.
110
What is a captive civilian considered during WWI?
An internee.
111
Who was Emil yurg?
A German citizen interned in the UK during WWI.
112
Did the United States have internment camps during WWI?
Yes.
113
How did life differ for prisoners in Russia during WWI?
Varied based on location; some were transported for weeks.
114
What was the goal of large-scale Russian POW camps during WWI?
To humanely care for prisoners.
115
What was the Romanza Railway Tragedy?
An estimated 25,000 Austro-Hungarian prisoners died while building the railway.
116
Were prisoners allowed to practice their religion in camps?
Yes.
117
What was the Crescent Camp in Germany?
The first mosque built for Muslim combatants.
118
What was a key aspect of the humane effort during WWI?
Recognition of individual humanity, even among enemies.
119
What role did women play as prisoners of war during WWI?
Some served in support positions or were interned with families.
120
Where were U.S. internment camps located during WWI?
Mainly in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Georgia.
121
How many individuals were held in U.S. internment camps during WWI?
About a thousand.
122
What was a key aspect of camp life for internees?
Activities included reading rooms, theaters, and libraries.
123
What organization provided aid to prisoners of war during WWI?
International Red Cross.
124
What was the process for registering prisoners in camps?
Individuals were registered and lists published to inform families.
125
What was a common camp activity for internees?
Creating their own money and economic systems.
126
What was the role of international aid in POW camps?
Crucial for food delivery and conditions.
127
What critical factors influenced prisoner survival rates?
Food delivery and hygiene controls.
128
What was a significant cause of rising death rates among POWs?
Labor activities and epidemics.
129
What was the post-war process of repatriation for POWs?
Lengthy, initiated after the Treaty of Versailles in 1918.
130
Who was Sergeant Edgar M. Halliburton?
An early American POW whose experiences symbolized courage.
131
What is one difference between officer and enlisted men in POW camps?
Officers had better conditions and privileges.
132
What was a key reason for the suffering of Allied POWs?
Lack of planning and bureaucratic incoherence.
133
How did the treatment of Russian POWs differ from that of Allied POWs?
Russian POWs were treated better in the early 20th century.
134
What ideology became prominent in the treatment of Allied POWs?
Bushido, the way of the samurai.
135
What were the three main reasons for the difference in treatment between Russian POWs and Allied POWs during World War II?
1. Changes in Warfare
2. Publicization of Bushido
3. Military Code of 1941
136
What is Bushido?
The 'way of the samurai,' a prominent ideology in Japanese military culture.
137
What did the Military Code of 1941 instruct soldiers regarding POW status?
It explicitly instructed soldiers not to accept the shame of becoming a POW.
138
What unintended consequence arose from the attempt to establish norms for POW treatment during WWII?
Some Japanese officers and guards developed contempt for the POWs they captured.
139
What was the Siberian Intervention, and how did it influence views on POWs?
Fighting in Siberia led to the idea that being taken prisoner was dishonorable.
140
What was the significance of the Nomonhan incident in Japanese military history?
A major conflict where comrades sometimes abandoned fallen men, influencing attitudes toward POWs.
141
What did the Japanese army prefer to label missing men as, rather than acknowledging them as POWs?
Killed in action.
142
What were the consequences of being a POW for soldiers?
* Lower rank compared to peers
* Less pay than those who weren't captured
* Military service being 'on pause'
143
What challenges did Japan face in planning for the care of captured Allied servicemen?
There was no proper planning, system, protocol, or manual for their care.
144
What role did the Prisoner of War Information Bureau play?
It was established to create ID cards and lists of POWs.
145
How did the Geneva Convention relate to the treatment of POWs in Japan?
Japan was a signatory, but humane treatment often didn't translate to reality.
146
What were POW camps often seen as?
A 'dumping ground' for individuals deemed unfit for frontline service.
147
What was a common experience for POWs in terms of food?
There was often not enough food in POW camps.
148
How did communication barriers affect the POW experience?
Many guards had never encountered non-Japanese-speaking foreigners, leading to misunderstandings.
149
What does the existence of court-martials for mistreating POWs indicate about Japanese military policy?
It indicates a policy and infrastructure to address mistreatment.
150
What is the myth regarding German officers and the Russian front?
That German officers refusing orders were sent to the Russian front, which lacks archival evidence.
151
What was a common feeling among POWs regarding their captors?
Many felt inferior toward their captors and held racist views.
152
What was the confusion and chaos experienced after the war ended?
Allied forces struggled to determine the location of POW camps and the nationalities of prisoners.
153
What global issue highlighted the starvation among Japanese people after the war?
Global food shortages.
154
What was a common reason for people trying to break into POW camps?
They believed the prisoners had more food.
155
How did surveys of POWs during repatriation influence the stories recorded?
Surveys were structured, leading to similar answers regarding attempts to escape.
156
What broad conclusions have emerged regarding war crimes and POW treatment?
Some of the worst experiences can result from poor planning rather than intentional acts.
157
What factors contributed to the inhumane treatment of POWs according to research?
* Accident
* Bureaucratic incompetence
* Pure logistics
* Individual evil people (not policy)
158
What is a key aspect of understanding the experiences of POWs?
Recognizing that individual experiences do not invalidate the overall narratives.
159
What was the perception of the Japanese military toward other ethnicities during WWII?
There was a tendency to look down on certain ethnicities, particularly the Chinese and indigenous populations.
160
What did Allied forces acknowledge about their actions during the war?
More than half of all POW fatalities were caused by Allied bombs and torpedoes.
161
What is a significant change in the understanding of Asian cultures over time?
Understanding has improved significantly, with Asian people now accepted as commonplace in many communities.
162
What is a future research direction in the context of WWII?
Understanding the experience of internment of civilians, both in the United States and globally.
163
Fill in the blank: The Japanese government and military never made a wholesale policy to ______ POWs.
abuse
164
How has the understanding of Asian cultures changed over time?
Understanding of Asian cultures has improved significantly over time.
165
What is the current perception of Asian people in many communities?
The presence of Asian people in many communities is now accepted as commonplace.
166
What will future research focus on regarding internment?
Future research will focus on understanding the experience of internment of civilians, both in the United States and around the world.
167
What did research for the book reveal about the Japanese government?
Research revealed the ways that the Japanese government treated civilian internees.
168
What were the contrasting priorities of the American and Japanese governments during WWII regarding their citizens?
The Japanese government was concerned about the well-being of Japanese American and Japanese citizens in the U.S., while the American government was very concerned about the welfare of POWs but showed little interest in civilians in Asia.
169
Define the term 'internment'.
Internment: The state of being confined as a prisoner, especially for political or military reasons.
170
What complicates the understanding of internment for colonial British families in places like Singapore?
These families often lived in their own communities with a Japanese presence, raising questions of incarceration, internment, or imprisonment.
171
What factors determined the situation of colonial British families in internment?
Varying degrees of freedom of movement; some were allowed to move freely, while others were confined behind barbed wire.
172
Is the definition of a prisoner of war camp straightforward?
No, the definition is not always straightforward and varies in reality.
173
What common image does not apply to all prisoner of war camps held by the Japanese?
The common image of guard towers, barbed wire, and machine guns.
174
What is the title of the show featuring Edith Morant?
OSS Detachment 101 in Burma.
175
What will Holocaust Week feature?
A series of shows examining the Holocaust with uplifting stories.
176
Who will be featured in a show about the Holocaust?
A daughter of a concentration camp survivor and the grandson of an SS commander.
177
What is expected to be the nature of the show about Auschwitz and Zyklon B?
Expected to be horrific, but serves as an important reminder of the atrocities that occurred.
