Planning and realities : the recovery of Britain's Far East prisoners of war, 1941-1945
Although a great deal has been written concerning the wartime experiences of Britainâs Far East prisoners of war, less is known of Whitehallâs attempts to ameliorate the conditions the men experienced while in Japanese hands, or issues surrounding their repatriation to the United Kingdom. This study initially examines Londonâs diplomatic approaches to Tokyo, along with their attempts to send consignments of relief and purchase aid locally. It then focuses on the planning process for the recovery of prisoners and internees to the United Kingdom. Finally, the research examines the realities of the recovery operations, and draws distinctions between the experiences of those former prisoners who were repatriated by British-led operations in southern areas, with those who returned from American-led northern areas. The first chapter discusses Whitehallâs changing understanding of Japanâs treatment of British prisoners of war, it goes on to analyse the problems which arose from Tokyoâs failure to provide information in connection with the identities of prisoners, and discusses Britainâs diplomatic approaches to Japan. The Second Chapter explores Allied attempts to send additional aid including bulk
Chesworth, Andrew
Planning and realities : the recovery of Britain's Far East prisoners of war, 1941-1945. Although a great deal has been written concerning the wartime experiences of Britainâs Far East prisoners of war, less is known of Whitehallâs attempts to ameliorate the conditions the men experienced while in Japanese hands, or issues surrounding their repatriation to the United Kingdom. This study initially examines Londonâs diplomatic approaches to Tokyo, along with their attempts to send consignments of relief and purchase aid locally. It then focuses on the planning process for the recovery of prisoners and internees to the United Kingdom. Finally, the research examines the realities of the recovery operations, and draws distinctions between the experiences of those former prisoners who were repatriated by British-led operations in southern areas, with those who returned from American-led northern areas. The first chapter discusses Whitehallâs changing understanding of Japanâs treatment of British prisoners of war, it goes on to analyse the problems which arose from Tokyoâs failure to provide information in connection with the identities of prisoners, and discusses Britainâs diplomatic approaches to Japan. The Second Chapter explores Allied attempts to send additional aid including bulk
planning reality recovery britain far_east prisoner_war although_great deal write concern wartime experience britain far_east prisoner_war less_know whitehall attempt condition men experience japanese hand issue_surround repatriation united_kingdom study initially_examine london diplomatic approach tokyo along attempt send relief purchase aid locally focus plan process recovery prisoner united_kingdom finally_examine reality recovery operation draws distinction experience former prisoner british led operation southern area return american led northern area first_discuss whitehall change japan treatment british prisoner_war analyse problem_arise tokyo failure provide_information connection identities prisoner discuss britain diplomatic approach japan second explores allied attempt send additional aid include bulk