The POW Experience during World War 2?

Answer 1

Surrender was an accepted practice in Europe (The Russian Front might pose some exceptions); surrender may have been somewhat of an accepted practice in Asia/Pacific during some past wars (Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 as one example). Allied POWs in Europe fared as well as could be expected under the conditions of total war in a region used to such formalities as "surrender" and "gentlemanly conduct." Allied POWs who were captured or surrendered to the Imperial Army faced a whole different situation; Japan operated similar to ancient Sparta-Death before Honor! Translation: Death "before" losing one's honor. The Japanese soldier respected fighting men (pilots, sailors, soldiers) who "fell in battle" but considered "fighting men" that chose to become prisoners of war as cowards. If, by chance an allied POW (a wounded downed pilot for instance) was captured...or a sailor's warship was sunk...they might become the "exception to the rule" and be treated with some respect. There are almost always EXCEPTIONS to rules. In the meantime for standard surrendering allied fighting men, the consequence was: Harsh treatment.