Did the Japanese Stop Taking Prisoners towards the End of World War 2?

It is often believed that the Japanese Imperial Army or Navy stopped taking prisoners during the latter part of World War 2. However, this is not accurate. The Japanese Imperial forces continued to capture prisoners until the very end of the war, adhering to the Geneva Convention to a certain extent. The irregularities that sometimes occurred can be attributed to the chaos and lack of disciplined control in the latter stages of the conflict.

Respecting the Geneva Convention

Despite the chaos and bitterness felt by both sides, the Imperial Japanese forces maintained a relatively high level of discipline and respect for rules, especially the Geneva Convention. They did not engage in the indiscriminate killing of civilians, women, and children, unlike the carpet bombings of large cities or the ultimate dropping of atomic bombs. For instance, the Royal Navy crew were informed that the Japanese Navy would rescue enemy crews when their planes were downed.

Examples of Japanese Treatment of POWs

The Death March in the Philippines: One noteworthy example is the Death March in the Philippines, where 76,000 POWs were forced to walk 120 km (75 miles). This was a measure taken to save as many lives as possible. Unfortunately, this event was used as propaganda, focusing on the number of soldiers who died instead of those who were saved.

Rescue of Royal Navy Crew: On January 27, 1945, one of the B-29 bombers called WERE WOLF was shot down near Mt. Fuji by Japanese fighter planes. Seven crew members were killed, and four were captured as POWs and taken to a prison in Tokyo. However, they were later killed by US bombings.

Fate of Downed Airmen in Japan

Contrary to the policies in Europe, where downed airmen were protected to some extent by the Luftwaffe and the police, downed airmen in Japan faced a more hostile environment, even if they were captured. The Japanese populace, especially in areas without heavy bombing, would sometimes brutalize captured airmen.

Physical and Psychological Torture

Mobs of civilians, armed with anti-American spears, would often advance on a downed airmen, and if he did not kill himself, they would torment him, causing him pain in various ways. Even if an aircrew member survived the initial attack, they were not safe. The worst medical experiments were conducted on captured B-29 crewmen, which were not for the sake of advancing scientific knowledge, but for revenge against American forces.

Conclusion

Throughout World War 2, the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy generally respected the rules of engagement and continued to take prisoners until the end of the conflict, primarily focusing on resuming the welfare of captured airmen. However, as the war progressed, increasingly chaotic conditions and the increasing desperation for resources and manpower led to more irregular and often inhumane treatment of prisoners.