What is the primary definition of a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp?

A prisoner-of-war camp, often abbreviated as POW camp, is a designated site used by a belligerent power during wartime to hold enemy combatants captured as prisoners of war.

How do prisoner-of-war camps differ from internment camps and military prisons?

Prisoner-of-war camps are specifically for captured enemy fighters during wartime. Internment camps are typically used for civilians or enemy combatants who are not prisoners of war under the strict definition, while military prisons are for members of a nation's own armed forces who have committed offenses.

When and where were the earliest purpose-built prisoner-of-war camps established?

The earliest known purpose-built prisoner-of-war camps were established at Norman Cross in England in 1797 during the French Revolutionary Wars, and HM Prison Dartmoor was constructed during the Napoleonic Wars. These types of camps have been in use for the past 200 years.

Who has been imprisoned in POW camps besides regular military personnel?

In addition to marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen of enemy powers, civilians such as merchant mariners and war correspondents have also been imprisoned in POW camps during certain conflicts.

What requirement did the 1929 Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, and later the Third Geneva Convention, place on POW camps regarding oversight?

These conventions required that POW camps be open to inspection by representatives of a neutral power, though this provision has not always been consistently applied.

What was the typical treatment of captured enemy fighters before the Peace of Westphalia?

Before the Peace of Westphalia, which concluded the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War in 1648, captured enemy fighters were usually executed, enslaved, or held for ransom, rather than being housed in camps.

What significant provision regarding prisoners of war was included in the Peace of Westphalia?

The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, included a provision that all prisoners should be released without ransom, marking a shift towards more humane treatment and the eventual practice of paroling captured fighters.

How did the practice of parole evolve in relation to POW camps?

The practice of paroling enemy fighters, which involves releasing them on the condition they do not take up arms again, began as early as Carthaginian times but became a normal practice in Europe after 1648. This increase in paroled prisoners eventually contributed to the need for dedicated POW camps.

What was the context for the development of temporary POW camps during the American Revolutionary War?

Following General John Burgoyne's surrender at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, thousands of British and German troops were marched to Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Continental Congress decided to move them south, leading to the establishment of a temporary camp near Charlottesville, Virginia, in January 1779.

What were the conditions like at the temporary camp near Charlottesville, Virginia, for British and German POWs?

The barracks at the Charlottesville camp were barely sufficient, and officers were paroled to live in nearby cities like Richmond and Staunton. The camp was never adequately provisioned, and hundreds of prisoners escaped due to a shortage of guards.

When and where was the first purpose-built prisoner-of-war camp established, and why?

The earliest known purpose-built POW camp was established by Great Britain at Norman Cross in 1797. This was in response to the increasing number of prisoners captured during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.

How many prisoners did the Norman Cross camp hold, and for how long?

The Norman Cross prison operated from 1797 until 1814 and housed between 3,300 and 6,272 men during its existence.

What was the initial approach to managing captured troops at the start of the American Civil War?

At the beginning of the American Civil War, both the Union and Confederate governments initially relied on the traditional European system of parole and prisoner exchange while awaiting formal arrangements for captured troops.

What was the estimated death toll in POW camps during the American Civil War, and what percentage of total fatalities did it represent?

It is estimated that approximately 56,000 soldiers died in POW camps during the American Civil War, which accounts for nearly 10% of all Civil War fatalities.

What were the death rates at specific notorious American Civil War POW camps like Camp Sumter (Andersonville) and Elmira Prison?

Camp Sumter, near Andersonville, Georgia, saw 13,000 (28%) of its 45,000 Union soldiers die over a 14-month period. Camp Douglas in Chicago had a 10% death rate for its Confederate prisoners in one winter month, and Elmira Prison in New York had a death rate of approximately 25%, comparable to Andersonville's.

How did the British government differentiate between prisoner-of-war camps and concentration camps during the Second Boer War?

During the Second Boer War, the British government established prisoner-of-war camps specifically for captured Boer combatants, while separate concentration camps were set up to hold Boer civilians.

Where were the majority of Boer prisoners of war sent during the Second Boer War?

The majority of Boer prisoners of war, numbering 25,630 out of 28,000 captured men, were sent overseas to British colonies rather than being held in South Africa.

How were the prisoner-of-war camps generally administered during the Second Boer War compared to the concentration camps?

After an initial settling-in period, the prisoner-of-war camps for Boer combatants were generally well administered. In contrast, the concentration camps, which primarily held Boer women and children, were often poorly administered, suffering from insufficient rations, low hygiene standards, and chronic overcrowding.

What was the death toll in the concentration camps for Boer women and children during the Second Boer War?

Due to the poor conditions in the concentration camps, over 26,000 Boer women and children perished during the Second Boer War.

What international conventions governed the treatment of prisoners of war leading up to and during World War I?

The treatment of prisoners of war was first addressed by the Hague Peace Conference of 1899 and further expanded by the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907.

How did the conditions for POWs differ between the Eastern and Western Fronts during World War I?

Conditions for prisoners of war were significantly worse on the Eastern Front during World War I compared to the Western Front, with prisoners in Russia facing greater risks of starvation and disease.

Approximately how many men were held in POW camps during World War I, and what were the distribution numbers among the major powers?

During World War I, approximately eight million men were held in POW camps. Of these, about 2.5 million were in German custody, 2.9 million were held by the Russian Empire, and around 720,000 were held by Britain and France.

What was the initial problem faced by the German army regarding captured prisoners at the start of World War I?

At the beginning of World War I, the German army captured over 200,000 enemy combatants by September 1914. These initial prisoners were held in temporary camps, creating an immediate logistical and housing problem due to their unexpectedly large numbers.

What actions did the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) take following the 1917 Geneva Conference regarding POWs?

Following the 1917 Geneva Conference, the ICRC agreed to provide prisoners of war with mail, food parcels, clothes, and medical supplies. They also arranged for prisoners suffering from "barbed wire disease" (mental illness) in France and Germany to be interned in Switzerland.

What was the stated reason for Hungary's policy of imposing harsh conditions on prisoners of war?

Hungary believed that imposing harsh conditions on prisoners of war would help reduce the number of "traitors" among them.

What happened to prisoners of war in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, after the Russo-Japanese War and during World War I?

After Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, Krasnoyarsk was used as a base for military camps. During World War I, captured prisoners of war were sent to Krasnoyarsk, where conditions were dire, and detainees could be conscripted for labor or war. The camp also saw internal violence due to a mix of nationalities, including Bulgarians, Czechs, Germans, and Poles, many of whom were nationalists.

What were the conditions like in the Tuchola internment camp during the Polish-Soviet War?

During the Polish-Soviet War, thousands of captured Red Army soldiers and guards were held in the Tuchola internment camp in Pomerania. They lived in dugouts, and many died from hunger, cold, and infectious diseases.

What were the estimated death tolls in Polish POW camps during the Polish-Soviet War?

Historians Zbigniew Karpus and Waldemar Rezmer estimate that up to 2,000 prisoners died in the Tuchola camp alone, and their joint work suggests a total death toll in all Polish POW camps during the war was between 16,000 and 17,000.

What did the 1929 Geneva Convention on the Prisoners of War stipulate regarding the labor of different prisoner ranks?

The 1929 Geneva Convention stipulated that enlisted ranks could be required to perform agricultural or industrial labor, provided it was not dangerous or supportive of the captor's war effort. Senior non-commissioned officers were to work only in supervisory roles, while commissioned officers were not required to work but could volunteer.

Which nation, having signed but not ratified the 1929 Geneva Convention, was known for its brutal treatment of POWs during World War II?

The Empire of Japan, which had signed but not ratified the 1929 Geneva Convention on the Prisoners of War, was notorious for its brutal treatment of prisoners, viewing surrender as dishonorable.

What were some of the specific atrocities committed against Allied prisoners of war by Japanese guards during World War II?

Japanese guards committed brutal atrocities, including filling prisoners' noses with water while they were tied with barbed wire and then standing on them, or tying prisoners by their thumbs to trees for days without food or water, followed by imprisonment and execution.

What was the "Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III?

The "Great Escape" occurred on the night of March 24, 1944, from Stalag Luft III, involving the escape of 76 Allied servicemen, though only three managed to avoid recapture.

What is believed to be the largest escape of POWs in recorded history, and where did it occur?

The Cowra breakout, on August 5, 1944, near Cowra, New South Wales, Australia, is believed to be the largest escape of POWs in recorded history, with at least 545 Japanese POWs attempting to escape.

What was the "Great Papago Escape," and where did it take place?

The "Great Papago Escape," on December 23, 1944, was the largest POW escape from an American facility. Over 25 German POWs tunneled out of Camp Papago Park near Phoenix, Arizona, and fled into the desert, but were all recaptured.

How did the Red Cross assist Allied POWs in Axis prison camps during World War II?

During World War II, the Red Cross provided millions of food and personal hygiene parcels to Allied POWs in Axis prison camps. They also provided medical kits and special "release kit" parcels to some newly freed POWs.

What was the Red Cross's policy regarding blood donations during World War II in the United States, and how was it challenged?

The American Red Cross accepted blood donations only from white Americans, excluding those of Japanese, Italian, German, and African American descent. Activists challenged this segregation, arguing that the blood of different races was the same.

What were the conditions like for German POWs in Canadian camps during World War II?

German POWs in Canadian camps generally benefited from good food, but the hardest part was surviving the Canadian winters, as most camps were isolated in the far north, leading to common deaths and sickness caused by the elements.

How were Japanese-Canadians treated during World War II in Canada?

Following Japan's attacks in the Pacific, Japanese-Canadians were subjected to the War Measures Act and Defence of Canada Regulations. They were stripped of their possessions, which were auctioned off without consent, and placed in camps made of barns and stables, experiencing unsanitary conditions and harsh winters. It took five years after the war for them to regain their rights, with compensation being insufficient to cover property losses.

What role did cigarettes play as currency in many POW camps?

Cigarettes served as a medium of exchange and a unit of account, allowing prisoners to settle debts and price goods. Their relative stability in supply, divisibility, portability, and homogeneity made them an effective currency within the camp economy.

What was the situation at the Koje-do POW camp during the Korean War?

Koje-do island housed over 170,000 communist and non-communist prisoners from December 1950 to June 1952. During 1951-1952, communist agents infiltrated the camp, using staged trials and public executions to control prisoners and exporting allegations of abuse. In May 1952, Chinese and North Korean prisoners rioted and took Brigadier General Francis T. Dodd captive.

What were the three types of POW camps operated by the Chinese during the Korean War?

The Chinese operated three types of POW camps: "Peace camps" for those sympathetic to communism, "reform camps" for skilled POWs to be indoctrinated, and "normal POW camps." Chinese policy prevented the exchange of prisoners from the first two types.

What were some of the colloquial names given to North Vietnamese Army POW camps during the Vietnam War?

Some of the colloquial names given to North Vietnamese Army POW camps during the Vietnam War included "Alcatraz," "Briarpatch," "Camp Faith," "Dirty Bird," "Dogpatch," "Farnsworth," "Hanoi Hilton," "Mountain Camp," "Plantation," "Rockpile," "Sơn Tây," "Skidrow," and "The Zoo."

What was the primary reason the United States refused to grant prisoner-of-war status to many captives during the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars?

The United States refused POW status to many captives in Afghanistan and Iraq because they were classified as insurgents or terrorists, and thus did not meet the criteria outlined in the Third Geneva Convention, such as belonging to a recognized chain of command or openly carrying arms.

What did the U.S. Supreme Court rule in the *Hamdan v. Rumsfeld* case regarding captives at Guantanamo Bay?

On June 29, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in *Hamdan v. Rumsfeld* that the captives at Guantanamo Bay detention camp were entitled to the minimal protections outlined in Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.

What specific criteria must individuals meet to be considered prisoners of war under the Third Geneva Convention?

Under the Third Geneva Convention, individuals must meet criteria such as being part of a chain of command, wearing a fixed distinctive marking visible from a distance, bearing arms openly, and conducting military operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war to be granted POW status.

What role did artists play in documenting conditions in Japanese POW camps during World War II?

Artists like Jack Bridger Chalker, Philip Meninsky, John Mennie, Ashley George Old, and Ronald Searle risked their lives to record conditions in Japanese POW camps. They used unconventional materials like human hair for brushes and plant juices or blood for paint, with their works later used as evidence in war crimes trials.

What did war historian Antony Beevor reveal about British POWs in Japanese camps in 2016?

In 2016, war historian Antony Beevor revealed declassified information suggesting that some British POWs in Japanese camps were subjected to being fattened and then cannibalized, a fact that Winston Churchill had kept secret from families.

What was the significance of cigarettes as a form of "commodity money" in POW camps?

Cigarettes served as a medium of exchange and a unit of account, allowing prisoners to settle debts and price goods. Their relative stability in supply, divisibility, portability, and homogeneity made them an effective currency within the camp economy.

What were the conditions like in Serb camps during the Yugoslav Wars, such as Manjača, Sremska Mitrovica, and Stajićevo?

The provided text lists Manjača camp in Banja Luka, Sremska Mitrovica camp in Vojvodina, and Stajićevo camp in Vojvodina as Serb camps during the Yugoslav Wars, but does not detail their specific conditions.

What was the primary reason for the US classifying many captives in Afghanistan and Iraq as non-POWs?

The US classified many captives in Afghanistan and Iraq as non-POWs because they were considered insurgents or terrorists, and thus did not meet the criteria outlined in the Third Geneva Convention, such as belonging to a recognized chain of command or openly carrying arms.

What specific locations were identified as sites for holding prisoners during the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, where POW status was often denied?

Identified sites include Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, Camp Bucca in Iraq, and Camp Delta (Guantanamo Bay) in Cuba, where many prisoners were held in secret locations or "black sites."

Prisoner-of-war Camp Wiki: Sanctuaries of Captivity: An Examination of Prisoner-of-War Camps

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Defining Prisoner-of-War Camps

Purpose of Containment

A prisoner-of-war (POW) camp is a designated site established for the containment of enemy combatants captured by a belligerent power during wartime. These facilities are distinct from internment camps or military prisons, focusing specifically on the management of individuals captured during armed conflict.

Legal Framework

International conventions, such as the 1929 Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War and its successor, the Third Geneva Convention, outline the requirements for POW camps. These regulations mandate that camps be open to inspection by representatives of neutral powers, ensuring a degree of oversight and accountability in the treatment of captured personnel.

Historical Evolution

Purpose-built POW camps emerged in the late 18th century, notably at Norman Cross in England during the French Revolutionary Wars. Their development was driven by the increasing scale of conflicts and the need for systematic management of captured enemy fighters, moving away from earlier practices of execution, enslavement, or ransom.

Pre-Camp Detention Practices

Before Formal Camps

Prior to the widespread establishment of dedicated POW camps, captured enemy combatants faced varied fates. Practices included execution, enslavement, or holding prisoners for ransom. The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 marked a shift, introducing provisions for the release of prisoners without ransom and normalizing the practice of parole, which eventually necessitated more structured containment methods.

Early American Experience

During the American Revolutionary War, captured British and German troops were marched to camps like those near Charlottesville, Virginia. These early facilities were often temporary and poorly provisioned, leading to escapes and highlighting the challenges of managing large numbers of prisoners before standardized camp systems were developed.

The Genesis of Purpose-Built Camps

Norman Cross, England

Established in 1797 during the French Revolutionary Wars, Norman Cross Prison in England is recognized as one of the earliest purpose-built POW camps. It housed thousands of French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, operating until 1814 and setting a precedent for future military detention facilities.

HM Prison Dartmoor

Constructed during the Napoleonic Wars, HM Prison Dartmoor also served as a significant prisoner-of-war camp. Its existence underscored the growing need for dedicated infrastructure to manage the increasing numbers of captured enemy soldiers resulting from large-scale European conflicts.

American Civil War Camps

Dire Conditions and High Mortality

During the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate prison camps suffered from inadequate management, leading to widespread starvation and disease. It is estimated that approximately 56,000 soldiers died in POW camps, representing nearly 10% of all Civil War fatalities. Camps like Camp Sumter (Andersonville) and Elmira Prison in New York recorded exceptionally high death rates.

Prisoner Experiences

Images from the era, such as those depicting Union soldiers released from Confederate prisons, offer a stark visual testament to the harsh realities faced by POWs. These photographs often capture the physical toll of captivity, including emaciation and illness.

Second Boer War Camps

POW vs. Concentration Camps

The Second Boer War saw the establishment of distinct camps: prisoner-of-war camps for captured Boer combatants and concentration camps for Boer civilians. While POW camps were generally better administered, the concentration camps, housing women and children, were often poorly managed, leading to significant loss of life due to insufficient rations, poor hygiene, and overcrowding.

The British government established numerous camps during the conflict. Key locations included:

Combatant	Name	Location	Notes
Boer		Pretoria
Boer		Waterval
Boer		Nooitgedacht
Boer		Barberton
British		Bloemfontein	Primarily a concentration camp for civilians; significant deaths among Boer women, children, and black Africans.
British	Greenpoint Camp No. 1 and Camp No. 2	Cape Town
British	Bellevue Camp and South Camp	Simonstown
British	Ladysmith Camp, Umbilo Camp	Natal	Ladysmith later converted to a concentration camp.
Overseas	Broadbottom and Deadwood Camps	St. Helena	First Boer POW contingent arrived April 1900.
Overseas	Diyatalawa, Mount Lavinia, Ragama, Urugasmanhandiya, Hambantota	Ceylon	Approximately 5,500 Boer prisoners transported here.
Overseas		India
Overseas	Camps on six islands	Bermuda	Approx. 4,500 prisoners sent between 1901-1902.
Overseas		Portugal

World War I and International Standards

Hague Conventions

The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 established the first international standards for the treatment of prisoners of war. During WWI, major combatants generally adhered to these conventions, resulting in relatively better conditions compared to earlier conflicts, particularly on the Western Front. However, the Eastern Front saw higher rates of death from starvation and disease.

Scale and Red Cross Role

WWI saw approximately eight million men held in POW camps. The International Committee of the Red Cross played a crucial role, facilitating mail, food parcels, and medical supplies. Conferences addressed conditions, including "barbed wire disease," and arranged for internment in neutral countries like Switzerland for affected prisoners.

Krasnoyarsk, Siberia

Following the Russo-Japanese War and during WWI, Krasnoyarsk served as a base for military camps. Conditions were often dire, with prisoners conscripted for labor. The camp housed a diverse mix of nationalities, sometimes leading to internal conflict, requiring strict management by authorities.

Polish-Soviet War Captivity

Harsh Conditions

During the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921), thousands of captured Red Army soldiers were held in Polish internment camps, such as the Tuchola camp. Many perished due to hunger, cold, and infectious diseases. Historians estimate that up to 2,000 died in Tuchola alone, with total deaths across all Polish POW camps estimated between 16,000 and 20,000.

Reciprocal Treatment

On the opposing front, approximately 20,000 Polish POWs died in Soviet and Lithuanian camps. While Polish press reported on conditions for Soviet prisoners, information on Polish POWs in Soviet camps was tightly controlled, though available data indicates mistreatment and instances of execution.

World War II and Japanese Brutality

Geneva Convention Adherence

The 1929 Geneva Convention stipulated conditions for POW camps, including adequate lodging, humane labor practices, and honorable burial. While many combatants adhered to these provisions, the Empire of Japan, which had not ratified the convention, was notorious for its brutal treatment of prisoners.

Japanese POW Camps

Driven by a cultural view that considered surrender dishonorable, Japanese forces subjected Allied prisoners to forced labor, beatings, torture, murder, and medical experimentation. Rations were insufficient, and many prisoners suffered extreme emaciation. Some guards reportedly engaged in cannibalism. The high death rate in Japanese camps surpassed that of other Axis powers.

Cigarettes as Currency

In many POW camps, cigarettes became a de facto currency, functioning as a medium of exchange and unit of account due to their stable supply and divisibility. This informal economy helped facilitate trade and settle debts among prisoners.

Korean War Captivity

UN and Communist Camps

During the Korean War, POW camps operated under both UN and Communist control. The International Red Cross visited UN-run camps, assessing conditions and providing aid. Communist China operated multiple types of camps: "peace camps" for sympathetic POWs, "reform camps" for indoctrination, and standard POW camps.

Koje-do Island

The POW camp on Koje-do island housed over 170,000 prisoners. Internal conflicts arose as communist agents infiltrated and exerted control, leading to riots and the capture of a UN brigadier general. Prisoners were later relocated, and many participated in Operation Big Switch for prisoner exchange.

Vietnam War Detention

South Vietnamese Camps

By the mid-1960s, South Vietnam faced challenges accommodating its growing prison population, mixing Viet Cong suspects, POWs, and delinquents. Plans were made to construct dedicated POW camps, staffed by military police with US advisors, to manage the influx of detainees.

North Vietnamese Camps

North Vietnam operated numerous POW camps, many famously known by colloquial names such as "Hanoi Hilton" (Hoa Lo Prison), "Camp Faith," and "Alcatraz." These camps housed captured Allied servicemen, often under harsh conditions, documented through personal accounts and historical records.

Yugoslav Wars Detention

Serb-run Facilities

During the Yugoslav Wars, detention facilities were operated by various factions. Serb-run camps, such as Manjača near Banja Luka and facilities in Sremska Mitrovica and Stajićevo, held significant numbers of prisoners, often under conditions that drew international scrutiny.

Other Camps

Beyond Serb-controlled facilities, other camps existed, including the Čelebići prison camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Lapušnik prison camp in Kosovo, reflecting the complex and fragmented nature of detention during the conflicts.

Contemporary Conflicts and Legal Challenges

Afghanistan and Iraq

In recent conflicts, such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq, the United States has faced legal challenges regarding the classification and treatment of detainees. The US government has sometimes refused POW status to individuals deemed "insurgents" or "terrorists," arguing they do not meet the criteria of the Third Geneva Convention, leading to debates over legality and human rights.

Guantanamo Bay and Black Sites

Facilities like Guantanamo Bay detention camp and various "black sites" have been central to these debates. Court cases, including Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, have affirmed that detainees are entitled to minimum protections under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, highlighting the ongoing legal complexities surrounding detention in modern warfare.

References

Sources

This content is compiled from various historical and legal sources, providing a comprehensive overview of prisoner-of-war camps.

Test Your Knowledge

Interactive Quiz

Assess your understanding of prisoner-of-war camps with our interactive quiz. Test your knowledge on historical context, legal frameworks, and significant events.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Prisoner-of-war Camp" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about prisoner-of-war_camp while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

scott county missouri

champaign county area rural transit system

aylesbury uk parliament constituency

political history

total fertility rate

References

A Century of Postgraduate Anglo Boer War Studies, p. 32, at Google Books

Mark Felton, Slaughter at Sea: The Story of Japan's Naval War Crimes (Naval Institute Press, 2008) p94

Not, of course, considering the numbers killed by the Nazi Holocaust.

Melady.J (1981). Escape from Canada â The Untold story of German POWs in Canada 1939â1945. Toronto: Macmillan of Canada. D805.C2M45

A full list of references for this article are available at the Prisoner-of-war camp Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not legal or historical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional legal consultation, historical research, or expert analysis. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific legal or historical inquiries. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Sanctuaries of Captivity

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining Prisoner-of-War Camps ℹ️

🔒 Purpose of Containment

⚖️ Legal Framework

📜 Historical Evolution

Pre-Camp Detention Practices ⏳

⚔️ Before Formal Camps

🗺️ Early American Experience

The Genesis of Purpose-Built Camps 🏗️

🇬🇧 Norman Cross, England

🇬🇧 HM Prison Dartmoor

American Civil War Camps 🇺🇸

📉 Dire Conditions and High Mortality

📸 Prisoner Experiences

Second Boer War Camps 🇿🇦

⚖️ POW vs. Concentration Camps

World War I and International Standards 🎖️

⚖️ Hague Conventions

🌍 Scale and Red Cross Role

🇷🇺 Krasnoyarsk, Siberia

Polish-Soviet War Captivity 🇵🇱

💀 Harsh Conditions

⚖️ Reciprocal Treatment

World War II and Japanese Brutality 🕊️

📜 Geneva Convention Adherence

🇯🇵 Japanese POW Camps

💰 Cigarettes as Currency

Korean War Captivity 🇰🇵

🇺🇳 UN and Communist Camps

🇰🇷 Koje-do Island

Vietnam War Detention 🇻🇳

🇻🇳 South Vietnamese Camps

✈️ North Vietnamese Camps

Yugoslav Wars Detention 🇧🇦

🇷🇸 Serb-run Facilities

🇽🇰 Other Camps

Contemporary Conflicts and Legal Challenges 🌍

🇺🇸 Afghanistan and Iraq

⚖️ Guantanamo Bay and Black Sites

References 📚

🔗 Sources

Test Your Knowledge ❓

🧠 Interactive Quiz

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining Prisoner-of-War Camps

Purpose of Containment

Legal Framework

Historical Evolution

Pre-Camp Detention Practices

Before Formal Camps

Early American Experience

The Genesis of Purpose-Built Camps

Norman Cross, England

HM Prison Dartmoor

American Civil War Camps

Dire Conditions and High Mortality

Prisoner Experiences

Second Boer War Camps

POW vs. Concentration Camps

World War I and International Standards

Hague Conventions

Scale and Red Cross Role

Krasnoyarsk, Siberia

Polish-Soviet War Captivity

Harsh Conditions

Reciprocal Treatment

World War II and Japanese Brutality

Geneva Convention Adherence

Japanese POW Camps

Cigarettes as Currency

Korean War Captivity

UN and Communist Camps

Koje-do Island

Vietnam War Detention

South Vietnamese Camps

North Vietnamese Camps

Yugoslav Wars Detention

Serb-run Facilities

Other Camps

Contemporary Conflicts and Legal Challenges

Afghanistan and Iraq

Guantanamo Bay and Black Sites

References

Sources

Test Your Knowledge

Interactive Quiz

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice