Prisoners of the Japanese

12th October 1942: Unsparing brutality is commonplace but some of the guards are fearful individuals with unchecked power

Japanese Guard, Changi Gaol, Singapore, Ronald Searle

The appalling cruelties of the Japanese POW camps were being felt by anyone unfortunate enough to become their prisoner. Widespread Japanese cultural attitudes to prisoners shaped their behaviour - but the system also seems to have encouraged the most sadistic individuals to become guards.

George Coo…