Prisoners of War Books

About Prisoners of War

Prisoners of War (POWs) are individuals—typically soldiers—who are captured and detained by enemy forces during armed conflict. Their treatment is governed by international humanitarian law, primarily the Geneva Conventions, which mandate humane conditions, access to medical care, and protection from torture or execution. Despite these rules, POWs have historically faced extreme hardships, including forced labor, starvation, abuse, and psychological trauma. In major 20th-century conflicts such as World War II and the Vietnam War, millions of soldiers became POWs under vastly different conditions, from Nazi prison camps to brutal Japanese labor sites and remote North Vietnamese jungle prisons. The status of POWs has often been used for political leverage, propaganda, and prisoner exchanges. Some POWs escaped captivity and became legends; others suffered long-term consequences from their experiences. In modern warfare, the distinction between lawful combatants and irregular fighters complicates POW status, especially in conflicts involving insurgents, terrorists, or paramilitary groups. This perspective sheds light on the human cost of war beyond the battlefield, highlighting resilience, suffering, and the vital role of international law in protecting those rendered powerless by conflict.