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How were our americans treated by the germans when captured during WWII. Some one told me that some were tied to poles or just tied up and were shot by firing squads but I don't know if thats true.

2007-12-15 13:39:55 · 8 answers · asked by K-9Kara 2 in Arts & Humanities History

8 answers

Based on what I know about history and from private family documents, I would say that IF American POW's were not shot when captured (they did it to us, we did it to them), they were not treated too badly. Certainly much better than American prisoners of the Japanese were treated.

The "shot by firing squads" was probably true in some cases, but before American soldiers became official "prisoners".

2007-12-15 14:11:23 · answer #1 · answered by mountain lady 3 · 2 0

There are pictures of German soldiers who masqueraded as Americans (operation Greif) being tied to poles and shot by firing squad. This was for violating the rules of war, which say that you shall not fight in an opponent's uniform. In general, however, both sides treated prisoners according to the Geneva convention (which Japan did not sign).

2007-12-16 00:34:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tanks 5 · 2 0

In general the Germans treated POWs of the western allies fairly well. They were still prisoners, but usually not actively mistreated. They were fed and provided with shelter. The Red Cross was granted access, so they received care packages and mail from home.

This was not true for eastern prisoners, especially Russians that were captured.

2007-12-16 03:56:14 · answer #3 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 4 0

There were instances where American prisoners were executed and conversely so were some German captives more in retaliation than plain meanness.. There were instances such as Malmady, parachutists prior to D-Day who were executed.For the most part, captured prisoners by the Americans who were shipped stateside lived the life ,some even better than in their homeland in peacetime. Japanese atrocities were a different story.

2007-12-15 22:02:15 · answer #4 · answered by googie 7 · 0 0

According to my 92 year old uncle who served inthe Army Air Corps in Eisenhower's command, there are many different stories some germans treated captured americans despicably; torturing them and beating them and even killing them. other german commands treated captured POWs humanely but not cushy; warm dry living quarters; but nothing you want to spend your life in

i think you will find many stories if the men involved wanted to talk about it but few do. My uncle will talk very little about his experiences; and many WWII vets are like that. especially those from the European Theatre.

I hope this helps.

2007-12-15 21:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by smileymduke 4 · 0 0

I'm 73, and I've never heard of any such allegations.

On the contrary, relative to how the Germans treated others in their custody, our p.o.w.s were not treated as if they were living at the "Ritz", but they weren't treated abominably either.

I would guess that your source is not credible.

Wotan

2007-12-15 21:47:34 · answer #6 · answered by Alberich 7 · 1 1

yes ,in the feild some waffen ss groups killed recently captured soldiers ,but in general[there will always be lone nuts,.ie prison guards in bagdad abu grabi,] once in stalag under regular army command they were treated under the geneva convention rules,conterary to popular belief regular army officers were very honorable men

2007-12-15 22:41:15 · answer #7 · answered by ole man 4 · 0 1

Look up the massacre at Malmady.

2007-12-15 21:45:33 · answer #8 · answered by The Big Hurt 2 · 0 2

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