THE LEGACY OF THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF GERMANY: THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Abstract

The twentieth century was a time of great upheaval and change, and the treatment of prisoners of war was no exception. The First World War saw the introduction of new methods of warfare and a sharp increase in the number of prisoners taken. The Second World War was even more devastating, and the treatment of prisoners of war was often brutal and inhumane. This paper examines the fate of German prisoners of war after the Second World War. It argues that the Geneva Convention of 1929, which had previously been the main legal reference for the treatment of prisoners of war, was no longer valid after the unconditional surrender of the Third Reich. This led to a situation in which prisoners of war were often subjected to harsh treatment, including forced labor and even execution. The paper concludes by calling for greater attention to be paid to the protection of prisoners of war, even in the aftermath of a conflict