No Strategic Targets Left

Author: F.J. Bradley
Publisher: Turner Pub KY
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover
ISBN: 1-56311-483-6
History

More Reference Books

Synopsis: Bryan Philpott's comprehensive examination of Allied aircrew prisoner experiences provides detailed coverage of capture, interrogation, and imprisonment procedures that affected thousands of airmen shot down over enemy territory during World War II. This thorough study reveals how prisoner treatment varied significantly between different enemy nations while demonstrating the resilience and ingenuity of aircrews who maintained morale and organizational structure despite harsh captivity conditions. Philpott's extensive research draws upon prisoner memoirs, official reports, and German documentation to present balanced analysis of POW experiences that illustrates both brutality and unexpected humanity within enemy prison systems. The book begins with examination of capture procedures and initial treatment of downed aircrews, revealing how circumstances of shootdown often determined subsequent prisoner experiences and survival prospects. Philpott demonstrates how German treatment of Western Allied prisoners generally conformed to Geneva Convention requirements while prisoner experiences in Japanese hands proved far more brutal and often fatal. The author reveals how systematic German interrogation procedures, often conducted by skilled psychologists like Hanns Scharff, extracted significant intelligence from captured aircrews through sophisticated psychological manipulation rather than physical coercion. Through detailed coverage of prison camp organization and daily life, Philpott shows how Allied prisoners created effective command structures and educational programs that maintained morale while planning escape attempts and resistance activities. The work extensively covers escape attempts and the elaborate preparations required for successful evasion from heavily guarded prison facilities surrounded by hostile territory and organized pursuit systems. Philpott's analysis of famous escapes like the "Great Escape" from Stalag Luft III reveals how prisoner ingenuity and determination enabled remarkable achievements despite overwhelming odds and severe consequences for recaptured escapees. The author provides detailed coverage of prison camp conditions, including food shortages, medical care limitations, and psychological pressures that tested prisoner resilience while revealing both individual courage and collective solidarity among captured aircrews. Through examination of prisoner education and cultural programs, Philpott demonstrates how Allied aircrews maintained intellectual development and morale through organized activities that provided purpose and hope during extended captivity periods. The book includes extensive coverage of prisoner work details and forced labor programs that violated international law while providing opportunities for sabotage and intelligence gathering that aided Allied operations. Philpott's analysis of German prison administration reveals how varying camp commanders created different prisoner experiences while administrative efficiency and resource limitations influenced treatment standards throughout the prison system. The work doesn't ignore controversial aspects of prisoner experiences, including collaboration incidents and internal conflicts that arose under extreme stress and pressure from enemy interrogators and prison officials. Through detailed examination of repatriation procedures and post-war adjustment, Philpott shows how prisoner experiences created lasting psychological impacts while providing valuable intelligence about enemy capabilities and intentions. The author's coverage of prisoner experiences in Pacific theaters reveals how Japanese treatment of captured aircrews often involved summary execution or brutal treatment that violated all international conventions regarding prisoner treatment. The book concludes with assessment of how prisoner experiences influenced post-war aviation safety procedures and international law development regarding treatment of captured military personnel. For military historians and students of prisoner experiences, this work provides comprehensive coverage of often-overlooked aspects of air warfare that affected thousands of Allied aircrews while revealing both the worst and best aspects of human behavior under extreme circumstances.

No Strategic Targets Left, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.