Never Surrender: Dramatic Escapes from Japanese Prison Camps

by Mark Felton

While there have been many fine books covering the appalling experiences and great courage of the many thousands of POWscaptured by the victorious Japanese during late 1941 and early 1942, escape accounts are much rarer. This is due in large part tothe fact that only a comparatively small number of brave souls attempted to escape to freedom rather than suffer brutality, starvation and very possibly death as POWs. However, as Never Surrender vividly describes, there were a significant number who took this desperate course. Escapersfaced challenges far more daunting than those in German hands. They were Westerners in an alien, hostile environment; the terrain and climate were extreme; disease was rife; their physical condition was weak; there was every chance of starvation andbetrayal and, if captured, they faced, at best, the harshest punishment and, at worst, execution. The author draws on escapeattempts from Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Borneo and China by officers and men of the British, Commonwealth andUS armed forces. As this superbly researched and uplifting book reveals, few escapers found freedom but all are inspiring examples of outstandingand, indeed, desperate courage. The stories told within these pages demonstrate the best and worst of human spirit.

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II, History

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2013

About the author

British military historian and author. For more information visit www.markfelton.co.uk

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many books about Allied POW's escaping from their German and Italian captors in Europe. If they were caught, they spent some time in solitary confinement before trying it again when they got out. It was a game of sorts for most of these POW's, and very few lost their lives because of it. However, POW's held by the Japanese were mistreated from the moment they were captured, and attempted escapes were dealt with swiftly and those men were most often than not murdered. This book contains most of the successful escapes by POW's, and some unsuccessful ones where those men paid dearly for their attempts. The book is very graphic in its details about the sadistic nature of the Japanese guards, and were tough to read at times to learn how brave men suffered. This book also just reminded me how strong the human spirit can be and how courage can never be beaten. Recommended reading for anyone wanting to learn more of POW's under the Japanese in World War 2 as it covers a big variety of camps and experiences.

[PuriP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected this book to be more interesting, but it was flooded with unnecessary historical names and figures that diminished the awe induced by the exceptional people who managed or at least tried to escape. There were some really interesting descriptions of prison camps and the Japanese mentality of that time, but those gradually started becoming repetitive after the first half of the book.

[Johns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grueling to read only because the author wanted to be comprehensive in his detailed description of the sadistic actions by Japanese army captors in WWII. A complete mismatch of cultures is on full display throughout this history. The book makes the triumph of the handful of successful escapees all the more compelling.