A Town At War - Stories From Cowra in WWII - Graham Apthorpe - softcover

Regular price $34.95

The stories from the town of Cowra during World War II including detailed information about the Cowra Escape and the 22nd Australian Garrison Battalion. One of the best accounts of the escape.

During World War II, a prisoner of war (POW) camp near the town of Cowra in New South Wales, Australia was the site of one of the largest prison escapes of the war, on 5 August 1944. At least 545 Japanese POWs were involved in the breakout.

By August 1944, there were 2,223 Japanese POWs in Australia, including 544 merchant seamen. There were also 14,720 Italian prisoners, who had been captured mostly in the North African Campaign, and 1,585 Germans, mostly naval or merchant seamen.

Although the POWs were treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, relations between the Japanese POWs and the guards were poor, due largely to significant cultural differences: Japanese culture at the time regarded capture and detention as shameful and expected soldiers to die rather than accept capture.

This copy is in Excellent condition with only minor shelfwear. As always, the photos show the actual book you will receive.