The Coolie Generals: Britain’s Far Eastern Military Leaders in Japanese Captivity
Mark Felton

The Coolie Generals: Britain’s Far Eastern Military Leaders in Japanese Captivity

Dozens of British and Commonwealth officers of the rank of colonel and above were captured by the Japanese at the fall of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Burma. These senior officers, many of whom were decorated war heroes, were separated from the men and formations, and shipped around the Japanese Empire in one group, kept alive so that the Japanese could ritually humiliate them at every opportunity. In direct contrast to how the Germans treated captured Allied senior officers, the Japanese inflicted the same appalling regime of starvation, beatings and hard labour on these senior prisoners, and several died through such abuse. Prominent personages treated in this way included General Percival, (GOC Malaya) and a host of major-generals, brigadiers, colonels and senior colonial officials. The detailed post-war testimonies given by these prominent prisoners greatly aided the Tokyo War Crimes tribunal in exposing the nature of Japanese treatment of Allied POWs. It was an extraordinary story of middle-aged military professionals living a day-to-day existence at the behest of cruel and capricious gaolers. All previous POW books on the Far East have concentrated upon the well-known sufferings of the thousands of more junior officers and other ranks taken prisoner, and largely ignoring the fates of the men whose command decisions actually led to captivity.

Book Details:

  • Author: Mark Felton
  • On Submission
  • Rights Sold
    • UK: Pen & Sword
Mark Felton

Mark Felton

Being born in the army garrison town of Colchester in 1974, it was perhaps inevitable that Mark Felton should develop an interest in military history. After university and a stint in the civil service he later gained a master’s degree and a PhD at the University of Essex. After working as a university lecturer he moved with his wife to China in 2005 where he  continued to teach. He has authored over a dozen books, many receiving national and international attention and also writes regularly for several major history magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. After living and wor...
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Book Reviews

  • "Well written and researched. The Coolie Generals vividly depicts a horrific existence characterised by hard labour, ritual humiliation, constant beatings and near-starvation that is difficult to comprehend."
    Soldier