Former POWs go to school in Beijing: 1955
Some of the former POWs who elected to remain with communist-led forces are shown at the Beijing People’s University in the People’s Republic of China January 28, 1955—one year after they to refuse repatriation to the U.S. (and one to Britain).
Seated from left to right they are Morris Willis, Fort Anne, N.Y.; Harold Webb, Jacksonville, Fla; Andrew Condon, Scotland; Richard Corden, East Providence, R. I.; and William White, Plumerville, Ark.
Standing from left to right are Clarence Adams, Memphis, Tenn.; and John Dunn, Baltimore, Md.
The photograph was taken by Australian freelance writer Philip Luxer.
As the Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s continued in the United States, the prisoners who refused repatriation were labeled as “brainwashed” and fear of communists’ ability to shape people’s minds was spread across the country.
However some were African Americans who did not wish to return to face racial discrimination. Others agreed with their hosts that communism represented a better hope for mankind than the capitalism of the United States.
Most, though ultimately had difficulty adapting to the culture and language of the host country and eventually returned to the United States.
Prisoner repatriation was one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the long cease-fire negotiations between the forces of the United Nations and those of China and North Korea.
In June 1953, the two sides agreed that no prisoner who did not wish to be repatriated would be forced to do so (this had long been a sticking point in negotiations, with the Chinese and North Koreans wanting all prisoners returned to their home countries).
Prisoners who did not wish to go back to their home countries would be given 90 days in a neutral compound near Panmunjom to reconsider before being allowed to stay in enemy territory. Following the armistice that was signed on 27 July 1953, effectively ending the Korean War (South Korea never signed), the main prisoner exchange was free to proceed.
One British and 23 American soldiers (along with 327 South Koreans) refused to be returned to their homelands. Two, Corporal Claude Batchelor and Corporal Edward Dickenson, changed their minds before the 90-day window expired. Both were court-martialed and sentenced to prison terms, with Batchelor serving 4½ years and Dickenson 3½.
This left 22 U.N. soldiers who voluntarily stayed with the Communists after the final exchange of prisoners. The 21 Americans were given dishonorable discharges.
This had the unintended consequence of rendering them immune to court-martial when they finally returned to the United States (which the majority eventually did), because they were no longer active-duty military. However, they were still criminally culpable for any acts of collaboration or offenses against fellow prisoners committed while they were POWs.
About 4 a.m. on February 24, 1954, a train carrying the 21 American defectors rumbled across the Yalu River into China. The Chinese soon shipped some of the men off to study language and politics. Others went to mills, factories, and farms across Eastern China.
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHsmaXdZck
Photo by Philp Luxer. The image is an Associated Press photograph housed in the D.C. Library Washington Star Collection.
Former POWs go to school in Beijing: 1955
Some of the former POWs who elected to remain with communist-led forces are shown at the Beijing People’s University in the People’s Republic of China January 28, 1955—one year after they to refuse repatriation to the U.S. (and one to Britain).
Seated from left to right they are Morris Willis, Fort Anne, N.Y.; Harold Webb, Jacksonville, Fla; Andrew Condon, Scotland; Richard Corden, East Providence, R. I.; and William White, Plumerville, Ark.
Standing from left to right are Clarence Adams, Memphis, Tenn.; and John Dunn, Baltimore, Md.
The photograph was taken by Australian freelance writer Philip Luxer.
As the Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s continued in the United States, the prisoners who refused repatriation were labeled as “brainwashed” and fear of communists’ ability to shape people’s minds was spread across the country.
However some were African Americans who did not wish to return to face racial discrimination. Others agreed with their hosts that communism represented a better hope for mankind than the capitalism of the United States.
Most, though ultimately had difficulty adapting to the culture and language of the host country and eventually returned to the United States.
Prisoner repatriation was one of the greatest stumbling blocks in the long cease-fire negotiations between the forces of the United Nations and those of China and North Korea.
In June 1953, the two sides agreed that no prisoner who did not wish to be repatriated would be forced to do so (this had long been a sticking point in negotiations, with the Chinese and North Koreans wanting all prisoners returned to their home countries).
Prisoners who did not wish to go back to their home countries would be given 90 days in a neutral compound near Panmunjom to reconsider before being allowed to stay in enemy territory. Following the armistice that was signed on 27 July 1953, effectively ending the Korean War (South Korea never signed), the main prisoner exchange was free to proceed.
One British and 23 American soldiers (along with 327 South Koreans) refused to be returned to their homelands. Two, Corporal Claude Batchelor and Corporal Edward Dickenson, changed their minds before the 90-day window expired. Both were court-martialed and sentenced to prison terms, with Batchelor serving 4½ years and Dickenson 3½.
This left 22 U.N. soldiers who voluntarily stayed with the Communists after the final exchange of prisoners. The 21 Americans were given dishonorable discharges.
This had the unintended consequence of rendering them immune to court-martial when they finally returned to the United States (which the majority eventually did), because they were no longer active-duty military. However, they were still criminally culpable for any acts of collaboration or offenses against fellow prisoners committed while they were POWs.
About 4 a.m. on February 24, 1954, a train carrying the 21 American defectors rumbled across the Yalu River into China. The Chinese soon shipped some of the men off to study language and politics. Others went to mills, factories, and farms across Eastern China.
For more information and related images, see flic.kr/s/aHsmaXdZck
Photo by Philp Luxer. The image is an Associated Press photograph housed in the D.C. Library Washington Star Collection.