Mercy Ships: The Untold Story of Prisoner-of-War Exchanges in World War II

(Hardback)

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Remarkably, throughout World War Two, and even when the violence was its height, the allied and axis governments remained in contact through third parties in order to achieve humanitarian ends such as the exchange of wounded prisoners-of-war, of "protected" persons, such as medical personnel and priests, and of civilian internees. This involved detailed negotiations, careful planning and coordination, and the movement of protected ships and trains through war zones. This book fills an important gap in the history of World War Two describing how the warring governments of Britain, America, Germany and Japan not only communicated with each other but also exchanged large numbers of people and goods, thus showing that, despite the bloodshed and killing, a spark of humanity still existed.

Reviews

"Miller uncovers a little-known phenomenon" - Sue Baker, Publishing News, May 2008
Mention -Book News, November 2008
"Mercy Ships [brings] together many little-known and intriguing stories." -Jan Drent, International Journal of Maritime History, Vol. 21, 2009

Author Bio

David Miller was a professional soldier from 1956 to 1991, when he left to become a full time author. He is the author of over sixty books and for many years was naval editor of Jane's International Defense Review.