Governance of the Camp

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One major difference between the Stanley and Sham Shui Po camps and the Nazi camps were that prisoners were often allowed to run the camps themselves. This was especially the case with Stanley, where committees were set up (like the Welfare Committee) to deal with various aspects of the camp, such as food, clothing, and entertainment.

 

Prisoners would often deal with the Japanese as if they were equals; of course, though, the Japanese had the power to punish anyone whenever and however they wanted. It is fascinating to see how the Japanese seemed to be relatively disinterested in running the camp. This was especially the case in the earlier years of the war, as Stanley was run by civilian officers who were much more lenient. 

 

However, in 1943, the camp was handed over to Japanese military men, who punished internees much more severely for minor things. The climax of maltreatment against the prisoners was the execution of 8 Englishmen in Oct 1943.

 

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