One of the rarely discussed aspects of the experience of soldiers in the First World War was the refusal to take prisoners during battle and in some cases the killing of prisoners in the front line. 'No Quarter' investigates the degree to which Australian soldiers were participants int his practice both as victims and perpetrators.
Despite being outlawed by the rules of war, No Quarter was a grisly fact of life in the trenches.
Using official histories, repatriated prisoner statements, personal accounts, unit diaries and battalion histories, this work assesses the degree to which such unlawful acts prevailed in the Australian war experience during 1915-18. As well, the precarious process of surrendering and subsequent prisoner of war experience is discussed.
Contents:
Introduction
1. The Rules of War
2. Gallipoli: 'the Australian when he fights, fights all in'
3. 'Kill every bloody German you see, we don't want any prisoners ...'
4. 'Go on, you haven't killed one yet ...'
5. 'It's no good sonny, there are to many of them, we will have to surrender'
6. Gerfanger
Conclusion
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
