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Prisoners - The Return of German Prisoners of War from Japan in the Years after 1918

Preliminary Remarks

Kiautschou Bay was taken into possession by the German Reich on November 14, 1897. Early on this area had been identified as a suitable trading base.

The last governor of the leased territory was Naval Captain Meyer-Waldeck (1911-14).

At the outbreak of the First World War, due to the exposed and isolated location of the protectorate, it was clear that it could hardly be defended against a conquest attempt, for example by the Japanese.

The Japanese fleet appeared on August 14, 1914 off the bay of Tsingtau. Approximately 60,000 men were available to the Japanese.

The German garrison numbered about 4,800 men. Many volunteers were among them.

An ultimatum demanded the unconditional and uncompensated surrender of the leased territory by no later than September 15, 1914.

Before or at the entrance to the harbor of Tsingtau the German garrison had scuttled ships.

While the bay was blockaded by the Japanese war fleet, Japanese troops landed on the Shantung Peninsula, i.e. north of Tsingtau, and approached the fortifications by land. Furthermore, intensive bombardment of the German positions began.

The siege lasted about two months, but in the end surrender was inevitable due to numerical inferiority and a lack of ammunition. This took place on November 7, 1914. Beforehand the German garrison had blown up its own guns.

In total the Germans recorded 199 dead and 500 wounded. The Japanese had, according to Dollinger (p. 132), 1,800 dead.

The German seaman Mase (d. March 28, 1943). Prisoner in Japan. Returned at Easter 1920.
The German seaman Mase (d. March 28, 1943). Prisoner in Japan. Returned at Easter 1920.
The German seaman Mase (d. March 28, 1943). Prisoner in Japan. Returned at Easter 1920.
The German seaman Mase (d. March 28, 1943). Prisoner in Japan. Returned at Easter 1920.

The German prisoners were taken into captivity in Japan. Their captivity was to last five years. In Japan the German prisoners were housed in various camps (Bandō, Fukuoka, Narashino, Nagoya, etc.). Conditions in the first provisional camps were unhygienic, and the food supply critical. The Japanese side had not been prepared for such a number of prisoners.

German prisoners in Japan (Narashino, November 1919).
German prisoners in Japan (Narashino, November 1919).

Over time conditions improved and recreational activities including musical performances (e.g., orchestra, singing society, etc.) and sporting competitions (e.g., football) became possible.

Gymnastics festival in a camp for German prisoners of war in Japan in September 1917.
Gymnastics festival in a camp for German prisoners of war in Japan in September 1917.
Singing society in a prisoner camp in Japan. Dated on the reverse: 1916.
Singing society in a prisoner camp in Japan. Dated on the reverse: 1916.

Day trips were also permitted. However, there were (inevitably) cases of cabin fever or deaths, e.g., from the Spanish flu. Furthermore, a certain cultural exchange developed between the Japanese and the Germans.

Graves of German soldiers who died in captivity in Japan (Narashino).
Graves of German soldiers who died in captivity in Japan (Narashino).

The Treaty of Versailles of 1919 (signed on June 28) stipulated Germany's renunciation of all rights and property claims relating to the leased territory in favor of Japan. China protested this, and Japan had to return the leased territory to China under the Washington Agreement of 1922. The following year Germany renounced its rights under the former lease agreement with China.

Guard in a German prisoner camp in Japan.
Guard in a German prisoner camp in Japan.

The last German prisoners of war were not to return home until January 1920.

The Return Journey of German Prisoners of War (Orient Fighters) Back Home in Contemporary Photographs in 1919

The Return Journey of German Prisoners of War from Japan Back Home in Contemporary Photographs.

Homebound steamship.
Homebound steamship.
Transfer of luggage at the Port of Singapore.
Transfer of luggage at the Port of Singapore.
Transfer of luggage at the Port of Singapore.
Transfer of luggage at the Port of Singapore.
Transfer of luggage at the Port of Singapore.
Transfer of luggage at the Port of Singapore.
Chinese coolies on board.
Chinese coolies on board.
Burial at sea.
Burial at sea.
Burial at sea.
Burial at sea.
Port of Sabang.
Port of Sabang.
In the streets of Sabang.
In the streets of Sabang.
In the streets of Sabang.
In the streets of Sabang.
Port of Suez.
Port of Suez.
In the Suez Canal.
In the Suez Canal.
In the port of Port Said.
In the port of Port Said.
In the port of Port Said.
In the port of Port Said.
In the port of Port Said.
In the port of Port Said.
Receipt of goods at the port of Port Said.
Receipt of goods at the port of Port Said.
British warship.
British warship.
Pilot boat.
Pilot boat.
Meat feast on board.
Meat feast on board.
Off Gibraltar.
Off Gibraltar.
Off Gibraltar.
Off Gibraltar.

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In peacetime, medical and nursing care was the responsibility of the medical officers, who were supported by orderlies. To prevent contagious diseases as far as possible, the living quarters in the barracks had to be inspected regularly, as did the drinking water and the food supplies. The troops were to be examined for their fitness before the start of longer marches – e.g., during maneuvers. The barracks had regimental sickrooms, and there were military hospitals in the garrisons. Convalescent homes were established for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men in the various army corps. Wartime brought different conditions, yet the medical service of the German army was comparatively advanced. From 1914–18 comparatively few German soldiers fell victim to epidemics; in the war it is said that 21 German soldiers died of smallpox, 11723 of typhus, 8646 of dysentery, 1693 of cholera, 452 of malaria, 999 of influenza, and 1345 of typhus exanthematicus (spotted fever).

Kriegsgeschichte

The Course of the First World War (1918)

The beginning of 1918 was marked by peace efforts, in particular the message of American President Wilson which set out a peace program of 14 points. In Austria and Germany mass strikes alarmed the political and military leadership. The American peace initiative was commented on in varying ways on the German side, but ultimately found no positive echo among the Central Powers. At that time the Allied side was also not really willing to negotiate. Between late October and mid-February peace negotiations between Russia and the Central Powers took place in Brest-Litovsk. The peace terms offered were harsh. The Russian negotiator Trotsky announced the demobilization of the Russian army but did not want to accept the conditions set by the Germans. Thereupon military hostilities flared up again and German troops advanced further into Russian territory. In February Reval, Minsk and Zhytomyr and in March Kiev were occupied. On 03.03. a formal peace was concluded after all, since the Russian empire, destabilized by the revolution, urgently needed peace. Already on 09.02. a peace had been concluded with Ukraine. This freed Germany from a two-front war and allowed it to reinforce the Western Front with troops no longer needed in the East, yet the presence of the Central Powers in the politically restless eastern regions was still required as a protecting power.