Quote:
Originally Posted by natehale1971
The EPWs would be part of the REMFs that are left at the cantonments, keeping the supply trains running to keep those deployed forces equipted. This takes the EPWs out of a combat zone, and puts them where the allies need labor the most. It's true that armies travel on their stomachs, and with the losses suffered by both sides, the large tails that kept combatants on the frontline have been so severely reduced when they canibalized said tail to build up their combatant commands.
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It's not a bad idea, having EPWs work for their own upkeep, as well as that of their captors, but this would require able-bodied friendly forces to guard them and with the manpower shortages in the later years of the Twilight War, I don't see most armies wanted to waste combat manpower.
I think you'd see a little of everything. It would probably be up to the regional cantonment commander (although whether subordinant unit commanders down to the platoon level would follow suit is another matter). Even in 2000, I doubt that anyone would put their name to any document instructing their troops to offer no quarter. It might be a wink and a nod sort of thing, though. Some commanders might look the other way or subtly encourage the killing of enemy prisoners. You might have one or two hard-asses that outright tell their troops not to take prisoners. On the other hand, some might use EPWs as labor on cantonment farms or whatever. Others might look to make prisoner exchanges with local counterparts. I think it would depend on the personality/command philosophy of the local commander and the circumstances in the AO.