Britishers IV. [conclusion]

This is coolbert:

"Brain washing" was the term first used in the context of the interrogations and systematic psychological conditioning applied to captives of the communist forces during the Korean War.

Systematic psychological conditioning applied by communist experts, trained in psychology and interrogation techniques, designed to break the minds, hearts, spirits, will of the allied captives.

"The term xi năo, the Chinese term literally translated as 'to wash the brain' originally referred to methodologies of coercive persuasion used in the 'reconstruction' of the so-called feudal thought-patterns of Chinese citizens raised under pre-revolutionary régimes"

IN THE IDEOLOGICAL CONTEXT, THE COMMUNIST SOUGHT NOT ONLY TO CONTROL THE BODIES OF THE ALLIED CAPTIVES, THEY SOUGHT TO CONTROL THE MINDS AS WELL.

This sort of psychological "warfare", applied as it was to allied POW's [and civilians too], was unprecedented [?] and unanticipated by American and other United Nations military commanders. There was not any experience with this sort of thing.

"The term [brain washing] first came into use in the United States in the 1950s during the Korean War, to describe those same methods as applied by the Chinese communists to attempt deep and permanent behavioral changes in foreign prisoners"

The book "George Blake - - Double Agent", has several chapters describing the experiences of PROTECTED BRITISH CIVILIANS undergoing "brainwashing" at the hands of the communists.

[when I speak of "PROTECTED CIVILIANS", I am speaking of accredited diplomats and middle-aged civilians that were primarily missionaries and social workers. Innocuous persons that would not hurt a fly!!]

Brainwashing as carried out by Soviet And Chinese communist experts. Brainwashing efforts designed to "turn" the captives and convince them that the communist cause in Korea was righteous. Demonstrate to the captives and convince them of the superiority of the communist system and how it WAS and SHOULD BE the "wave of the future".

These brainwashing attempts were done ONLY AFTER subjecting the British captives to terribly harsh treatment. Physical abuse, starvation, forced marches, execution, exposure to the elements. All this done to middle-aged and even elderly people!

"One can scarcely imagine a less propitious moment to try and convince European prisoners that the Communist cause win Korea was just, or that it was likely to succeed. Yet, the Communists began their essays at indoctrination . . ."

[it was also true that the British captives of the communists, the civilians at any rate, were almost without exception highly educated persons of the world with a lot of life experience. NOT persons to be easily fooled or swayed by arguments of questionable nature!!]

Communist attempts at indoctrination and brainwashing of the British captives and for that matter other POW's was noted in a post-war report by an American psychiatrist who was able to observe:

"The brainwashing of the prisoners in Korean caps was essentially an attempt to destroy the individual's previous personality and remold it in terms of Communist ideology. It is a process of death and rebirth, and thought few left the prison camps as convinced Communists, none emerged from the ordeal unscathed."

Prisoners subject to brainwashing could also be categorized as being:

* "Apparent converts."

* "Obviously confused."

* "Apparent resisters."

However, it was noted that EVEN AMONG THE RESISTERS:

"Had gained the conviction that reforms of the social and economic system in the West were necessary."

THESE CONVICTIONS THAT CHANGE WAS NECESSARY LED TO DELAYED REACTIONS IN THE CAPTIVES AFTER RELEASE!!

Blake himself in the aftermath of the Korean War continued his career in the British Secret Intelligence Service [MI6], all the while betraying uncountable secrets to the Soviets!! What sort of delayed reaction occurred there!!??

I would also have to assume that prisoners of the jihadi, or even Islamicist governments, such as the regime of Iran, would also be subjected to some sort of "brainwashing".

I get the distinct impression that the Islamic fundamentalist is almost DESPERATE to convert the whole world to his religion and will make almost any effort even to get one "non-believer" to see the truth. Subject the captive to a continuous barrage of religious proselytization with the intention of conversion. And if not direct conversion, cause confusion in the mind of the prisoner, anxiety and disillusion.

"Your way is corrupt, decadent, evil, a festering cesspool of abomination. Our way is the pure way of truth. Surely you can see this. Become a Muslim and join us."

I can hear it now!!

[I am not sure what exactly happened to those folks held captive by the Hezbollah in Lebanon for years on end. Some were religious persons themselves, Father Jenko for instance. Were efforts made to convert them too!? This I am not aware of!]

I understand there is a novel by H.G. Wells, written about 100 years ago now, that deals with a group of secular, non-religious Britons being held prisoner by the "dervish" [jihadis of 100 years ago were referred to as the "dervish"], and the attempts to convert them to the Islamic cause. Trying to find out more about this. Will let you know what I find.

coolbert.