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.

Britishers III.

This is coolbert:
From a comment to the blog:

"I just wish they had put up an un-cringeworthy performance. Was that too much to expect?"

Another incident of what would be appear to be cringing submission would be the capture of the U.S.S Pueblo, 1968.

From back in my day. An "incident", that believe me, WAS REALLY BIG FROM SEVERAL STANDPOINTS!!

Captured by the forces of North Korea, and basically without a shot being fired. The crew of the Pueblo then held for eleven months, having to make propaganda broadcasts for the North Koreans, some sailors cooperating during interrogation with their captors.

I was on duty the day the Pueblo was captured and remember the event well. All of us were surprised that SUCH A THING COULD EVEN HAPPEN!! This was the FIRST TIME SINCE THE WAR OF 1812 THAT AN AMERICAN WARSHIP WAS BOARDED AND CAPTURED BY THE ENEMY. Again, without a SHOT EVEN HAVING BEEN FIRED!!

[shots were fired, and a sailor killed. But by that time, the ship had already more or less given up.]

This incident was perhaps the greatest disgrace to occur to the U.S. military during the Cold War!? Very humiliating to begin with. And for the North Koreans and reportedly the Soviets as well, the capture of the Pueblo, intact, was an intelligence gold mine of the highest order. I would have to think that A LOT OF DAMAGE WAS DONE BY JUST THIS ONE INCIDENT!!

It is true that the crew of the Pueblo was subjected to harsh treatment, beatings by North Korean martial artists [tae kwon do] seeming to be meted out on a daily basis, for absolutely no reason whatsoever [an intimidation technique].

And in all likelihood the crew of the Pueblo neither had SERE training, a capacity for defense, or even the remotest expectation of being attacked in the first place, much less defending themselves. WHAT OCCURRED TO THEM WAS TOTALLY OUT OF THE BLUE, UNEXPECTED, AND CALAMITOUS.

WHATEVER FIGHT EXISTED IN THOSE SAILORS TO BEGIN WITH JUST SEEMED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THEM FROM THE VERY START!! THESE GUYS WERE JUST NOT PREPARED IN THE SLIGHTEST WAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED!!

Also, please understand this carefully. I do not for a moment underestimate the danger those sailors were in. The North Korean is probably among the most, if not the most, cruelest, sadistic, meanest bunch around. DO NOT expect even the slightest bit of mercy from any of them. This I well understand.

[with one exception. There was one Marine on board the Pueblo. This man reportedly did fight back and was able to resist with honor the attacks upon his person and stood up to the mistreatment!! Bully to him!!]

The Pueblo is now a museum piece docked in Wan'po harbor. A tourist attraction?! [I would have to think there are few tourists in North Korean.] The U.S. Navy, I would think, has never forgotten the Pueblo and the humiliation it suffered. One of these days, when North Korea goes under [if and when], I bet there are plans in the works to recover that ship. Honor must be redeemed!!

coolbert.

Britishers II.

This is coolbert:

“Rowe, just because the war will end one day, don’t think that means we have to send you home!!” - - VC interrogator speaking to Nick Rowe, American Special Forces man held captive in Vietnam for five years.

“One morning, I heard the nose of wood sawing and nails being hammered near my cell. I couldn’t work out what it was. Then a woman came into my cell to measure up from head to toe with a tape. She shouted the measurements to a man outside. I was convinced they were making my coffin.”

- - Faye Turney, the only woman in the detained British crew, explaining why she agreed to her captors’ demands to appear on Iranian TV to admit that the crew trespassed in Tehran’s waters.

[there is precedent for the Iranian behaving in such a manner. Colonel Leland Holland, senior U.S. military man present when the embassy in Tehran was taken over by Iranian “students” in 1979, reports that he and the other military personnel taken hostage were subjected to mock executions on a regular basis. The Iranian, according to the Colonel, seemed to derive some sort of pleasure from this, giggling and chuckling as they went through the motions!! These mock executions were carried out in such a manner that the hostages really had the thoughts enter their minds that THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE LAST MOMENTS FOR THEM ON EARTH!!]

As a military man [or woman for that matter!] you ARE EXPECTED to endure hardship if called for, as part of your duties. You may have to put up with extremes of heat, cold, hunger, thirst. Even as a prisoner-of-war, this is expected of you. To the best of your ability, you are EXPECTED to comport yourself with honor and dignity, maintaining discipline, NOT cooperating with the enemy. Again, to the best of your ability. YOU ARE NOT expected to resist extreme forms of maltreatment. If confronted with and subjected to the rack, the red hot iron, thumbscrews, other extreme forms of mistreatment or pain, compliance with the demands of the enemy is NOT considered to be cowardice, treason, etc. HUMAN ENDURANCE HAS A LIMIT, AND IS RECOGNIZED AS BEING SO!!

[John McCain admits that as a prisoner, he did give the enemy in Vietnam more than name, rank, and serial number. That was of course, after long and prolonged physical torture, on top of previous injuries for which he was denied medical treatment. McCain has nothing to ever be ashamed of!!]

I think that with the British prisoners/hostages, the threat and fear was more psychological rather than physical?! Fear that was nonetheless real and palpable. Fear, however, that should have been controlled??!!

coolbert.

Britishers I.

This is coolbert:
From a comment to the blog:

"May I ask you what you think of this?: http://tinyurl.com/2tgbga"

"Audie Murphy w/o pain receptors is not the model by which I judge the ex-hostage Brits. I just wish they had put up an un-cringeworthy performance. Was that too much to expect?"

[We are talking about the British Marines/sailors just recently released from captivity in Iran.]

Before I made this blog entry, I had to compose my thoughts carefully.

And also re-read some chapters from the book, "George Blake - - Double Agent".

"George Blake" deals in part with the travails of a group of British being held prisoner/hostage by first the North Koreans and then the communist Chinese and Soviets during the Korean War. A group that was subjected to "brain washing".

Let me also say from the get-go that I WOULD NEVER BE PRESUMPTUOUS TO SAY I KNOW HOW I WOULD REACT IF I FOUND MYSELF IN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE AS THE BRITISH CAPTIVES/HOSTAGES!! I can say I know HOW I would like to act if I found myself in a similar situation, but do - - I know - - for sure - - exactly - - what I would do!!?? NO!!

I must say that I was concerned with the behavior of the British Marines/sailors as seen on TV . Was both a surprise and a puzzle to me.

The British Royal Marines are noted for their very difficult and arduous training regimen. JUST TO BECOME A BRITISH MARINE IS A TASK UNTO ITSELF. THESE ARE NOT THE SORT OF PERSONS YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FOLD APPARENTLY EASILY AND COMPLY WITH THEIR CAPTORS/ABDUCTORS. NOT THE SORT OF PERSONS WHO WOULD EVEN GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. DURING THE INITIAL ENGAGEMENTS OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS WAR THE BRITISH MARINES ON DUTY [A SMALL NUMBER] DID PUT UP A FIGHT AND GAVE A GOOD ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES!!

Have the British Marines and sailors become MILQUETOASTS!!

"milque·toast - - n. One who has a meek, timid, unassertive nature."

I don't think the British or the Americans for that matter WANT to start a war with Iran. Rules of Engagement are drawn up in such a manner to preclude "incidents" that would lead to full-scale hostilities!!?? But, THE SPECTACLE AS SEEN ON TELEVISION WAS ABSURD!! Does ANYONE disagree with that??!!

In addition, the Iranians seem to be very skilled at this sort of thing. KNOW HOW to use the CNN Effect to the max. Obtaining the best results possible by exploiting the prisoners/hostages and having the whole world see. For BOTH internal consumption and external, in the Islamic and Western world as well.

[and we can expect that the viewing public in the Iranian/Islamic/Western worlds will all see this "incident" in a different light.]

SERE [Survival Evasion Resistance Escape] training I would have to think is part and parcel of the Royal Marine training. Especially how to comport yourself as a prisoner and return home with dignity and honor. Here it seems that the prisoner/hostages fell flat on their faces?! From what persons critical of the Britishers observed, these folks JUST SEEMED TO BE JUST A BIT TOO WILLING TO COMPLY WITH THEIR CAPTORS!!

Critics of course would include Jack Jacobs. With regard to Jack Jacobs, well, this man is in a class by himself. Won the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, retiring as a Colonel. A man who minces no words. Is so highly regarded within the U.S. military, that in case of a general mobilization, will be brought back to active duty AS A GENERAL OFFICER!! That is unheard of.

[see what someone says about the comments of Jack Jacobs.]

With regard to SERE training, we find the similar equation present as we do with all other combat training. THE ABSENCE OF FEAR!! WHEN ENGAGED IN SERE TRAINING,YOU ARE NOT IN THE HANDS OF A BRUTAL, FANATICAL ENEMY WHO WOULD NOT THINK TWICE ABOUT CUTTING OFF A PIECE OF YOUR BODY AND WILL DO SO WITH RELISH!!!

[during the war between Iraq and Iran, Iranian Revolutionary Guards were filmed TRAINING for missions by executing at point blank range Iraqi prisoners. Iraqis shot and thrown into pits without any qualms on the part of the Iranian. Bloodthirsty stuff you see in "Holocaust" movies. THESE IRANIANS CAN BE FANATICAL, ROUGH, MEAN CUSTOMERS!!]

"Tests and exercises are not truly realistic portrayals of combat, because they lack the element of fear in a lethal environment, present only in real combat." - - Dupuy.

coolbert.

Dotty Englishman?? III.

This is coolbert:

Here is a man who definitely was a "dotty" Englishman.

A man who had a profound impact on the psyche of the British people in the years prior to World War One [WW1].

William Le Queux.

A British author of what can only be categorized as "pulp fiction".

"2. A magazine or book containing lurid subject matter and being characteristically printed on rough, unfinished paper."

"Pulp fiction" of the "invasion literature" genre.

Le Queux was an extremely prolific writer. Very much so. During a period of twenty years he authored about two hundred "pulp fiction" novelettes!!

"Invasion literature" had as it's subject the defeat of Great Britain in a general European war. A general European war that had not occurred in almost one hundred years. A defeat that would be at the hands of Imperial Germany. An Imperial Germany that by 1900 was able to put to sea a navy that WAS worthy of challenging the British fleet.

Le Queux foresaw [as did others at the time] a circumstance where if the British Navy was destroyed by the Germans, invasion of England by the much more powerful and unstoppable German Army WAS a possibility. Great Britain would be invaded, conquered, and occupied.

This was the background behind which Le Queux based his fictional works.

According to Le Queux [in his fictional accounts], Britain was awash with all manner of German agents. Spies, saboteurs, fifth columnists, etc. Thousands, if not tens of thousands of such unsavory German nationals and German controlled persons lived in Britain. Ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, in the service of the Kaiser, attacking England surreptitiously and cravenly.

[the term fifth columnist would not have been used by Le Queux. This is a term first used during the Spanish Civil War. The concept is the same. Someone attacking from within, while cloaked in mufti!!]

Again, according to Le Queux, Britain was under constant attack by German spies, spies that existed in the proverbial "battalions". Spies that constantly conspired with their German masters to undermine British security.

Most of Le Queux's books centered around the counter-espionage efforts of the British government security services, their tireless efforts [always successful too] in thwarting German spies, and their James Bond like heroes.

[it is suggested that Ian Fleming actually GOT the idea for James Bond and his heroics by reading the works of Le Queux!!]

FORTUNATELY FOR THE BRITISH, WHAT LE QUEUX WROTE ABOUT WAS TOTALLY FICTIONAL. THERE WERE NO THOUSAND OR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GERMAN AGENTS RESIDING IN ENGLAND!! ENGLAND WAS NOT IN DANGER OF INTERNAL UPRISING FROM GERMAN NATIONALS IN TIME OF WAR!!

Whatever threat did exist to British security was extremely miniscule compared to what was contained in the works of Le Queux.

A threat, however, as described by Le Queux, that was widely accepted as being "possible" or "probable" by many British civilians.

Why then would I suggest that Le Queux WAS indeed a "dotty" Englishman??

It seems that at some point Le Queux ACTUALLY BEGAN TO BELIEVE HIS OWN FICTION!!??

Le Queux for whatever reason began to raise an alarm through intermediaries at the highest level of the British government. Said that he had documents [obtained through secret sources of course], that established without a doubt the extent of the enormous German subversion occurring within England.

[keep in mind that none of this espionage or subversion WAS occurring!!]

Le Queux even went to the extreme of organizing spy hunts led by himself. Attempted to uncover those perfidious German spies doing so much damage to England. Searched the English countryside high and low watching for those German spies communicating at night with submarines lurking not so far off shore!!

[again, keep in mind that there were NO spies communicating with submarines. Indeed, there were NO spies period to catch!! All these spies existed only in the overly active imagination of Le Queux.]

Le Queux, as I have said, WAS a "dotty" Englishman if there ever was one!!

Amiably eccentric, bordering on lunacy, but not excessively so!!

[Saki also was seemingly taken in by "invasion literature"!! Wrote a novel, "When Willam Came", that purportedly took place in the aftermath of a German invasion and conquest of England [William=Wilhelm]. Read that novel from here. Is free!!]


coolbert.

Dotty Englishmen?? II.

This is coolbert:

Edward James Corbett. Known better to the world as Jim Corbett. Big game hunter/tracker/killer of rogue tigers and leopards/author/conservationist. Another Englishman who left a big mark on the world.

Did so in the military sphere as well as the civilian arena.

During the First World War [WW1], at age thirty nine [39], organized a British Indian work force that did labor work on the Western Front. Was successful in returning all but one of his five hundred [500] laborers back to India??!!

"during a recruitment campaign in the Great War, a force of over 5,000 and with himself as Captain took 500 of them to France in 1917. He returned with all but one in the following year."

A remarkable feat.

Sought to organize another work unit during World War Two [WW2]. Was sixty four [64] years old at the time!!

"in the Second World War Jim Corbett asked for duty and raised a labour corps and recruited 1,400 Kumaons and served from 1940 to 1942 as a Deputy Military Vice-President of district soldiers' boards."

Found more fruitful employ as an instructor for the British Army in jungle survival skills. Was commissioned as a Lt. Col. and served in a vigorous manner, actually damaging his health in the process.

"Corbett was 64 years old when World War II broke out. He volunteered to train Allied troops in the techniques of jungle survival, but the strain proved too much and he became very ill."

"In 1942 an attack of typhus reduced his weight from 12 and a half stone to 7 stone and he was told he would have to spend the rest of his life in a wheel-chair. Refusing to give way he recovered and was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel and trained men for jungle warfare in Burma despite serious illness. After a year of this strenuous life, in training camps in Central India, he had a bad attack of malaria."

Also, NOT "dotty". Again, a man of honor, vigor, principle, courage.

Click here, and here to read more about Corbett and his exploits. A most remarkable man.

[As a youth of say about eight years old, I recall very vividly reading the Reader's Digest version of the "Maneaters of Kumaon". The book that won fame for Corbett. At the time, I thought, "this is the greatest thing I have ever read". Exciting. Keep in mind that even at age eight, I was then as now, a prococious reader.]

To this day, the name Corbett is still revered in India. He is actually held in such esteem that he rates as a "sadhu". A holy man!!

"in India, religious or holy men. Sadhu signifies any religious ascetic or holy man. The class of sadhus includes not only genuine saints of many faiths but also men (and occasionally women) who have left their homes in order to concentrate on physical and spiritual disciplines"

coolbert.

Dotty Englishmen?? I.

This is coolbert:

"Main Entry: Etymology: alteration of Scots dottle fool, from Middle English dotel, from doten

1 a : mentally unbalanced : CRAZY b : amiably eccentric
2 : being obsessed or infatuated
3 : amusingly absurd : RIDICULOUS

As I have said in previous blog entries, the English over the years have had more than their share of eccentrics. Persons of unusual manner and ability who sometimes are very gifted in a variety of endeavors. Persons recognized by their peers as "odd types", but generally tolerated.

I am thinking of course of such famous military figures as T.E. Lawrence and Orde Wingate.

And even such renowned individuals as Frederick Selous.

The archetype of the "great white hunter". Responsible for exploring large portions of southern Africa that were previously terra incognito.

Selous, up in the years [sixty six years old!!], enlisted to serve GOD, King and country during World War One [WW1]. Was not just content to serve, but insisted in seeing combat too. Was commissioned, even at his advanced age [66], as a lieutenant in the infantry, and was killed in combat.

Selous WAS NOT a madman or ridiculous in any manner. That is why I ask the question in the terms of "dotty Englishman??" with question marks.

Selous WAS a man of honor, principle, and vigor. This cannot be denied.

Another Englishman I ask the question of - - "dotty??" was H.H. Munro. Wrote under the name of "Saki".

Saki. The master of the short story. Also wrote novels and non-fiction long works too.

"Saki's stories were full of witty sayings . . . Sometimes they also included coded references to homosexuality."

Those coded references I will NOT comment upon!!

Born in Burma, served in the Burmese Police [the same as did Eric Blair, better known to the world as the great author George Orwell].

"In 1893 Munro joined the Burma police."

When WW1 began, Saki was forty four years old. Too old for military service. Saki, too, as did Selous, insisted in enlisting. Assigned to the INFANTRY, refused a commission, served as an enlisted man, and was killed by a sniper in 1916.

"although officially too old, Munro volunteered for the army as an ordinary soldier. He was killed by a sniper's bullet on November 14, 1916 in France, near Beaumont-Hamel. Munro was sheltering in a shell crater."

Dotty?? NO. Another man of valor, vigor, and honor.

Some may consider older men who enlist when they do not have to as dotty. I do not!!

coolbert.

Pax Britannica.

This is coolbert:

During the Victorian Age [1837-1901], it was said that there existed a Pax Britannica. Peace established and maintained by England. Well, this was so, but mainly for Europe, and only then in a general sense [there were many conflicts in Europe during this time, but no overall general conflict as had been seen during the time of Napoleon].

Overseas, the British still fought a large number of wars, as would probably be expected from a colonial world power.

* The Opium War against China.

* The Crimean War against Russia.

* The Zulu War.

* The Ashanti War.

* The Sepoy Mutiny.

* Various wars in Afghanistan.

* The war against the dervishes in the Sudan [jihadis in the 1800's were collectively called dervishes, where ever they were found].

* And finally the Boer War, in South Africa. So we can see that British forces all over the world were involved in many conflicts during this Pax Britannica.

And the record of victories and losses was very spotty for the British forces during the Victorian era as well.

* The Crimean War is generally felt to be a draw among the combatants.

* The Zulus were able to inflict a major defeat [Isandhlwana] on the British before finally succumbing to superior British firepower [Ulindi].

* During the Sepoy Mutiny, the British Army had both major successes [Lucknow] and major failures [Cawnpore] in the effort to suppress the rebellion, which they ultimately did.

* On three occasions the British invaded Afghan and were also thrown out with heavy losses.

* The insurgents in the Sudan under the "Mad Mahdi" defeated the British decisively and then a number of years later were only beaten by once again superior British firepower.

* And the Boer War was a major embarrassment for the British Army. A numerically far superior force was hamstrung by a guerilla army that confounded the British [British victory was final in the end]. The British Army had to serious do a self-examination of itself after the Boer War.

Even having superior technology, and what was the wealthiest and most advanced society in the world at the time [the nineteenth century was said to be the British century], British armies in their battles all over the world both did well and poor.

Being top dog doesn't always ensure victory!

The U.S. leadership should keep this in mind as it fights war all over the world and assumes the leadership of the world, to the liking of others or not. This "role" has been defaulted to the U.S. Again being top dog does not ensure you will not be challenged or alway victorious.

coolbert.