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Crucial Phase of Evasion
Maintaining Your Health - 14325_452

Basic Military Requirements (BMR) Revised Edition
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follow them. Usually frontline troops, especially those employed several miles forward of the forward edge of the battle area, shoot first and ask questions later. Contacting these troops is, at the very least, sensitive and a calculated risk. However, in the absence of an opportunity to contact a friendly patrol, contact with frontline troops may be your only alternative. Generally, frontline troops are told to honor the display of a white flag or another white object and to advance the unknown person to be recognized. Once back in friendly hands, you’ll naturally want to talk about your exploits and will undoubtedly receive countless  questions  from  frontline  troops.  However, that is the time you should remain silent. If you talk at this  point,  you  may  endanger  the  lives  of  those  who helped you. In addition, you may compromise methods other service personnel might use to evade the enemy and get out safely. Give only information of immediate tactical importance to frontline units. Advise the first officer or petty officer contacted that you are returning to  duty  from  missing  in  action,  prisoner  of  war,  or internment status. Then request to be taken to someone authorized to receive evasion and escape information. These survival techniques are but a few of the ways you can stay alive and live to return to friendly forces. You  can  gain  an  in-depth  knowledge  of  survival, evasion, and escape techniques through special training. The  Navy  provides  this  special  training  at  survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) schools located at strategic locations throughout the world. ESCAPE If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. —Code of Conduct, Art. III What  happens  if  you  become  a  prisoner  of  war (POW)?  After  all,  it  is  possible.  Isolation,  fear,  and injury all work in favor of the enemy to increase your chances  of  capture  in  spite  of  a  determined  effort  on your  part  to  evade.  The  surrender  of  your  arms, however,   does   not   mean   you   forfeit   your responsibilities  as  a  member  of  the  American  armed forces.  The  armed  forces  Code  of  Conduct  directs that you begin planning your escape the minute you are taken prisoner. Escape is tough; making it work is even tougher. It demands  courage,  cunning,  and  much  planning  in seeking  ways  out,  determining  what  routes  to  follow, and  locating  friends.  Above  all,  it  demands  physical stamina  under  the  worst  conditions  imaginable. Experience has proven that “model” camps with regular rations and considerate treatment are the exception. But no matter what extremes you encounter as a POW, try to keep yourself physically able and sufficiently equipped to escape as soon as possible. If captured, try to make your escape early. You may  never  be  in  any  better  physical  condition  to escape than at the moment you are captured. Prison rations  are  barely  enough  to  keep  you  alive;  they certainly won’t supply you with a reserve of energy. The  physical  treatment,  lack  of  medical  care,  and insufficient rations of prison life soon have effects such as physical weakness; night blindness; and loss of coordination, reasoning power, and morale. There  are  other  reasons  for  making  your  escape early  after  your  capture.  Friendly  artillery  fire  or  air strikes  occurring  during  that  time  may  increase  your chances of getting away. The first guards you will have are  not  as  well  trained  in  handling  prisoners  as  those farther back from the front lines. Some of the line guards may even be walking wounded who are distracted by their own condition. In addition, you know something about the terrain where you are captured, and you know the approximate location of friendly units. Several days later  and  many  miles  away,  you  may  be  in  strange territory. An escape from a prison camp is much more difficult and requires more detailed planning. It must be organized  and  supported  as  any  other  military operation.  The  method  you  should  use  to  escape depends on your particular situation. The only general rules are to make an early escape and to escape when the enemy’s attention is distracted. Save, Add to, Take Care of (S-A-T) Since the conditions in various POW camps differ, it is impossible to provide a specific escape or survival plan for each situation. What you need is a guide to help 15-27 Student Notes:







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