Mark Felton

Ive just finished read Mark Felton's Book but in the process looked up other books by Mark Felton. It seems he specialises in this type of WW II horror stuff. And there is plenty of horror in this book. I think he makes his point very well that the Japanese Kempeitai were a cruel, and sadistic organisation that exhibited little common decency or humanity. In fact, Felton's book is an unrelenting record of savage torture, beatings, and murders carried out in cold blood. I had some inkling of this before reading the book. The rape of Nanking is notorious throughout the world for the savagery of the occupation ....but this was not just the Kempetai ...the military police...... but the much wider rank and file of the Japanese Army. And, I guess, in historical terms this was not unique. Similar invasions (eg by Gengis Khan's hordes) were similarly brutal and inhuman. But I've ended up suitably horrified and repulsed by the actions of the Japanese Army and, in particular, by the actions of the Kempetai but wondering how it all came to this. And this is where Felton shows no insight or analysis. There is one throwaway line by a Chinese comfort woman who was tortured alongside her husband......when asked about revenge after the war.....commented something to the effect : "No I don't want revenge....these people would be ordinary citizens were it not for the war". I have married into a Japanese family, some of whom were caught up in the war and understand how the militaristic forces that carried sway in the 1920's (and beyond) crushed any opposition and "talked up" military expansionism. Mind you, I have also read Lafcario Hearn who was a teacher in Japan around the 1890's commenting that when he asked his students what they wanted to achieve in life......most of them said they wanted to "die for the emperor". He commented that he would not expect the equivalent answer from his students in Manchester. And this hints at the yawning gap in what Felton presents. There is no analysis of how or why the Japanese acted like this or why there was the rise in militarism. Was it due to the rejection of any Japanese claims at the Paris Peace accords of 1919? Including the rejection of Japan's racial equality proposal? (Strongly opposed by both South Africa and Australia who put pressure on the British delegation). Certainly, some historians think that the defeat of their proposal influenced Japan's turn from cooperation with the western world into more nations and militarist policies and approaches. And, following the Japanese defeat in WW II there was a strong reaction against the militarism that had led their country to be humiliated. Though, as pointed out to me by one of my wife's uncles...General Macarthur found it most convenient to work with the right wing parties that had supported the militarism. The uncle's view was that whilst the Nazi's had been deposed and reviled in Germany after the war, in Japan, nothing much changed ......the "Nazi's" were still in control and continued so, more or less, until the present day. (I think that's a bit overstated...but it contains an element of truth). One has to remember that modern Japan emerged from 400 years of a Military dictatorship and the modern state was initiated by the Samurai class...with all their militaristic traditions. So there is a bit of history there.
Anyway, Felton's book is really just one unrelenting account of horror stories and cruelty by the Kempetai against civilians, soldiers and POW's. Actually, there is very little about the treatment dished out to Japanese who crossed paths with the Kempetai. My understanding is that they were very harsh and cruel with their own people. And maybe this is in keeping with with social norms in Japan that emphasise conformity...."The nail that sticks up must be hammered down". But Felton doesn't go there. It's not a thoughtful book. Nor is it insightful. Lots of references to enquiries held after the war (by the victors) and other sources. And it's reasonably well written. Held my attention. But not at all insightful. I give it two stars.… (mere)