522: How Discipline and Leadership Will Make You Survive 40 Months as a POW.

This is Jocko podcast number 522 with Echo Charles and me, Jocko Willink. Good evening, Echo. Good evening. In April 1942, this officer was shot down and captured after sending out this warning from his patrolling seaplane that a large force of Japanese warships was approaching Ceylon. Throughout his three and a half years as a prisoner of war,

Wing Commander Birchall, as senior Allied officer in the prisoner of war camps in which he was located, continually displayed the utmost concern for the welfare of his fellow prisoners. On many occasions, with complete disregard for his own safety, he prevented as far as possible Japanese officials of various camps from sadistically beating his men and denying prisoners the medical attention which they so urgently needed. Typical of his splendid gallantry was when in the Negato camp he called a sit down strike in protest against ill treatment of his men. On another occasion when the Japanese wanted to send some sick prisoners to war to work.

Wing Commander Birchell found it necessary at great personal risk to forcibly prevent The Japanese noncommissioned officer in charge for making these prisoners work. As a result, Wing Commander Birchel spent several days in solitary confinement. Nevertheless, the sick prisoners of war did not have to work. Knowing that each time he forcibly intervened on behalf of his men he would receive brutal punishment, Wing Commander Birchill continually endeavored to improve the lot of his fellow prisoners.

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