When were the last German and Japanese POW's released?

[stavka]

Just heard we plan on holding 4-5K Iraqis post June 30th.

I do understand hostilities continue, so Genenva Conventions allow this; but in theory, hostilities will continue forever...

[David__77]

1. Pretty quickly released by Westerners I think.

Within a year I think. The majority of US-held were released during 1945, within a few months of liberation.

However, the Soviets held most of the German POWs until 1955, and most did not return.

[Neecy]

2. Depends on who held them

I saw an interesting documentary on The History Channel (I know...I know) about German POW's in Britain after WWII.

The Brits held many of them until, as I recall, 1948 and put them in labor camps to rebuild much of the damage from the blitz. One of the towns that housed a camp 'adopted' the POW's, invited them to their homes for Christmas dinner, etc.

I was surprised they were held for so long. I'd assumed they'd been released immedately upon the war's end.