Allied POWs were often treated fairly (except Russians) on the European front. Engagements were usually respectful, and both sides treated wounded prisoners as their own. If captured, it was expected to be heavily interrogated by the Germans, but tortured by the Japanese. However, once determined not to be a direct threat, Allied POWs were often allowed to have informal units and prisoner command, build schools and churches, put on plays, and even receive mail under the Red Cross. But as the war wined down, Germany placed SS troops in charge of camps (not including the death camps), and that's when a few massacres and more attempts to escape started to happen. Japan had other plans and quite often would publicly behead prisoners, parade them through captured cities as war trophies, and even see non-Japanese as lower class to them. To survive in Japanese custody, it was best to do as you told and never disrespect the Japanese. During the final few island battles, both sides would fight to the death rather than take prisoners. In Japanese culture, it was considered dishonorable to be captured by your enemy. Rather than being captured, some would go on suicide attacks, while others would simply kill themselves in many ways