Yamaa Standard

Tomoyuki Yamaa was a Japanese General Who defeated the British in Malaya and Singapore Against superior numbers he embarrassed the British Empire When a larger army under General Arthur Percival surrendered to him His abilities as a military commander were never doubt But his control of his troops was a question For his War Crimes Tribunal at the end of World War II When what his troops did under his command was examined What became known as the Yamaa Standard Rested liability on commanding officers of troops To put controls into place to ensure That their troops did not commit crimes whilst under their command His defence was that he had done his best to discharge his command responsibilities But that he did nothing to bring to justice his troops Once he found out the atrocities his troops had committed Did not go in his favour at his war crimes trial So Tomoyuki Yamaa was found guilty and was hung Since then some officers have been acquitted in similar circumstances Such as Captain Medina of the Mai Lai of the Vietnam War When he was acquitted by a military tribunal So if you are in command keep it in mind To put controls into practice for the troops under you Particularly if you are on the losing side of a war And saying it was Victors Justice will not work. © Paul Warren Poetry