1953 Korean War Operation Big Switch India POW Repatriation RARE

Date: c.1953
Artist: Uknown     
Size (in): 31.375" x 21.25"
Size (cm): 80 x 54
Condition: C+
Linen backed: No  

This is a vintage original and rare Korean War era poster that features political cartoon type artwork satirizing India’s controversial role in repatriating Chinese and North Korean prisoners of war against their will at the end of the conflict.  After the armistice was declared in July 1953 ending fighting in the Korean War the process of repatriating prisoners of war began with something called Operation Big Switch.   There were however more than 22,000 Chinese and North Korean POWs that refused to be repatriated back to their communist home countries.  India was a neutral nation in the Korean War and when the armistice was signed ending the conflict India took the lead in and chaired the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRP) responsible for dealing with POWs that refused to repatriate to their home countries.  

This poster was brought home as war souvenir by an American who served in Korean.  We’ve not been able to locate another example.   The poster was folded irregularly and has pinhole tears on each corner and a small notch off the top edge near the upper left corner.   The poster shows some toning from age, some creasing and handling wear.  There are a couple minor scribbles on the upper left edge.   Overall condition is good for this rare one of king Korean War poster.