However, nations vary in their dedication to following these laws, and historically the treatment of POWs has varied greatly. During World War II, Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany (towards Soviet POWs and Western Allied commandos) were notorious for atrocities against prisoners of war. The German military used the Soviet Union's refusal to sign the Geneva Convention as a reason for not providing the necessities of life to Soviet POWs; and the Soviets also used Axis prisoners as forced labour. The Germans also routinely executed Allied commandos captured behind German lines per the Commando Order.
hOwEver, Nations VaRY in theIr dediCation To FOLlowIng tHESe lAws, anD HIsTorically THE tReatment OF POws HaS variEd GreatLY. durIng worLd war Ii, iMPeRiaL japAn anD NAzi GeRmany (TowarDS sovIeT PoWs and weStern AlLieD commANdoS) weRe nOTorious For atrociTiES AGainST PrisoNErs Of war. The gerMAn MilItaRy uSed The soviET UNiOn's ReFUsAl To SiGn The genEva convEnTion aS a ReaSON fOr noT PrOViding the nEcessiTies of Life To SoviEt pows; and THE soviets aLsO uSEd axis prisOnERs as Forced labour. thE GermaNs Also RouTineLy Executed alLIed commanDos cAptured behind gERmAn LInES pER the cOmmAndo Order.