Desertion in the Armed Forces

During the Second World War, soldiers in the British Army, Navy, and Air Force frequently deserted their respective forces.  This was mostly because of a draft that Parliament created.  In 1939, Parliament passed the Military Training Act, which required men aged 20-21 to undertake six months' of military training.  When WWII broke out, Parliament passed the National Service act, making all men aged 18-41 eligible to be drafted.  There were, however, many ways to get out of this service.  Objection to military service because of moral grounds was used by 22 out of 1000 people.  These men had to stand trial though, and as many as 41% of them were required to serve.  A second way to avoid the draft was to ignore the summons to register for National Service, because there was a shortage of people to enforce attendance.  A third way was to have a man that failed his physical to take it for you in your name.  Finally, buying forged medical discharge certificates was another way to avoid service.  All of these ways came with consequences, however, and if one was found out to have used an illegal method, they were subject to Government punishment.

The Royal Forces also suffered from desertion.  Many soldiers who were drafted unwillingly or learned of their future service abroad simply deserted.  Roughly 36,000 men deserted before and shortly after D-Day, 10,000 of whom were charged.  Many of those who deserted were forced to lead a life of crime because they had no identity cards.  Therefore, looting was often seen after the bombing of cities.

If I was to fix the problem of avoiding conscription, I would using photo id's to verify everyones correct identity, thus solving the problem of fake physicals.  I would also make the discharge cards special in some way, either on the paper they were printed, or in a special color.  Lastly, i would devote more people to enforce attendance to register with the National Service.  I would round up deserters from the armed forces by cracking down on all crime.  I would raid Red Light Districts, Gambling Halls, and other illegal fronts.  I would start arresting immediately too.  Deserters would be subject to penalties as high as 25 years in prison.  Death seems to be too high a price to pay; also Britain is far more civilized than Nazi Germany.  With me in control, there would be no rogues who don't serve