Background: Burning feet syndrome (BFS) has been described anecdotally in the literature for over 200 years. Described subjectively by patients as burning, prickling and unremitting with nocturnal exacerbations, the condition draws parallels with the burning dysaesthesia found in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and appears to display a similar chronicity. Despite being a common symptom, especially among the elderly, its etiology in non-specific and often marked by a lack of objective clinical signs. Historically, burning feet syndrome has been recorded in situations of poor nutrition, including malnourished African populations in the early 20th century, South American plantation workers in the 1920s and during food shortages in the Spanish Civil War. Perhaps the best described and largest outbreak of burning feet occurred amongst prisoners of war (POWs) of the Japanese during the 2nd World War in South East Asia and the Far East. In this review we summarise reports of the condition, in particular amongst Far East POWs (FEPOWs), using both the available literature as well as a unique and previously unknown contemporary study carried out in a POW camp. Materials and Methods: During his stay in the Tandjung Priok POW camp, Nowell Peach recorded 54 cases of burning feet seen over a 4 month period during captivity. This data was concealed from his captors and survived to return home with him. Results: 54 prisoners presented over a 4 month period with a mean age of 28 years and mean duration of symptoms of 12 weeks. Neurological signs were meticulously documented. All were on an inadequate diet, 20 (38%) were on less than a full ration. Accompanying tropical infections were common including malaria (73%), dengue (45%) and dysentery (41%). Discussions: The Peach survey confirmed the frequency of burning feet amongst FEPOWs and was unusual in that the neurological examination and conditions endured were documented in captivity. A paucity of physical signs was noted, and a suggestion that burning feet could be precipitated by intercurrent infection. Conclusions: Burning feet syndrome can be regarding as an antique medical condition as chronic malnutrition becomes less common. This hidden study carried out during captivity provides remarkable new insight into the disease which is now essentially unknown to modern practitioners.