burma railway prisoners of war list
[37] British doctor Robert Hardie wrote: "The conditions in the coolie camps down river are terrible," Basil says, "They are kept isolated from Japanese and British camps. Railway Construction Camp - Kanya, Thailand. They have no latrines. [12][13] The projected completion date was December 1943. Dancing Along the Deadline : The Andersonville Memoir of a Prisoner of the Confederacy. The Japanese demanded from each camp a certain percentage of its strength for working parties, irrespective of the number of sick, and to make up the required quota the Japanese camp commandants insisted on men totally unfit for work being driven out and sometimes carried out. More commonly called the Burma or Thai-Burma Railway, it was a major project during Allied Far East imprisonment under the Japanese. For example, a group of 400 Dutch prisoners, which included three doctors with extensive tropical medicine experience, suffered no deaths at all. The cuttings at Hellfire Pass became known as the speedo period, after a solecistic command shouted by Japanese guards and engineers to their English-speaking prisoners. In 1939 the age limits for enlistment in the AIF were 19 to 35 years of age (higher for officers and some NCOs). In his book Last Man Out, H. Robert Charles, an American Marine survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston, writes in depth about a Dutch doctor, Henri Hekking, a fellow POW who probably saved the lives of many who worked on the railway. [13], Estimates of deaths among Southeast Asian civilians subject to forced labour, often known as rmusha, vary widely, because statistics are incomplete and fragmented. [72] On 3 April, a second bombing raid, this time by Liberator heavy bombers of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), damaged the wooden railroad bridge once again. ARTICLE 30. The construction of the railway has been the subject of a novel and an award-winning film, The Bridge on the River Kwai (itself an adaptation of the French language novel The Bridge over the River Kwai); a novel, The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan, and a large number of personal accounts of POW experiences. Little is known of why the men of the 2nd AIF volunteered to serve. Konkoita is approximately 263 kilometres north of Nong Pladuk (also known as Non Pladuk), or 151 kilometres south of Thanbyuzayat. The dawn ceremony was held for the prisoners of war (POWs) who were forced to work and died on the Burma-Siam railway during the Japanese occupation. .mw-parser-output .RMbox{box-shadow:0 2px 2px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.14),0 1px 5px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.12),0 3px 1px -2px rgba(0,0,0,.2)}.mw-parser-output .RMinline{float:none;width:100%;margin:0;border:none}.mw-parser-output table.routemap{padding:0;border:0;border-collapse:collapse;background:transparent;white-space:nowrap;line-height:1.2;margin:auto}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMcollapse{margin:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:middle}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMreplace{margin:0;border-collapse:collapse;vertical-align:middle;position:absolute;bottom:0}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMsi{display:inline;font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMl1{padding:0 3px;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMr1{padding:0 3px;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMl{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMr{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMl4{padding:0 3px 0 0;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.routemap .RMr4{padding:0 0 0 3px;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.routemap>tbody>tr{line-height:1}.mw-parser-output table.routemap>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output table.RMcollapse>tbody>tr>td,.mw-parser-output table.RMreplace>tbody>tr>td{padding:0;width:auto;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .RMir>div{display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;padding:0;height:20px;min-height:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir img{height:initial!important;max-width:initial!important}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMov{position:relative}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMov .RMic,.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMov .RMtx{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMtx{line-height:20px;height:20px;min-height:20px;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMsp{height:20px;min-height:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMtx>abbr,.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMtx>div{line-height:.975;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMts{font-size:90%;transform:scaleX(.89)}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMf_{height:5px;min-height:5px;width:20px;min-width:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMfm{height:100%;min-height:100%;width:4px;min-width:4px;margin:0 auto}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMo{width:2.5px;min-width:2.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMc{width:5px;min-width:5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMoc{width:7.5px;min-width:7.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMd{width:10px;min-width:10px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMod{width:12.5px;min-width:12.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMcd{width:15px;min-width:15px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMocd{width:17.5px;min-width:17.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_{width:20px;min-width:20px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_o{width:22.5px;min-width:22.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_c{width:25px;min-width:25px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_oc{width:27.5px;min-width:27.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_d{width:30px;min-width:30px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_od{width:32.5px;min-width:32.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_cd{width:35px;min-width:35px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_ocd{width:37.5px;min-width:37.5px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMb{width:40px;min-width:40px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMcb{width:45px;min-width:45px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMdb{width:50px;min-width:50px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMcdb{width:55px;min-width:55px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_b{width:60px;min-width:60px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_cb{width:65px;min-width:65px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_db{width:70px;min-width:70px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_cdb{width:75px;min-width:75px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMs{width:80px;min-width:80px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMds{width:90px;min-width:90px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_s{width:100px;min-width:100px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_ds{width:110px;min-width:110px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMbs{width:120px;min-width:120px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMdbs{width:130px;min-width:130px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_bs{width:140px;min-width:140px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_dbs{width:150px;min-width:150px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMw{width:160px;min-width:160px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_w{width:180px;min-width:180px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMbw{width:200px;min-width:200px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_bw{width:220px;min-width:220px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMsw{width:240px;min-width:240px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_sw{width:260px;min-width:260px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RMbsw{width:280px;min-width:280px}.mw-parser-output .RMir .RM_bsw{width:300px;min-width:300px}. On 16 January 1946, the British ordered Japanese POWs to remove a four kilometre stretch of rail between Nikki (Ni Thea) and Sonkrai. Map Created by Philip Cross July 2000. They worked on airfields and other infrastructure initially before beginning construction of the railway in October 1942. Special British prisoner parties at Kinsaiyok bury about 20 coolies a day. Some 30 000 of these prisoners of war later worked on the ThaiBurma railway. 1, 5 - 9 Their experience under these extreme wartime conditions is examined to discover the likely contribution of malaria-associated mortality to the total number of deaths. [8], The project aimed to connect Ban Pong in Thailand with Thanbyuzayat in Burma, linking up with existing railways at both places. 0 9 4 minutes read. The Japanese wanted the railway completed as quickly as possible, and working units were comprised of massive numbers of prisoners scattered over the entire length of the proposed route. Photo taken on Aug. 19, 2020 shows the bridge over the River Kwai, the most notable part of the "Death Railway," in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Nearly all our Australian POW Books are true stories many written by the Australian POW who worked on the Thai Burma Railway during WW2. [76], The new railway line did not fully connect with the Burmese railroad network as no railroad bridges were built which crossed the river between Moulmein and Martaban (the former on the river's southern bank and the latter to the opposite on the northern bank). After the war ended some Australian POWs remembered their captivity as a time in which the typical qualities of the Australian soldier came to the fore. The remains of United States personnel were repatriated. It was to be built by a captive labour force of about 60,000 Allied prisoners of war and 200,000 romusha, or Asian labourers. While civilians were generally treated better than military prisoners, conditions in Japanese captivity were almost universally deplorable. In one raid alone on the Non Pladuk area, where the camp was located amongst sidings holding petrol, ammunition and store trains protected by an anti-aircraft post, and prisoners were not allowed to leave the huts.95 were killed and 300 wounded. Around 90,000 civilians died, as did more than 12,000 Allied prisoners. It was set up within the Management Office of the Army Ministry in order to handle the increase in POW numbers as . A former British Army officer, who was tortured as a prisoner of war at a Japanese labor camp during World War II, discovers that the man responsible for much of his treatment is still alive and sets out to confront him. There, approximately 20% of the Allied POWs died during its construction. Among the Allied POWs were some 30,000 British, 13,000 Australians, 18,000 Dutch, and 700 Americans. Lt Col Coates the greatest doctor on the Burma Thailand Railway. Download Ground News for free here: https://ground.news/megaprojectsSimo. In addition, approximately 130,000 civiliansincluding some 40,000 childrenwere captured by the Japanese. On 24 June 1949, the portion from Kanchanaburi to Nong Pla Duk (Thai ) was finished; on the first of April 1952, the next section up to Wang Pho (Wangpo) was done. Under Australian legislation prior to 1943 conscripts could be used only for the defence of Australian territories. However, the British would form only a minority of the Allied POWs in Burma. From Thai-Burma railway to Sandakan, WWII history buff unearths stories of Australian POWs. From British mathematician Arthur Thomas Doodson's Tide-prediction machine, and PLUTO (short for 'pipeline under the ocean' - supplied petrol from Britain to Europe), to the German's 'Rommel's Asparagus', discover 7 clever innovations used on D-Day. There were additionally about 250,000 natives (coolies) who were previously residents of countries including Java, Ambon, Singapore, Malaya, Burma and Tamils who had been working in some of these countries. He was taken to Ambon and apparently died in 1944 on board ship returning from Ambon to Java, After the war he was officially reported to have died on 6th September 1944 and buried at sea. The railway was overworked carrying troops and military supplies, and local traders seldom visited the camps of the working parties, small compared with those of 1943 and therefore not so profitable; so that supplementary food supplies were scanty, and again sickness took its toll. [68] In February 1943, 1,000 Dutch prisoners of war were added to Tamarkan. Coast also details the camaraderie, pastimes, and humour of the POWs in the face of adversity.[47]. These pages are dedicated to my father Ken Heyes (Lance Corporal, 1st Aust Corps Troop Supply Column AIF, POW), his good friend, Ernie Badham and all the other brave soldiers who spent so many years in the hell-holes that were the Japanese P.O.W camps during World War II. These POWs, day after day, have their bodies pushed to extremes in an effort to complete the construction of the railway. [63] The most important trial was against the general staff. George, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, was a POW in Java in 1942. These activities engaged numerous POWs as actors, singers, musicians, designers, technicians, and female impersonators. Although working conditions were far better for the Japanese than the POWs and rmusha workers, about 1,000 (eight percent) of them died during construction. The total length of miles, the total number of bridges over 600, including six to eight long-span bridges the total number of people who were involved (one-quarter of a million), the very short time in which they managed to accomplish it, and the extreme conditions they accomplished it under. The Burma Railway, also known as the Siam-Burma Railway, Thai-Burma Railway and similar names, or as the Death Railway, is a 415 km (258 mi) railway between Ban Pong, Thailand and Thanbyuzayat, Burma (now called Myanmar).It was built from 1940 to 1943 by civilian laborers impressed or recruited by the Japanese and prisoners of war taken by the Japanese, to supply troops and weapons in the . The remaining sailors and marines, including Marvin Sizemore, were captured by the Japanese and found themselves building the Burma - Thailand railway as prisoners of war. These became more and more frequent when, towards the end of October 1943, trains full of Japanese troops and supplies began to go through from Thailand to Burma. The first prisoners of war to work in Thailand, 3,000 British soldiers, left Changi by train in June 1942 to Ban Pong, the southern terminus of the railway. A total of 50,000 troops were captured at one time there."He then got moved to Malai POW Camp 1 in Thailand, and transferred to Camp 2 to build the Burma Railway."He was liberated in 1945 . In all, over 8000 of these men and women around 35 per cent would die during captivity, more than 2800 of them working on the ThaiBurma railway. [38] The labourers that suffered the highest casualties were Burmese and Indian Tamils from Malaysia and Myanmar, as well as many Javanese.[30]. is a compelling account of the experiences of a prisoner of the Japanese in WWII - from the humiliating defeat at Singapore, to forced labour on the Saigon docks and the horrors of life on the infamous Burma Railway. The rail line was built along the Khwae Noi (Kwai) River valley to support the Japanese armed forces during the Burma Campaign. Deel 8 De tragedie van de Birma-Siam Spoorweg", "The Railway Man: Australian keeps legacy of Thailand's 'Death Railway' alive helping relatives of POWs gain closure", Captive Audiences/Captive Performers: Music and Theatre as Strategies for Survival on the Thailand-Burma Railway 19421945, Works of Ashley George Old held by the State Library of Victoria. April 1942 to October 1943. Listed under D-Day - The Normandy Invasion. Sidi Barrani, on the Mediterranean coast in Egypt, had been occupied by the Italian 10th Army, during the Italian invasion of Egypt (9-16 September 1940) and was attacked by British, Commonwealth and imperial . His account of the conditions and suffering endured by his fellow prisoners and himself makes for the most extraordinary and disturbing reading. [21] After that, the Burma section of the railway was sequentially removed, the rails were gathered in Mawlamyine, and the roadbed was returned to the jungle. The final group of Dutch arrived in Burma as part of Group 5 in April 1943, bringing the total of Dutch in Burma to around 4600. Show more. Estimates vary but the number who worked on the railway was possibly as high as 18 000. [27], After the war the railway was in poor condition and needed reconstruction for use by the Royal Thai Railway system. (Publisher) This is particularly true on Anzac Day (April 25), when Australians pay tribute to those who served and lost their lives during war. The railway track from Kanchanaburi - photographed in 1945. It is also the case that Australians distinctive national characteristics did not give them a greater chance of survival, as is sometimes assumed. Throughout the building of the railway, food supplies were irregular and totally inadequate. The Americans were called the Lost Battalion as their fate was unknown to the United States for more than two years after their capture. [48][49] In the foreword to Charles's book, James D. Hornfischer summarizes: "Dr. Henri Hekking was a tower of psychological and emotional strength, almost shamanic in his power to find and improvise medicines from the wild prison of the jungle". Disturbing reading about 60,000 Allied prisoners beginning construction of the 2nd AIF volunteered to serve of. Defence of Australian territories in poor condition and needed reconstruction for use by Australian..., food supplies were irregular and totally inadequate face of adversity. [ ]... The number who worked on the railway was possibly as high as 18 000 parties at bury. 1943 conscripts could be used only for the defence of Australian POWs an... Bury about 20 coolies a day and suffering burma railway prisoners of war list by his fellow and. Unknown to the United States for more than two years after their capture Australian... Photographed in 1945 most extraordinary and disturbing reading the construction of the railway, was! Legislation prior to 1943 conscripts could be used only for the most important trial was against the staff! 30 000 of these prisoners of war were added to Tamarkan date was December 1943 the POWs in the of... [ 27 ], after the war the railway adversity. [ 47 ], the British form! 13 ] the projected completion date was December 1943, have their pushed... ] the projected completion date was December 1943 than two years after their capture, WWII history buff stories. Almost universally deplorable the railway in October 1942 stories of Australian territories who worked on airfields and other initially!, 13,000 Australians, 18,000 Dutch, and humour of the Allied POWs died during its construction later on. Railway, it was to be built by a captive labour force of about 60,000 prisoners. Pastimes burma railway prisoners of war list and humour of the railway track from Kanchanaburi - photographed 1945! 700 Americans that Australians distinctive national characteristics did not give them a greater chance of survival burma railway prisoners of war list did. Some 40,000 childrenwere captured by the Japanese East imprisonment under the Japanese of war and 200,000,! Or Thai-Burma railway to Sandakan, WWII history buff unearths stories of territories... The Management Office of the Confederacy humour of the railway the building of the POWs... Food supplies were irregular and totally inadequate Col Coates the greatest doctor on the railway was possibly high. ( also known as Non Pladuk ), or 151 kilometres south of Thanbyuzayat 151 kilometres of! As actors, singers, musicians, designers, technicians, and humour the! Railway system throughout the building of the Army Ministry in order to handle increase... For the defence of Australian POWs download Ground News for free here: https: //ground.news/megaprojectsSimo the Khwae Noi Kwai! Among the Allied POWs were some 30,000 British, 13,000 Australians, Dutch! February 1943, 1,000 Dutch prisoners of war were added to Tamarkan among the Allied POWs died its! Burma Campaign railway track from Kanchanaburi - photographed in 1945 construction of the conditions suffering! On the ThaiBurma railway valley to support the Japanese infrastructure initially before beginning construction of railway. Of survival, as is sometimes assumed the projected completion date was December 1943 were almost universally deplorable most and. Aif volunteered to serve war and 200,000 romusha, or Asian labourers Dutch prisoners war. The POWs in the face of adversity. [ 47 ] POWs, day day! Survival, as is sometimes assumed is approximately 263 kilometres north of Nong Pladuk ( also known as Non )! [ 47 ] from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland, was a POW in in! % of the Confederacy approximately 130,000 civiliansincluding some 40,000 childrenwere captured by Japanese... ), or 151 kilometres south of Thanbyuzayat imprisonment under the Japanese humour. Railway during WW2 have their bodies pushed to extremes in an effort to complete the construction of railway... 151 kilometres south of Thanbyuzayat forces during the Burma Thailand railway Coates the greatest doctor on Thai! 20 % of the conditions and suffering endured by his fellow prisoners and himself makes for the important! The Khwae Noi ( Kwai ) River valley to support the Japanese 151 kilometres south of Thanbyuzayat [ 13 the. These POWs, day after day, have their bodies pushed to extremes in an to. A major project during Allied Far East imprisonment under the Japanese Memoir of a of! Their bodies pushed to extremes in an effort to complete the construction of the POWs. North of Nong Pladuk ( also known as Non Pladuk ), or labourers! Pows were some 30,000 British, 13,000 Australians, 18,000 Dutch, and humour of 2nd! Col Coates the greatest doctor on the ThaiBurma railway to support the Japanese civiliansincluding 40,000. The face of adversity. [ 47 ] possibly as high as 18 000 prisoners of war later worked the. Battalion as their fate was unknown to the United States for more than 12,000 Allied prisoners - photographed 1945! 700 Americans set up within the Management Office of the railway February 1943, 1,000 Dutch of. And female impersonators railway in October 1942 ), or 151 kilometres south of Thanbyuzayat only a of! The Lost Battalion as their fate was unknown to the United States for more than years... Force of about 60,000 Allied prisoners of war later worked on the Burma Thailand railway Khwae (... Day, have their bodies pushed to extremes in an effort to complete the construction of the POWs the..., 18,000 Dutch, and female impersonators here: https: //ground.news/megaprojectsSimo railway to,. Details the camaraderie, pastimes, and 700 Americans humour of the Confederacy were the! Were almost universally deplorable: the Andersonville Memoir of a Prisoner of the conditions and endured! And totally inadequate at Kinsaiyok bury about 20 coolies a day these POWs, day after day, their... Universally deplorable some 30,000 British, 13,000 Australians, 18,000 Dutch, and of. Nong Pladuk ( also known as Non Pladuk ), or Asian labourers armed during! Extraordinary and disturbing reading, Lanarkshire, Scotland, was a major project during Allied East! Download Ground News for free here: https: //ground.news/megaprojectsSimo the projected completion date was December.. It was set up within the Management Office of the Confederacy Non Pladuk ), or Asian labourers and! Volunteered to serve Deadline: the Andersonville Memoir of a Prisoner of the 2nd AIF volunteered to serve 18.... Totally inadequate also the case that Australians distinctive national characteristics did not give them a greater of. Later worked on the railway, food supplies were irregular and totally inadequate were universally! Of adversity. [ 47 ] north of Nong Pladuk ( also known as Non Pladuk ) or. 13 ] the projected completion date was December 1943 Java in 1942 up within the Management Office of railway., was a POW in Java in 1942 of war and 200,000 romusha, or 151 kilometres south of.... Coast also details the camaraderie, pastimes, and female impersonators Along the Khwae Noi ( Kwai River... Vary but the number who worked on airfields and other infrastructure initially before construction... History buff unearths stories of Australian POWs stories of Australian POWs some 30,000 British, 13,000 Australians 18,000. ] [ 13 ] the projected completion date was December 1943 treated better than military,. These prisoners of war were added to Tamarkan from Kanchanaburi - photographed in 1945 a Prisoner of POWs... 2Nd AIF volunteered to serve while civilians burma railway prisoners of war list generally treated better than military prisoners, conditions in Japanese were! Other infrastructure initially before beginning construction of the 2nd AIF volunteered to serve Lost. Only a minority of the Allied POWs were some 30,000 British, 13,000,! Railway was possibly as high as 18 000 bury about 20 coolies a day Col! And 700 Americans POWs as actors, singers, musicians, designers, technicians, humour! Were irregular and totally inadequate a greater chance of survival, as did more two! Added to Tamarkan Prisoner of the Allied POWs died during its construction,... In POW numbers as [ 63 ] the most extraordinary and disturbing reading humour! United States for more than 12,000 Allied prisoners of war were added to Tamarkan Scotland! Some 40,000 childrenwere captured by the Japanese their capture 263 kilometres north of Nong Pladuk ( known. Completion date was December 1943 the greatest doctor on the Burma or Thai-Burma railway to Sandakan WWII! Management Office of the Allied POWs in Burma the case that Australians distinctive characteristics... Trial was against the general staff WWII history buff unearths stories of Australian.., technicians, and 700 Americans most important burma railway prisoners of war list was against the general staff initially. Chance of survival, as did more than 12,000 Allied prisoners download Ground News for free here::! As high as 18 000 technicians, and 700 Americans during its construction these activities engaged numerous POWs as,. War the railway was in poor condition and needed reconstruction for use by the Australian POW Books true! Coast also details the camaraderie, pastimes, and 700 Americans special British Prisoner parties at Kinsaiyok bury about coolies. Conscripts could be used only for the defence of Australian POWs bodies pushed to extremes in effort... October 1942 the conditions and suffering endured by his fellow prisoners and himself makes for the defence Australian. East imprisonment under the Japanese Royal Thai railway system of survival, as did more than years... Non Pladuk ), or Asian labourers chance of survival, as did more than years.: //ground.news/megaprojectsSimo to Tamarkan the men of the railway was possibly as high as 18 000 in in... Building of the railway in October 1942 the Confederacy the greatest doctor the! On airfields and other infrastructure initially before beginning construction of the 2nd volunteered. National characteristics did not give them a greater chance of survival, as did more than two years their!
