August 5, 1944, at least 1104 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape from a prisoner of war camp near Cowra, New South Wales, Australia, in the single largest and bloodiest breakout of World War II.
The war is long over but many believe ghosts remain from this event.
The war is long over but many believe ghosts remain from this event.
Prisoners of War
No.12 POW Compound Cowra. 300kms West of Sydney (by road) is the town of Cowra. Cowra was the closest township to the No.12 Prisoner Of War compound during WW2. This compound was responsible for the detention of over 4000 military and civilian personnel of the axis powers. Although the camp would become renowned for the 1944 breakout of Japanese POW's it also detained Italian military personnel and Indonesian civilians.
The POW camp (known as 'Cowra' from here on in) opened in June 1941 but the first prisoners, Italians, were not transferred there until four months later in October. At first prisoners were accommodated in tents but were quickly put to work building the weatherboard huts they would later move into in 1942. The first Japanese prisoner was Toyoshima Hajime who was captured by aborigines when his aircraft was damaged in the bombing of Darwin. He was handed over to the Australian Military and subsequently sent to Cowra.
The POW camp (known as 'Cowra' from here on in) opened in June 1941 but the first prisoners, Italians, were not transferred there until four months later in October. At first prisoners were accommodated in tents but were quickly put to work building the weatherboard huts they would later move into in 1942. The first Japanese prisoner was Toyoshima Hajime who was captured by aborigines when his aircraft was damaged in the bombing of Darwin. He was handed over to the Australian Military and subsequently sent to Cowra.
Sergeant Hajime Toyoshima who would blow the bugle and start the breakout. The Italians within the POW Camp would often be sent out to local farms and nearby communities to work on the properties. They were not seen as a threat of either escape of violence unlike the 'unruly' Japanese prisoners. The Japanese were kept in Compound B and by mid 1944 it was exceedingly overcrowded. For the Japanese capture was a violation of traditional and ethic codes and the large chasm of cultural differences saw that they and their Australian guards did not get along.
To begin with security was fairly light at Cowra. The guards mainly consisted of old or disabled veterans as well as younger soldiers unfit for front line duty. However after the Japanese riot in Featherston POW camp in New Zealand security was stepped up with the instalment of Vickers and Lewis machine guns. These were nested around the camp and anyone attempting an unauthorised exit would have to deal with them.
To begin with security was fairly light at Cowra. The guards mainly consisted of old or disabled veterans as well as younger soldiers unfit for front line duty. However after the Japanese riot in Featherston POW camp in New Zealand security was stepped up with the instalment of Vickers and Lewis machine guns. These were nested around the camp and anyone attempting an unauthorised exit would have to deal with them.
Breakout!
Sunday Telegraph headline. On the third of June 1944 a Korean prisoner reported to the guards that the Japanese were soon to stage a breakout by storming the garrison, taking the weapons and escaping. At first this was dismissed but it became very apparent that the Korean prisoner was telling the truth when further rumours started to spread.
A plan was formed to have the lower ranked Japanese prisoners moved to another camp. This was set to happen on the 5th of August and the day before hand, the 4th, the Japanese were informed of this course of action.
A plan was formed to have the lower ranked Japanese prisoners moved to another camp. This was set to happen on the 5th of August and the day before hand, the 4th, the Japanese were informed of this course of action.
Blankets and bodies were used to traverse the barbed wire. At 1:58am on the 5th a bugle was sounded. At that moment the Japanese prisoners from compound 'B' charged the perimeter armed with knives, baseball bats, axe handles and other improvised weapons. They threw either blankets or themselves across the barbed wire so the others could climb over. The guards opened fire with their rifles and the nested machine guns. Many Japanese fell before making it to the first gun nest killing the guards within.
That night 359 POW's escaped. All were recaptured within ten days or found having commited suicide. Many POW's were also killed by their fellow prisoners for failing to act. All up 231 POW's and 4 Australian soldiers were killed during the breakout or the subsequent rounding up including Toyoshima Hajime who blew the Bugle that signalled the start of the escape.
The 'Cowra Breakout' was one of the largest prison breaks of World War 2 and the largest revolt in Australian History. No.12 POW Compound 'Cowra' closed in February 1947.
That night 359 POW's escaped. All were recaptured within ten days or found having commited suicide. Many POW's were also killed by their fellow prisoners for failing to act. All up 231 POW's and 4 Australian soldiers were killed during the breakout or the subsequent rounding up including Toyoshima Hajime who blew the Bugle that signalled the start of the escape.
The 'Cowra Breakout' was one of the largest prison breaks of World War 2 and the largest revolt in Australian History. No.12 POW Compound 'Cowra' closed in February 1947.
Haunted?
Burial of the four Australian soldiers killed. The Old POW camp is said to be one of the most haunted locations in the country. Not a lot remains of the camp itself with most of the buildings now being reduced to the foundations or a few crumbling walls. Music of an obvious 'Eastern' flavour has been heard very softly through the night while many footsteps can be sometimes heard shadowing the visitor. The presence of children can be seen, heard and felt. These children could possibly be from the school that existed in the compound to educate the detained Indonesian civilians.
It would also seem that psychics and mediums have the greatest experiences upon entry, more than a few have stated that the energies of a very large number of dead Japanese still haunt the earth within the now demolished perimeter fenceline.
It would also seem that psychics and mediums have the greatest experiences upon entry, more than a few have stated that the energies of a very large number of dead Japanese still haunt the earth within the now demolished perimeter fenceline.
By Ashley Hall 2014
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