14/08/2020
During 1942-43, the Allied prisoners of war were transferred to Sandakan from Singapore by the Japanese to build a military airstrip. They were imprisoned at a camp near Mile 8, now the site of the Sandakan Memorial Park.
Between January and June 1945, more than 1000 malnourished POWs were force-marched to Ranau, 260 kilometres from Sandakan. About half died on the way, killed by the effects of the mountainous jungle terrain, tropical illnesses, malnutrition and brutal treatment by their guards. Anyone who could not keep up was killed. Those who survived this gruelling ordeal succumbed to starvation and illness at the destination camps. Sandakan’s 1400 remaining prisoners, too weak or ill to be moved, died at the camp in appalling conditions.
Local people, who remained loyal to the Allied cause, also suffered terribly. Many were executed. It is estimated that 14 per cent of Sabah’s population died under Japanese rule, from starvation and brutal treatment.
Tomorrow, on 15 August 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War 2, we invite you to tune into a live streaming of a simplified service, to remember all those who suffered and died. Lest we forget.
Catch the live video on this page.
Date: 15 August 2020
Time: 07:30AM – 08:15AM (GMT +08:00)
