Lopburi - Thailand

Lopburi – Thailand

Lopburi is about 150 km northeast of Bangkok.

Following a few months digging tunnels and trenches at Nakom Nayok a group of 100 POWs which included a number of 2/4th, arrived to work at this tented camp about July 1945.

Once again their work involved construction of some form of defence for Japan – concrete gun emplacements set in the hills.

The increased security measures at all the camps were plainly visible to the POWs.  The ditches and bunds were surrounded by barbed wire, there were patrolling guards and machine gun posts on all corners.

Lachlan Grant author of  “Australian Soldier in Asia-Pacific World War 2” wrote POWs working at Lopburi would find boiled eggs left by local Thais on the river bank when they went for their wash at the end of their day.

By this time of the war  it is not difficult to imagine the mens’ health and wellbeing was fragile.   Many felt despair and shared realistic concerns for their lives. Allied bombers flew over every day. Finding the eggs would have lifted their spirits.  The POWs were so grateful for the generosity of locals, who were taking a risk.  Japanese punishment for such action was swift and severe.

The POWs were rightly concerned.  It was obvious the Japanese intended to make a last stand in Thailand – but what would their fate be?

It would seem to these men that God was finally on their side.  For the war ended before the Japanese were able to implement their plans to kill all prisoners!  It was the second atomic bomb which pushed Japan to surrender.   This was the only reason the POWs throughout South-East Asia, Japan, Manchuria, etc. lived to return to their homes, their families and ended Japanese brutality and insanity!

Below: Charles Peter McLoughlin WX9825 provides a brief description of life at Lopburi POW Camp.

2/4th Dr Claude Anderson was recovered from Lopburi at the end of the war.  He was moved from Tamarkan to Lopburi.