Thanbyuzayat - Burma
Thanbyuzayat Base Camp 415k – Burma
Beginning of Burma-Thai Railway
Later ‘Thamby’ became a Hospital Camp
A rail link existed between Moumein to Thanbuzayat to Ye pre war.
Above: ‘A’ Force Burma worked at Victoria Pt, Tavoy and Yet airfields , then most were sent to Thanbyuzayat by train.
Green Force began work at Kendau 4.8km Camp 1st Oct 1942. The first Australians to work on the Rail link.
The first POWs arrived June 1942. 13,000 prisoners passed through the camp of which at least 6,000 were Australian and 4,300 Dutch prisoners of war.
In the Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, 3,626 Allied servicemen (mostly Australian, British and Dutch) are buried here. All prisoners who died on the Burma side have been re-buried at Thanbyuzayat except for the Americans who have been repatriated.
The POWs arrived by train to Thabyuzayat and marched to camp and ordered to assemble. Lt. COL NAGAMOTO Japanese commander of Branches Three and Five work forces, strutted with his samurai sword at his side, to a platform where he stood. He firstly spoke glowing praises for his Emporer, then in his high-pitched, sing-song voice, addressed the prisoners before him:
SPEECH DELIVERED BY LT. COL. Y NAGATOMO TO ALLIED PRISONERS OF WAR AT THANBYUZAYAT, BURMA,
28 OCTOBER 1942
It is a great pleasure to me to see you at this place as I am appointed Chief of the war prisoners camp obedient to the Imperial Command issued by His Majesty the Emperor. The great East Asiatic war has broken out due to the rising of the East Asiatic Nations whose hearts were burnt with the desire to live and preserve their nations on account of the intrusion of the British and Americans for the past many years.
There is, therefore, no other reason for Japan to drive out the Anti-Asiatic powers of the arrogant and insolent British and Americans from East Asia in co-operation with our neighbors of China and other East Asiatic Nations and establish the Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere for the benefit of all human beings and establish lasting great peace in the world. During the past few centuries, Nippon has made great sacrifices and extreme endeavors to become the leader of the East Asiatic Nations, who were mercilessly and pitifully treated by the outside forces of the British and Americans, and the Nippon Army, without disgracing anybody, has been doing her best until now for fostering Nippon’s real power.
You are only a few remaining skeletons after the invasion of East Asia for the past few centuries, and are pitiful victims. It is not your fault, but until your governments do not [sic] wake up from their dreams and discontinue their resistance, all of you will not be released. However, I shall not treat you badly for the sake of humanity as you have no fighting power left at all.
His Majesty the Emperor has been deeply anxious about all prisoners of war, and has ordered us to enable the operating of War Prisoner camps at almost all the places in the SW [southwest] countries.
The Imperial Thoughts are unestimable and the Imperial Favors are infinite and, as such, you should weep with gratitude at the greatness of them. I shall correct or mend the misleading and improper Anti Japanese ideas. I shall meet with you hereafter and at the beginning I shall require of you the four following points:
(1) 1 heard that you complain about the insufficiency of various items. Although there may be lack of materials it is difficult to meet your requirements. Just turn your eyes to the present conditions of the world. It is entirely different from the pre-war times. In all lands and countries materials are considerably short and it is not easy to obtain even a small piece of cigarette and the present position is such that it is not possible even for needy women and children to get sufficient food. Needless to say, therefore, at such inconvenient places even our respectable Imperial Army is also not able to get mosquito nets, foodstuffs, medicines and cigarettes. As conditions are such, how can you expect me to treat you better than the Imperial Army? I do not prosecute according to my own wishes and it is not due to the expense but due to the shortage of materials at such difficult places. In spite of our wishes to meet their requirements, I cannot do so with money. I shall supply you, however, if I can do so with my best efforts and I hope you will rely upon me and render your wishes before me. We will build the railroad if we have to built [sic] it over the white man’s body. It gives me great pleasure to have a fast-moving defeated nation in my power. You are merely rubble but I will not feel bad because it is [the fault of] your rulers. If you want anything you will have to come through me for same and there will be many of you who will not see your homes again. Work cheerfully at my command.
(2) I shall strictly manage all of your going out, coming back, meeting with friends, communications. Possessions of money shall be limited, living manners, deportment, salutation, and attitude shall be strictly according to the rules of the Nippon Army, because it is only possible to manage you all, who are merely rabble, by the order of military regulations. By this time I shall issue separate pamphlets of house rules of War prisoners and you are required to act strictly in accordance with these rules and you shall not infringe on them by any means.
(3) My biggest requirement from you is escape. The rules of escape shall naturally be severe. This rule may be quite useless and only binding to some of the war prisoners, but it is most important for all of you in the management of the camp. You should, therefore, be contented accordingly. If there is a man here who has at least 1% of a chance of escape, we shall make him face the extreme penalty. If there is one foolish man who is trying to escape, he shall see big jungles toward the East which are impossible for communication. Towards the West he shall see boundless ocean and, above all, in the main points of the North, South, our Nippon Armies are guarding. You will easily understand the difficulty of complete escape. A few such cases of ill-omened matters which happened in Singapore [execution of over a thousand Chinese civilians] shall prove the above and you should not repeat such foolish things although it is a lost chance after great embarrassment.
(4) Hereafter, I shall require all of you to work as nobody is permitted to do nothing and eat at the present. In addition, the Imperial Japanese have great work to promote at the places newly occupied by them, and this is an essential and important matter. At the time of such shortness of materials your lives are preserved by the military, and all of you must award them with your labor. By the hand of the Nippon Army Railway Construction Corps to connect Thailand and Burma, the work has started to the great interest of the world. There are deep jungles where no man ever came to clear them by cutting the trees. There are also countless difficulties and suffering, but you shall have the honor to join in this great work which was never done before, and you shall also do your best effort. I shall investigate and check carefully about your coming back, attendance so that all of you except those who are unable to work shall be taken out for labor. At the same time I shall expect all of you to work earnestly and confidently henceforth you shall be guided by this motto
Nagatomo Lieutenant Colonel, Nippon Expeditionary Force
Chief No. 3 Branch, Thailand POW Administration
Thambuzyat became POW War Cemetery (at end of war)
(After the war Army Graves Service located most of the deceased from the camps between Nikke and Moulmein and they were moved to the War Cemetery at Thanbyuzayat.
The total number of graves in Thanbyuzayat is 3,771. 1,588 are British including 27 unknown graves, 1,335 are Australian and 621 are Dutch and numerous others.)
Thanbyuzayat (pronounced Tunboozeeyat) was originally named Than Byu Zayat – translates to mean ‘white-iron’ resting place. A hut or rest house built by devout Buddhists many years before 1939-1945 war as accommodation for passing travellers. Built with a corrugated iron roof with open sides and a dirt floor it afforded a pleasant resting place for weary travellers. Thanbyuzayat was on the railway line south from Moulmein.
At the same time, work ceased on the railway line which had been intended to link Moulmein (64 kms away) with Bangkok.
It became the terminus for the Japanese railway line built during 1942-1945 by POWs to supply essential labour and supplies to Japan’s frontline in Burma. ‘Thamby’ as it became known by POWs became the Japanese Administration Headquarters and POW Base Camp for Branch 3. The first POWs reached ‘Thamby’ via Moulmein by the end of September 1942. Almost all POWs were Australians at Thanby under CO Varley.
In January 1943 a hospital Camp was organised for sick POWs, then numbering about 600. It became a target for Alalied Air attacks because it was a Japanese rail junction with supplies. Several air-raids resulted in POW injuries and deaths. In March the sick were transferred to a new hospital camp at Reptu because of a air bombing raid just a few kilometres away. In May Reptu Hospital Camp was closed and the sick were transferred back to Thanbuzyat.
With the hospital camp and admin situated close to the railway marshalling yards and workshops they were subjected to Allied bombing raids in June there were numerous casualties, causing the camp to be evacuated and POWs and sick were marched to camps further down the line where hospitals had been set up.
Thanbyuzayat continued to be used as a base for POWs arriving to reinforce work parties.
Below: The railyards so close to Thamby POW Camp. Fury was killed during an air raid in 1943.
Ramsay Force arrived at Thanbuzayat staging camp 18 December 1942 and were met by the Commandant, Lt.-
Col. Y. Nagatomo who was described as ‘strutting, pompous Nipponese, small of stature, loud of mouth and full of scathing sarcasm.’ He told them ‘you are the remnants of a rabble army – you don’t even know how to dress properly. We intend to build this railway even if it has to go over your dead bodies.’
Ramsay Force had suffered 9 days sailing in appallingly cramped conditions from Singapore to Mergui where they worked on the aerodrome. Monsoon season arrived and the POWs worked hard in the rain. Rations had been meagre, but they could purchase a few eggs and bananas. They had been under guard of former naval men who happily dished out punishment with some degree of leniency. However Tavoy was very different. This was what they had to look forward to.
On the morning of 20 Dec 1942, Ramsay Force was ordered to prepare to move to Kun Knit Way 26 km camp, fortunately transport had been provided not like the forced march from Ye when the sick had also marched.
By January 1943 Thanbyuzayat was recognised as a base hospital because there were 1,600 patients admitted.
The hospital was located opposite the railway station and workshops – attractive to Allied bombing raids.
This was a base hospital Camp for F Force during the time they were working on the line. Dr. Bruce Atlee Hunt was appointed Senior Medical Officer (he was moved around to other camp hospitals as were all doctors) and in mid 1943 his staff numbered 192 including all volunteer medical orderlies. There were a total of 11 doctors in F Force. Hunt had virtually no medical supplies or equipment.
In early March 1943 30km Reptu Camp was established as a hospital camp however was ordered closed by the Japanese as quickly as it was opened and patients transferred back to Thanbyuzayat Hospital Camp.
On 12 and 15 June 1943 twenty-three prisoners, including 18 Australians, were killed.
In the early afternoon on 12 June 1943 patients at this base hospital camp were thrilled to hear Allied planes approaching, believing they were headed towards Bangkok. A similar experience had occurred several weeks earlier and the POWs who were able, ran outside to see the planes and waved excitedly.
On this day the men suddenly realised the planes were flying low and could see the formation breaking off into three groups. Filled with terror they realised their Camp was the target. The Allied Forces had no means of identifying their POW Camps which accommodated 3,000 men. The Allies were targeting railway workshops and marshalling yards. The POW Camp and hospital was located next to extensive rail yards filled with rolling stock and supplies for Japan’s fighting forces in northern Burma.
Among the injured were 5 Australians deaths when two bombs went astray, falling in the camp compound. That evening every walking man made their way to the cemetery to pay tribute to the Australian, English, American and Dutch who had died. The three Padres conducting the services included Father Corry, 2/4th MGB.
Major Varley and senior officer’s pleas to the Japanese to be permitted to identify POW huts were met with negative answers.
Requests from senior POWs met with no response from the Japanese resulting in feelings of hopelessness amongst the men. Knowledge of an ammunition dump nearby worsened their fears.
Finally the Japanese officer in command, Nagatomo granted permission for a system of slit trenches be built beside each hut. The men and patients were drilled about the procedure to take place next time.
Next time was 3 days later. Another bombing raid occurred on 15 June and this time 13 Australians died and double this number wounded. Allied planes flying above at 2,000 feet were fired at with Japanese machine guns, rifles and pistols!
Terrified by this undisciplined shooting the men had taken to the trenches fearing being hit by Japanese fire. Then came the assault from the air lasting an hour. Huts were bombed amidst the chaos. It must have been a terrifying experience for the helpless and vulnerable POWs, especially being attacked and bombed by their ‘own’.
That evening the funerals were held for the dead, again attended by all POWs including the very sick who could stagger or walk to pay their respects to their mates.
Varley approached the Japanese asking permission to travel to Rangoon to make a broadcast to the Allied Forces to advise the number of POWs at the Camp. This was refused.
On 17 June Nagatomo ordered the evacuation of hospital patients. This immediate evacuation of 3,000 sick men to disused Kendau 4.8km, Wegale 8km and Alepauk 18km Camps whilst Japanese headquarters were set up at 4.8km Kendau Camp located within the Moulmein rubber plantation.
The 8 km march to Kendau 4km campsite was to be on foot, each man carrying his personal belongings and whatever equipment the camp required, walking and staggering in batches of 50 men.
The advance party arrived to find only one hut with a roof. The weather and local scavengers had ravaged the camp leaving 10 huts roofless but with atap sides. It was the height of the monsoon season, 1,000 exhausted, sick men slept in the rain wherever they fell. The first job of the volunteers was to prepare latrines.
Major Colin Cameron from the 2/4th called a meeting of the POW officers. They had not one single doctor amongst them and an entire camp needed to be built. Worse, there were very few fit men amongst them. Major Cameron proved to be a driving force and inspiration to the men. The cooks established makeshift kitchens ensuring the men never went without a single meal.
For those remaining at Thanbyuzayat their Japanese guards well before schedule, ordered the sick out of their huts and into the jungle and rain to take shelter from the daily Allied bombing raids. The POWs were humoured to have their guards to first head for the tallest of trees and then beckon (afraid to yell) them to join them for safety’s sake!
There was one good thing about spending one’s time hiding out in the rain in the jungle avoiding Allied bombing raids – the POWs finally had an opportunity to trade with the locals without the guard’s knowledge.
There was great relief when Nagatomo agreed to transfer some of the seriously sick to Alepauk 18km camp. Within a few weeks all the sick had been moved to Reptu 30 km camp – some provided with transport and for some marching were able to load their gear on transport trucks.
The railway yards, rolling stock and hospital camp at Thanbuyuzat were now wrecked or demolished. The POWs could only regret the deaths of so many of their own. Thanbuyuzat was now a ‘bad memory.’
The camp was abandoned on 22 June 1943 due to continuous allied bombardment.
WX14226 Brazier, Arthur Amos Murray Lance Corporal, farmer of Kirup died18 March 1943 of bacillary dysentery aged 38 years. He enlisted AIF 6 June 1941and later joined ‘A’ Coy No 4 Platoon under Commanding Officers Lt.
Walton and Lt. Learmonth.
WX6632 Clarke, Samuel Lance Corporal, died of dysentery 23 Jan 1943 aged 23 years. Born Essex England, Clarke enlisted AIF June 1940 later joining ‘C’ Coy 12 Platoon under Commanding Officer Mick Wedge.
WX92790 Fury, Thomas Joseph b. Kalgoorlie 1907. Was AWOLat Fremantle, landed Java. Joined ‘Blackforce’ taken POW Java. Sent to work Burma Thai Railway with ‘A’ Force Burma, Java Party No. 4 Williams Force. Tom Fury tragically killed during an Allied air raid 15 June 1943 aged 35 years. Buried Grave No 59. Funeral service conducted by 2/4th MGB Chaplain F. X. Corry.
WX11744 Willamott, George Edwin died Thanbyuzayat 4 June 1943 of dysentery aged 32 years. Grave No. 46A.
George and older brother James Frederick Willamott together enlisted AIF 24 April 1941.
They both trained as a Fitters with 88th LAD, attached to 2/4th MGB.
When George departed with ‘A’ Force for Burma, Jim Willamott must have been unwell because he later left Singapore with ‘F’ Force to work in Thailand on the Railway. He died 6 months after George of dysentery at Kanachaburi 15 Dec 1943 aged 39 years. (it is of coincidence they each died of dysentery)
