Crocodiles In One Night Slaughtered Over 900 Japanese Soldiers | by L. Small | THE CURIOSITY | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Director Steve Lawson Writer Steve Lawson Stars Charlie Bond Steven Dolton Ryan Harvey See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video During the night 980 Japanese soldiers are said to have been lost to saltwater crocodiles living in the swamp. One special ops vet felt a sense of connection with fallen comrades while skydiving over the Egyptian pyramids. Furthermore, this official account which contains no mention of the massacre, nevertheless emphasizes the fierce Japanese resistance which lasted into April 1945. The battle is known for claims that many Japanese soldiers were killed by crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Ramree. This disease seriously hindered both sides attempt to gain control of the island. The scattered rifle shots in the pitch black swamp punctured by the screams of wounded men crushed in the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred worrying sound of spinning crocodiles made a cacophony of hell that has rarely been duplicated on earth Of about one thousand Japanese soldiers that entered the swamps of Ramree, only about twenty were found alive.. They used to call the crocodiles the allies. [1], The two species with the most well-known and documented reputation for preying on humans are the Nile crocodile and saltwater crocodile, and these are the perpetrators of the vast majority of both fatal and non-fatal crocodilian attacks. According to one Allied commander: We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. A biologist solves the mystery of two dozen missing animal mummies. [7], The large number of ships was intended to provide more firepower in support of the landing force. Out of the 1,000 Japanese soldiers that ventured into the mangrove swamps, its estimated that only 480 made it out alive. The story of the Ramree massacre was reported in a number of papers, but the tale is still largely apocryphal. Of course, some injured Japanese soldiers were attacked by crocodiles. [21] He established that Bruce S. Wright had not been present on Ramree Island at the time of the battle, and noted that although the other chapters in Wright's book were told in the first person, the account of the battle was in the third person; possibly, Platt speculated, Wright was repeating stories he had been told by friends. The crocodiles, alerted by the din of warfare and the smell of blood, gathered among the mangroves, lying with their eyes above water, watchfully alert for their next meal. This suggests that the Japanese did not suffer a major setback of over 900 men finished off on the night of February 19th. An Australian Army soldier suffered serious head and chest injuries after being mauled by a crocodile that attacked him late on Friday, Australia media . This battle raged on for six weeks as the British forces sought to acquire an airbase to launch more coordinated attacks against the Japanese on the mainland. British combat unit had trapped about 1,000 Japanese soldiers on Ramree Island near Burma. Rachmawan, D., and Brend, S. (2009). The body is protected against danger and predator. [1] These are the West African crocodile (often considered quite harmless,[4] but has been involved in several attacks, also fatal),[5] American crocodile (only a few documented fatalities),[3][6][7] the Morelet's crocodile (typically considered a relatively non-threatening species, but there have been several fatal attacks),[7][8] Orinoco crocodile (fatalities recorded in the 1930s and earlier when the species was more common, but today it is very rare),[9][10] Cuban crocodile (generally considered aggressive, but only one confirmed fatality),[3][11] black caiman (fatal attacks confirmed in Brazil, but possibly underreported because of its remote range),[3] American alligator (making up an estimated 6% of fatal crocodilian attacks),[2] and false gharial (only a few confirmed fatalities, all involving very large false gharials). The soldiers succumbed to the nightly menace, realizing that saltwater crocs were nocturnal and excelled at night hunting. Pooley, S. (2016). The battle is known for claims that hundreds of Japanese soldiers were killed by crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Ramree. The Island had been captured by the Imperial Japanese Army in early 1942, during the invasion of Burma. Typical male specimens reach 17 feet long and 1,000 pounds and the largest can reach 23 feet and 2,200 pounds. The Tragic Story Of Over 900 Japanese Soldiers Slaughtered By Crocodiles | by L. Small | Medium 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. The naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright described the scene unfolding in his 1962 book,Wildlife Sketches Near and Far: That night was the most horrible that any member of the M.L. [7] When the British outflanked a Japanese stronghold, the 900 defenders abandoned the base and marched to join a larger force of Japanese soldiers across the island. Who Were the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece? The rest were according to legend, eaten by crocodiles. We went in with boats and interpreters using loudhailers asking them to come out. pp. [20], In 2000, herpetologist Steven G. Platt visited Ramree Island, where he interviewed residents who had been alive during the war and who had been forced into slave labor by the Japanese; they "unanimously discounted any suggestion that large numbers of Japanese fell prey to crocodiles." Wood, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. [7], The assault troops were slightly delayed when a motor launch and a landing craft struck mines but landed unopposed on the beaches west of Kyaukpyu at 9:42 a.m., securing the beachhead by the afternoon. After a bloody campaign, British troops managed to drive nearly 1,000 enemy combatants off the island into the dense mangrove swamp that covered some 10 miles of Ramree. As you can imagine, what followed was one of the most gruesome and brutal crocodile attacks in history. The fight for the island began after the Japanese landed on June 8, 1942, to begin construction of an airstrip. While crocodiles are prolific killers, historians have long doubted that more than 800 Japanese soldiers were killed at Ramree Island in such a short period of time, and those doubts have only been affirmed by evidence uncovered in recent https://www.coffeeordie.com/crocodiles-eat-soldiers Trevor Pomfret It is located in Myanmar, and it is the most dangerous island in the world. In Hawaii, the Corps deactivated the famous 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Saltwater crocodiles can weigh more than 2,000 pounds and have one of the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom. So when nearly 1,000 panicked soldiers came dripping blood and sweat into the cramped confines of the Ramree mangrove swamp, the giant lizards likely had the feast of their lives. The defeated Japanese soldiers ignored all appeals by the British for their surrender, and instead abandoned their base and entered the swamp. On 23 January, the 71st Infantry Brigade advanced southwards, down the west coast. By doing this, allied forces split the remaining party in two, leaving a group of 1,000 soldiers isolated and trapped. With the ebb of the tide, the crocodiles moved in on the dead, wounded, and uninjured men who had become mired in the mud, The scattered rifle shots in the pitch black swamp punctured by the screams of the wounded men crushed in the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred worrying sound of spinning crocodiles made a cacophony of hell that has rarely been duplicated on Earth. Iceland in Winter: Natural Wonders & Ancient Legends, Vietnam: A Culinary Adventure from Hanoi to Saigon, Antiques and Their Afterlives: Osteological Specimens, Accidental Discoveries: A Celebration of Historical Mistakes, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: St. Foy, Mindful Mixology: Making Non-Alcoholic Cocktails During Dry January With Derek Brown, Designing Immersive Gatherings With Zach Morris of Third Rail Projects, Raising the Bar: Chocolate's History, Art, and Taste With Sophia Contreras Rea, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, How a Groundbreaking Pastry Chef Bakes Outside the Lines. Where did Japanese soldiers get eaten by crocodiles? The battle of Ramree isnt well known, but it should be considered one of the creepiest and most bizarre episodes of World War II. All of the above crocodile attacks could have been avoided. Conservation & Society. At dawn the vultures arrived to clean up what the crocodiles had left.Of about one thousand Japanese soldiers that entered the swamps of Ramree, only about twenty were found alive." The Weapons The Japanese Type 26 revolver was a beautifully executed piece of tactical trash. In addition, the references made to crocodiles are minimal compared to the passages detailing the dangers of malaria. ----------------Visit my unique travel channel on Youtube - Traveling on the Go ----------------- Here is the claim: Allied forces in the Pacific War during World War II trapped 1,000 Japanese soldiers in a mangrove swamp off the coast of Burma in the early months of 1945. In April 2010, a 25-year-old woman from New Jersey was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling in India's Andaman Islands. (2012). Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. 0 20 2 minutes read. It has been estimated that about 1,000 people are killed by crocodilians each year. On the 19th of the month, the Japanese unit attempted to make its way through 10 miles of swamp to link up with a larger unit. Joseph Howard received a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for risking his life to save others. the 26th Indian Division attacked Ramree while . For example, the British official history (War against Japan Volume IV: The Reconquest of Burma, 1965 (2004)) serves as the main source in the study of the Fourteenth Armys attempt to drive the overstretched Japanese from Burma beginning in the late summer of 1944. With a jump in Australia on Monday, Jan. 16, local time, a team of vets set skydiving records to raise money for Folds of Honor. On 21 January, an hour before the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier R. C. Cotterell-Hill) was to land, Queen Elizabeth opened fire with 69 rounds of 15in (380mm)-shell from the main battery, the fall of shot being watched by aircraft from Ameer. The story comes from the writings of Bruce Stanley Wright, a British naturalist who was presumed to be at the scene. Nine vets clinched their first world record of their breakneck skydiving expedition on Saturday, Jan. 14. Since a majority of fatal attacks are believed to be predatory in nature, the Nile crocodile can be considered the most prolific predator of humans among wild animals. But rather than accept surrender, the Japanese chose to make an eight-mile journey through a mangrove swamp. Why Did Ancient Egyptian Men Wear Makeup? Did crocodiles eat Japanese soldiers? No purchase necessary. Death came to them from many different sources, scorpions, disease, drowning and of course the crocodiles. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. How 1000 Japanese Soldiers Where EATEN by Crocodiles.. - YouTube How 1000 Japanese Soldiers Where EATEN by Crocodiles.. @Joe_Juice Subscribe 6 Dislike 0 Share Dont mess with. Several British soldiers said that the crocodiles preyed on the Japanese soldiers in the swamp. British troops sit near a temple on Ramree Island. And in an incident not unlike the infamous U.S.S Indianapolis shark attack that befell American troops later that year, many of these troops didnt survive. Thats when things went from bad to worse and the Ramree Island massacre began. Join the list to receive special offers, updates, and everything about Black Rifle Coffee. How Roman Military Tactics Won Them Their Empire. We do not need to add mythical tales when reality provides a drama played out in all its honor and tragedy. Human-Tomistoma interactions in central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Can an Old Coin Solve the Mystery of a Lost Roman Emperor? Nine hundred soldiers of an Imperial Japanese Army unit, in an attempt to retreat from the Royal Navy and rejoin a larger battalion of the Japanese infantry, crossed through sixteen kilometres (ten miles) of mangrove swamps that contained saltwater crocodiles. They faced an enemy as old. Do you risk your life in the swamp or put your life in the hands of the enemy? The Battle of Ramree Island (Burmese: , (also called Operation Matador) took place from 14 January to 22 February 1945, in the Second World War as part of the offensive on the Southern Front in the Burma campaign by the XV Indian Corps. Dont mess with mother nature. But, of course, the British werent surprised as saltwater crocodiles are notoriously territorial and will attack any human they view as a threat or potential food source. Some of them being so badly injured and mauled that they were later recaptured by the British forces. The Japanese soldiers retreated, and some went into the mangrove swamps. However, first they had to drive off the Japanese invasion force which had already claimed the island. An average saltwater crocodile can easily reach 23 feet. The crocodiles have a long history of attacking humans who wander into their habitats, seeing them as little more than taller, more awkward prey. The passage in Wrights book outlining the supposed crocodile massacre states as follows: That night was the most horrible that any member of the M. L. [motor launch] crews ever experienced. The majority of Japanese soldiers died in combat or drowned, despite the fact that many British soldiers witnessed crocodiles eating dead Japanese bodies. A band of soldiers in search of a secret Japanese ammunition store face off against deadly saltwater crocodiles in the swamps of Ramree Island. British troops monitored the situation from afar at the edge of the swamp. Photoshopped photo courtesy of opposingfronts.com. As a result, saltwater crocodiles are the largest crocodile species in the world and the largest reptile. Too much bad in the world Let us not add to it Attacks by saltwater crocodiles often occur in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. [8] It took until 16 April for the airfield to be used for transport sorties, Akyab having come into use on 1 April. While the idea of encountering a crocodile isnt pleasant, its a whole different matter when youre up close and personal with one. Troops of Japanese Fifteenth Army on the border of Burma. However, we must ask the question: did this event really occur? Nevertheless, some information does exist: for example, it was reported by CAMPFIRE in Zimbabwe that in the first ten months of the year in 2005 crocodiles were the number one cause of death in humans where wildlife was involved with the number of deaths cited as 13. The soldiers were viciously and mercilessly attacked by the crocodiles. However, the. The Burma campaign still lacks the coverage and interest afforded to events in the European theatre during the Second World War. Some say that British troops could hear the cries of the dying men for miles. How 1000 Soldiers Were EATEN by Crocodiles #ramreeisland #jre #jreclips #forrestgalante #crocodiles #ww2history #podcast #fyp #foryou #foryoupage. Required fields are marked *. Sgt. Photoshopped image courtesy of opposingfronts.com. Screenshot showing the 2017 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records adding a note to the previous edition correcting information about the claim that saltwater crocodiles killed hundreds of Japanese soldiers at Ramree Island in World War II. Perhaps the biggest question that the crocodile story doesnt sufficiently answer concerns the staggering death toll: How did only 20 Japanese soldiers survive? 14 (4): 391405. Men of the Wiltshire Regiment from the 26th Indian Infantry Division prepare a meal beside a temple on Ramree Island. Mosquitoes, spiders, poisonous snakes, and scorpions hid in the thick forest and picked off some troops one by one. Japanese Soldiers Burma Crocodiles? Saltwater crocodiles made a meal of the Japanese soldiers after they were bombed and strafed by the RAAF. Unfortunately for the Japanese troops, the swamps of Ramree were infested by countless, very large saltwater crocodiles, which can grow upwards of 20 feet long and over a ton in weight. One thing is for certain: When given the choice of surrendering or taking chances in a crocodile-infested swamp, choose surrender. Sideleau, B. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Another additional problem for the Japanese troops was the lack of drinking water and constant threat of starvation. Trapped in deep mud-filled land, tropical diseases soon started to afflict the soldiers, as did scorpions, tropical mosquitoes and saltwater crocodiles. Royal Flying Doctor Service/Reuters. Jayma April 15, 2022. While crocodiles are prolific killers, historians have long doubted that more than 800 Japanese soldiers were killed at Ramree Island in such a short period of time, and those doubts have only been affirmed by evidence uncovered in recent years that indicates that the true story was buried amid a flurry of sensational reporting. [9], In 1965, the British official historian, Stanley Woodburn Kirby, wrote that the Japanese defence of the island and the escape of about 500 men against "fearful odds", had been courageous and determined. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site. However, gasoline demand has dropped to levels not seen since the early days of the pandemic, revealing how consumers' habits are changing. The battle was bloody and grueling, leaving the Japanese soldiers exhausted yet full of defiance. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. There was a story that hundreds of people died getting slaughter by crocodiles in just one night. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest reptiles in the world. Unfortunately, the battle was at a standstill until the . That night [19 February 1945] was the most horrible that any member of the M. L. [motor launch] crews ever experienced. [8], On 7 February, the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade and supporting tanks reached the town of Ramree and encountered determined Japanese resistance. All Rights Reserved, Matt Fratus is a history staff writer for Coffee or Die. . [2], The most deaths in a single crocodile attack incident may have occurred during the Battle of Ramree Island, on February 19, 1945, in what is now Myanmar. The smell of blood attracted nearby crocodiles, so the bodies of Japanese soldiers were eaten by crocodiles. The Japanese commander refused and considered the options left before him. 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This was particularly so in the mangrove swamps where such reptiles thrive, like on Ramree Island. But what really happened?. As part of his research, he visited the marshes of Ramree Island and interviewed locals. However, there is no specific mention of the crocodile attack devouring over 900 Japanese. The navy also carried 54,000 men, 1,000 vehicles, 14,000 long tons (14,000t) of stores and 800 animals. Frank McLynn, a prominent British historian on the Burma campaign, effectively denounces the crocodile aggression account in his thorough analysis of the Allied effort to retake Burma from the Japanese, The Burma Campaign: Disaster into Triumph 1942-1945 (2011). On Ramree, the Japanese garrison resisted with great determination but on 1 February, the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade reached Sane and parts of the 36th Indian Infantry Brigade, from reserve, took Sagu Kuyun Island and relieved the marines on Cheduba Island. Your email address will not be published. The Scientist Bringing Fresh Fish Back to Philadelphia's Underserved Neighborhoods, A Cottontail Quandary: Chicago's Rabbit Problem, Margarine Once Contained a Whole Lot More Whale, The Beautiful Complexity of Naming Every Living Thing, The New Zealand Birdwatchers Who Fly to North Korea in the Spring, The Love Story Behind L.A.'s Bunny Museum, The Flesh-Eating Beetles of Chicago's Field Museum, A Colossal Squid Is Hiding in New Zealand, An Emotional Visit to Vermont's Dog Chapel, Watch the Cutest Little Hummingbird on Its 3,000-Mile Migration. British Marines landing on Ramree Island in January 1945 at the beginning of the six-week battle. The majority of attacks recorded below have occurred in Southeast Asia and Australia. The only account that seems to prove any of this information comes from Bruce Stanley Wright, who participated in the battle of Ramree. [17], In his 2011 analysis of the Burma campaign, historian Frank McLynn challenged this interpretation, saying, Most of all, there is a single zoological problem. On all fronts, they were attacked by the Allied forces in full strength, leaving them to either surrender or In early 1945, as part of the Pacific War during World War II, Allied forces pinned down 1,000 Japanese soldiers in a mangrove swamp off the coast of Burma (now Myanmar). Crocodiles of Guadalcanal. [18], In 1974, journalist George Frazier reported having asked the Japanese War Office about the crocodile attack and being told that they could not confirm that it had happened. These crocs are the largest reptiles in the world and are capable of bringing down water buffalo. Bruce Stanley Wright has recorded that only about 20 Japanese army soldiers survived and were rescued and as per him up of 1000 Japanese soldiers were attacked and eaten by the crocodiles. And as if these conditions werent bad enough, the swamps were also home to large saltwater crocodiles. McLynn also questions the likelihood of over 900 Japanese troops being killed overnight despite possessing an effective means of defense. These Japanese troops told their captors about the crocodiles. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. However this has not stopped the Guinness Book of World Records to name the incident the Most Number of Fatalities in a Crocodile Attack. A dubious distinction for a horrible event, no matter the real numbers. Tehran remains unusually mum while Neon Defender warships ply Persian Gulf. Hundreds of crocodiles lurked in the murky waters, hungry for human flesh. However, thousands of enemy troops held the island, causing an exhausting battle that went on for six weeks. [22] There, they heard shouting and rifle fire during the night far from the of Allied position. No Japanese survived . After this look at the Battle of Ramree Island that has been dubbed the Ramree Island Massacre, see some of the most powerful World War II photos ever taken. In all, some 500 Japanese fled Ramree despite the blockade created to stop them. Unfortunately, he died of congestive heart failure in February 2013. It had been vital to complete the occupation of Ramree Island quickly, as Operation Dracula against Rangoon needed to commence in the first week of May at the latest, to have a chance of finishing before the monsoon. Crocodiles. In February of 1945, the Japanese army suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of British forces in Burma. Around 500 Japanese soldiers are thought to have escaped those mangrove swamps, and 20 of them were eventually recaptured by the British forces who had set up a perimeter around the thick wilderness. Phoebe also joined the bombardment, along with Consolidated B-24 Liberators, North American B-25 Mitchells and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts of 224 Group Royal Air Force (RAF), under the command of HQ RAF Bengal and Burma, that strafed and bombed the beaches. In January 1945, two infantry brigades from the Indian Army and a detachment of British commandos were dispatched to Ramree Island, the largest island off the coast of present-day Myanmar (then known as Burma). Saltwater crocodiles are not to be underestimated. On January 26, 1945, British troops made their way to Ramree Island so that they could establish a new airbase. (2015). Osama, a saltwater crocodile named after the terrorist Usama Bin Laden, reportedly killed and ate 80 people in Uganda over a period of 14 years beginning in 1991. Situation from afar at the hands of British forces depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about worlds. Some went into the mangrove swamps an effective means of defense Medal for his. 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