Prisoners of War // 21.11

Study guide page 4

How many POW’s were taken by the Japanese

21,467

How many Japanese POW’s died

14,000

What helped POW’s survive

ANZAC Spirit and Mateship

What did POW’s experience in Japanese camps

Japanese ‘bushido’ code meant:

• Prisoners were ‘disgraced’ and therefore there was

  • Scarce, rationed food and water

  • No medical assistance

  • Sickness and disease

  • Escapees executed

  • Forced heavy labour

  • Torture for disobedience

Where and when did the death marches occur

Sandakan, 1942-3

What were the POW’s doing at Sandakan

Forced to build airstrip

Why were the death marches so brutal

3000 Beaten, starved and overworked

• If someone collapsed, they were shot

• Survivors at the end were also shot