The defeated Japanese soldiers ignored all appeals by the British for their surrender, and instead abandoned their base and entered the swamp. If the British 14th Army succeeded in taking the island, it could build an airbase there and use it as a launch point for bombing missions over Burma and Malaysia. 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. Anyhow , Japanese withdrew into swamps when any other military in World War 2 would have surrendered at that point and allied forces heard shouting and gunshots throughout the night as huge salt water Crocs attacked. Details of a fatal attack on a human by a Morelets crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) in Belize. Although most attacks are not reported, the Nile crocodile is estimated to kill hundreds (possibly thousands) of people each year, which is more than all other crocodilian species combined. Of the 1,000 troops who entered the swamp on Ramree Island, only a reported 480 survived. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. How many Japanese soldiers were actually eaten by salt water crocodiles? Reviews indicate that at least half of all attacks by the Nile and saltwater crocodiles are fatal[1] (in Australia, however, only about 25% of saltwater crocodile attacks are fatal). 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. The Allies also had to deal with challenges posed by logistics and supply problems, as well as malaria, cholera, and various other diseases. [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. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. The island is 70 miles south of Akyab and is known as Sittwe. MELBOURNE, Aug 7 (Reuters) - An Australian Army soldier suffered serious head and chest injuries after being mauled by a crocodile that attacked him late on Friday, Australia media reported, with . It wasnt long until they realized that a predator lurked in the water around them. Japanese Soldiers Burma Crocodiles? Dont mess with mother nature. 997. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sideleau, B. If 'thousands of crocodiles' were involved in the massacre, as in the urban (jungle) myth, how had these ravening monsters survived before and how were they to survive later? All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. In September 2005, Russell Harris, a 37-year-old British engineer, was killed by a large saltwater crocodile while snorkeling off Picnic Beach in Australia. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest reptiles in the world. In the memoir, Wright described how he arrived on Ramree after the main battle concluded. And as if these conditions werent bad enough, the swamps were also home to large saltwater crocodiles. And helped launch a corporation now worth more than $40 billion. When Crocodiles Attack: The Ramree Island Massacre. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site. 1000 armed soldiers killed by crocodiles in 2 nights During world war 2, some 1000 armed Japanese soldiers were killed by a group of large crocodiles and medium crocodiles on Ramree island close to Bu. Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 soldiers from the Imperial Japanese Armys 54th Division were entrenched on Ramree. Many of the remainder may have been eaten by the crocodiles, although since this incident took place during an active military conflict, it is impossible to know how many deaths can be directly attributed to the crocodiles instead of combat-related causes.[20]. 8. All rights reserved. I've recently learned about the Battle of Ramree Island and the "death march" through the mangroves that resulted in the battle earning the moniker of "worst crocodile disaster in the world." Trapped in deep mud-filled land, tropical diseases soon started to afflict the soldiers, as did scorpions, tropical mosquitoes and saltwater crocodiles. Refresh the. 13. [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. Havelock Island, where the attack took place, lies 72 kilometres (45mi) from the Lohabarrack Salt Water Crocodile Sanctuary. "[14] Subsequently, the story was incorporated into the Guinness Book of World Records as the worst animal attack ever recorded, due to Wright's statement that "[o]f about one thousand Japanese soldiers that entered the swamps of Ramree, only about twenty were found alive."[2]. They were both Enhancers. The British didnt pursue the fleeing troops closely because the Allies knew what awaited the enemy inside this natural death trap: crocodiles. The design was hopelessly flawed. A Cultural Herpetology of Nile Crocodiles in Africa. Crocodiles are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat anything they can get their mouths on, making the Japanese soldiers the perfect prey. This disease seriously hindered both sides' attempt to gain control of the island. [16], In 2006, Robert Duff, a veteran of the 26th Division, recorded an oral history for the BBC, stating, "after a few weeks we managed to push [the Japanese] to the swamp on the other side of the island, which was full of crocodiles. Crocodiles appeared when the Japanese got deeper into the swamp. The survivors are reported to have told horrific tales of dozens of crocodiles attacking the soldiers en masse, and appearing out of seemingly nowhere to drag off some poor soul. Pooley, S. (2016). (2015). The following day, the 4th Indian Infantry Brigade (Brigadier J. F. R. Forman) landed, took over the beachhead and occupied Kyaukpyu. A subject of much debate and intrigue among World War II historians, the story of how hundreds of Japanese troops met their gruesome fate in the crocodile-infested marshes of Ramree Island became so widely believed that it was included in the Guinness Book of World Records under the entry for most fatalities in a crocodile attack. These Japanese troops told their captors about the crocodiles. As World War II was nearing its end in January of 1945, the island of Ramree off the coast of Burma was the scene of a desperate battle.. As part of his research, he visited the marshes of Ramree Island and interviewed locals. Photoshopped image courtesy of opposingfronts.com. The presence of crocodiles in the Ramree swamps led other servicemen stationed on the island to believe they were a significant factor in the battle's outcome, with one British soldier writing in his diary that "[w]hen the Army landed they drove the Japanese into the swamps and the crocodiles killed hundreds of them. He prides himself on uncovering the most fascinating tales of history by sharing them through any means of engaging storytelling. [3] The experience in co-operation between the 26th Indian Division and the navy in the war of chaungs and small ports along the Arakan coast was intended to be exploited in the attack. But what really happened?. 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. The British then sent word that the smaller, isolated Japanese group should surrender. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Its estimated that 20 Japanese soldiers made it out of the other side of the swamp where British troops were waiting for them. 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. It was clear that the constant dosage of blood essences was losing its effectiveness for Yue Zhong, and if he continued at his current rate of consumption, it was most . We went in with boats and interpreters using loudhailers asking them to come out. One night the British soldiers reported hearing panicked screams and gunfire emanating from within the darkness of the swamp. The nights were said to have been filled with dire screams, gunfire, and the sounds of animal attacks. Unfortunately, it seems that the Japanese didnt know what awaited them in the swamp, or they were so desperate to escape that they didnt care. An estimate put naval gunfire support from 4 January to 13 March for the land operations at Akyab, Ramree and Cheduba at 23,000 shells. Can an Old Coin Solve the Mystery of a Lost Roman Emperor? The incident was even included in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1968 under worst crocodile disaster in the world as well as most fatalities in a crocodile attack (despite there being not a single death officially recorded). Last updated on July 22nd, 2022 at 09:57 pm. An accurate count of annual crocodile attacks on humans is difficult to obtain. [22] Likewise, vultures often appeared over areas [British] forces had never reached[22] Wright ultimately concluded the Japanese did not die from crocodiles alone but also from "thirst" and "wounds."[22]. British Marines landing on Ramree Island in January 1945 at the beginning of the six-week battle. However, death toll estimates vary. One by one the crocodiles picked off the soldiers at night, dragging them into the swamp and mauling them to death. Of about 1,000 Japanese soldiers, it's estimated that only 20 survived. 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 There is a long history of saltwater crocodiles attacking humans who wander into their habitats, and ultimately only 520 out of 1000 Japanese soldiers managed to survive the Ramree swamps. Estimated to be around 6 metres (20ft) in length and to weigh more than 900 kilograms (2,000lb). [10], In the 1965 edition of the British official history, Stanley Woodburn-Kirby wrote that the Japanese force suffered about 500 men killed and twenty men taken prisoner; British losses were "trifling".[11]. 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. [marine launch] crews ever experienced. [22] Interviewing other members of the S.R.U., Wright reported that two of the men abandoned their paddleboards during the battle and climbed up a mangrove tree to avoid a crocodile. With the ebb of the tide, the crocodiles moved in on the dead, wounded, and uninjured men who had become mired in the mud.. "[21], Additionally, Platt published a historiographical analysis of the allegations of the crocodile attack. The story comes from the writings of Bruce Stanley Wright, a British naturalist who was presumed to be at the scene. Unknown to the Imperial Japanese Army, the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island are home to an unknown number of the largest reptilian predator in the world - the saltwater crocodile. The Legend of Dick Bong: World War II Ace of Aces, Medal of Honor Recipient and Crocodile Killer? While the Ramree Island Massacre story may seem far-fetched, it is a true story. The battle is known for claims that hundreds of Japanese soldiers were killed by crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Ramree. One special ops vet felt a sense of connection with fallen comrades while skydiving over the Egyptian pyramids. Of course, the threat posed by saltwater crocodiles was an ever-present one in the Far Eastern theatre of World War Two. British veterans of the battle report hearing the piercing and never ending screams of the hundreds of Japanese soldiers in the night as the crocodiles attacked mercilessly. Since Ramree was strategically important, the Allies launched an attack in 1945 to retake the island and establish airbases to support the mainland campaign. Finally, the British soldiers realized the Japaneses situation and urged them to surrender to avoid further bloodshed. However, we must ask the question: did this event really occur? Recent reports of fatal attacks on humans by crocodiles in Mexico. Swamps are their natural habitat, and humans are no match for their speed, size, agility, and raw power. It was just that their levels were low. 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. In January 1945, during World War II, the Allies were fighting the Japanese at the Battle of Ramree Island in Myanmar. Cheduba Island was not garrisoned and the 22nd East African Brigade was sent to hold Ramree Island. Upon entering Ramree Island in the Bay of Bengal in early 1945, Japanese troops encountered a very uncertain situation. Do you risk your life in the swamp or put your life in the hands of the enemy? Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 28(1): 911. Innumerable crocodiles had gathered in the swamps under the water, attracted by the smell of blood coming from the dead and wounded Japanese soldiers. 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As the Indian and British troops closed in, the Japanese soldiers were faced with two options: They could stay and fight or attempt to flee through the marshes and escape by sea. In this official account there are references to the menace posed by saltwater crocodiles at Ramree Island. What awaited them there was a horror beyond comprehension. Despite these numerous hazards, one danger stood out as the greatest. Wood, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Some editions of the Guinness Book of World Records have attributed the highest number of fatalities in an animal attack to the battle; zoologists and modern military historians have dismissed these claims. They faced an enemy as old as the dinosaurs and just as fierce.Help support my channel - see below for details:https://www.paypal.me/markfeltonproductionhttps://www.patreon.com/markfeltonproductionsDisclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. This story has gained increasing credence in recent years. A landing party of Japanese mistook North Australian tide times and heights , landing at low tide and getting stuck waist deep wading in mudflats in the Northern Territory . In January 1945, two. 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. On all fronts, they were attacked by the Allied forces in full strength, leaving them to either surrender or An army of 1000 Japanese soldiers was decimated by saltwater crocodiles during the Battle of Ramree Island of World War II. After weeks of bitter fighting, the Allies managed to drive the last surviving Japanese soldiers into mangrove swamps surrounding the island swamps populated by thousands of saltwater crocodiles. 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. Find out what happened when 900 Japanese soldiers, trapped by a British landing on Ramree Island, Burma in 1945, tried to retreat through 10 miles of mangrove swamps. Unfortunately, these reptiles are some of the most territorial species on earth and arent afraid to show aggression toward people, especially biting. So while the historical accounts are unclear, the British almost certainly did encounter the 20 Japanese soldiers who explained the horrors they endured. The likeliness of hearing of the Battle of Ramree Island is incredibly small due to it not being one of the Second World Wars most significant skirmishes, but many consider it one of the oddest and creepiest stories in the history of warfare. We do not need to add mythical tales when reality provides a drama played out in all its honor and tragedy. In all, some 500 Japanese fled Ramree despite the blockade created to stop them. [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. This disease seriously hindered both sides attempt to gain control of the island. It has been estimated that about 1,000 people are killed by crocodilians each year. the 26th Indian Division attacked Ramree while . They decided to flee. The majority of attacks recorded below have occurred in Southeast Asia and Australia. It is difficult to counter any of the reasonable arguments put forward by McLynn as there is simply no evidence to the contrary. A Japanese air raid on 11 February seriously damaged a destroyer with a near miss and forty small craft were sent by the Japanese from the mainland to rescue the survivors of the garrison. The Japanese understood that saltwater crocodiles have a reputation for eating humans but they went into the mangrove swamp of Ramree Island anyway. 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. It is not difficult to imagine what happened to the Japanese who took refuge in the mangroves! 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. Kaori had been a kendo practitioner before the apocalypse, while Kyoko was a successor of the Tenshin-style sword arts. The Japanese soldiers retreated, and some went into the mangrove swamps. Dr. Sam Willis, an award-winning historian, archaeologist, and host of National Geographics Nazi Weird War Two, investigated some of World War IIs most bizarre stories, including Hitlers methheads and Himmlers haunted castle. Troops of Japanese Fifteenth Army on the border of Burma. [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. However, the. Various British soldiers did indeed witness crocodiles devouring dead Japanese bodies, but Willis ultimately determined that the majority of Japanese soldiers died in combat or drowned. The current evidence, which is clear but limited, suggest we should not believe it. The largest crocodile alive is Cassius who is about 100 years old. (2014). 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. The rest were according to legend, eaten by crocodiles. According to one Allied commander: During the Battle of Ramree Island in World War II, an army of 1000 Japanese soldiers were wiped out by saltwater crocodiles. Without an accurate reporting system in place, crocodile attacks in Africa are difficult to track and very few are reproduced here. These reptiles can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh 2,000 pounds, with many being known to eat animals as big as Indian water buffalo. The saltwater crocodile Cassius measures 17 feet three inches . On Feb. 24, 1945, Reuters war correspondents reported that Japanese soldiers trying to escape Ramree island were "being forced by hunger out of the mangrove swamps and many have been killed by crocodiles. The Island had been captured by the Imperial Japanese Army in early 1942, during the invasion of Burma. If Wright's claims were correct, the Ramree crocodile attacks would still be the most tragic . If you dont attempt the crossing, you must face the enemy troops closing in on you. However, those with a more investigative eye cannot help but be skeptical of this bizarre tale from history. These specimens could also live more than 70 years, meaning they had plenty of time to practice their hunting skills. Unfortunately for the Imperial Japanese Army, the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island are home to an unknown amount of the largest reptilian predator in the world, the saltwater crocodile. 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. These crocs are the largest reptiles in the world and are capable of bringing down water buffalo. And they werent shy about attacking either. It took the lives of hundreds of Japanese soldiers. 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. 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. Massacre story may seem far-fetched, it & # x27 ; s site predator lurked the. People, especially biting these conditions werent bad enough, the British didnt pursue fleeing... Been filled with dire screams, gunfire, and instead abandoned their base and entered the swamp arts... Only a reported 480 survived crocodile attacks in Africa are difficult to counter any of the swamp on Island... 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