DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Sandakan War Memorial Gardens

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Off Topic > Sandakan War Memorial Gardens

Page 1 of 1

Print this entire topic ·

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

Sandakan War Memorial Gardens

Have visited the Sandakan War Memorial Gardens which is a beautiful and peaceful site on what must be one of the contenders of the worst concentration camp ever.

We are probably all aware of the atrocities carried out in the European concentration camps and places like the Burma railways etc. However I wonder if any concentration camp has a more terrible record of killing nearly 100% of the prisoners? Off about 2,500 allied servicemen involved only 6 Australian servicemen survived by escaping.

Numerous locals were also killed for aiding the allies as well and they are also remembered there.

No official records remained as they were destroyed, most of the history come from the locals and the 6 survivors in the form of oral history.

Yes human kind can inflict terrible punishments on other humans. However one guard showed his 'human side' by allowing some of the prisoners to scavenge for food snakes/insects whilst on work parties.

Not ashamed to admit was close to tears after reading the accounts of the survivors. Yes they did roll when I read those last three little words. Lest we forget!

Respect to the Govt of Sabah and the Australian Returned Veterans Association for making such a wonderfully peaceful place out of a place of utter suffering.

Brendan

2nd Jan 2014 12:30pm

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3755

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Keswick Green

Sandakan,...Indeed a terrible place, & well remembered by the Aussie military.
Pickles.

2nd Jan 2014 10:22pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

Probably better remembered in Australia and Malaysia then in Britain.

The Burma railway work parties are probably better remembered in Britain due to the film 'Bridge over the River Kwai'

However films and Hollywood may depict some of the horror but they can also distort history as well

Brendan

4th Jan 2014 9:24am

Pickles

Member Since: 26 May 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3755

Yes, they do indeed divert history. I saw "bridge", & I enjoyed it, but it's nowhere near the truth!
The Asian WW11 experience is still very clear in the minds of most Aussies, even nearly 70 years after the event.
Cheers, Pickles.

4th Jan 2014 10:38am

Page 1 of 1

All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum