I, personally, am a very linear thinker. I like things in order. In an effort to put the entries in LTC Tharp’s diary into the overall context of the TBR, I have integrated a number of sources. The primary sources are LTC Tharp’s personal diary (labelled Th) and a USN document of a similar nature as a diary (labelled NAVY). Those labelled as ME are from a multitude of sources; too numerous to credit. Finally, the Thai-Burma Railway Centre (TBRC) published a list of “Significant Dates” which I have integrated. Futamatsu was a professional Engineer on the TBR who published a book on his TBR experiences. Names like Fillmore, Owtram and Berrie are from other sources of which I came into possession.
There are a few mis-connections in some of the dates, but I present them as published. The overall concentration is on the movements and events related to the US POWS (Th and NAVY entries) but I think it is important to know how those fit in with other events that define the TBR.
AUG 2022 Update: In order to honor them, I have added all of the TBR-related deaths and the contents of CPT Cates diary as well as citations found in a number of newly available texts:
The US POWs in the company of others from Java were sent to a number of destinations in addition to the TBR. Some, the E Battery contingent and Zeigler Party went directly to Japan (via Singapore). Many of the officers ended their captivity in the Mukden camp in Manchuria; some direct, others post-TBR. Sumatra was the destination for a few. A handful never left Java.
ME | Jan-41 | dates in red are approx = correct to mo/yr | updated 1 DEC 24 |
Stone | 12-Jan-1941 | RTA attacks thereby beginning the Franco-Thai war | http://books.stonebooks.com/history/vichyvssiam.shtml |
Stone | 17-Jan-1941 | RTN defeated at Ko Chang | |
Stone | 28-Jan-1941 | Jp brokered cease -fire | |
Stone | 9-May-1941 | Peace agreement signed with Jp | |
Hashimoto | 18-Oct-41 | Railway Corps started planning the railway construction. | |
Th | 11-Nov-1941 | 2/131 departed Camp Bowie | |
Th | 14-Nov-1941 | arrived Ft Mason CA | |
Th | 21-Nov-1941 | sailed SS REPUBLIC from SF | |
Th | 28-Nov-1941 | arrived Honolulu | |
Th | 29-Nov-1941 | departed Honolulu on SS Republic | convoy of NIAGRA PENSACOLA Holbrook Meigs Bloemfontein Halstead Chaumont Coast Farmer & Republic |
Beattie | 10-Dec-1941 | HMS Repulse & Prince of Wales sunk off Malaya | 327 & 513 KIA respectively |
Th | 13-Dec-1941 | arrived Suva Fiji | |
Beattie | 16-Dec-1941 | Japanese invade Burma | |
Th | 20-Dec-1941 | re-routed to Australia | |
ME | 21-Dec-1941 | Thai-Japan alliance signed | PM Phibun |
Th | 22-Dec-1941 | arrived Brisbane | |
Th | 23-Dec-1941 | to Ascot Race Course | |
Th | 25-Dec-1941 | began loading Bloemfontein | |
Th | 30-Dec-1941 | departed for Darwin | |
Th | 2-Jan-1942 | convoy with PENSACOLA | Holbrook Chaumant & Liberty (sunk) |
Fritshe | 8-Jan-1942 | Charles Mott shot down near TAK | first US POW in Thailand |
ME | 11-Jan-1942 | 131 lands at Surabaja Java along w/ 26th FA Bde | aboard Dutch ship Bloemfontein |
ME | 25-Jan-1942 | Thailand declares war on the Allies | US AMB Willys Peck interred as prisoner |
Th | 27-Jan-1942 | 19th Bomb Grp; 44 men arr from Mindanos PI | |
Th | 28-Jan-1942 | 22nd Bomb Grp from AUS | |
Th | 3-Feb-1942 | 2 TXNG KIA on B-17 during first air raid | PFC John Bingham & PVT Don Barnes |
Horn | 4-Feb | Battle of Makassar Strait; damaged by bombing | 46 KIA in aft turret |
ME | 4-Feb | 131 servicing planes at Singosari | Malang DEI |
NAVY | 5-Feb | withdraw for interim repairs at Tjilatjap, Java | |
Th | 9-Feb-1942 | air raid destroys 1 75-gun & 3 vehicles | SGT Sparkman injured during air raid |
Martin | 14-Feb-1942 | combined air and amphibious assault to seize Sumatra | |
Horn | 15-Feb | engages a Japanese Force in the Straits of Timor while escorting a convoy | |
ME | 15-Feb | Singapore surrenders | |
Th | 16-Feb-1942 | British AA Batt (40mm guns) arrive Singosari | |
Martin | 18-Feb-1942 | Black force under BG Blackburn (AUS) formed | 2/131 ordered to support; multiple ammo and commo difficulties |
Martin | 19-Feb-1942 | Air raid on DARWIN leaves port facilities damaged | much shipping re-routed to Perth or Freemantle |
Martin | 20-Feb-1942 | capture of Timor Island | |
Martin | 20-Feb-1942 | BG Wavell begins evacuation of Allied troops from Java | included abt a dozen 2/131 liaison personnel |
Th | 20-Feb-1942 | air raid | CPL Holder wounded E Batt |
Th | 24-Feb-1942 | visited COL Searle at Bandoeng USF HQ | discussed a general evacuation |
Martin | 25-Feb-1942 | ABDA command on Java is dissolved | defense of Java in the hands of the Dutch |
Th | 26-Feb-1942 | orders to support Black Force under BG Blackburn | total troop strength abt 2900 |
Th | 26-Feb-1942 | 26th FA Bde to Tjilatjap harbor for evac | 17 (18) men reassigned to 131 as replacements for those assigned/evacuated with the AAF |
Th | 26-Feb-1942 | E Batt to remain Singosari / Surabaja | under the command of Dutch Gen Ilgen |
ME | 27-Feb-1942 | Battle of the Java Sea | Adm Doorman KIA |
Th | 27-Feb-1942 | left Malang for Jakarta | |
ME | 28-Feb | Houston and Perth sunk in Sunda Strait | 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 34 of the 74-man Marine Detachment |
Th | 28-Feb-1942 | to Tasikmalaja | |
TBRC | 1-Mar-1942 | Jp issues TBR orders | |
Th | 1-Mar-1942 | to Buitenzorg reported to Black Force | |
Martin | 2-Mar-1942 | AUS 2/2 Pioneers; 2/3 & 2/4 MG BNs guard the Leuwillang Rvr bridge | 2/131 in support |
Martin | 3-Mar-1942 | E Batt ‘liberates’ a warehouse and eats their last full meal for years to come. | |
Hashimoto | 4-Mar-42 | GSO ordered the Southern Army Cmd to start the Burma Operation. | |
Th | 4-Mar-1942 | to Sourkaboeni | |
Th | 5-Mar-1942 | to Bandoeng (rubber plantation) | PVT RHODES Bruce “Dusty” KIA of acc GSW/booby trap |
Martin | 6-Mar-1942 | E Batt establishes itself in the Surabaja zoo | |
Th | 7-Mar-1942 | fall back to Garoet race track then tea plantation | |
Hashimoto | 8-Mar-1942 | IJAʼs 15th Army occupied Rangoon | |
Martin | 8-Mar-1942 | capitulation; about 11,000 Allied troops became POWs plus their Dutch hosts | elements of the IJA Eastern landing force reach the southern port of Tjilitap |
Mansell | 9-Mar-1942 | Franklin Gottlieb Goedel; US citizen serving with KNIL captured | born 1901 PHILA PA; died Jan 44 at Changaraya camp; re-buried at Thanbyuzayat |
Berrie | 10-Mar-1942 | CPT Dodson and small grp captured on Madura Island | E Batt attempted evasion |
ME | 11-Mar-1942 | GEN McArthur departs Corregidor | |
Futamatsu | 13-Mar | first Railroad Engineers arr BanPong | |
Hashimoto | 15-Mar-42 | Railway Corps started the field research for railway construction. | |
Th | 18-Mar-1942 | began march to Batavia | |
Th | 19-Mar-1942 | to Tjbatoe by truck (Tandjoen Priok docks area) | |
Hashimoto | 23-Mar-42 | IJA requests 3,000 Thai laborers | arrival of POWs from Singapore promised |
Rogers | 25-Mar-1942 | Main 131 grp to Chinese school compound in Batavia | |
ME | 26-Mar-1942 | first USN dies of wounds | LT(jg)Francis Weiler |
Th | 30-Mar-1942 | to Bicycle Camp | met by 14 other ARMY (?) and 343 HOUSTON survivors |
Futamatsu | Apr-42 | 3000 Australians depart for Burma as A Force | [see 14 May] |
Hashimoto | 3-Apr-42 | No.5 Flying Division took an aerial photo of the construction area. | |
NAVY | 5-Apr-1942 | LT Ross w/ 25 USN arr Bicycle Camp | |
Maher | 6-Apr-1942 | 8 (senior) HOUSTON staff to Japan | including CDR Maher to Zentsuji / Omori |
NAVY | 13-Apr-1942 | Lt(jg) Hamlin w/ 35 arr BC | Detre(OH 475); Melvin Mahlant |
NAVY | 13-Apr-1942 | COL Searle arr BC w/ 2 enlisted | |
NAVY | 15-Apr-1942 | 150 USN arr BC | unspecified as to service USN / USMC? |
NAVY | 15-Apr-1942 | Flt Sgt John Morgan of Eagle Sqrd arr BC | (fraudulent US POW) |
Hashimoto | 18-Apr-42 | Doolittle airstrikes on Japan | |
NAVY | 5-May-1942 | first USN death from dysentery | LT Ross died |
AWM | 14-May | 3,000 Australian POWs left Changi to Burma (known as A-Force) | 2/30 Bn Ramsey & 2/4MG Green |
Hashimoto | 14-May-42 | A Force 3000 was dispatched to Burma. | |
NAVY | 14-May-1942 | 131 TXNG arr BC [confirmed by others] | also SM1c CL Seal is w/ TXNG ??? |
Mansell | 20-May-1942 | British Sumatra (aka Medan) C Force arr Hlepauk (18 KILO) | Capt(Dr) Coates; 500 men |
AUS | 26-May-1942 | A Force arrives Burma | via TAVOY on Celebres Maru |
Hashimoto | 31-May-42 | IJA offered the Railway construction to the Thai Govt. | |
Futamatsu | Jun-42 | 3000 British depart Changi for BanPong | RASC Maj Sykes in command |
Hashimoto | 1-Jun-42 | IJA formally requested the Thais to permit the POW camp in Ban Pong | |
Tamayama | 7-Jun-1942 | Southern Army orders TBR construction | |
Hashimoto | 8-Jun-42 | Battle of Midway and IJNʼs defeat | |
TBRC | 18-Jun | 3,000 British POWS left Changi to Ban Pong aka Grp #1 | aka the Mainland Party |
Ramsey | 23-Jun-1942 | Sykes grp of 600 British arr BanPong/NongPlaDuk | |
ME | 29-Jun-1942 | US AMB Willys Peck departs Thailand | |
Hashimoto | 30-Jun-42 | 675 more POWs arrived in Ban Pong (mainly British) | 3,150 POWs in Ban Pong |
Futamatsu | Jul-42 | 4th RR Bn begins work at ChungKai-Khao Poon | |
ME | 1-Jul-1942 | 131 non-POW death in AAF crash | PVT Byron West |
Owtram | Jul-42 | UK 137th FA departs for TBR | 2 camps at Ban Pong / Kho Ma |
ME | 5-Jul-1942 | Japanese engineers begin to survey the route of the TBR | |
AUS | 8-Jul-1942 | B Force departs for Borneo | 1500 AUS to Kunchig camp |
NAVY | 9-Jul-1942 | Flt Sgt John Morgan injured in fall | |
Owtram | 20-Jul-1942 | first (British) 137FA death at Ban Pong | UK POWs doing road construction |
Futamatsu | Aug-42 | survey has proceeded as far as ThaKilen (K 98) | |
Hashimoto | 15-Aug-42 | Thai POW Camp Administration was officially established. | |
Hashimoto | 16-Aug-42 | C Force 2.2K to Japan | to Kobe and Naoetsu camps |
Futamatsu | Sep-42 | tracks completed to Kanchanaburi | |
Futamatsu | Sep-42 | camp at WangYai (HQ camp #3 at K 125) established | |
Reminick | 10-Sep-1942 | Michel sinks the AMERICAN LEADER | |
Hashimoto | 15-Sep-42 | 60 POWs from No.2 Camp (NPD) arrived at Chungkai. | by mid-OCT 500 more |
ME | 16-Sep-1942 | Nong Pladuk marker dates beginning of construction | Thais build first 50 Km in TH |
Th | 18-Sep-1942 | new camp Commandant and guards replace at BC | |
Owtram | 20-Sep-1942 | monsoon floods BanPong camp | |
Hashimoto | 27-Sep-42 | Thai Railway Bureau started the construction between Ban Pong and Kanchanaburi | |
Fillmore | 1-Oct-1942 | USN personnel given plaque vaccine | |
Futamatsu | Oct-42 | during this month a total of 14,260 POWs sent north | |
Hashimoto | 1-Oct-42 | Thai POW Camp Command established No.4 Camp. | |
Hashimoto | 1-Oct-42 | 3,000 POWs under the 9th Railway Rgt transferred to #1 and 2 camps | |
TBRC | 1-Oct-1942 | Grp 3 (Green Force) begin work at Kandaw (KILO 4) | start of TBR construction in Burma |
NAVY | 2-Oct-1942 | Fz – Gilmore, Hiner, Stenland & 124 men depart BC | 89 AUS in that party aka Grp 3 |
Th | 4-Oct-1942 | Fz party of 191 depart BC aka GRP 3 on King Kong Maru | includes 62 Houston under LTjg Hanlin |
Mansell | 5-Oct-1942 | Anderson Force arr Than (0 KILO) aka A-force | 750 Ors; 37 Off & 38 Wos |
2/4 MG Bn | 8-Oct-1942 | Grp 4 depart Java on Kimmon Maru | 1500 AUS depart BC |
Hashimoto | 9-Oct-42 | 2,000 POWs moved from Ban Pong to Kanchanaburi. | |
Hashimoto | 9-Oct-42 | 800 POWs of No.2 Camp left Ban Pong for Chungaki. | |
NAVY | 10-Oct-1942 | Zg party of 68 US depart for Japan | Tacoma Maru |
TBRC | 10-Oct-1942 | A-Force arr at Hlepauk (18 Kilo) | 710 men only |
Th | 10-Oct-1942 | Zg grp selected | 67 US to Japan |
Fillmore | 11-Oct-1942 | Th party departs BC 488 men aka GRP 5A | Lt(jg) Hamlin cdr of 237 enl & 9 off from Hous |
Fillmore | 11-Oct-1942 | Th 5A sails from Priok on Da Nichi Maru | Tharp has dengue (per Rogers) |
Hashimoto | 11-Oct-42 | Malaya POW Camp started to transfer 17,000 POWs. | completed in early NOV |
Hashimoto | 11-Oct-42 | 600 POWs of No.2 Camp arrived at Chungkai. | |
Owtram | 11-Oct-1942 | 800 137FA depart for KAN then ChungKai by barge | 3 day trek |
Th | 11-Oct-1942 | Th 5A departs BC 488 US 362 AUS 150 Dutch | aka JAVA Party 5A |
Hashimoto | 13-Oct-42 | 600 POWs, the first batch of the main party, arrived in Ban Pong | |
Fillmore | 15-Oct-1942 | Th 5A arrive Singapore; by truck to Changi | |
Mansell | 15-Oct-1942 | E Batt depart Surabaya for Bicycle camp | |
ME | 15-Oct | E Batt Dodson grp of 12 arr Batavia | had escaped to Madura; date per Ray Robinson |
Hashimoto | 19-Oct-42 | Chalkerʼs party arrived in Ban Pong. | |
ME | 20-Oct | Tacoma Maru departs Java for Singa; 1600 Brit / Dutch POWs | AAF 1Lt Teborak & MSG John F Smith and SM2c Marvin Sizemore |
2/4 MG Bn | 23-Oct-1942 | Grp 4 depart Singa on Meabashi Maru | |
Fillmore | 23-Oct-1942 | first 131 death on Java from dysentery | PVT Griffin died on Java |
NAVY | 23-Oct-1942 | [year of death is recorded as 1943 in some places] | PVT Griffin died on Java |
2/4 MG Bn | 24-Oct-1942 | Organized into Black and Williams Forces | 43 in Williams; 593 in Black |
AUS | 24-Oct-1942 | 2/2 Pioneer & Perth surv arrive Burma; Williams Force | 884 AUS sent to+D168 35 Km camp |
2/4 MG Bn | 26-Oct-1942 | Arr Thanbyuzayat | |
2/4 MG Bn | 27-Oct-1942 | Wm F to KILO 35 (Tanyin) | |
Th | 27-Oct-1942 | Zg Grp depart for Japan | 60 US ; 200 Dutch; 12 AUS; |
2/4 MG Bn | 28-Oct-1942 | Wm F to KILO 45 (Anakwin) | |
Hall/Bhaze | 28-Oct-1942 | AUS Anderson & Williams Forces combine into Mobile Force #1 | |
Th | 28-Oct-1942 | MAJ Horrington grp arr BC E Batt | 100 US |
Mansell | 30-Oct-1942 | 4600 Dutch from Sumatra arr Wagale (8 KILO) | |
TXNG | 30-Oct | Fz Grp arr Betetaung (40 KILO) | as part of LtCol Chris Black Force w/ 610 Aus; 111 Du |
Mansell | 31-Oct-1942 | 7 Grps dep Singa as R-X Parties | 4450 Br |
Mansell | 1-Nov-1942 | 6 Grps dep Singa as L-Q Parties | 3900 Br |
Th | 2-Nov-1942 | E Batt arrives Changi | Battery CDR CPT Dodson not present [to Mukden] |
Th | 5-Nov-1942 | Grp 5A at Changi | total strength 1387 |
ME | 6-Nov-1942 | AMERICAN LEADER Capt Pederson and crew at BC | from German Raider Michel |
Mansell | 7-Nov-1942 | E Batt depart Singapore for Japan | |
Stanbrough | 15-Nov-1942 | Zg Grp arrive Moji Jp | |
Toosey | Nov-42 | LtCol Toosey’s Force of British begin work on Bridge 277 | abt 1500 men (from GRP #1? @ NPD) |
Toosey | 15-Nov-1942 | first death at TMK | 200 more would follow |
ME | 26-Nov | CRM Harmon Alderman KIA when Tafuku Maru sunk near Jp | [had been left behind by Zg Party] |
AUS | Nov-42 | C Force departs for Japan | to Kobe and Naoetsu camps |
Fillmore | 28-Nov-1942 | E Batt departs Changi for Japan | Horrigan Michie 2 USN and CIV David Hicks with E Batt |
Reminick | 29-Nov-1942 | SS Sawolka sunk near Madagascar | 16 MM & 4 USNR gunners KIA |
Teel pg95 | 29-Nov-1942 | Fz Grp to 25 Kilo camp (Kun Knit Kway or Konnoki) | laying rails |
Hashimoto | 15-Dec-42 | 5th Railway Regiment requested Ba Maw to provide labourers. | |
Hashimoto | 15-Dec-42 | Labourer recruitment began in Burma. | |
Hall/Bhaze | 18-Dec-1942 | Ramsay Force arr at Kunhnitkway (26 KILO+C160) | |
Hashimoto | 18-Dec-42 | Ban Pong Incident occurred. | |
NAVY | 20-Dec-1942 | 1000 Dutch depart Changi | |
Owtram | 20-Dec-1942 | Officers at ChungKai ordered to build a bridge | Officer’s Bridge |
Th | 28-Dec-1942 | COL Searle departs (to Taiwan)? | en route to Mukden |
NAVY | 1-Jan-1943 | USN 231 USMC 8 civ 1 at Singapore | |
NAVY | 2-Jan-1943 | COL Searle and 46 senior officers arrive Changi | [see 28 DEC] |
Mansell | 3-Jan-1943 | A-Force arr at Tanyin (35 Kilo) | joins Williams Force=Mobile+D122#1 |
Th | 6-Jan-1943 | John Morgan exposed as BRIT | Pvt St McKenzie added to USN party |
Th | 7-Jan-1943 | Th 5A party depart Changi | 431 enl & 25 off of Hous |
Th | 9-Jan-1943 | Th 5A depart Changi by train | left behind: Kelly Porter Martin [Johnson & McManus] |
Th | 9-Jan-1943 | Th 5A arr Prai (Indo) moved to ship | Tharp has malaria |
AWM | 10-Jan-1943 | Dunlop force of 900 arr TH mvd to Kunyo (151 Km) | first Java AUS in TH |
Th | 11-Jan-1943 | Th 5A dep Prai on Moji Maru | 488 US ; 150 Dutch 365 AUS |
Fritshe | 15-Jan-1943 | 3 B-24s; one flown by Col Conrad Necrason | 7th Hvy Bomb Grp; Ansanal India |
Hashimoto | 15-Jan-43 | Railway Corps requested the IHQ to recruit 80,000 labourers. | |
Hashimoto | 15-Jan-43 | Japanese ship ʻMoji Maruʼ, transporting US & AUS POWs, was attacked by the Allied forces | |
Rogers | 15-Jan-1943 | LTC Tharp wounded in temple by bomb fragment | this injury continued to plague him |
TBRC | 15-Jan | Anderson and Williams Force join at Tanyin (35 KILO camp) | |
Th | 15-Jan-1943 | convoy bombed Nichimei Maru sunk | KIA 5 AUS; 43 Dutch MIA-KIA; 2 PERTH KIA; 960 Du rescued |
Hashimoto | 16-Jan-43 | Commander Shimoda of Railway Corps flew to Burma | |
Th | 17-Jan-1943 | Th 5A arr Moulmein to District jail | 966 Dutch rescued after sinking |
Owtram | 20-Jan-1943 | many POWs from ChungKai move farther along | CK converting to hospital camp |
TXNG | 21-Jan-1943 | Th 5A arr Thanbyuzayat base camp | |
ME | 23-Jan-1943 | first USN death on TBR – Beri-beri | SM1c Asa Young |
Th | 24-Jan-1943 | Griffith, Fowler and Tharp to Thanbyzayat camp | |
Th | 25-Jan-1943 | Th 5A begin move to 18 KILO (Hlepauk) | |
Fillmore | 26-Jan-1943 | Fowler & Tharp to 18 KILO | |
Hashimoto | 26-Jan-43 | Shimodaʼs plane crashed into the jungle, Burma. | |
Th | 28-Jan-1943 | CPT Elkin last at 18 KILO | |
Th | 3-Feb-1943 | E Batt death on Java | PVT Abileno Hernandez dies Surabaya |
Filmore | 4-Feb-1943 | LT Ferrey party of 9 officers arr Batavia (19th BGrp) | date ?[where were they held?] |
Hashimoto | 5-Feb-43 | IHQ order to shorten the construction period by four months. (by 31 Aug) | |
Hashimoto | 5-Feb-43 | POWs of No.5 Camp arrived at Thanbyuzayat, Burma. | |
ME | 10-Feb-1943 | wooden railroad bridge over Mae Klong finished | 1000 Dutch arrive at TMK |
Toosey | Feb-43 | 4 of Toosey’s men executed for escape attempt | |
Rogers | 16-Feb-1943 | MAJ Rogers advanced to 85 KILO | |
Hashimoto | 28-Feb-43 | first labourer recruitment ended with 13,950 applicants in Burma. | |
Hashimoto | 1-Mar-43 | The ʻSpeedoʼ rush-work period began. | |
Hashimoto | 2-Mar-43 | IJA requested the Thai Govt. to recruit 13,000Burmese labourers. | |
Hashimoto | 3-Mar-43 | Commander Shimoda and the aircraft crew’s bodies were found. | |
Teel pg103 | 10-Mar | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 35 KILO camp (Tanyin) | joined by Ramsay Force per TBRC |
Hashimoto | Mar-43 | 6th POW HQ camp at Hindat established | 45K POWs in Thailand |
Mansell | 15-Mar-1943 | Anderson Force arr Kunknikway (26 KILO) | |
Hashimoto | 17-Mar-43 | D Force 5000 to Thailand | |
Mansell | 18-Mar-1943 | Ramsey Force moved to Meiloe (75 KILO) | combined w/ Green & Black Forces |
Fillmore | 19-Mar-1943 | Th 5A moved to 85 KILO | MAJ Wright at 18 K with sick grp |
Teel pg104 | 20-Mar | Fz Grp 3 arrive at Thetkaw (14 KILO) | |
ME | 22-Mar-43 | first USMC death on TBR malaria at 80 KILO | SGT Joe Lusk |
Fritshe | 23-Mar-1943 | 9th Bomb Sqrn strafes TBR bridges in Burma | |
Th | 25-Mar-1943 | MAJ Wright grp to 30 KILO | 94 sick in party |
AUS | 28-Mar-43 | E Force departs for Borneo | 1000 AUS to Sandakan |
Fritshe | 5-Apr | 9th Bomb Sqrn destroy 2 TBR bridges in Burma | |
TXNG | 5-Apr | Fz Grp 3 return to 25 KILO camp (Kun Knit Kway) | |
Th | 6-Apr-1943 | Th 5A marched to 80 KILO | |
ME | 7-Apr-1943 | USMC PVT Donald Hill dies at BC of dyesentery | |
Rogers | 7-Apr-1943 | Th 5A moved to 80 Kilo camp | Tharp carried by cart; too ill to walk |
NAVY | 9-Apr-1943 | Fowler grp departs for Japan; (207 total) | only traveled as far as Saigon |
Th | 13-Apr-1943 | second USN death on TBR | SF1c James White |
ME | 14-Apr-1943 | GRP 4 departs Java with H-Force(1) | |
Futamatsu | 15-Apr-1943 | iron span bridge completed at 277 site | Toosey says end of the month |
Hashimoto | 15-Apr-43 | Transport of 70,000 romusha labourers from Malaya began | |
Hashimoto | 15-Apr-43 | 32,184 labourers were recruited in Burma. | |
ME | 15-Apr | the WangPo viaduct completed | 400m in only a few weeks |
Reminick | 15-Apr | Michel drops POWs at Singapore | Sawolka crew |
Hashimoto | 17-Apr-43 | Chinese labourersʼ dispatches began, completing on 26 May. | |
Mansell | 17-Apr-1943 | Java Party 3000 dep Singa | 2831 Du; 151 AUS; 3 Br |
AUS | 18-Apr-1943 | F Force departs for BanPong | 7000 AUS + 10 US |
Hashimoto | 18-Apr-43 | F Forceʼs first party left Singapore for Thailand. | LtCol Harris in command |
ME | 18-Apr-1943 | YM1c Irving Felix dies of TB in BC | |
AWM | 25-Apr-1943 | construction begins on Hellfire Pass | also 25 APR = ANZAC Day |
AUS | Apr-43 | G Force departs for Japan 1500 | arr Moji on Kyokko Maru |
Teel pg111 | 26-Apr-1943 | Fz Grp to Anankwin (45 Kilo) | 18 IJA killed in a rail car accident |
Th | 30-Apr-1943 | announce beginning of SPEEDO period | |
2/4 MG Bn | May-43 | Williams and Anderson Forces combined into #1 Mobile Force | |
2/4 MG Bn | May-43 | elements of 2/2 ENG added to #1 Mobile Force | |
Teel pg119 | 2-May-1943 | Fz Grp return to 18 KILO camp (Alepak) | |
Th | 4-May-1943 | 30 sick moved to KAN camp #3 | |
AUS | May-43 | H Force departs for BanPong | 1900 UK and 2200 AUS; US Mer Mar |
Futamatsu | 5-May-1943 | 1411 Bra& 670 AUS (H Force) depart | LtCol Humphries in command |
NAVY | 5-May-1943 | 41 US moved to KAN #1 Thamakan | joined with Rogers Party of 110 US |
Hashimoto | 6-May-43 | Ba Maw decided to recruit additional 21,000 labourers. | |
Hashimoto | 7-May-43 | F Force Commander Col Banno arrived at Kanchanaburi. | |
Hashimoto | 8-May-43 | F Forceʼs rear HQ arrived at Tarsao (130 km). | |
Th | 8-May-1943 | MAJ Wright party left 30 KILO | |
Wins/F | 10-May-1943 | AUS portion of F Force arr KonKoita Kilo 263 | |
Hashimoto | 11-May-43 | H Forceʼs first party departed to Thailand 3270 | |
Hashimoto | 11-May-43 | Cholera broke out at Lower Nieke. | |
2/4 MG Bn | 13-May-1943 | Williams Force to KILO 57 (Taungzun) | |
NAVY | 14-May-1943 | Marine 1SG Dupler dies at Than of dysentery | |
Teel pg119 | 14-May | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 30 KILO camp (Retpu) | |
Hashimoto | 15-May-43 | Wood-Higgsʼ party arrived at Konkoita.[263] | |
Hashimoto | 15-May-43 | cholera at Lower Nike (276) | |
TBRC | 15-May-43 | H-Force(2) dep Singa includes 19 US ARMY & NAVY | including Sawolka crewmen |
Wins/F | 15-May-1943 | AUS of F Force moved to Upper KonKoita Kilo 270 | due to cholera at Konkoita in romusha |
Wins/F | 15-May-1943 | 1800 AUS of F Force arr Lower SongKurai Kilo 294 | first cholera case diagnosed among AUS |
AUS | 16-May-43 | J Force 900 departs for Japan | Moji and Kobe camps |
Wins/F | 16-May-1943 | Br portion of F Force arr KonKoita | |
Hashimoto | 17-May-43 | Rickwoodʼs party arrived at Lower Songkrai. | |
Hashimoto | 18-May-43 | Wood-Higgsʼ party arrived at Lower Nieke. | |
Hashimoto | 19-May-43 | F Force parties from Trains 7, 8 and 9 left Lower Nieke. | |
Hashimoto | 19-May-43 | Cholera spreads at Lower Songkrai (288) | |
ANZAC | 20-May-43 | 2000 F Force arr Shimo SongKurai (288) | https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/burma-thailand-railway-and-hellfire-pass-1942-1943/locations/camps-f-force/shimo-songkurai-camp |
Th | 24-May-43 | MAJ Rogers advanced to 100 KILO | |
ANZAC | 26-May-43 | cholera at Changaraya (K301) | 159 of 700 Br died |
Hashimoto | 26-May-43 | Chinese labourersʼ (romusha) dispatch completed. | |
Hashimoto | 28-May-43 | IJA requested additional labourers from Singapore | |
Th | 28-May-1943 | Th 5A marched to 100 KILO (Regue) | |
TBRC | 29-May-1943 | TH 5A arr Regue (100 KILO camp) | |
TBRC | 30-May | H-Force arr Tonchan/Tarsao (K284) | |
Wins/F | 31-May-1943 | 11 men attempt escape from Lower SongKuria | declared MIA; probably executed |
Th | 1-Jun-1943 | first SPEEDO deaths | |
Hashimoto | 2-Jun-43 | 17,615 labourers were recruited in Burma. | |
Hashimoto | 3-Jun-43 | Ullmannʼs party left Tamuron Pat (K244) | |
Wins/F | 4-Jun-1943 | all work ceases at Shimo SongKuria (K288) | due to cholera and ill health / 1000 unfit |
AUS | Jun-43 | K & L medical Forces depart for BanPong | worked the highlands area in Thailand; 365 men |
Hashimoto | 5-Jun-43 | Ullmannʼs party arrived at Konkoita. | |
Wins/F | Jun-43 | reports of Burmese at Nike | all with dysentery / cholera |
Wins/F | Jun-43 | Lt Downes RAF commits suicide in river | near Nike (K 282) |
Wins/F | 6-Jun-1943 | 700 AUS at Thingomtha (K 273) | 368 ill;4 cholera deaths |
Wins/F | 8-Jun-1943 | 300 AUS tfx from Thingomtha to Nike (K 282) | 100 unfit to work |
ME | 12-Jun | US POW killed in Allied bombing in BURMA | CPL Edwin Wilson |
NAVY | 12-Jun-1943 | hospital camps now at 4 8 and 18 KILO | MAJ Elkins & Lt Bourn |
Hashimoto | 13-Jun-43 | F Forceʼs medical officer Huston arrived at Nieke | |
TBRC | 15-Jun | Mobile Force #1 arr Taungzun (60 KILO) | start of cholera outbeak ( Burmese origin?) |
Reminick | 16-Jun | first cholera death at Hintok | |
Th | 16-Jun-1943 | prepared return to 80 KILO | notified WILSON KIA in bombing |
Th | 17-Jun-1943 | 25 US among 100 sent to 80 KILO as hospital | |
Wins/F | 21-Jun-1943 | F Force cholera outbreak ends | 101/210 died |
Owtram | 24-Jun-1943 | appt as ChungKai commandant | 5000 POWs in camp |
Hashimoto | 25-Jun-43 | K Force left Singapore for Thailand. | 235 medical personnel; sent to augment F Force |
Wins/F | 25-Jun-1943 | 400 AUS to (Upper) Kami SongKurai Kilo 299 | previously occupied by romusha w/ cholera |
Th | 27-Jun-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | EM3c Calvin Benner dies of dysentery |
NAVY | 28-Jun-1943 | MAJ Elkins & Lt Bourn sick at 80 KILO | |
HELLFIRE | 30-Jun-1943 | construction of Hellfire Pass completed in abt 9 weeks | strtd 25 APR |
Owtram | 30-Jun-1943 | 124 deaths at CK due to cholera | men arrive by boat |
ME | 1-Jul-1943 | first 131 death on TBR(Th) from Tropical ulcer | PVT James Drake |
Wins/F | Jul-43 | decision to establish ‘hospital’ at Thambaya | |
Wins/F | Jul-43 | Br officers escape at SongKurai resulted in severe punishment | rations withheld |
Wins/F | 3-Jul-1943 | Pond’s Bn (AUS) tfx to Thakanun (K 222) | 458/636 ill; 13-15 hrs work periods were the norm |
Hashimoto | 5-Jul-43 | Bradley and 9 other POWs escaped from Sonkrai No.2 | |
Wins/F | 8-Jul-1943 | 216 of 400 at Kami SongKuria ill | 7/11 cholera deaths; 100 w/ malaria; <100 fit |
2/4 MG Bn | 13-Jul-1943 | Wm F#1 to KILO 72 (Mezali) | |
Teel pg122 | 14-Jul-1943 | Fz Grp to LONSI (62 KILO) | |
Th | 17-Jul-1943 | first Fz death SM2c James Musto of dysentery | SM1c Flyod Armour (Th) dies of dysentery |
Hashimoto | 19-Jul-43 | Harris wrote to Banno formally requesting to postpone the escapeesʼ executions. | |
Hashimoto | 20-Jul-43 | 85,738 labourers were recruited in Burma. | |
Th | 22-Jul-1943 | 4 non-US died of cholera at 100 KILO | |
Th | 22-Jul-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | PVT Wendell Carney dies |
Th | 23-Jul-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of beri-beri | PVT Julius Anderson dies |
Wins/F | 24-Jul-1943 | AUS advance party to Thambaya | |
Wins/F | 26-Jul-1943 | 70 ill AUS tfx from Thakanun to KAN | |
Wins/F | 30-Jul-1943 | first of 1900 F Force tfx to Thambaya | |
Th | 31-Jul-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | 1Lt Hampton dies |
Owtram | Aug-43 | 157 deaths at ChungKai | |
Th | 1-Aug-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | CPT Lumpkin dies |
Wins/F | Aug-43 | 1075 from Lower Nike (K 276) tfx to Tambaya | |
NAVY | 2-Aug-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | SGT Howard Hall dies |
Hashimoto | 3-Aug-43 | F Forceʼs sick men were evacuated to Tambaya Hospital Camp. | |
NAVY | 3-Aug-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of TU | PVT Eugene Silva dies |
Wins/F | 5-Aug-1943 | 700 of F Force consolidated to SongKurai (K 294) | |
Grehan | 6-Aug-1943 | 400 of 1600 F Force deceased | |
Wins/F | 8-Aug-1943 | 670 Br & 1020 AUS tfx to Kami SongKurai (K 299) | 50% unfit |
NAVY | 12-Aug-1943 | died during amputation for Tropical Ulcer | GM3c Pye dies undergoing amputation |
Wins/F | 13-Aug-1943 | 135 cholera cases at Thingomtha (K 273) | Pond’s Bn |
Hashimoto | 15-Aug-1943 | New Commander Ishida arrived at Railway Corps | |
Wins/F | 15-Aug-1943 | Burmese tfx to augment F Force | some A Force personnel as well |
Owtram | 16-Aug-1943 | huge influx of ill to ChungKai | many on verge of death |
Grehan | 18-Aug-1943 | 1000 of 7000 F Force deceased | per LtCol Harris F Force CDR |
Wins/F | 20-Aug-1943 | 1600 Br of F Force completed the “Bridge of 600” at SongKurai | 600 men died |
Hashimoto | 23-Aug-1943 | L Force 115 (medical) to Thailand | sent to augment F Force |
Hashimoto | 25-Aug-1943 | 2000 Burmese arr to replace F Force | |
Wins/F | 25-Aug-1943 | 209/429 at Thingomtha too ill to work | Pond’s Bn |
Wins/F | 27-Aug-1943 | 4 F Force executed for attempted escape | |
ME | 29-Aug-1943 | SM1c Lyle Rozelle dies at Tarsoe | 1/3 from H-Force Hintok |
TBRC | 30-Aug-1943 | highest death toll of 1643 in this month | |
2/4 MG Bn | 1-Sep-1943 | Wm F#1 to KILO 77 Apalon | |
2/4 MG Bn | Sep-43 | F Force at Changaraya (K 303) | 200 die of cholera |
Owtram | Sep-43 | 221 deaths at ChungKai | |
Wins/F | 2-Sep-1943 | 620 F Force tfx to Thambaya | |
Reminick | 7-Sep-1943 | 149 AUS & 150 Brit deceased at Hintok; many of cholera | |
TBRC | 8-Sep-43 | Dunlop force at Hintok | 3-tiered bridge/tresle at Hintok completed; 31 men died |
2/4 MG Bn | 11-Sep-1943 | Wm F#1 to KILO 85 (Kyondaw) | |
ME | 11-Sep-1943 | PVT Samuel Jones dies at 80 KILO camp of TU | thought to have died during amputation |
Teel pg126 | 11-Sep-1943 | Fitz Grp arr Kyondaw (85 KILO) | |
Wins/F | 13-Sep-1943 | round the clock work ordered at SongKurai | some worked non-stop for 96 hrs |
Wins/F | 15-Sep | final cholera case at Kami SongKurai | 50/150 cases died |
ME | 16-Sep | PFC Edward Kalous (prior 26FA) dies at 100 KILO of TU | [first non-TXNG Army death] |
2/4 MG Bn | 17-Sep-1943 | Wm F#1 to KILO 108 (Payathonzu) | |
ME | 17-Sep | PFC Harry Gray (LIBERTY surv) dies at 80 KILO of dysentery | [second non-TXNG Army death] |
TBRC | 17-Sep | Mobile Force #1 arr Paya Thanzu Tuang (108 KILO) | |
ME | 18-Sep | third USMC death | USMC Cpl Holsinger dies of TU at 80 KILO camp |
Hashimoto | 19-Sep-43 | The railway reached Sonkrai No.2 from the Burmese side. | |
Wins/F | 19-Sep-1943 | rest holiday declared as work completed near SonfKurai | |
2/4 MG Bn | 21-Sep-1943 | Wm F#1 to KILO 116 (Kami Songkurai) | cholera in nearby ramusha camp / F Force |
Hashimoto | 21-Sep-43 | The railway reached Tamaran Pat (244km) from the Thai side. | |
Wins/F | 29-Sep-1943 | report that 348 F Force had died at Thambaya | >20 died en route |
Owtram | Oct-43 | 255 deaths at ChungKai | |
Wins/F | Oct-43 | 149 deaths/1566 strength at Kami SongKurai this month | |
ME | 6-Oct | SM1c Donnis Wilson (Th) dies at 80 KILO of dysentery | LAST USN TBR worker death |
ME | 10-Oct | PFC Glen Moore dies at F&H hosp KAN of dysentery | 2/3 Hintok deaths |
Wins/F | 10-Oct-1943 | deaths at Thambaya now 415 | |
Hashimoto | 17-Oct-43 | The railway was connected from both sides at Konkoita. | |
ME | 17-Oct | PVT Johnny Jowell dies at 80 KILO of TU | LAST 131 TBR worker death |
Ramsey | 17-Oct-1943 | Thai portion 263 Km; Burmese 152 Km completed | |
Futamatsu | 23-Oct-1943 | official TBR completion ceremony | Thai and Burmese sections of line were joined near Konkoita |
Hashimoto | 25-Oct-43 | The railway completion ceremony was held at Konkoita. | |
ME | 28-Oct | PVT Billy Thomas dies at F&H hosp KAN of beri-beri | 3/3 Hintok deaths |
Teelpg127 | 3-Nov-1943 | Fz Grp to 114 KILO camp | no named camp at 114Km |
Rogers | Nov-43 | Tharp nearly blind from vitamin deficiency | also MAJ Rogers |
Withnall | Nov-43 | PVT Thomas Whitehead to ChungKai hosp | tropical ulcer |
Wins/F | 10-Nov-1943 | deaths at Thambaya now 600 | 438 Br & 162 AUS |
Futamatsu | 15-Nov-1943 | An average of six trains per day operated for the life of the line | <1000 tons/day delivered |
Hashimoto | 15-Nov-43 | F Force POWs evacuated the up-country camps to Kanchanaburi. | |
Hashimoto | 15-Nov-43 | The Aoki Incident occurred at Sonkrai No.2. | |
ME | 17-Nov | USMC Pvt Wilson dies of malnutri at Songkurai 114 | 4th and last USMC death |
Wins/F | 17-Nov-1943 | begin tfx of F Force in Thailand to KAN | |
ME | 29-Nov | PVT Ray Baldwin dies in ETO | 131 transfered to AAF |
Owtram | Dec-43 | 1096 deaths at ChungKai between Jun and Dec | up to 15 per day |
Owtram | Dec-43 | CK popn at 900 officers and 8000 ORs | many arriving now by train |
Wins/F | 2-Dec-1943 | F Force from KAN begin return to Singapore | by ship via BKK |
ME | 3-Dec | CPL Nolan Kalich dies of meningitis | E Batt at Nagasaki Jp |
ME | 12-Dec | GM3c Gene Fanghor dies of Diphtheria | first Zg Party death Ohasi Jp |
ME | 12-Dec | EM3c Alfred Seidel dies of bronchitis | last Zg Party death Hakodate Jp |
Hashimoto | 15-Dec-43 | F Force returned to Singapore with 3,000 dead. | |
Hashimoto | 15-Dec-43 | 14,000 Malay labourers and 5,000 Chinese labourers were employed. | |
Wins/F | 23-Dec-1943 | most of F Force in Singapore; 893/3662 AUS dead | |
Reminick | 25-Dec-1943 | 116 H-Force survivors of 525 POWs arr Singa via KAN | AUS grp 184 of 600 survived |
2/4 MG Bn | 26-Dec-1943 | Williams Force #1 to KILO 122 | wood cutting camp |
NAVY | 27-Dec-1943 | initial Th 5A moved to KAN “rest camp” | housed at Camp #3 |
NAVY | 29-Dec-1943 | most Th 5A still at 100 KILO | ARMY 8 off 58 enl; USN 4 off; 74 enl |
Rogers | 29-Dec-1943 | Tharp moved on litter | |
Th | 29-Dec-1943 | moved from 100 KILO to KAN camp #2 by train | less 148 non-fit men left at 100 KILO w/ MAJ Rogers |
NAVY | 31-Dec-43 | last USN arr KAN | |
ME | 1-Jan-44 | Th 5A moved to 195 Kilo Camp; cut wood for train fuel | |
NAVY | 7-Jan-1944 | ill tfx from 80 KILO to Kanchanaburi | |
NAVY | 7-Jan-1944 | 20 US from 114 KILO to 105 KILO | 114 camp = Songkurai |
Teel pg130 | 10-Jan-1944 | Fitz Grp begin move to KAN | |
2/4 MG Bn | 11-Jan-1944 | Wm F#1 to KILO 131-33 (Nike) | wood cutting camp |
2/4 MG Bn | 12-Jan-1944 | Wm F#1 began TFx to Kanchanaburi | ill taken by rail |
Reminick | 15-Jan-1944 | 4000/7000 F & 2000/3000 H return to Singa | |
TXNG | 17-Jan-1944 | Fz grp to Kanchanaburi | |
Th | 19-Jan-1944 | strength at KAN: 900 Br/Am/Au 2300 Dutch +150 at Tamarkam | per ration records |
2/4 MG Bn | 25-Jan-1944 | Wm F#1 back to KILO 114 (Changaraya) | |
NAVY | 26-Jan-1944 | marched from 100 to 105 KILO | |
NAVY | 26-Jan-1944 | Thaiyanusorn monument begun | MM3c Leo Bird selected to assist w/ monument to deceased workers |
ME | 30-Jan-1944 | PVT Ward Simpson dies at KAN F&H of Tuberculosis | third Fz death |
2/4 MG Bn | Feb-44 | F Force at KILO 105 (Aungganung) w/ Wm F#1 | Aussie and US POWs reunited |
NAVY | 4-Feb-1944 | dedication of the obelisk Romusha memorial | ? 21 Mar 44 |
ME | 13-Feb | Th GRP 5 moved to ChungKai Camp, then Kanburi | |
AUS | 15-Feb-1944 | A-Force arrives KAN from Nike (Nikki; Km 131) | |
Th | 15-Feb-1944 | CPT Fowler and 55 US selected for Japan | |
Th | 29-Feb-1944 | PFC C M Collins dies at KAN of dysentery | |
ME | 6-Mar | PVT J W Bartee dies in ETO | 131 transfer to AAF |
Clark | 15-Mar-1944 | 10 US tfx to Khao Din Railyard | Art Clark. Chas Pryor; Dallas Clark; John Lee; Wade Webb |
NAVY | 18-Mar-1944 | 47 US still at 105 KILO | USN 24 MC 3 |
NAVY | 22-Mar-1944 | 19 US at 105 KILO tfx to Japan | USN 14 |
Teel pg137 | 22-Mar-1944 | PVT Teel’s grp of the Fitz Grp arr KAN | |
Teel pg138 | 22-Mar-1944 | relates tale of cannabalism among the Br F FORCE | |
2/4 MG Bn | 25-Mar-1944 | IJA began to select men to tfx to Japan | |
2/4 MG Bn | 27-Mar-1944 | Wm F#1 to Kanchanaburi | following B-24 attack on 105 Camp |
ME | 9-Apr | Fowler +150 depart for Saigon | w/ SSG H.R. Cobb |
Teel pg140 | 9-Apr-1944 | PVT Teel arr BanPong en route to Saigon | |
NAVY | 10-Apr-1944 | all at 105 KILO to KAN | USN 3 o & 6 enl |
Withnall | Apr-44 | FCM1c Mahlant tfx to Nong Pladuk | then on to Ubon |
Rogers | 5-May-1944 | Rogers & Tharp reunited at Tamarkam | Tharp’s health somewhat better |
ME | 7-May-1944 | final US 131 TBR POW dies in on TBR (Th) | PVT Herrera of dysentery at Nakorn Pathom |
ME | 11-May-1944 | Fowler returns to KAN from Saigon | |
ME | 24-Jun-1944 | Tamahoko sunk with loss of 17 US; 2 US survivors | SM1c Wilfred Logan & SM2c Leo Callahan survived |
NAVY | 25-Jun-1944 | 35 US from KAN depart for Japan via Singapore | |
NAVY | 7-Aug-1944 | sick moved KAN to Nakorn Pathom | LT Heinman in command |
Withnall | 6-Sep-1944 | Allies bomb Nong Pladuk railyards | 98 KIA ; 2-400 WIA mostly British |
Hashimoto | 7-Sep-44 | Rakuyo Maru transporting 1,300 POWs from Singapore sunk | |
Fritshe | 13-Sep-1944 | sinking of the Rakuyo Maru carrying BG Varley | many PERTH crew perished as well; 4 were among 158 POWs rescued by US subs |
Reminick | 18-Sep-1944 | Junyo Maru sunk off Sumatra (5600 KIA) | survivors USMC Pvt Wm Miller; SGT Gordon Miller & PFC Jos Sokolowski KIA |
Fritshe | 11-Oct-1944 | India-based pilots warned of Allied POWs on the TBR | intel from POW survivors of Rakuyo sinking |
ME | 2-Nov-1944 | USN post-TBR death in Saigon | BKR3c Albert Tanberg of dysentery |
Rogers | 3-Nov-1944 | received 1/6 of RED CROSS ration package | |
ME | 4-Nov-1944 | final USN TBR death at ChungKai hosp camp | SM1c David Williams of dysentery |
NAVY | 15-Nov-1944 | 35 US from KAN arr Japan (Fukuoka) via Singapore | |
Fritshe | 29-Nov-1944 | Allies bomb the RKB #1 | Dutch POWs KIA from ‘short-fall’ bombs |
NAVY | 4-Dec-1944 | bombing at KAN & Nong Pladuk | KIA 14 at Kan; 96 at NP no US |
Withnall | 4-Dec-1944 | Br Ptes Brown & Smith walk out of Nong Pladuk | |
TBRC | 8-Dec-1944 | Allies bomb Kui Yae (186K) | 26 Dutch POWS KIA |
TBRC | 13-Dec-1944 | Allies bomb the RKB #2 | slight damage only |
NAVY | 5-Jan-1945 | Officers at KAN to be separated | enlisted moved to other nearby camps; ChungKai |
NAVY | 15-Jan-1945 | Maj Rogers; CPT Parker 2 others arrested for radio | sentenced to 5 yrs hard labor |
Withnall | 15-Jan-1945 | Br Pte Whatmore escapes from Chomphun airfield | |
ME | 23-Jan | American VB-1 AZON MCLOS-guided 1,000 lb aerial ordnance hits bridge | |
Fritshe | 5-Feb-1945 | Allies bomb the RKB #4 | wooden bridge damaged |
Fritshe | 9-Feb | Wooden bridge damaged #5 | by US AAF B-24s |
Eldredge | 13-Feb | Dutch POWs KIA in bridge attack | 6 KIA; many wounded |
Fritshe | 13-Feb | Both brides damaged #6 | by US AAF B-24s |
NAVY | 15-Feb-1945 | more sick moved to Nakorn Pathom | ENS Stivers w/ brain tumor |
NAVY | 15-Mar-1945 | CPT Fowler returns from Saigon | officers separated from enlisted |
Withnall | 17-Mar-1945 | Br Pte Whatmore departs Chomphun by boat | |
Fritshe | 19-Mar-1945 | Kra Isthmus rail line bombed | by US AAF B-24s |
Fritshe | 3-Apr | USAAF damaged the wooden railroad bridge once again #7 | Lt Wm Henderson 7th US Bomb Grp |
Fritshe | 24-Apr | multiple bombing raids along the entire TBR | utliing a new ‘dive bomb’ tecnique |
Withnall | 25-Apr-1945 | Br Pte Whatmore travelling ChumPhon to BanPong by train | successful escape |
ME | 15-May | Saigon grp left Dalat for Tuy Hoa to repair a bridge | |
Withnall | 15-May-1945 | Whatmore meets Brown & Smith at Tha Muang | successful escape |
Withnall | 16-May-1945 | 3 escapees trvl to BKK on river | successful escape |
ME | 28-May | PVT Lavern Staver dies in Singapore (post-TBR/Hintok) | last H-Force death of brain cancer |
Withnall | 28-May-1945 | 3 Br escapees lv BKK in Thai plane | successful escape |
ME | 30-May | both bridges were operational again | |
Fritshe | 18-Jun | medical supplies dropped on Sanam Luang BKK | |
Ramsey | 24-Jun | RAF damaged the main bridge and entire railway line out of commission #8 | |
Fritshe | 14-Jul-1945 | final US AAF strafing attack along the TBR | |
NAVY | 15-Jul-1945 | Officers begin move to Nakorn Nayok | |
ME | 12-Aug | final US POW dies in Japan of beri-beri | SGT Donald Heleman of E Batt |
Th | 15-Aug-1945 | sixth grp moves to Nakorn Nayok | 17 US officesr |
Th | 16-Aug-1945 | official notice of war’s end | extra food and medicine arrive |
Th | 17-Aug-1945 | LTC Tharp arrived Bangkok w/ MAJ Rogers & CPT Parker | |
Th | 18-Aug-1945 | ENS Stivers to Bangkok Nursing Home hospital | (brain tumor) |
Th | 18-Aug-1945 | Charles Mott to join US contingent in BKK | from NongPlaDuk |
Th | 19-Aug-1945 | Tharp to PMK hospital BKK | |
Th | 20-Aug-1945 | distribution of US pers: Ubon 4;Muang 46;Prachin43;Nayok152 Petch33;NKPhosp16; Saigon 20 | 294 Thailand; 206 Saigon |
Th | 22-Aug | Hoffman and Harris escape Pethburi camp | |
Th | 22-Aug-1945 | LT Stensland to Nakorn Pathom | 38 US in hospital at Nakorn Pathom |
Th | 22-Aug-1945 | LT Keithley to Nakorn Nayok | 122 US in Nakorn Nayok |
Th | 22-Aug-1945 | LT Hard to Prachinburi | 10 US at Prachiburi |
Th | 23-Aug-1945 | 4 TXNG & 4 USN arr KAN from jungle camps | |
Th | 24-Aug-1945 | CPTs Wright Cates and ENS Nelson to Petchburi | also PVT Barnes and SGT Moritz |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | CPTs Fz Fowler & ENS Clark to US HQ BKK | also PVT [Skillern]? |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | MAJ Rogers 7o Oriental Hotel | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | LT Heinen to Go-downs area Harbor camp | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | LT Morgan to [Tamwan]? = Tha Muang! | w/ 21 US |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | LT Lattimore at KANburi | w/ 9 US |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | CPT Mott & ENS Smith at Paratrooper HQ | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | USMC Sgt Aust retrieves Tharp’s records from ChungKai | |
Th | 26-Aug-1945 | LT Keithley arr from Nakorn Nayok | w/ 121 US |
Th | 27-Aug-1945 | LT Hard arr from Prachinburi | w/ 16 US |
Rogers | 28-Aug-1945 | Rogers released from BKK jail and meets Tharp | Tharp “looks 90 yo”; walking with a cane |
Th | 28-Aug-1945 | CPT Taylor Scanbrough & Demoss to Rangoon | |
Th | 29-Aug-1945 | ENS Stiver still at BNH hospital | (brain tumor) |
Th | 29-Aug-1945 | 151 US to Calcutta | |
Th | 29-Aug-1945 | LT Fillmore at BKK HQ | |
Th | 30-Aug-1945 | SGTs Schmid & Douglas return to BKK | |
Th | 30-Aug-1945 | 100 US arr from Petchburi to BKK | |
Th | 31-Aug-1945 | ENS Stivers and LT Fillmore & Skillern to Calcutta | |
Th | 1-Sep-1945 | Fz to Saigon; LT Schmid to Calcutta | SGT Schmid & Douglas to Calcutta |
Th | 2-Sep-1945 | SGTs Crain & Brown from [Tamwan] = Tha Muang! | |
NAVY | 3-Sep-1945 | SM2c S. Barnes to BNH hospital | |
NAVY | 6-Sep-1945 | Saigon party stop at BKK to Calcutta | 214 US including 8 AAF |
TBRC | 15-Sep-45 | CWGC begins remains recovery | |
ME | 7-Oct-1945 | final TBR -related death | Ens John Bell Stivers dies of Glioblastoma in St Albans hosp NY |
Hashimoto | Nov-45 | 24,111 Tamils, Chinese Malays and Javanese awaiting repartriation | |
Withnall | 4-Dec-1945 | Javanese at NgPlaDuk | POW report |
TBRC | 15-Jun-1947 | TBR system sold to Thailand (50M baht/ 1.25M Pounds) | as part of war reparations via Britain |
Ramsey | 24-Jun-1949 | NongPlaDuk to Kan portion reopened | |
Ramsey | 1-Apr-1952 | WangPo portion opened for traffic | |
TBRC | Jul-52 | SRT begins to repair the RK Bridge | |
Ramsey | 1-Jul-1957 | Railway reopened to NamTok | |
TBRC | Jul-58 | TBR system reopens mainly for tourism |