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.
SOURCE | DATE | EVENT | |||
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 | ||
Th | 13-Dec-1941 | arrived Suva Fiji | |||
ME | 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 | 0 | |
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 | 141 | |
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 | 40 | |
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 | 47 | ||
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 | Jp issues TBR orders | |||
Th | 1-Mar-1942 | to Buitenzorg reported to Black Force | 49 | ||
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 | |||
ME | 7-Mar-1942 | Rangoon falls to the IJA | |||
Th | 7-Mar-1942 | fall back to Garoet race track then tea plantation | |||
Hashimoto | 8-Mar-42 | IJAʼs15th 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 | 57 | |
Mansell | 9-Mar-1942 | Franklin Gottlieb Goedel; US citizen serving with KNIL captured | born 1901 PHILA PA; died Jan 44 at Changaraya camp | ||
Berrie | 10-Mar-1942 | CPT Dodson and small grp captured on Madura Island | E Batt attempted evasion | 0 | |
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) | 9 | ||
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 | 20 | |
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 ??? | 65 | |
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. | |||
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 | |||
Fujita | 18-Jun-1942 | bulk of E Battery at Bicycle from Surabaja | 100 | ||
TBRC | 18-Jun | 3,000 British POWS left Changi to Ban Pong aka Grp #1 | |||
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 | ||
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 t Ban Pong | ||
ME | 5-Jul | 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 137FA death at Ban Pong | UK POWs doing road construction | ||
Hashimoto | 15-Aug-42 | Thai POW Camp was officially established. | |||
Hashimoto | 16-Aug-42 | C Force 2.2K to JAPAN | to Kobe and Naoetsu camps | ||
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 | |||
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 | 209 | |
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 | 216 | |
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 | 220 | |
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; | 232 | |
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 camp) | 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] | 238 | |
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 | ||
TXNG | 29-Nov-1942 | Fz Grp to 25 Kilo camp (Kun Knit Kway) | |||
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 | 304 | |
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 | 314 | |
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 | 320 | |
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?] | 332 | |
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 | ||
AUS | 15-Feb-1943 | A-Force arrives KAN from Nike (Nikki; Km 131) | |||
Th | 15-Feb-1943 | CPT Fowler and 55 US selected for Japan | |||
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. | |||
ME | 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 | ||
ME | 20-Mar | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 14 KILO camp | |||
ME | 22-Mar-43 | first USMC death on TBR malaria at 80 KILO | SGT Joe Lusk | 378 | |
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. | |||
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 | ||
TXNG | 26-Apr-1943 | Fz Grp to 45 Kilo camp | |||
Th | 30-Apr-1943 | announce beginning of SPEEDO period | 416 | ||
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 | |||
TXNG | 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 | ||
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 | IJA Col Banno arrived at Lower Nieke | |||
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 (Taunzun) | |||
NAVY | 14-May-1943 | Marine 1SG Dupler dies at Than of dysentery | |||
TXNG | 14-May | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 30 KILO camp (Retpu) | |||
Hashimoto | 15-May-43 | Wood-Higgsʼ party arrived at Konkoita. | |||
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 spread at Lower Sonkrai. | |||
Th | 24-May-43 | MAJ Rogers advanced to 100 KILO | |||
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) | Marine Lusk dies [22 Mar 43] | ||
TBRC | 29-May-1943 | TH 5A arr Regue (100 KILO camp) | |||
TBRC | 30-May | H-Force arr Tonchan/Tarsao (284Km) | |||
Wins/F | 31-May-1943 | 11 men attempt escape from Lower SongKuria | declared MIA; probably executed | ||
Th | 1-Jun-1943 | first SPEEDO deaths | Albert Lindsley [& Dennis Willis die] 6 OCT 43 | ||
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 Lower SongKuria | 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 | 459 | |
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 camp) | 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 | ||
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 12 weeks | |||
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 | 478 | |
Wins/F | Jul-43 | decision to establish ‘hospital’ at Thambaya | |||
Wins/F | Jul-43 | Br officers escape at SongKurai resulyted 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) | |||
ME | 14-Jul-1943 | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 62 KILO camp | |||
TXNG | 14-Jul-1943 | Fz Grp to 62 KILO camp | |||
Th | 17-Jul-1943 | first Fz death SM2c James Musto of dysentery | SM1c Flyod Armour (Th) dies of dysentery | 494 | |
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-43 | 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-43 | L Force 115 (medical) to Thailand | |||
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 | 538 | |
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 | ||
Wins/F | 13-Sep-1943 | round the clock work ordered at SongKurai | some worked non-stop for 96 hrs | ||
TXNG | 14-Sep-1943 | Fz grp to 85 Kilo Camp | |||
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] | 556 | |
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 | 558 | |
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 | 595 | |
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 | ||
TXNG | 3-Nov-1943 | Fz Grp to 114 KILO camp | from 55 Kilo camp | ||
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 | 643 | |
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 | 663 | ||
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 | ||
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 | 706 | ||
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 | 740 | |
NAVY | 22-Mar-1944 | 19 US at 105 KILO tfx to Japan | USN 14 | 2.027 | |
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 to Saigon | w/ SSG H.R. Cobb | ||
NAVY | 10-Apr-1944 | all at 105 KILO to KAN | USN 3 o & 6 enl | 763 | |
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 | 971 | |
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 | 1033 | |
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 | 1102 | ||
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 | 3.019 | |
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 | 1176 | |
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 | 1224 | ||
ME | 12-Aug | final US POW dies in Japan of beri-beri | SGT Donald Heleman of E Batt | 1252 | |
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 | 1256 | |
Th | 17-Aug-1945 | LTC Tharp arrived Bangkok w/ MAJ Rogers & CPT Parker | 3.441 | ||
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 | 1265 | ||
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 | 1277 | |
TBRC | 15-Sep-45 | CWGC begins remains recovery | 3.499 | ||
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 |