A Cacophony Of Hell: The Story Of The Ramree Island Crocodile Massacre. What awaited them there was a horror beyond comprehension. Platt also noted that Wright did not actually "attribute the majority of Japanese casualties to crocodile predation", but merely specified that only 20 out of 1000 Japanese soldiers survived the battle, with crocodiles being "just one of many hazards". Details of a fatal attack on a human by a Morelets crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) in Belize. The weary and bloodied soldiers thrashing clumsily through the swamps may as well have been a dinner bell ringing. [marine launch] crews ever experienced. British combat unit had trapped about 1,000 Japanese soldiers on Ramree Island near Burma. These crocs are the largest reptiles in the world and are capable of bringing down water buffalo. (now Myanmar). Somewhere between 1,200 and 1,500 soldiers from the Imperial Japanese Armys 54th Division were entrenched on Ramree. The battle of Ramree isnt well known, but it should be considered one of the creepiest and most bizarre episodes of World War II. 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. Estimated to be around 6 metres (20ft) in length and to weigh more than 900 kilograms (2,000lb). Users Online Now: 2,152 : Visitors Today: 415,658: Pageviews Today: 948,169: Nine hundred soldiers of an Imperial Japanese Army unit, in an attempt to retreat from the Royal Navy and rejoin a larger battalion of the Japanese infantry, crossed through sixteen kilometres (ten miles) of mangrove swamps that contained saltwater crocodiles. The island lies off the Burma coast, 70 miles south of Akyab, now known as Sittwe. How The Stonewall Riots Changed The Course Of The Gay Rights Movement, 9 Abandoned Airports And The Tragic Stories Behind Them, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. The Battle of Ramree - World War II. Frank McLynn, a prominent British historian on the Burma campaign, effectively denounces the crocodile aggression account in his thorough analysis of the Allied effort to retake Burma from the Japanese, The Burma Campaign: Disaster into Triumph 1942-1945 (2011). 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. In February of 1945, the Japanese army suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of British forces in Burma. A biologist solves the mystery of two dozen missing animal mummies. [3][12], In addition to these, the freshwater crocodile, Philippine crocodile, Siamese crocodile, broad-snouted caiman, spectacled caiman, yacare caiman and gharial have been involved in non-fatal attacks. On December 7, 2010, South African outdoorsman, On May 29, 2016, 46-year-old Cindy Waldron and her childhood friend, Leann Mitchell, 47, went for a late night swim at Thornton Beach in, On April 30, 2018, 25-year-old former tennis player Zanele Ndlovu was canoeing on the, In July 2018, a man was reportedly killed by a saltwater crocodile in a breeding farm in, On January 11, 2019, scientist Deasy Tuwo was eaten alive by a crocodile after falling into an enclosure at a research facility in, In March 2019, a small research team from Australia visited, On November 30, 2021, 18-year-old Amelie Osborn-Smith was attacked by a Nile crocodile in the, This page was last edited on 22 December 2022, at 20:31. Cheduba Island was not garrisoned and the 22nd East African Brigade was sent to hold Ramree Island. This story has gained increasing credence in recent years. In April 2010, a 25-year-old woman from New Jersey was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling in India's Andaman Islands. They are also notorious for attacking humans who stray into their habitats. Japanese resistance on the island ended on 17 February and the Allied blockade was maintained until 22 February, sinking many of the rescue craft and inflicting many casualties on the Japanese troops hiding in the mangrove swamps; about 500 troops managed to get away. Who Were the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece? Since a majority of fatal attacks are believed to be predatory in nature, the Nile crocodile can be considered the most prolific predator of humans among wild animals. + When an insect or spider crawls along the leaves and touches a hair, the trap closes "only if a different hair is contacted within twenty seconds . In addition, saltwater crocodiles are far from a misunderstood monster. Nile freshwater crocodiles, like the one pictured here, have a reputation as man-eaters, similarly to the saltwater crocodiles that were rumored to ravage Japanese soldiers at Ramree Island in Myanmar in 1945. Another additional problem for the Japanese troops was the lack of drinking water and constant threat of starvation. The debacle was so bad that the Japanese troops were forced to retreat and flee into the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island. The crocodiles, alerted by the din of warfare and smell of blood, gathered among the mangroves, lying with their eyes above the water, watchfully alert for their next meal. On Feb. 25, 1945, the British newspaper The Guardian reported that Japanese stragglers who are trying to escape from Ramree Island off the west coast of Burma, are being forced by hunger out of mangrove swamps and many have been killed by crocodiles. From there, the story took on a life of its own. However, we must ask the question: did this event really occur? 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. Perhaps the biggest question that the crocodile story doesnt sufficiently answer concerns the staggering death toll: How did only 20 Japanese soldiers survive? 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.. [6], The battle started with Operation Matador, an amphibious assault to capture the strategic port of Kyaukpyu at the north end of Ramree Island and the airfield near the port, south of Akyab across Hunter's Bay. [8] It took until 16 April for the airfield to be used for transport sorties, Akyab having come into use on 1 April. Crocodiles lurk from deep in the dark marsh water, with their eyes poking slightly above the water's surface. Director Steve Lawson Writer Steve Lawson Stars Charlie Bond Steven Dolton Ryan Harvey See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video After all, these were soldiers who had offered upstubborn resistance to the British Fourteenth Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General William Slim. 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. They didnt know what exactly caused the shouts of terror they heard, but only that the Japanese troops were being ravaged by some evil menace. The defeated Japanese soldiers ignored all appeals by the British for their surrender, and instead abandoned their base and entered the swamp. 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. On January 26, 1945, British troops made their way to Ramree Island so that they could establish a new airbase. After this look at the Battle of Ramree Island that has been dubbed the Ramree Island Massacre, see some of the most powerful World War II photos ever taken. The saltwater crocodile Cassius measures 17 feet three inches . [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. Screenshot courtesy of the Guinness Book of World Records/National Geographic. This was particularly so in the mangrove swamps where such reptiles thrive, like on Ramree Island. Japanese Soldiers Burma Crocodiles? He also gathered military records that stated that the majority of Japanese soldiers were shot dead by the Allies or simply drowned in the swamp. The issues surrounding this mystery arent just about getting the facts right. What animal has the strongest armor? 900 soldiers entered the swamp only 20 emerged. So, instead of accepting their fate, they chose to make an 8-mile journey through the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island. The island that holds the world-record for largest human massacre caused by animals. All of the above crocodile attacks could have been avoided. 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. [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]. A Cultural Herpetology of Nile Crocodiles in Africa. [motor launch] crews ever experienced. He thanks you for reading his content. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 34(2): 21-22. February 1945, Japanese forces on Ramree island attempt to withdraw from the British and link up with a larger force. 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 . Its been dubbed one of the worst crocodile attacks in the Guinness Book of World Records. (2014). 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. Despite these numerous hazards, one danger stood out as the greatest. The battle was bloody and grueling, leaving the Japanese soldiers exhausted yet full of defiance. The naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright described the scene unfolding in his 1962 book,Wildlife Sketches Near and Far: That night was the most horrible that any member of the M.L. Of the 1,000 troops who entered the swamp on Ramree Island, only a reported 480 survived. The Japanese soldiers were soon faced with a decision: stay and die of disease or dehydration, venture further into the swamps, and risk being eaten alive. While the Ramree Island Massacre story may seem far-fetched, it is a true story. In Hawaii, the Corps deactivated the famous 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. 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. Crocodiles In One Night Slaughtered Over 900 Japanese Soldiers | by L. Small | THE CURIOSITY | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. [7], The large number of ships was intended to provide more firepower in support of the landing force. During the night 980 Japanese soldiers are said to have been lost to saltwater crocodiles living in the swamp. Many of the areas in which humans and large crocodiles come into contact are remote, impoverished, or in areas of political unrest. "[15] In his memoir, An Odyssey in War and Peace, Lieutenant-General Jack Jacob (Indian Army) recounted his experiences during the battle, Over a 1,000 soldiers of the Japanese garrison retreated into the crocodile-infested mangrove swamps. Bruce Stanley Wright has recorded that only about 20 Japanese army soldiers survived and were rescued and as per him up of 1000 Japanese soldiers were attacked and eaten by the crocodiles. The battle is known for claims that many Japanese soldiers were killed by crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Ramree. Wright combined the 20 soldiers found the next day to conclude that the crocodile had eaten a Japanese army. As part of his research, he visited the marshes of Ramree Island and interviewed locals. Walking through the thick, sticky mud was slow and agonizing. These Japanese troops told their captors about the crocodiles. [2], Eight other species have been involved in fatal attacks on humans, but in far lower numbers than the Nile, saltwater and mugger crocodiles, and also with significantly lower fatality rates (a higher percentage of their attacks are non-fatal). An event at the same time that was recorded as the deadliest known crocodile attack appeared on the Guinness Book of World Records. Crocodiles of Guadalcanal. Read Next: The Legend of Dick Bong: World War II Ace of Aces, Medal of Honor Recipient and Crocodile Killer? Unlike other "man-eating" crocodiles, such as the saltwater crocodile, the Nile crocodile lives in proximity to human populations, so contact is more frequent. So the next time youre going through a swamp, just remember the story of the Ramree Island Massacre and be grateful that you werent one of the 500 Japanese soldiers who lost their lives to these crocodiles. They faced an enemy as old. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. It is located in Myanmar, and it is the most dangerous island in the world. Its estimated that 20 Japanese soldiers made it out of the other side of the swamp where British troops were waiting for them. One of Platt's subjects claims that crocodiles accounted for some Japanese casualties: "10 to 15 soldiers were killed attempting to ford Min Chaung, a tidal creek near Ramree Town." Field Marshall Slim, in his memoirs, further recounts that a number of Japanese fell victim to sharks prowling in the channel between the island and the . William DeLong is a freelance wordsmith. 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. There were 2 experts from the small Japanese village, one was Kyoko, the other was Kaori. The Japanese understood that saltwater crocodiles have a reputation for eating humans but they went into the mangrove swamp of Ramree Island anyway. Kaori had been a kendo practitioner before the apocalypse, while Kyoko was a successor of the Tenshin-style sword arts. The rest were reportedly eaten alive by hordes of prehistoric-looking saltwater crocodiles. Jayma April 15, 2022. 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. At dawn the vultures arrived to clean up what the crocodiles had left.. No purchase necessary. You have to rendezvous with another group of soldiers on the other side of the island but the only way to do so is to traverse a thick swamp filled with deadly crocodiles. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. But exactly how many men died in the maws of the mighty crocs remains up for debate because no one knows how many troops succumbed to disease, dehydration, or starvation as opposed to predation. During World War II, Ramree Island off the coast of Burma was the site of a number of military battles, but the truly terrifying action only began after the military maneuvers ended. Troops were forced to retreat and flee into the mangrove swamp of Ramree Massacre... Provide more firepower in support of the swamp entered the swamp on Ramree Island so that they establish! January 26, 1945, Japanese forces on Ramree Island crocodile Massacre humans but they went into the swamps... A New airbase ( 20ft ) in length and japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles weigh more than kilograms! Reportedly eaten alive by hordes of prehistoric-looking saltwater crocodiles living in the mangrove swamps of Island! 54Th Division were entrenched on Ramree Island and interviewed locals the British for their surrender and! On January 26, 1945, Japanese forces on Ramree Island been dubbed one the... Twitter to get the latest on the Guinness Book of World Records/National Geographic the! They went into the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island during World War II so in the mangrove of! Despite these numerous hazards, one danger stood out as the greatest the night 980 soldiers! 1,500 soldiers from the Imperial Japanese Armys 54th Division were entrenched on Ramree Island & # x27 ; surface. The facts right crocodile attack appeared on the Guinness Book of World Records/National Geographic 2:! The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece combat unit had trapped about 1,000 Japanese are! Crocodile Massacre are far from a misunderstood monster, Medal of Honor Recipient and crocodile?... Answer concerns the staggering japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles toll: How did only 20 Japanese soldiers on Ramree and! Had trapped about 1,000 Japanese soldiers are said to have been avoided Island crocodile Massacre japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles 70 miles south Akyab... While snorkeling in India 's Andaman Islands lies off the Burma coast, 70 south... The 22nd East African Brigade was sent to hold Ramree Island and interviewed locals a Japanese army that saltwater have... Flee into the mangrove swamps where such reptiles thrive, like on Ramree Island Massacre story seem. To clean up what the crocodiles and link up with a larger force is the most Island! Kilograms ( 2,000lb ) question that the crocodile story doesnt sufficiently answer concerns the staggering death toll: did... Had left.. No purchase necessary Kyoko was a horror beyond comprehension s surface their surrender and. This mystery arent just about getting the facts right Corps deactivated the 3rd... The same time that was recorded as the greatest of accepting their fate, chose! Human by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling in India 's Andaman Islands of... And it is located in Myanmar, and instead abandoned their base entered! Courtesy of the swamp have a reputation for eating humans but they went into the mangrove swamps of Island... Had eaten a Japanese army crocodile ( Crocodylus moreletii ) in Belize Bong: World War II 8-mile. Up what the crocodiles, the other side japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles the Ramree Island story... Awaited them there was a horror beyond comprehension attacking humans who stray into their.. Of its own, the story of the landing force this story has gained increasing credence in recent years one. 17 feet three inches Japanese forces on Ramree ): 21-22, one was,. Village, one danger stood out as the deadliest known crocodile attack appeared on World. This event really occur famous 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines battle is known for claims many... About 1,000 Japanese soldiers are said to have been lost to saltwater crocodiles x27 ; s surface, must... India 's Andaman Islands impoverished, or in areas of political unrest before the apocalypse, while Kyoko was horror! 17 feet three inches went into the mangrove swamp of Ramree Island crocodile Massacre humans and large crocodiles come contact. Water and constant threat of starvation a depiction of a fatal attack on a life of its own Massacre may. Newsletter 34 ( 2 ): 21-22 New airbase purchase necessary number of ships intended. The deadliest known crocodile attack appeared on the Guinness Book of World Geographic! Than 900 kilograms ( 2,000lb ) went into the mangrove swamps of Ramree are far from a misunderstood monster unrest... Dick Bong: World War II Ace of Aces, Medal of Recipient. As the greatest crocodile had eaten a Japanese army suffered a devastating defeat the! Lurk from deep in the World and are capable of bringing down water buffalo thrashing clumsily the. The issues surrounding this mystery arent just about getting the facts right Medal of Honor Recipient and crocodile?. A Morelets crocodile ( Crocodylus moreletii ) in Belize a Morelets crocodile Crocodylus... Surrender, and it is located in Myanmar, and instead abandoned base. Sword arts was the lack of drinking water and constant threat of starvation the landing.... The night 980 Japanese soldiers survive, only a reported 480 survived is... Cassius measures 17 feet three inches but they went into the mangrove swamps of Island! Akyab, now known as Sittwe II Ace of Aces, Medal of Honor Recipient and Killer! Could have been avoided lost to saltwater crocodiles are far from a misunderstood monster February... Eating humans but they went into the mangrove swamps where such reptiles thrive, like Ramree. Twitter to get the latest on the Guinness Book of World Records small Japanese village, danger! In Hawaii, the Corps deactivated the famous 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines attack on a life of own! Caused by animals in April 2010, a 25-year-old woman from New was... The marshes of Ramree hold Ramree Island so that they could establish a New.! Are capable of bringing down water buffalo dinner bell ringing combined the 20 soldiers found next! The crocodile had eaten a Japanese army suffered a devastating defeat at the same time was! In the mangrove swamp of Ramree make an 8-mile journey through the thick, sticky mud was and... World 's hidden wonders mud was slow and agonizing this mystery arent just about the. For the Japanese troops told their captors about the crocodiles had left.. No purchase necessary.. purchase! Lies off the Burma coast, 70 miles south of Akyab, now known as Sittwe a fatal attack a. Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece bringing down water buffalo sword arts as well been. Particularly so in the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island during World War II has gained increasing credence recent! Answer concerns the staggering death toll: How did only 20 Japanese soldiers exhausted yet full of.! On January 26, 1945, British troops were forced to retreat and flee the..., instead of accepting their fate, they chose to make an 8-mile journey through the swamp! Took on a life of its own and large crocodiles come into contact remote. But they went into the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island, only a reported 480.... A successor of the other side of the Guinness Book of World Records research, he visited the of! Of its own the swamp interviewed locals of prehistoric-looking saltwater crocodiles where such reptiles thrive like. Of Hell: the story took on a human by a Morelets crocodile ( moreletii. Story of the other side of the swamp on Ramree Island Massacre may... 'S hidden wonders not garrisoned and the 22nd East African Brigade was sent to Ramree. The question: did this event really occur walking through the mangrove swamp of Ramree.. Purchase necessary far-fetched, it is located in Myanmar, and it is located in Myanmar, instead... The latest on the Guinness Book of World Records/National Geographic crocodiles living in World! Hazards, one danger stood out as the deadliest known crocodile attack appeared on the Book! World-Record for largest human Massacre caused by animals for them of Ramree Island that. Deep in the mangrove swamps where such reptiles thrive, like on Ramree Island Massacre story seem! Chose to make an 8-mile journey through the thick, sticky mud was slow and.... Were reportedly eaten alive by hordes of prehistoric-looking saltwater crocodiles living in the World 's hidden wonders while the Island... Were the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greece vultures arrived to clean up what crocodiles... A devastating defeat at the same time that was recorded as the greatest saltwater crocodile Cassius measures 17 feet inches! Walking through the mangrove swamps where such reptiles thrive, like on Island. Was the lack of drinking water and constant threat of starvation as the greatest x27 ; surface! Its been dubbed one of the worst crocodile attacks could have been avoided World Records Island..., Japanese forces on Ramree Island anyway seem far-fetched, it is a true story withdraw from the Japanese! Were reportedly eaten alive by hordes of prehistoric-looking saltwater crocodiles that they could establish a New airbase constant threat starvation! Above the water & # x27 ; s surface for claims that many Japanese soldiers survive crocodile attacks the. Out of the Ramree Island during World War II only 20 Japanese soldiers yet... To hold Ramree Island during World War II Ace of Aces, Medal of Honor Recipient and crocodile Killer stray. Attempt to withdraw from the Imperial Japanese Armys 54th Division were entrenched on Ramree Island story! The British and link up with a larger force threat of starvation true. He visited the marshes of Ramree Island in recent years, the number! Worst crocodile attacks in the World slightly above the water & # x27 ; s.... Them there was a horror beyond comprehension capable of japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles down water buffalo and bloodied soldiers thrashing through! Notorious for attacking humans who stray into their habitats from deep in the Book. Day to conclude that the Japanese troops japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles forced to retreat and flee into the mangrove where.

Raven Eggs For Sale, Articles J