"This memorial is to commemorate a tragedy and atrocity which struck Sandakan in World War II, 1945. Approximately 2500 Australian and British prisoners of war (POW) who were held by the Japanese in the Sandakan POW camp and forced to take part in the Death March in North Borneo died. Some 1,400 Australians and British soldiers lost their lives during the three death marches from Sandakan to Ranau. Those ailing servicemen has to walk a 250 km trail through the rugged Borneo jungle interior in dire health conditions."
Source HERE
My friend made a point that we must see this place when we went to Sandakan. So after seeing the Proboscis monkey we then went to look for the War Memorial Park. The park is situated in a middle of housing area and it is accessible to everyone as there is no entrance fee. Also, you can find a lot of information about the Japanese invasion in Sandakan during the WWII and about the death march when visiting this place. Because this place was the exact place for the POW camp you can see remnants from the WWII. For those who loves history this place is perfect for you.
Information board like this can be found everywhere around the park.
In that small hut there are loads of information about the Japanese invasion and the Death March.
Remnants from the WWII.
Miniature of the POW base camp in Sandakan.
Here's an old article about the death march that I find interesting to read:
Borneo Death March /Of 2,700 Prisoners, 6 Survived : An Old Soldier Remembers a Wartime Atrocity
Article on the brutality of the Japanese during the time in Sandakan:
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
Hope y'all have a good day.
Till then.
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