Construction of the Thailand-Burma Railway began on September 16, 1942 at two existing railroad terminals, one in Thanbyuzayat in Burma and the other in Nong Pladuk, Thailand, about 25 miles west of Bangkok, in the Ratchburi province. As early as 1939, the Japanese had drawn up plans to build the railway, which was to provide a supply line capable of transporting 3,000 tons of supplies per day to support their frontline troops in Burma. At that time, Japanese engineers estimated that the 257-mile line would take five years to build because of the harsh conditions and treacherous terrain. Much of the railway, particularly the roughly 175 miles of track that ran through Thailand, required high bridges (more than 600 along the entire line) and deep mountain cuttings. The railway was completed in just 16 months when the two separate lines joined 23 miles south of the Three Pagoda’s Pass. But the cost was incredibly high.
Though records are sketchy, approximately 61,000 Allied prisoners of war are believed to have labored on the railway, including 30,000 British, 18,000 Dutch, 13,000 Australian, and 700 American soldiers. An estimated 16,000 of those troops died, many of them from diseases like cholera, beri beri, malaria, and typhoid, most during an intensified period of construction known as “speedo” that commenced in January 1943. Another 200,000 Asian laborers, mostly Thai, were forced to work on the railway. More than 80,000 lost their lives.
The railway operated for just 21 months before it was crippled by Allied weapons, including the revolutionary radio-controlled AZON bomb. Most of the railway was dismantled soon after the war’s end with the rest lost to the Thai and Burmese jungles. An 80-mile stretch in Thailand from Nong Pladuk to Tha Sao still operates daily.
i am travling to Thailand next year and would like to read up on the burma railway and the pow camps do you know of any good books to read cheers glenn
One of the best is by Rohan Rivett “Behind Bamboo” it was written in ‘46 rite after the war when all was still very much fresh in his thoughts. A truly great description of what courage these men displyed. Also Weary Dunlop who was another Australian, a famous doctor who whent on to be Knighted..Also a man who became freinds with weary, Bruce perkins “Tropic Tide” a great book that will give you an insight into the life of a very interesting Man its written with true passion and a tribute from his daughter.
Happy reading M.S.
Another book worth reading – about the 700 Americans is “Ship of Ghosts” by James Hornfischer – excellent account of survivors of the USS Houston who lived through her battle and were ultimately captured and enslaved to work on the B-T death railway……so riveting, it’s easy to forget that every word is true.
Please inform us, how to get information about list name Dutch soldier die in Burma. Because one of Dutch soldier die in Burma are my grand father corporal Arie Verhagen. Tku
My uncle John Madgwick age 23 a Briish soldier died building the Railway there is a stone bearing his name in the Cemetarr at Kanchanaburi Thailand