We are Here to Keep  Their  Stories Alive
The Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOWs) endured unimaginable hardship across a range of brutal forced labour sites during World War II, as Japanese forces sought to expand their empire across Asia. These prisoners, who included both military personnel and civilian internees, faced some of the most severe conditions known in wartime captivity, with many subjected to harsh environments, malnutrition, disease, and inhumane treatment.
FEPOW Forced Labour Sites and Ordeals
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The Thai-Burma Railway (Death Railway): Perhaps the most infamous, this 258-mile railway was constructed through dense jungle and treacherous terrain under the harshest conditions. FEPOWs were forced to work in brutal shifts with inadequate food, sanitation, or medical care, leading to thousands of deaths from disease, malnutrition, and exhaustion.
The Sumatra Railway: This lesser-known yet equally harrowing railway in Sumatra, Indonesia, saw FEPOWs labouring in intense heat and tropical humidity. Working conditions were dire, with prisoners suffering from diseases like malaria, dysentery, and beriberi, all while performing gruelling physical labour.
The Sandakan Death Marches: On Borneo, FEPOWs endured forced marches through mountainous and jungle terrain under severe conditions. Known as the Sandakan Death Marches, these forced relocations led to the deaths of nearly all participants, as Japanese captors deprived prisoners of food, water, and rest.
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Forced Labour in Mines and Factories in Japan and Formosa: Thousands of FEPOWs were transported to Japan and Taiwan (then known as Formosa) to work in copper mines, steel factories, and shipyards. The labour was relentless, and prisoners were often exposed to dangerous fumes, extreme temperatures, and hazardous conditions.
Construction of Roads and Airstrips: FEPOWs were forced into constructing critical infrastructure for the Japanese military. In Burma, they built roads through challenging terrains. On Ambon, Haruku, Java, Rabaul, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, prisoners worked in severe climates to construct airstrips and facilities, often with no safety measures or adequate tools.
Hell Ships: Thousands of FEPOWs were crammed into unventilated holds of transport ships, known as "Hell Ships," as they were moved across Southeast Asia to various forced labour sites. Locked in dark, overcrowded spaces without ventilation, proper sanitation
