[1], The two species with the most well-known and documented reputation for preying on humans are the Nile crocodile and saltwater crocodile, and these are the perpetrators of the vast majority of both fatal and non-fatal crocodilian attacks. Salt-water crocodiles, some of them well over 20 ft (6.1 m) long frequented these waters. We do not need to add mythical tales when reality provides a drama played out in all its honor and tragedy. After all, these were soldiers who had offered upstubborn resistance to the British Fourteenth Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General William Slim. Its estimated that 20 Japanese soldiers made it out of the other side of the swamp where British troops were waiting for them. McLynn is disturbed by the willingness of other writers to cite the details provided by Wright and the Guinness Book of Records without confirming the veracity of such information. It was clear that the constant dosage of blood essences was losing its effectiveness for Yue Zhong, and if he continued at his current rate of consumption, it was most . 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. An army of 1000 Japanese soldiers was decimated by saltwater crocodiles during the Battle of Ramree Island of World War II. Upon entering Ramree Island in the Bay of Bengal in early 1945, Japanese troops encountered a very uncertain situation. A Cacophony Of Hell: The Story Of The Ramree Island Crocodile Massacre. [10], In the 1965 edition of the British official history, Stanley Woodburn-Kirby wrote that the Japanese force suffered about 500 men killed and twenty men taken prisoner; British losses were "trifling".[11]. 111114. [7], The large number of ships was intended to provide more firepower in support of the landing force. The majority of attacks recorded below have occurred in Southeast Asia and Australia. See. In the memoir, Wright described how he arrived on Ramree after the main battle concluded. British soldiers landing on Ramree (via Wikimedia). 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 . The soldiers were viciously and mercilessly attacked by the crocodiles. How did crocodiles manage to kill so many armed men? For a start, he points out the lack of evidence for Wrights claim that he was at the scene. 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. This battle raged on for six weeks as the British forces sought to acquire an airbase to launch more coordinated attacks against the Japanese on the mainland. They used to call the crocodiles the allies. 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. One thing is for certain: When given the choice of surrendering or taking chances in a crocodile-infested swamp, choose surrender. Of the 1,000 troops who entered the swamp on Ramree Island, only a reported 480 survived. A band of soldiers in search of a secret Japanese ammunition store face off against deadly saltwater crocodiles in the swamps of Ramree Island. These prehistoric holdovers can grow to over 20 feet in length and over 2,000 pounds in some cases, and although examples that size are rare, even a mid-sized crocodile of the species could easily kill a full grown adult human. [2], The most deaths in a single crocodile attack incident may have occurred during the Battle of Ramree Island, on February 19, 1945, in what is now Myanmar. Ultimately, he stated, "[t]he only crocodile-related deaths occurred when 10 to 15 soldiers were killed trying to ford Min Chaung, a tidal creek", and he therefore concluded that although the deaths of nearly 1000 Japanese soldiers during the Battle of Ramree Island are "well documented and undisputed", there is "little need to invoke crocodile predation. Reviews indicate that at least half of all attacks by the Nile and saltwater crocodiles are fatal[1] (in Australia, however, only about 25% of saltwater crocodile attacks are fatal). The Island had been captured by the Imperial Japanese Army in early 1942, during the invasion of Burma. The nights were said to have been filled with dire screams, gunfire, and the sounds of animal attacks. Pooley, S. (2016). [3] A plan was ready by 2 January, when it was clear that the advance of the Fourteenth Army (Lieutenant-General William Slim) would soon pass beyond the range of its airbases at Imphal and Agartala; replacements at Chittagong, Akyab and Ramree would be needed. [18][19] One study posited the number of attacks by Nile crocodiles per year as 275 to 745, of which 63% are fatal, as opposed to an estimated 30 attacks per year by saltwater crocodiles, of which 50% are fatal. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. An active skill, requires 5 Spirit and 5 Stamina to activate. No evidence, that is, unless one believes a solitary account by a mysterious character. Some of them being so badly injured and mauled that they were later recaptured by the British forces. Refresh the. Troops of Japanese Fifteenth Army on the border of Burma. It is difficult to counter any of the reasonable arguments put forward by McLynn as there is simply no evidence to the contrary. These specimens could also live more than 70 years, meaning they had plenty of time to practice their hunting skills. Several British soldiers said that the crocodiles preyed on the Japanese soldiers in the swamp. Witnesses say the crocodile first attacked a man and then grabbed the girl and pulled her under. Crocodile attacks on humans are common in places where large crocodilians are native and human populations live. [2] Contents A Cultural Herpetology of Nile Crocodiles in Africa. Two days later Mayin was occupied and the troops reached the Yanbauk Chaung the next day. 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. While the Ramree Island Massacre story may seem far-fetched, it is a true story. One by one the crocodiles picked off the soldiers at night, dragging them into the swamp and mauling them to death. If 'thousands of crocodiles' were involved in the massacre, as in the urban (jungle) myth, how had these ravening monsters survived before and how were they to survive later? Iceland in Winter: Natural Wonders & Ancient Legends, Vietnam: A Culinary Adventure from Hanoi to Saigon, Antiques and Their Afterlives: Osteological Specimens, Accidental Discoveries: A Celebration of Historical Mistakes, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: St. Foy, Mindful Mixology: Making Non-Alcoholic Cocktails During Dry January With Derek Brown, Designing Immersive Gatherings With Zach Morris of Third Rail Projects, Raising the Bar: Chocolate's History, Art, and Taste With Sophia Contreras Rea, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, How a Groundbreaking Pastry Chef Bakes Outside the Lines. Japanese soldiers hid in the swamp, not knowing of the danger that lies ahead - saltwater crocodiles! The survivors are reported to have told horrific tales of dozens of crocodiles attacking the soldiers en masse, and appearing out of seemingly nowhere to drag off some poor soul. Gustave, a Nile crocodile once described as a serial killer by National Geographic, is believed to have killed as many as 300 people in the east African nation of Burundi in the 1980s and 1990s. Anyhow , Japanese withdrew into swamps when any other military in World War 2 would have surrendered at that point and allied forces heard shouting and gunshots throughout the night as huge salt water Crocs attacked. A massive saltwater crocodile (via Wikimedia). In addition, the references made to crocodiles are minimal compared to the passages detailing the dangers of malaria. Of course, the threat posed by saltwater crocodiles was an ever-present one in the Far Eastern theatre of World War Two. (2015). And in an incident not unlike the infamous U.S.S Indianapolis shark attack that befell American troops later that year, many of these troops didnt survive. The maneuver split the enemy group in two and isolated about 1,000 Japanese soldiers. [marine launch] crews ever experienced. Historydefined.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Copyright 2023 History Defined | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Walking through the thick, sticky mud was slow and agonizing. The Japanese soldiers retreated, and some went into the mangrove swamps. Furthermore, this official account which contains no mention of the massacre, nevertheless emphasizes the fierce Japanese resistance which lasted into April 1945. A biologist solves the mystery of two dozen missing animal mummies. The new discoveries have been given the names Riparovenator milnerae and Ceratosuchops inferodios, translating respectively to "Milner's riverbank hunter," in honor of paleontologist Angela Milner, and the more colorful "hell-heron horned crocodile-face.". In September 2005, Russell Harris, a 37-year-old British engineer, was killed by a large saltwater crocodile while snorkeling off Picnic Beach in Australia. Many of the remainder may have been eaten by the crocodiles, although since this incident took place during an active military conflict, it is impossible to know how many deaths can be directly attributed to the crocodiles instead of combat-related causes.[20]. Without an accurate reporting system in place, crocodile attacks in Africa are difficult to track and very few are reproduced here. It is located in Myanmar, and it is the most dangerous island in the world. [1] Each year, hundreds of deadly attacks are attributed to the Nile crocodile in Sub-Saharan Africa. The crocodiles, alerted by the din of warfare and the smell of blood, gathered among the mangroves, lying with their eyes above water, watchfully alert for their next meal. When Crocodiles Attack: The Ramree Island Massacre. 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