I, personally, am a very linear thinker. I like things in order. In an effort to put the entries in LTC Tharp’s diary into the overall context of the TBR, I have integrated a number of sources. The primary sources are LTC Tharp’s personal diary (labelled Th) and a USN document of a similar nature as a diary (labelled NAVY). Those labelled as ME are from a multitude of sources; too numerous to credit. Finally, the Thai-Burma Railway Centre (TBRC) published a list of “Significant Dates” which I have integrated. Futamatsu was a professional Engineer on the TBR who published a book on his TBR experiences. Names like Fillmore and Berrie are from other sources of which I came into possession.
There are a few mis-connections in some of the dates, but I present them as published. The overall concentration is on the movements and events related to the US POWS (Th and NAVY entries) but I think it is important to know how those fit in with other events that define the TBR.
AUG 2022 Update: In order to honor them, I have added all of the TBR-related deaths and the contents of CPT Cates diary as well as citations found in a number of newly available texts:
source | Jan-41 | truncated dates are approx = correct to mo/yr | |
Stone | 12-Jan-1941 | RTA attacks thereby beginning the Franco-Thai war | http://books.stonebooks.com/history/vichyvssiam.shtml |
Stone | 17-Jan-1941 | RTN defeated at Ko Chang | |
Stone | 28-Jan-1941 | Jp brokered cease -fire | |
Stone | 9-May-1941 | Peace agreement signed with Jp | |
Th | 11-Nov-1941 | 2/131 departed Camp Bowie | |
Th | 14-Nov-1941 | arrived Ft Mason CA | |
Th | 21-Nov-1941 | sailed SS REPUBLIC from SF | |
Th | 28-Nov-1941 | arrived Honolulu | |
Th | 29-Nov-1941 | departed Honolulu SS Republic | convoy of NIAGRA PENSACOLA Holbrook Meigs Bloemfontein Halstead Chaumont Coast Farmer & Republic |
Th | 13-Dec-1941 | arrived Suva Fiji | |
ME | 16-Dec-1941 | Japanese invade Burma | |
Th | 20-Dec-1941 | re-routed to Australia | |
ME | 21-Dec-1941 | Thai-Japan alliance signed | PM Phibun |
Th | 22-Dec-1941 | arrived Brisbane | |
Th | 23-Dec-1941 | to Ascot Race Course | |
Th | 25-Dec-1941 | began loading Bloemfontein | |
Th | 30-Dec-1941 | departed Brisbane | |
Th | 2-Jan-1942 | convoy with PENSACOLA | Holbrook Chaumant & Liberty (sunk) |
Fritshe | 8-Jan-1942 | Charles Mott shot down near TAK | first US POW in Thailand |
ME | 11-Jan-1942 | 131 lands at Surabaja Java along w/ 26th FA Bde | aboard Dutch ship Bloemfontein |
ME | 25-Jan-1942 | Thailand declares war on the Allies | US AMD Willys Peck interred as prisoner |
Th | 27-Jan-1942 | 19th Bomb Grp; 44 men arr from Mindanos PI | |
Th | 28-Jan-1942 | 22nd Bomb Grp from AUS | |
Th | 3-Feb-1942 | 2 TXNG KIA on B-17 during first air raid | PFC John Bingham & PVT Don Barnes |
Horn | 4-Feb-1942 | Battle of Makassar Strait; damaged by bombing | 46 KIA in aft Turret |
ME | 4-Feb | 131 servicing planes at Camp Singosari | Malang DEI |
NAVY | 5-Feb-1942 | withdraw for interim repairs at Tjilatjap, Java | |
Th | 9-Feb-1942 | air raid destroys 1 75-gun & 3 vehicles | SGT Sparkman injured during air raid |
Martin | 14-Feb-1942 | combined air and amphibious assault to seize Sumatra | |
Horn | 15-Feb-1942 | engages a Japanese Force in the Straits of Timor while escorting a convoy | |
ME | 15-Feb | Singapore surrenders | |
Th | 16-Feb-1942 | British AA Batt (40mm guns) arrive Singosari | |
Martin | 18-Feb-1942 | Black force under BG Blackburn (AUS) formed | 2/131 ordered to support; multiple ammo and commo difficulties |
Martin | 19-Feb-1942 | Air raid on DARWIN leaves port facilities damaged | much shipping re-routed to Perth or Freemantle |
Martin | 20-Feb-1942 | capture of Timor Island | |
Martin | 20-Feb-1942 | BG Wavell begins evacuation of Allied troops from Java | included abt a dozen 2/131 liaison personnel |
Th | 20-Feb-1942 | air raid | CPL Holder wounded E Batt |
Th | 24-Feb-1942 | visited COL Searle at Bandoeng USF HQ | discussed a general evacuation |
Martin | 25-Feb-1942 | ABDA command on Java is disolved | defense of Java in the hands of the Dutch |
Th | 26-Feb-1942 | orders to support Black Force under BG Blackburn | total trrop strength abt 2900 |
Th | 26-Feb-1942 | 26th FA Bde to Tjilatjap harbor for evac | 17 (18) men reassigned to 131 as replacements for those assigned/evacuated with the AAF |
Th | 26-Feb-1942 | E Batt to remain Singosari / Surabaja | under the command of Dutch Gen Ilgen |
Cates | 27-Feb-42 | main body departed Malang | notes with dismay the convoy tactics of the Brits who stop haphazardly for tea then race to regain their former place in the line |
ME | 27-Feb-1942 | Battle of the Java Sea | Adm Doorman KIA |
Th | 27-Feb-1942 | left Malang for Jakarta | |
Cates | 28-Feb-42 | shared a last Coca Cola in a café with a grp of enlisted men | |
ME | 28-Feb | Houston and Perth sunk in Sunda Strait | 1,061 aboard, 368 survived, including 34 of the 74-man Marine Detachment |
Th | 28-Feb-1942 | to Tasikmalaja | |
TBRC | 1-Mar | Jp issues TBR orders | |
Th | 1-Mar-1942 | to Buitenzorg reported to Black Force | 2/2 Pioneers; 2/6 ENG; 2/3 Mach Gunners of AUS 7th DIV |
Cates | 2-Mar-42 | awaiting orders at a rubber plantation near Buitenzorg | IJA trops noted to be 5 miles away |
Martin | 2-Mar-1942 | AUS 2/2 Pioneers; 2/3 & 2/4 MG BNs guard the Leuwiliang Rvr bridge | 2/131 in support |
Cates | 3-Mar-42 | deployed guns along the Leuwiliang River line | in support of AUS forces |
Martin | 3-Mar-1942 | E Batt ‘liberates’ a warehouse and eats their last full meal for years to come. | |
Cates | 4-Mar-42 | withdrew to rubber plantation near Bandoeng | |
Th | 4-Mar-1942 | to Sourkaboeni | |
Th | 5-Mar-1942 | to Bandoeng (rubber plantation) | PVT RHODES Bruce “Dusty” KIA of acc GSW/booby trap |
Martin | 6-Mar-1942 | E Batt establishes itself in the Surabaja zoo | |
Cates | 7-Mar-42 | moved south in attempt to evacuate from Java | |
Th | 7-Mar-1942 | to Garoet race track then tea plantation | |
Cates | 8-Mar-42 | dejected by news of capitulation | |
Martin | 8-Mar-1942 | capitulation; about 10,000 Allied troops became POWs plus their Dutch hosts | elements of the IJA Eastern landing force reach the southern port of Tjilitap |
ME | 8-Mar-1942 | Rangoon falls to the IJA | |
Fujita | 9-Mar-1942 | Lt Allen w/ SGTs Ben Keith and Fugita at Surabaja | |
Berrie | 10-Mar-1942 | CPT Dodson and small grp captured on Madura Is | E Batt attempted evasion |
Cates | 11-Mar-42 | surrendered to an IJA force at Garoet | |
Cates | 13-Mar-42 | moved into mountains at Ondernewing tea plantation | |
Futamatsu | 13-Mar | first Railroad Engineers arr BanPong | |
Th | 18-Mar-1942 | began march to Batavia | |
Cates | 19-Mar-42 | moved to Tjibatoe by truck then train to Batavia | |
Th | 19-Mar-1942 | to Tjbatoe by truck (Tandjoen Priok docks area) | |
Rogers | 25-Mar-1942 | Main 131 grp to Chinese school compound in Batavia | Choan school |
ME | 26-Mar-1942 | first USN dies of wounds | LT(jg)Francis Weiler |
Cates | 30-Mar-42 | moved to Tadjoenpriok port area | |
Th | 30-Mar-1942 | to Bicycle Camp | joined by 14 other ARMY (?) and 343 HOUSTON survivors |
Pedersen | 1-Apr-42 | crew of AMERICAN LEADER tfx’d to Bicycle Camp | |
William Slone | Apr-42 | 70,000 Tamils recruited in Malaya | |
Cates | 4-Apr-42 | working on the docks; light duty | |
NAVY | 5-Apr-1942 | LT Ross w/ 25 USN arr Bicycle Camp | |
Maher | 6-Apr-1942 | 8 (senior) HOUSTON staff to Japan | including CDR Maher to Zentsuji / Omori |
NAVY | 13-Apr-1942 | Lt(jg) Hamlin w/ 35 arr BC | Detre(OH 475); Melvin Mahlant |
NAVY | 13-Apr-1942 | COL Searle arr BC w/ 2 enlisted | |
NAVY | 15-Apr-1942 | 150 USN arr BC | unspecified as to service USN / USMC? |
NAVY | 15-Apr-1942 | Flt Sgt John Morgan of Eagle Sqrd arr BC | (fraudulent US POW) |
Cates | 25-Apr-42 | IJA combat troops exchanged for camp guards (Korean?) | |
NAVY | 5-May-1942 | first USN death from dysentery | LT Ross died |
Cates | 14-May-42 | Moved to Bicycle Camp encounter HOUSTON crewmen | |
NAVY | 14-May-1942 | 131 TXNG arr BC [confirmed by others] | also SM1c CL Seal is w/ TXNG ??? |
TBRC | 14-May | 3,000 Australian POWs left Changi to Burma (known as A-Force) | |
Cates | 15-May-42 | other 131 men who had been at the chinese school arrive | |
Cates | 16-May-42 | USN WO Ken Shaw arr after time in an island in the Sunda Strait | |
AUS | 26-May-1942 | A Force arrives Burma | via TAVOY |
Kinvig | Jun-42 | 87,000 Burmese “Sweat Army” recruited | |
Fujita | 18-Jun-1942 | bulk of E Battery at Bicycle from Surabaja | |
TBRC | 18-Jun | 3,000 British POWS left Changi to Ban Pong aka Grp #1 | |
Cates | 21-Jun-42 | COL SEARLE at Bicycle Camp | |
Ramsey | 23-Jun-1942 | Sykes grp of 600 British arr BanPong/NongPlaDuk | |
Cates | 25-Jun-42 | controversy over the ‘no escape’ pledge; apparently continued for some weeks | |
ME | 29-Jun-1942 | US AMD Willys Peck departs Thailand | |
AUS | Jul-42 | B Force departs for Borneo | 1500 AUS to Kunchig camp (?) |
ME | 1-Jul-1942 | 131 non-POW death in AAF crash | PVT Byron West |
ME | 5-Jul | Japanese engineers begin to survey the route of the TBR | |
NAVY | 9-Jul-1942 | Flt Sgt John Morgan injured in fall | |
Cates | 4-Sep-42 | notes an increase in dysentery cases | |
Cates | 10-Sep-42 | USN Cdr Epstein relates his tale of spending time on an island with 11 US and 14 AUS sailors before their capture after nearly 3 weeks | |
Reminick | 10-Sep-1942 | Michel sinks the AMERICAN LEADER | |
Cates | 14-Sep-42 | 6 officers departed camp; destination unknown | |
ME | 16-Sep-1942 | Nong Pladuk marker dates beginning of construction | Thais build first 50 Km in TH |
Th | 18-Sep-1942 | new camp Commandant and guards replace at BC | |
Cates | 1-Oct-42 | tested for amoebic dysentery; prelim to movement? | |
Fillmore | 1-Oct-1942 | USN personnel given plaque vaccine | |
TBRC | 1-Oct-1942 | Green Force beg work at Kandaw (KILO 4) | start of TBR construction in Burma |
Cates | 2-Oct-42 | Fz Grp departs Bicycle camp | |
NAVY | 2-Oct-1942 | Fz – Gilmore, Hiner, Stenland & 124 men depart BC | 89 AUS in that party aka Grp 3 |
Th | 4-Oct-1942 | Fz party of 191 depart BC aka GRP 3 on Kinkon Maru | includes 62 Houston under LTjg Hanlin |
2/4 MG Bn | 8-Oct-1942 | Grp 4 depart Java on Kimmon Maru | 1500 AUS depart BC |
NAVY | 10-Oct-1942 | Zg party of 68 US depart for Japan | Tofuku Maru to Japan |
TBRC | 10-Oct-1942 | A-Force arr at Hlepauk (18 Kilo camp) | |
Th | 10-Oct-1942 | Zg grp selected | 67 US to Japan |
Cates | 11-Oct-42 | Th 5A Grp departs BC along with Zeigler Grp | Dai Nichi Maru to Singapore |
Fillmore | 11-Oct-1942 | Th 5A departs BC 488 men aka GRP 5A | Lt(jg) Hamlin cdr of 237 enl & 9 off from Hous |
Fillmore | 11-Oct-1942 | Th 5A sails from Priok on Da Nichi Maru | Tharp has dengue (per Rogers) |
Th | 11-Oct-1942 | Th 5A departs BC 488 US 362 AUS 150 Dutch | aka JAVA Party 5A |
Cates | 15-Oct-42 | arr Singapore | |
Fillmore | 15-Oct-1942 | Th 5A arrive Singapore; by truck to Changi | |
ME | 15-Oct | E Batt Dodson grp of 12 arr Batavia | had escaped to Madura; date per Ray Robinson |
Cates | 18-Oct-42 | 600 British depart apparently headed to Thailand | |
ME | 20-Oct | Tacoma Maru departs Java for Singa; 1600 Brit / Dutch POWs | AAF 1Lt Teborak & MSG John F Smith and SM2c Marvin Sizemore |
2/4 MG Bn | 23-Oct-1942 | Grp 4 depart Singa on Meabashi Maru | |
Fillmore | 23-Oct-1942 | first 131 death on Java from dysentery | PVT Griffin died on Java |
2/4 MG Bn | 24-Oct-1942 | Organized into Black and Williams Forces | 43 in Williams; 6 in Black |
AUS | 24-Oct-1942 | 2/2 Pioneer & Perth surv arrive Burma; Wiliams Force | sent to abt 35 Km camp – Tanyin |
Fujita | 25-Oct-1942 | E Batt contingent arr Bicycle | |
2/4 MG Bn | 26-Oct-1942 | Arr Thanbyuzayat | |
2/4 MG Bn | 27-Oct-1942 | Wm Force to KILO 35 (Tanyin) | |
Cates | 27-Oct-42 | Zg group departs Singa; destination Japan?; groups of 5-600 Brits/AUS departing daily | |
Th | 27-Oct-1942 | Zg Grp depart for Japan | 60 US ; 200 Dutch; 12 AUS; |
2/4 MG Bn | 28-Oct-1942 | Wm Force to KILO 45 (Anakwin) | |
Hall/Bhaze | 28-Oct-1942 | AUS Anderson & Williams Forces combine into Mobile Force #1 | |
Labutt | 28-Oct-42 | E Batt departs Java on Oyo Maru | 85 enlisted & 3 officers |
Th | 28-Oct-1942 | MAJ Horrington (AAF) grp arr BC attached to E Batt | 100 US |
TXNG | 30-Oct | Fz Grp arr Betetaung (40 KILO camp) | as part of Black Force |
Cates | N-42 | food, accommodations, enteratinment are quite enjoyable | |
Th | 2-Nov-1942 | E Batt arrives Changi | Battery CDR CPT Dodson not present [to Mukden] |
Th | 5-Nov-1942 | Grp 5A at Changi | total strength 1387 |
ME | 6-Nov-1942 | AMERICAN LEADER Capt Pederson and crew at BC | from German Raider Michel |
Stanbrough25 Nov 1942 | Nov-42 | Zg Grp arrive Moji Jp | |
Toosey | Nov-42 | LtCol Toosey’s Force of British begin work on Bridge 277 | abt 1500 men (from GRP A @ NPD) |
Toosey | 15-Nov-1942 | first death at TMK | 200 more would follow |
ME | 26-Nov | CRM Harmon Alderman KIA when Tafuku Maru sunk near Jp | [had been left behind by Zg Party] |
AUS | Nov-42 | C Force departs for Japan | to Kobe and Naoetsu camps |
Fillmore | 28-Nov-1942 | E Batt departs Changi for Japan on Kamakura Maru | Horrigan Michie 2 USN and CIV David Hicks with E Batt |
Reminick | 29-Nov-1942 | SS Sawolka sunk near Madagascar | 16 MM & 4 USNR gunners KIA |
TXNG | 29-Nov-1942 | Fz Grp to 25 Kilo camp (Kun Knit Kway) | |
Labutt | Dec-42 | E Batt begins work in the shipyard at Fukuoka 2b | |
Fujita | 7-Dec-42 | E Batt arr Nagasaki | 900 Dutch / 100 US |
Hall/Bhaze | 18-Dec-1942 | Ramsay Force arr at Kunhnitkway (26 KILO camp) | |
NAVY | 20-Dec-1942 | 1000 Dutch depart Changi | |
Th | 28-Dec-1942 | COL Searle departs (to Taiwan)? | en route to Mukden |
NAVY | 1-Jan-1943 | USN 231 USMC 8 civ 1 at Singapore | |
NAVY | 2-Jan-1943 | COL Searle and 46 senior officers arrive Changi | [see 28 DEC] |
Th | 6-Jan-1943 | John Morgan exposed as BRIT | Pvt St McKenzie added to USN party |
Th | 7-Jan-1943 | Th 5A party depart Changi | 431 enl & 25 off of Hous |
Cates | 8-Jan-43 | Th 5A grp departs by train | 456 US; 160 Dutch; 365 AUS |
Th | 9-Jan-1943 | Th 5A depart Changi by train | left behind: Kelly Porter Martin [Johnson & McManus] |
Th | 9-Jan-1943 | Th 5A arr Prai (Indo) moved to ship | Tharp has malaria |
Th | 11-Jan-1943 | Th 5A dep Prai on Dai Moji Maru | 488 US ; 150 Dutch 365 AUS |
Cates | 12-Jan-43 | finally set sail up the coast | |
Cates | 15-Jan-1943 | convoy bombed by B-24s | 900 Dutch; 350 IJA recscued |
Fritshe | 15-Jan-1943 | 3 B-24s; one flown by Col Conrad Necrason | 7th Hvy Bomb Grp; Ansanal India |
Rogers | 15-Jan-1943 | LTC Tharp wounded in temple by bomb fragment | this injury continued to plague him |
TBRC | 15-Jan | Anderson and Williams Force join at Tanyin (35 KILO camp) | |
Th | 15-Jan-1943 | convoy bombed Nichimei Maru sunk | KIA 5 AUS; 43 Dutch MIA-KIA; 2 PERTH KIA |
Cates | 16-Jan-43 | moved to Moulmein City Jail; claims at least some of the Fz Grp still there | |
Th | 17-Jan-1943 | Th 5A arr Moulmein to District jail | 966 Dutch rescued after sinking |
TXNG | 21-Jan-1943 | Th 5A arr Thanbyuzayat base camp | |
Cates | 22-Jan-43 | begin to move up-country | |
ME | 23-Jan-1943 | first USN death on TBR – Beri-beri | SM1c Asa Young |
Th | 24-Jan-1943 | Griffith, Fowler and Tharp to Thanbyzayat camp | |
Cates | 25-Jan-43 | report that the MOJI MARU had been sunk on its return journey to Singapore | |
Th | 25-Jan-1943 | Th 5A begin move to 18 KILO (Aepauk) | |
Fillmore | 26-Jan-1943 | Fowler & Tharp to 18 KILO | |
Kinvig | 26-Jan-43 | GEN Shimoda plane crash | |
Cates | 28-Jan-43 | Cates himself departs for 18 KILO via Thanbyuzayat | Alepauk |
Th | 28-Jan-1943 | CPT Elkin last at 18 KILO | |
Cates | 30-Jan-43 | begin standard berm building duties | |
Th | 2-Feb-1943 | E Batt death on Java | PVT Abileno Hernandez dies Surabaya |
Filmore | 4-Feb-1943 | LT Ferrey party of 9 officers arr Batavia (19th BGrp) | date ?[where were they held?] |
ME | 10-Feb-1943 | wooden railroad bridge over Mae Klong finished | 1000 Dutch arrive at TMK |
AUS | 15-Feb-1943 | A-Force arrives KAN from Nike (Nikki; Km 131) | |
Th | 15-Feb-1943 | CPT Fowler and 55 US selected for Japan | |
Toosey | Feb-43 | 4 of Toosey’s men executed for escape attempt | |
Rogers | 16-Feb-1943 | MAJ Rogers advanced to 85 KILO | |
ME | 10-Mar | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 35 KILO camp (Tanyin) | joined by Ramsay Force per TBRC |
AUS | Mar-43 | D Force departs Singa for BanPong | 2780 Br; 2220 AUS |
Cates | 19-Mar-43 | 260+ US move to 85 Kilo camp | MAJ Wright at 18 K with sick grp |
ME | 20-Mar | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 14 KILO camp | |
ME | 22-Mar-43 | first USMC death on TBR malaria at 80 KILO | SGT Joe Lusk |
Fritshe | 23-Mar-1943 | 9th Bomb Sqrn strafes TBR bridges in Burma | |
Th | 25-Mar-1943 | MAJ Wright grp to 30 KILO | 94 sick in party |
AUS | Mar-43 | E Force departs for Borneo | 1000 AUS to Sandakan |
Cates | Mar-43 | reportedly taking 36hrs to bring in rations by road | |
Kinvig | Apr-43 | 700 Br from Sumatra at BanPong (via Saigon) | joined up with Fitz Grp in Burma |
Kinvig | Apr-43 | F Force arr BP; 30% were unfit | 3666 Br; 3334 AUS; 7 US |
Kinvig | Apr-43 | F Force 17 day trek of 300 Km in monsoon | 100 held at KAN hospital |
Fritshe | 5-Apr | 9th Bomb Sqrn destroy 2 TBR bridges in Burma | |
TXNG | 5-Apr | Fz Grp 3 return to 25 KILO camp (Kun Knit Kway) | |
Cates | 6-Apr-43 | moved back to 80 Kilo camp | |
ME | 7-Apr-1943 | USMC PVT Donald Hill dies at BC of dysentery | |
Rogers | 7-Apr-1943 | Th 5A moved to 80 Kilo camp | Tharp carried by cart; too ill to walk |
NAVY | 9-Apr-1943 | Fowler grp departs for Japan; (207 total) | only traveled as far as Saigon |
Th | 13-Apr-1943 | second USN death on TBR | SF1c James White |
Cates | 14-Apr-43 | notes increasing deaths from a variety of causes | among all POWs not just US |
ME | 14-Apr-1943 | GRP 4 departs Java with H-Force(1) | |
Futamatsu | 15-Apr-1943 | iron span bridge completed at 277 site | Toosey says end of the month |
Reminick | 15-Apr-1943 | Michel drops MM POWs at Singapore | |
AUS | Apr-43 | F Force departs for BanPong | 7000 AUS + 10 US |
ME | 18-Apr-1943 | YM1c Irving Felix dies of TB in BC | |
Cates | 24-Apr-43 | this diary found during inspection but not confiscated | |
AUS War Mem | 25-Apr-1943 | construction begins on Hellfire Pass | also 25 APR = ANZAC Day |
AUS | Apr-43 | G Force departs for Japan | arr Moji on Kyokko Maru |
TXNG | 26-Apr-1943 | Fz Grp to 45 Kilo camp | |
Th | 28-Apr-1943 | Sgt Lusk dies of malaria at 80 Kilo camp | |
Th | 30-Apr-1943 | announce beginning of SPEEDO period | |
2/4 MG Bn | May-43 | Williams and Anderson Forces combined into #1 Mobile Force | |
2/4 MG Bn | May-43 | elements of 2/2 ENG added to #1 Mobile Force | |
Kinvig | May-43 | 100 Km gap btw KinSaiYok & Nike | Speedo period |
Kinvig | May-43 | H Force departs for BanPong | 2000 Br; 700 AUS; 600 Dutch |
TXNG | 2-May-1943 | Fz Grp return to 18 KILO camp (Alepak) | |
Th | 4-May-1943 | 30 sick moved to KAN camp #3 | |
NAVY | 5-May-1943 | 41 US moved to KAN #1 Thamakam | joined with Rogers Party of 110 US |
Th | 8-May-1943 | MAJ Wright party left 30 KILO | |
2/4 MG Bn | 13-May-1943 | Williams Force to KILO 57 (Taunzun) | |
NAVY | 14-May-1943 | Marine 1SG Dupler dies at Than of dysentery | |
TXNG | 14-May | Fz Grp 3 arrive at 30 KILO camp (Retpu) | |
Kinvig | 15-May-43 | Cholera in F Force at Nike | 10% of the workforce succumbed |
TBRC | 15-May | H-Force(2) dep Singa includes 19 ARMY & NAVY | including Sawolka crewmen |
AUS | May-43 | J Force departs for Japan | Moji and Kobe camps |
Th | 24-May-43 | MAJ Rogers (Th 5A) advanced to 100 KILO | |
Cates | 28-May-43 | marched to 100 Kilo camp; monsoon begins | |
Th | 28-May-1943 | Th 5A marched to 100 KILO (Anganan) | |
TBRC | 29-May-1943 | Grp5 (Th) arr Regue (100 KILO camp) | |
TBRC | 30-May | H-Force arr Tonchan/Tarsao (284Km) | |
Kinvig | Jun-43 | Cholera among Romusha at 60KM camp in Burma | 34 deaths among 600 AUS |
Th | 1-Jun-1943 | first SPEEDO deaths | Albert Lindsley [& Dennis Willis die] 6 OCT 43 |
AUS | Jun-43 | K & L medical Forces depart for BanPong | worked the highlands area in Thailand; 365 men |
Kinvig | 12-Jun-43 | Bombing raid on Thanbyuzayat | 12 KIA = 1 US |
ME | 12-Jun | US POW killed in Allied bombing in BURMA | CPL Edwin Wilson |
NAVY | 12-Jun-1943 | hospital camps now at 4 8 and 18 KILO | MAJ Elkins & Lt Bourn |
Kinvig | 15-Jun-43 | Cholera at Hintok | 66 deaths |
TBRC | 15-Jun | Mobile Force #1 arr Taungzun (60 KILO camp) | start of cholera outbeak (Burmese origin?) |
Reminick | 16-Jun | first cholera death at Hintok | |
Th | 16-Jun-1943 | prepared return to 80 KILO | notified WILSON KIA in bombing |
Th | 17-Jun-1943 | 25 US among 100 sent to 80 KILO as hospital | |
Th | 27-Jun-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | EM3c Calvin Benner dies of dysentery |
NAVY | 28-Jun-1943 | MAJ Elkins & Lt Bourn sick at 80 KILO | |
HELLFIRE | 30-Jun-1943 | construction of Hellfire Pass completed in abt 12 weeks | [see TBRC Sep 43] |
Kinvig | Jul-43 | K ‘medical’ Force arrives to attend to romusha | |
Kinvig | Jul-43 | 3000 F Force sick moved to Thambaya | 43 of 1700 died during the move; in 6mos 748 |
ME | 1-Jul-1943 | first 131 death on TBR(Th) from Tropical ulcer | PVT James Drake |
Cates | 4-Jul-43 | roasted a dog (not hot dog) in celebration | |
Kinvig | 5-Jul-43 | 10 man escape attempt from SongKurai | 5 recaptured after 7 weeks; 5 dead |
2/4 MG Bn | 13-Jul-1943 | Wm Force#1 to KILO 72 (Mezali) | |
TXNG | 14-Jul-1943 | Fz Grp to 62 KILO camp | |
Th | 17-Jul-1943 | first Fz death SM2c James Musto of dysentery | SM1c Floyd Armour (Th) dies of dysentery |
Th | 22-Jul-1943 | 4 non-US died of cholera at 100 KILO | |
Th | 22-Jul-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | PVT Wendell Carney dies |
Th | 23-Jul-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of beri-beri | PVT Julius Anderson dies |
Th | 31-Jul-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | 1Lt Hampton dies |
Cates | 1-Aug-43 | official diary entries ceased due to scrutiny and lack of writing materials; what follws are recollections | |
Kinvig | Aug-43 | Fit from H combined with F Force near Konkoita | |
Kinvig | Aug-43 | L ‘medical’ arrives | 15 MD and 100 Ors |
Th | 1-Aug-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | CPT Lumpkin dies |
ME | 2-Aug-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of dysentery | SGT Howard Hall dies |
NAVY | 3-Aug-1943 | Tharp Grp 5 death at 100 KILO of TU | PVT Eugene Silva dies |
NAVY | 12-Aug-1943 | died during amputaion for Tropical Ulcer | GM3c Pye dies undergoing amputation |
ME | 29-Aug-1943 | SM1c Lyle Rozelle dies at Tarsoe | 1/3 from H-Force Hintok |
TBRC | 8/30/1943 | highest death toll of 1643 in this month | |
2/4 MG Bn | 1-Sep-1943 | Wm Force#1 to KILO 77 Apalon) | |
2/4 MG Bn | Sep-43 | F Force at Changaraya KILO 303 | 200 die of cholera |
Reminick | 7-Sep-1943 | 149 AUS & 150 Brit deceased at Hintok; many of cholera | |
TBRC | 8-Sep-43 | Dunlop force at Hintok | 3-tiered bridge/tresle at Hintok completed; 31 men died |
2/4 MG Bn | 11-Sep-1943 | Wm Force#1 to KILO 85 (Kyondaw) | |
ME | 11-Sep | PVT Samuel Jones dies at 80 KILO camp of TU | thought to have died during amputation |
TXNG | 14-Sep-1943 | Fz grp to 85 Kilo Camp | |
TBRC | 15-Sep | Hintok- Konyu section of railway completed | Helfire Pass |
ME | 16-Sep | PFC Edward Kalous (prior USF) dies at 100 KILO of TU | [first non-TXNG Army death] |
2/4 MG Bn | 17-Sep-1943 | Wm Force#1 to KILO 108 (Payathonzu) | |
ME | 17-Sep | PFC Harry Gray (LIBERTY surv) dies at 80 KILO of dysentery | [second non-TXNG Army death] |
TBRC | 17-Sep | Mobile Force #1 arr Paya Thanzu Tuang (108 KILO camp) | |
ME | 18-Sep | third USMC death | Cpl Holsinger dies of TU at 80 KILO camp |
2/4 MG Bn | 21-Sep-1943 | Wm Force#1 to KILO 116 (Kami Songkurai) | cholera in nearby romusha camp / F Force |
ME | 6-Oct | SM1c Donnis Wilson (Th) dies at 80 KILO of dysentery | LAST USN TBR worker death |
ME | 10-Oct | PFC Glen Moore dies at F&H hosp KAN of dysentery | 2/3 Hintok deaths |
ME | 17-Oct | PVT Johnny Jowell dies at 80 KILO of TU | LAST 131 TBR worker death |
Ramsey | 17-Oct-1943 | Thai portion 263 Km; Burmese 152 Km completed | |
Futamatsu | 23-Oct-1943 | official TBR completion ceremony | Thai and Burmese sections of line were joined near Konkoita |
Kinvig | 25-Oct-43 | Kra Isthmus road/rail completed | |
ME | 28-Oct | PVT Billy Thomas dies at F&H hosp KAN of beri-beri | 3/3 Hintok deaths |
Fujita | 29-Oct-1943 | SGT Fujita tfx’d to TOKYO | propaganda team |
TXNG | 3-Nov-1943 | Fz Grp to 114 KILO camp | from 55 Kilo camp |
Rogers | Nov-43 | Tharp nearly blind from vitamin deficiency | also MAJ Rogers |
Withnall | Nov-43 | PVT Thomas Whitehead to ChungKai hosp | tropical ulcer |
Futamatsu | 15-Nov-1943 | An average of six trains per day operated for the life of the line | |
ME | 17-Nov | USMC Pvt Wilson dies of malnutri at Songkurai 114 | 4th and last USMC death |
ME | 29-Nov | PVT Ray Baldwin dies in ETO | 131 transferred to AAF |
ME | 3-Dec | CPL Nolan Kalich dies of meningitis | E Batt at Nagasaki Jp |
ME | 12-Dec | GM3c Gene Fanghor dies of Diphtheria | first Zg Party death Ohasi Jp |
ME | 12-Dec | EM3c Alfred Seidel dies of bronchitis | last Zg Party death Hakodate Jp |
Reminick | 25-Dec-1943 | 116 H-Force survivors of 525 POWs arr Singa via KAN | AUS grp 184 of 600 survived |
2/4 MG Bn | 26-Dec-1943 | Williams Force #1 to KILO 122 | wood cutting camp |
NAVY | 27-Dec-1943 | initial Tharp grp moved to KAN “rest camp” | housed at Camp #3 |
Cates | 28-Dec-43 | 36 hr trip on train to KAN camp for the ‘light sick’ | |
NAVY | 29-Dec-1943 | still at 100 KILO | ARMY 8 off 58 enl; USN 4 off; 74 enl |
Rogers | 29-Dec-1943 | Tharp moved on litter | |
Th | 29-Dec-1943 | moved from 100 KILO to KAN camp #2 by train | less 148 non-fit men left at 100 KILO w/ MAJ Rogers |
NAVY | 31-Dec-43 | last USN arr KAN | |
ME | 1-Jan-44 | Th 5A moved to 195 (?) Kilo Camp; cut wood for train fuel | |
NAVY | 7-Jan-1944 | ill tfx 80 KILO to Kanchanaburi | |
NAVY | 7-Jan-1944 | 20 US from 114 KILO to 105 KILO | 114 = Songkurai |
2/4 MG Bn | 11-Jan-1944 | Wm Force#1 to KILO 131-33 (Nike) | wood cutting camp |
2/4 MG Bn | 12-Jan-1944 | Wm Force#1 began Tfx to Kanchanaburi | ill taken by rail |
Reminick | 15-Jan-1944 | 4000/7000 F & 2000/3000 H return to Singa | |
TXNG | 17-Jan-1944 | Fz grp to Kanchanaburi | |
Th | 19-Jan-1944 | strength at KAN: 900 Br/Am/Au 2300 Dutch +150 at Thamakam | per ration records |
2/4 MG Bn | 25-Jan-1944 | Wm Force#1 back to KILO 114 (Changaraya) | |
NAVY | 26-Jan-1944 | marched from 100 to 105 KILO | |
NAVY | 26-Jan-1944 | Thai-anusorn monument begun | MM3c Leo Bird selected to assist w/ monument to deceased Asians |
ME | 30-Jan-1944 | PVT Ward Simpson dies at KAN F&H of Tuberculosis | third Fz death |
2/4 MG Bn | Feb-44 | F Force at KILO 105 (Aungganung) w/ Wm Force#1 | Aussie and US POWs reunited |
NAVY | 4-Feb-1944 | dedication of the obelisk Romushas memorial | [multiple deaths recorded ??] ? 21 Mar 44/ |
ME | 13-Feb | Th GRP 5 moved to ChungKai Camp, then Kanburi | |
Th | 29-Feb-1944 | PFC C M Collins dies at KAN of dysentry | |
Kinvig | Mar-44 | begin movement of 10K POWs from KAN to Japan | |
ME | 6-Mar | PVT J W Bartee dies in ETO | 131 transfer to AAF |
Clark | 15-Mar-1944 | 10 US tfx to Khao Din Railyard | Art Clark. Chas Pryor; Dallas Clark; John Lee;Wade Webb |
NAVY | 18-Mar-1944 | 47 US still at 105 KILO | USN 24 MC 3 |
NAVY | 22-Mar-1944 | 19 US at 105 KILO tfx to Japan | USN 14 |
2/4 MG Bn | 25-Mar-1944 | IJA began to select men to tfx to Japan | |
2/4 MG Bn | 27-Mar-1944 | Wm Force#1 to Kanchanaburi | following B-24 attack on 105 Camp |
Kinvig | Apr-44 | F & H hosp in Kan closed | patient deaths: F-45% H-27% |
ME | 9-Apr | Fowler +206 Army and 8 AAF to Saigon | w/ SSG H.R. Cobb |
NAVY | 10-Apr-1944 | all at 105 KILO to KAN | USN 3 off & 6 enl |
Whitnall | Apr-44 | FCM1c Mahlant tfx to Nong Pladuk | then on to Ubon |
Rogers | 5-May-1944 | Rogers & Tharp reunited at Thamakam | Tharp’s health somewhat better |
ME | 7-May | final US 131 TBR POW dies on TBR (Th) | PVT Herrera of dysentery at Nakorn Pathom |
ME | 11-May | Fowler returns to Kan from Saigon | |
Cates | 16-May-44 | final group of US arr Thamarkan | |
Cates | 8-Jun-44 | errant bomb hits hospital killing 85 | mostly Dutch |
ME | 24-Jun | Tamahoko sunk with loss of 16 US; 2 US survivors | SM1c Wilfred Logan & SM2c Leo Callahan survived |
NAVY | 25-Jun | 35 US from KAN depart for Japan via Singapore | |
NAVY | 7-Aug-1944 | sick moved to Nakorn Pathom | LT Heinman in command |
Withnall | 6-Sep-1944 | Allied B-29s bomb of Nong Pladuk railyards | 98 KIA ; 2-400 WIA mostly British |
Fritshe | 13-Sep-1944 | sinking of the Rakuyo Maru carrying BG Varley | many PERTH crew perished as well; 4 were among 158 POWs by US subs |
Reminick | 18-Sep | Junyo Maru sunk off Sumatra (5600 KIA) | survivors USMC Pvt Wm Miller; SGT Gordon Miller & PFC Jos Sokolowski KIA |
ME | 11-Oct | India-based pilots warned of Allied POWs on the TBR | intel from POW survivors of Rakuyo sinking |
Fritshe | 2-Nov | USN post-TBR death in Saigon | BKR3c Albert Tanberg of dysentery |
ME | 3-Nov | received 1/6 of RED CROSS ration package | |
Rogers | 4-Nov | final USN TBR death at Chung Kai hosp camp | SM1c David Williams of dysentery |
ME | 15-Nov | 35 US from KAN arr Japan (Fukuoka) via Singapore | |
NAVY | 29-Nov-1944 | Allies bomb the RKB #1 | Dutch POWs KIA from ‘short-fall’ bombs |
Fritshe | 1-Dec-44 | Cates hospitalized at ChungKai | |
Cates | 4-Dec-1944 | bombing at KAN & Non Pladuk | KIA 14 at Kan; 96 at NP no US |
NAVY | 8-Dec-1944 | Allies bomb Kui Yae (186K in TH) | 26 Dutch POWS KIA |
TBRC | 13-Dec-1944 | Allies bomb the RKB #2 | slight damage only |
TBRC | 5-Jan-1945 | Officers at KAN to be separated | enlisted moved to other nearby camps; ChungKai |
NAVY | 15-Jan-1945 | Maj Rogers; CPT Parker 2 others arrested for radio | sentenced to 5 yrs hard labor |
NAVY | 23-Jan | American VB-1 AZON MCLOS-guided 1,000 lb aerial ordnance hits bridge | |
ME | 5-Feb-1945 | Allies bomb the RKB #4 | wooden bridge damaged |
Fritshe | 9-Feb | Wooden bridge damaged | by US AAF B-24s |
Fritshe | 13-Feb | Both brides damaged | by US AAF B-24s |
Fritshe | 15-Feb-1945 | more sick moved to Nakorn Pathom | ENS Stivers w/ brain tumor |
NAVY | 19-Mar-1945 | Kra Isthmus rail line bombed | by US AAF B-24s |
Labutt | Apr-45 | the 3 E Batt officers tfx’d to Mukden | |
Fritshe | 3-Apr-1945 | USAAF damaged the wooden railroad bridge once again | Lt Wm Henderson 7th US Bomb Grp |
Fritshe | 24-Apr-1945 | multiple bombing raids along the entire TBR | utliing a new ‘dive bomb’ technique |
Labutt | May-45 | most E Batt tfx’d to coal mines at Fukuoka camp 9 | |
Kinvig | 5-May-45 | Rangoon falls; IJA exodus from Burma begins | |
Fritshe | 15-May-1945 | Saigon grp left Dalat for Tuy Hoa to repair a bridge | |
ME | 28-May-1945 | PVT Lavern Staver dies in Singapore (post-TBR/Hintok) | last H-Force death of brain cancer |
ME | 30-May-1945 | both bridges were operational again | |
ME | 18-Jun-1945 | medical supplies dropped on Sanam Luang BKK | |
Fritshe | 24-Jun-1945 | RAF damaged the main bridge and entire railway line out of commission | |
Ramsey | 14-Jul-1945 | final US AAF strafing attack along the TBR | |
Fritshe | 15-Jul-1945 | Officers begin move to Nakorn Nayok | |
NAVY | 12-Aug | final US POW dies in Japan of beri-beri | SGT Donald Heleman of E Batt |
ME | 15-Aug-1945 | sixth grp moves to Nakorn Nayok | 17 US officers |
Th | 16-Aug-1945 | official notice of war’s end | extra food and medicine arrive |
Cates | 17-Aug-1945 | LTC Tharp arrived Bangkok w/ MAJ Rogers & CPT Parker | |
Th | 17-Aug-45 | Cates taken to BKK by train/ barge and 10 mile trek | |
Th | 18-Aug-1945 | ENS Stivers to Bangkok Nursing Home hospital | (brain tumor) |
Th | 18-Aug-1945 | Charles Mott to join US contingent in BKK | from NongPlaDuk |
Th | 19-Aug-1945 | Tharp to PMK hospital BKK | |
Th | 20-Aug-1945 | distribution of US pers: Ubon 4;Muang 46;Prachin43;Nayok152 Petch33;NKPhosp16; Saigon 200 | 294 Thailand; 206 Saigon |
Th | 22-Aug | Hoffman and Harris escape Pethburi camp | |
Th | 22-Aug-1945 | LT Stensland to Nakorn Pathom | 38 US in hospital at Nakorn Pathom |
Th | 22-Aug-1945 | LT Keithley to Nakorn Nayok | 122 US in Nakorn Nayok |
Th | 22-Aug-1945 | LT Hard to Prachinburi | w/ 10 US |
Th | 23-Aug-1945 | 4 TXNG & 4 USN arr KAN from jungle camps | |
Cates | 24-Aug-1945 | CPTs Wright & Cates and ENS Nelson to Petchburi | also PVT Barnes and SGT Moritz |
Th | 24-Aug-45 | some US moved to Petchburi supposedly to prep for evac | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | CPTs Fz Fowler & ENS Clark to US HQ BKK | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | MAJ Rogers to Oriental Hotel | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | LT Heinen to Go-downs area Harbor camp | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | LT Morgan to [Tamwan]? = Tha Muang! | w/ 21 US |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | LT Lattimore at KAN | w/ 9 US |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | CPT Mott & ENS Smith at Paratrooper HQ | |
Th | 25-Aug-1945 | USMC Sgt Aust retieves Tharp’s records from ChungKai | |
Th | 26-Aug-1945 | LT Keithley arr from Nakorn Nayok | w/ 121 US |
Cates | 27-Aug-1945 | LT Hard arr from Prachinburi | w/ 16 US |
Th | 27-Aug-45 | first Petchburi grp (ill) evaced to Rangoon/Calcutta | |
Rogers | 28-Aug-1945 | CPTs Taylor, Scarbrough & Demoss to Rangoon | |
Th | 28-Aug-1945 | Rogers released from BKK jail and meets Tharp | Tharp “looks 90 yo”; walking with a cane |
Th | 29-Aug-1945 | ENS Stiver still at BNH hospital | (brain tumor) |
Th | 29-Aug-1945 | 151 US to Calcutta | |
Th | 29-Aug-1945 | LT Fillmore at BKK HQ | |
Cates | 30-Aug-1945 | SGTs Schmid & Douglas return to BKK | |
Th | 30-Aug-45 | Cates flies out of Petchburi airfield; upon arr in Calcutta encounters a former student now AAF MAJ Lovelace | |
Th | 31-Aug-1945 | ENS Stivers and LTs Fillmore & Skillern to Calcutta | ENS Clark returns from up country |
Th | 1-Sep-1945 | Fz to Saigon; LT Schmid to Calcutta | SGT Schmid & Douglas to Calcutta |
Th | 2-Sep-1945 | SGTs Crain & Brown from [Tamwan] = Tha Muang! | |
Th | 3-Sep-1945 | SM2c S. Barnes to BNH hospital | |
NAVY | 6-Sep-1945 | Saigon party stop at BKK to Calcutta | 214 US including 8 AAF |
Labutt | 14-Sep-45 | Fukuoka Camp 9 liberated by US forces | 117 British, 138 American and 761 Dutch |
NAVY | 15-Sep-45 | CWGC begins remains recovery | |
Labutt | 19-Sep-45 | most of E Batt depart Japan | aboard USS Wadsworth and Lunga Point |
Labutt | 21-Sep-45 | arrive Okinawa; some are flown to Manila, others board the troop carrier USS Haskell | |
Cates | 25-Sep-45 | medically cleared and released; | |
Cates | 30-Sep-45 | landed in Newfoundland then on to NYC and WASHDC | |
Cates | 4-Oct-45 | finally arr at McKinney TX military hospital; then on to Decatur | |
Cates | 7-Oct-1945 | final TBR-related death | Ens John Bell Stivers dies of Glioblastoma in St Albans hosp NY |
Labutt | 10-Oct-45 | 27 men board the Marine Shark for SF via Hawaii | arr SF 1 NOV |
Labutt | 28-Oct-45 | MS Klipfontein arr Seattle with 21 E Batt mbrs | |
ME | 12-Dec-1945 | final 131 dies in plane crash in New Guinea | PFC Wm Forceraser tfx to AAF |
ME | 15-Jun-1947 | TBR system sold to Thailand (50M baht/ 1.25M Pounds) | as part of war reparations via Britain |
TBRC | 24-Jun-1949 | NongPlaDuk to Kan portion reopened | |
Ramsey | 1-Apr-1952 | WangPo portion opened for traffic | |
Ramsey | Jul-52 | SRT begins to repair the RK Bridge | |
TBRC | 1-Jul-1957 | Railway reopened to NamTok | |
Ramsey | Jul-58 | TBR system reopens mainly for tourism |
The US POWs in the company of others from Java were sent to a number of destinations in addition to the TBR. Some, the E Battery contingent and Zeigler Party went directly to Japan (via Singapore). Many of the officers ended their captivity in the Mukden camp in Manchuria; some direct, others post-TBR. Sumatra was the destination for a few. A handful never left Java,
