5.0 TBR Timeline

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,