SANDAKAN HISTORY DOC - Department of Veterans' Affairs

Second death march to Ranau
May–june 1945
The Australian and British POWs on the second march to
Ranau left Sandakan camp on 29 May 1945. Of about 530
marchers, only 100 were in any condition to embark on such
an ordeal. Many knew themselves they would not get far.
Within a day, one of the groups—group 2—which had left with
50 POWs had already lost 12. As with the first march, a Japanese
detachment had been assigned to deal with those who fell out.
As a Japanese soldier with this death squad later testified:
On the way from Sandakan to Ranau I took my turn in S/M Tsuji’s
[Sergeant-Major Tsuji] party twice. The first time three were killed I
think and on the second four were killed. On the first occasion I killed
one, but not on the latter occasion. Captain Takakua [Captain
Takakuwa Takuo] ordered me to do it and S/M Tsuji was present
when I killed the man. There may have been a few Formosans ... who did
not get a turn in the killing parties.
Australian Army
felt hats found at
Sandakan POW
Camp, 1945.
AWM Robertson
Collection, 121/6
37