Sandakan Death March
ESSAY Word Count
1,943 words
The fall of Singapore occurred on the 15th of February 1942, when the Japanese army captured 85,000 Allied troops, including 15,000 Australians, which became a significant moment in Australian history, as well as being used to support the characteristics of the ANZAC legend. The fall of Singapore not only impacted the troops in Singapore at the time, but also impacted Australia and Britain in World War II by possibly endangering Australia’s safety. Many of the Allied troops that were captured during the fall of Singapore became prisoners of war, and endured harsh conditions, which have been used to support the characteristics of the ANZAC legend. There were three death marches between January and June 1945, when the surviving prisoners were sent from Sandakan towards Ranau. The ill treatment of these remaining prisoners has also been used to support the characteristics of the ANZAC legend. The fall of Singapore is a significant moment in Australian history, and the courage, resourcefulness, selflessness and ‘mateship’ shown by Australian prisoners of war supports characteristics of the ANZAC legend.
1 King, J 2011, Great Battles in Australian History, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia.
2 Hope, DA 2011 Fall of Singapore service 15th Feb 2011, Singapore 1942, accessed 4 June 2013, <http://singaporeevacuation1942.blogspot.com.au/>.
1 King, J 2011, Great Battles in Australian History, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia.
2 Hope, DA 2011 Fall of Singapore service 15th Feb 2011, Singapore 1942, accessed 4 June 2013, <http://singaporeevacuation1942.blogspot.com.au/>.
The fall of Singapore is the biggest military defeat in British and Australian history. 80,000 Allied troops surrendered to the Japanese army on the 15th of February 19421 when Japan attacked Singapore. When the Japanese defeated the British Empire and took 80,000 Allied troops prisoner1, it
1,943 words
The fall of Singapore occurred on the 15th of February 1942, when the Japanese army captured 85,000 Allied troops, including 15,000 Australians, which became a significant moment in Australian history, as well as being used to support the characteristics of the ANZAC legend. The fall of Singapore not only impacted the troops in Singapore at the time, but also impacted Australia and Britain in World War II by possibly endangering Australia’s safety. Many of the Allied troops that were captured during the fall of Singapore became prisoners of war, and endured harsh conditions, which have been used to support the characteristics of the ANZAC legend. There were three death marches between January and June 1945, when the surviving prisoners were sent from Sandakan towards Ranau. The ill treatment of these remaining prisoners has also been used to support the characteristics of the ANZAC legend. The fall of Singapore is a significant moment in Australian history, and the courage, resourcefulness, selflessness and ‘mateship’ shown by Australian prisoners of war supports characteristics of the ANZAC legend.
1 King, J 2011, Great Battles in Australian History, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia.
2 Hope, DA 2011 Fall of Singapore service 15th Feb 2011, Singapore 1942, accessed 4 June 2013, <http://singaporeevacuation1942.blogspot.com.au/>.
1 King, J 2011, Great Battles in Australian History, 2nd edn, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia.
2 Hope, DA 2011 Fall of Singapore service 15th Feb 2011, Singapore 1942, accessed 4 June 2013, <http://singaporeevacuation1942.blogspot.com.au/>.
The fall of Singapore is the biggest military defeat in British and Australian history. 80,000 Allied troops surrendered to the Japanese army on the 15th of February 19421 when Japan attacked Singapore. When the Japanese defeated the British Empire and took 80,000 Allied troops prisoner1, it