Recent reports of fatal attacks on humans by crocodiles in Mexico. [1] Unlike the predatory attacks by Nile and saltwater crocodiles, victims of mugger crocodiles are often not eaten, indicating that many attacks by this species are territorial or defensive rather than predatory. Death came to them from many different sources, scorpions, disease, drowning and of course the crocodiles. An analysis of blood on each soldier at every 3 meters of the swamp revealed that 24 percent of the soldiers had been killed by crocodiles. 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 . You dont want to get bit by this creature, though, as their bite force is the strongest in the animal kingdom. Wikimedia CommonsBritish Marines landing on Ramree Island in January 1945 at the beginning of the six-week battle. In January 1996, I sat with 11 other scuba divers on the top deck of a 150 foot live aboard, watching the sunset over the mountains of Guadalcanal. All Rights Reserved, Matt Fratus is a history staff writer for Coffee or Die. A Cultural Herpetology of Nile Crocodiles in Africa. That's why it was posted online: The chewing of huge reptiles, the shouting of humans, and the sound of rifle firing were heard in the woods. Screenshot showing the 2017 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records adding a note to the previous edition correcting information about the claim that saltwater crocodiles killed hundreds of Japanese soldiers at Ramree Island in World War II. [9], In 1965, the British official historian, Stanley Woodburn Kirby, wrote that the Japanese defence of the island and the escape of about 500 men against "fearful odds", had been courageous and determined. [3] The experience in co-operation between the 26th Indian Division and the navy in the war of chaungs and small ports along the Arakan coast was intended to be exploited in the attack. Ramree Island, part of Arakan (now Rakhine State), has an area of 520sqmi (1,350km2) and is separated from the mainland by a strait with an average width of about 490ft (150m); the island is 70mi (110km) south of Akyab (now Sittwe). [7] When the British outflanked a Japanese stronghold, the 900 defenders abandoned the base and marched to join a larger force of Japanese soldiers across the island. The maneuver split the enemy group in two and isolated about 1,000 Japanese soldiers. British soldiers landing on Ramree (via Wikimedia). Fair winds and following seas to Marine Corps 1st Lt. Nicholas Manganiello. Only 20 of the Japanese fighters were able to escape unharmed. 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. 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]. Havelock Island, where the attack took place, lies 72 kilometres (45mi) from the Lohabarrack Salt Water Crocodile Sanctuary. Japanese soldiers hid in the swamp, not knowing of the danger that lies ahead - saltwater crocodiles! Of about 1,000 Japanese soldiers, it's estimated that only 20 survived. While the US and NATO have yet to commit to sending full-size tanks, the Bradley is a potent armored vehicle for a mechanized war. As you can imagine, what followed was one of the most gruesome and brutal crocodile attacks in history. . Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. These crocodiles were actual predators, weighing in at over a ton and measuring up to 23 feet in length. Some British soldiers, including naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright, who participated in the expedition, claimed that crocodiles attacked and ate numerous Japanese soldiers. He writes for his micro-blog. "Level 3 Skill: Water Flow Manipulation. In addition, the references made to crocodiles are minimal compared to the passages detailing the dangers of malaria. In weak physical condition, many of the Japanese soldiers were injured and died in the swamp. Then, read up on Desmond Doss, the Hacksaw Ridge medic who saved dozens of soldiers lives during World War II. Last updated on July 22nd, 2022 at 09:57 pm. An Australian Army soldier suffered serious head and chest injuries after being mauled by a crocodile that attacked him late on Friday, Australia media . According to one Allied commander: In April 2010, a 25-year-old woman from New Jersey was killed by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling in India's Andaman Islands. Resistance at the chaung from the troops of the II Battalion, 121st Regiment increased and on 31 January, the 71st Brigade was ordered to move inland, north-east towards Sane, then head south towards Ramree town. What awaited them there was a horror beyond comprehension. The short version is that a large number of Japanese soldiers (between 400 to 1000 depending on the "source") were eaten by saltwater crocodiles during the night of Feb 19th 1945 during the battle of Ramree island as part of the Burma campaign. The mangrove swamps of Ramree Island were treacherous, and the British troops already knew that. Pooley, S. (2016). The swamps were infested with mosquitoes, leeches, and snakes. The crocodiles, alerted by the din of warfare and smell of blood, gathered among the mangroves, lying with their eyes above the water, watchfully alert for their next meal. But are we really to believe that a sizable force of trained Japanese soldiers was decimated by an onslaught of crocodiles? Royal Flying Doctor Service/Reuters. What happened next is a bit of a mystery; however, according to one version of the story the best-known version only 20 of the soldiers who entered the marshes made it out alive; the rest were eaten by crocodiles. Tehran remains unusually mum while Neon Defender warships ply Persian Gulf. An accurate count of annual crocodile attacks on humans is difficult to obtain. During the Battle of Ramree Island in World War II, an army of 1000 Japanese soldiers were wiped out by saltwater crocodiles. (2015). CrocBITE, Worldwide Crocodilian Attack Database: Sideleau, B., and Britton A.R.C. [2], Eight other species have been involved in fatal attacks on humans, but in far lower numbers than the Nile, saltwater and mugger crocodiles, and also with significantly lower fatality rates (a higher percentage of their attacks are non-fatal). Many historians debunk the tale of the massacre, but some facts do point to some veracity of the incident. Right beside the carcass of the Giant Crocodile, there were 2 skills books, a green treasure box and 200 Survivor Coins. A Cacophony Of Hell: The Story Of The Ramree Island Crocodile Massacre. [7], On 26 January in Operation Sankey, a Royal Marine force landed on Cheduba island, about 6.2mi (10km) offshore of the south-west coast of Ramree Island and found it unoccupied. Saltwater crocodiles are not to be underestimated. The invasion force was led by three Joint Assault Commanders, Captain Bush RN, Major-General Cyril Lomax and Wing Commander H. Smith. Nile freshwater crocodiles, like the one pictured here, have a reputation as man-eaters, similarly to the saltwater crocodiles that were rumored to ravage Japanese soldiers at Ramree Island in Myanmar in 1945. Only a handful came out alive". In addition, the references made to crocodiles are minimal compared to the passages detailing the dangers of malaria. Have you ever heard of Ramree Island? Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). With the ebb of the tide, the crocodiles moved in on the dead, wounded, and uninjured men who had become mired in the mud.. Finally, the British soldiers realized the Japaneses situation and urged them to surrender to avoid further bloodshed. After weeks of bitter fighting, the Allies managed to drive the last surviving Japanese soldiers into mangrove swamps surrounding the island swamps populated by thousands of saltwater crocodiles. 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. One thing is for certain: When given the choice of surrendering or taking chances in a crocodile-infested swamp, choose surrender. The incident appears in the Guinness records: Ramree Island was the scene of an alleged massacre of Japanese . They decided to flee. The Battle of Ramree Island (Burmese: , (also called Operation Matador) took place from 14 January to 22 February 1945, in the Second World War as part of the offensive on the Southern Front in the Burma campaign by the XV Indian Corps. The largest crocodile ever killed was a saltwater crocodile that measured 23 feet and weighed 2,370 pounds. The Burma campaign still lacks the coverage and interest afforded to events in the European theatre during the Second World War. Dont mess with mother nature. Too much bad in the world Let us not add to it The majority of attacks recorded below have occurred in Southeast Asia and Australia. However, there is no specific mention of the crocodile attack devouring over 900 Japanese. Those who survived the battle reportedly didnt fare well when they chose the doomed escape route across the crocodile-infested waters. The British then sent word that the smaller, isolated Japanese group should surrender. This is the terrible sound Wright heard in the night. In January 1945, two. There was a story that hundreds of people died getting slaughter by crocodiles in just one night. These Japanese troops told their captors about the crocodiles. After a bloody but successful campaign against the Japanese, the British soldiers managed to drive nearly 1,000 enemy combatants into the dense mangrove swamp that covered some ten miles of Ramree. The Legend of Dick Bong: World War II Ace of Aces, Medal of Honor Recipient and Crocodile Killer? The incident was even included in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1968 under worst crocodile disaster in the world as well as most fatalities in a crocodile attack (despite there being not a single death officially recorded). McLynn also questions the likelihood of over 900 Japanese troops being killed overnight despite possessing an effective means of defense. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. In all, some 500 Japanese fled Ramree despite the blockade created to stop them. More importantly, focussing on such a wholly ungrounded event underplays the courageous role played by the Fourteenth Army in what was one of the most brutal theatres of the Second World War. As part of their retreat they had to cross a 16km mangrove swamp. However, we must ask the question: did this event really occur? Although most attacks are not reported, the Nile crocodile is estimated to kill hundreds (possibly thousands) of people each year, which is more than all other crocodilian species combined. An active skill, requires 5 Spirit and 5 Stamina to activate. During the night 980 Japanese soldiers are said to have been lost to saltwater crocodiles living in the swamp. 13. It was just that their levels were low. The 20 Most Famous Last Words of All Time. A depiction of a saltwater crocodile emerging from the water alongside British soldiers at Ramree Island during World War II. They shot a 3 m crocodile and found what they believe is human remains in its stomach. Osama, a saltwater crocodile named after the terrorist Usama Bin Laden, reportedly killed and ate 80 people in Uganda over a period of 14 years beginning in 1991. The Imperial Japanese Army decided that a full retreat was in order after their defeat in Burma at the hands of British forces. So while the historical accounts are unclear, the British almost certainly did encounter the 20 Japanese soldiers who explained the horrors they endured. These crocs are the largest reptiles in the world and are capable of bringing down water buffalo. Kaori had been a kendo practitioner before the apocalypse, while Kyoko was a successor of the Tenshin-style sword arts. No evidence, that is, unless one believes a solitary account by a mysterious character. Sideleau, B. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 34(2): 21-22. Crocodiles may seem like theyre slow and sluggish, but they are one of the most feared predators in the world for a reason. Did crocodiles eat Japanese soldiers? Join us onFacebook,Twitter(#AnimalWeek), andTumblrfor even more animal action and to share your own tales of fascinating fauna. On the 19th of the month, the Japanese unit attempted to make its way through 10 miles of swamp to link up with a larger unit. There is a long history of saltwater crocodiles attacking humans who wander into their habitats, and ultimately only 520 out of 1000 Japanese soldiers managed to survive the Ramree swamps. Jayma April 15, 2022. The majority of Japanese soldiers died in combat or drowned, despite the fact that many British soldiers witnessed crocodiles eating dead Japanese bodies. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Cheduba Island was not garrisoned and the 22nd East African Brigade was sent to hold Ramree Island. With a jump in Australia on Monday, Jan. 16, local time, a team of vets set skydiving records to raise money for Folds of Honor. Photoshopped image courtesy of opposingfronts.com. 0 20 2 minutes read. [4], On 14 January, the 26th Indian Division was ordered to attack Ramree on 21 January, as a Royal Marine detachment from 3 Commando Brigade occupied the neighbouring Cheduba Island. The Allies also had to deal with challenges posed by logistics and supply problems, as well as malaria, cholera, and various other diseases. After a bloody campaign, British troops managed to drive nearly 1,000 enemy combatants off the island into the dense mangrove swamp that covered some 10 miles of Ramree. The rancid smell of blood automatically attracts the attention of this herd of reptiles. [19] In 2016, historian Sam Willis reported having found documentation indicating that the Japanese soldiers mostly drowned and/or were shot, and that crocodiles scavenged on their corpses afterwards. Unfortunately, it seems that the Japanese didnt know what awaited them in the swamp, or they were so desperate to escape that they didnt care. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The most prominent firsthand retelling of what happened comes from naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright, who participated in the Battle of Ramree Island and gave this written account: That night [of February 19, 1945] was the most horrible that any member of the M.L. Several British soldiers said that the crocodiles preyed on the Japanese soldiers in the swamp. All of the above crocodile attacks could have been avoided. Dr. Sam Willis, an award-winning historian, archaeologist, and host of National Geographics Nazi Weird War Two, investigated some of World War IIs most bizarre stories, including Hitlers methheads and Himmlers haunted castle. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. So, instead of accepting their fate, they chose to make an 8-mile journey through the mangrove swamps of Ramree Island. [2] Contents 2023 Atlas Obscura. It was this fortunate blow that killed the Giant Crocodile. The soldiers were viciously and mercilessly attacked by the crocodiles. The Battle of Ramree - World War II. 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. Do you risk your life in the swamp or put your life in the hands of the enemy? It is mentioned in his1962 book Wildlife Sketches: Near and Far. The Japanese soldiers were no match for these crocodiles. The issues surrounding this mystery arent just about getting the facts right. They are also notorious for attacking humans who stray into their habitats. Describing the incident in his 1962 book Wildlife Sketches, the Canadian naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright wrote that an estimated 1,000 Japanese soldiers fled into the marshes and that only 20 came out alive. 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.". Your email address will not be published. In Hawaii, the Corps deactivated the famous 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. Unfortunately for the fleeing men, the mangrove jungle on Ramree Island is home to an unknown number of the largest reptilian predator in the world the saltwater crocodile. However, first they had to drive off the Japanese invasion force which had already claimed the island. Required fields are marked *. As the Indian and British troops closed in, the Japanese soldiers were faced with two options: They could stay and fight or attempt to flee through the marshes and escape by sea. 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. Many of the Japanese troops succumbed to tropical diseases carried by swarms of mosquitoes, as well as the various poisonous spiders, snakes and scorpions found in the marsh. [21] He established that Bruce S. Wright had not been present on Ramree Island at the time of the battle, and noted that although the other chapters in Wright's book were told in the first person, the account of the battle was in the third person; possibly, Platt speculated, Wright was repeating stories he had been told by friends. How many Japanese soldiers were actually eaten by salt water crocodiles? 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 didn't survive. The story goes that during World War II, 1,000 Japanese soldiers were eaten by crocodiles on the island. 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. The smell of blood attracted the nearby crocodiles, devoured the bodies of Japanese soldiers, and attacked the wounded Japanese soldiers left behind. One by one the crocodiles picked off the soldiers at night, dragging them into the swamp and mauling them to death. [7], The large number of ships was intended to provide more firepower in support of the landing force. Offer subject to change without notice. [6], The battle started with Operation Matador, an amphibious assault to capture the strategic port of Kyaukpyu at the north end of Ramree Island and the airfield near the port, south of Akyab across Hunter's Bay. Wikimedia Commons photo. The United States and its allies realized that such an airbase would threaten. Not a single one did. Even worse, saltwater crocodiles are nocturnal and excel at taking prey in the dark. 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.. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2023. The largest one ever officially measured was Lolong, who was a saltwater crocodile who measured 20 feet three inches long and weighed 2,370 pounds. However, thousands of enemy troops held the island, causing an exhausting battle that went on for six weeks. British troops in a landing craft make their way ashore on Ramree Island, 21 January 1945. That night [19 February 1945] was the most horrible that any member of the M. L. [motor launch] crews ever experienced. Witnesses say the crocodile first attacked a man and then grabbed the girl and pulled her under. The scattered rifle shots in the pitch black swamp punctured by the screams of wounded men crushed in the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred worrying sound of spinning crocodiles made a cacophony of hell that has rarely been duplicated on earth. The Japanese soldiers on Ramree Island during the nearing end of World War II had a dilemma that resulted in the deadliest crocodile feast ever. This disease seriously hindered both sides' attempt to gain control of the island. With the ebb of the tide, the crocodiles moved in on the dead, wounded, and uninjured men who had become mired in the mud, The scattered rifle shots in the pitch black swamp punctured by the screams of the wounded men crushed in the jaws of huge reptiles, and the blurred worrying sound of spinning crocodiles made a cacophony of hell that has rarely been duplicated on Earth. Bodies of Japanese soldiers was decimated by an onslaught of crocodiles thing is for certain: When the... For Coffee or Die: Ramree Island crocodile massacre japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles imagine, what followed was of... Weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you Japaneses situation urged... Swamp, choose surrender 2,370 pounds Reserved, Matt Fratus is a history staff writer for or! And died in combat or drowned, despite the blockade created to stop them say the crocodile attacked! 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