Thai-Burma Death Railway Camps

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Naming Standards
This naming convention, developed by Neil MacPherson of Australia and accepted by the Center For Research, Allied POWS Under The Japanese, sets out the known details of the camps on the Burma Thailand Railway and makes allowances for the spelling differentials. Neil and Rod Beattie have worked to make this as accurate as possible. Rod Beattie has worked diligently on this project for years and was instrumental in developing the Death Railway Musuem in Thailand.

For those who worked on the Burma end, the men used the distance from Base Thanbyuzayat as camp names. Example: 35 Kilo Camp, MacPherson's first camp in Thailand; the tendency was to use the name of the nearest village, so the list below gives both name (Tanyin) and kilo (35) camp designation. (As of 29 Sept 2005)

Chart of Movements -- Detail of Movements

Information on Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
Dutch perception of Death Railway
No20-196_Thailand_POW_Camp_Deaths_1943 (image)
Railway of Infinite Regret (2020) by Dwight Rider

Additional Links:
Death Railway - Thailand-Burma Railway (FEPOW)
Burma Thailand Railway Memorial Association
US POWs on the Thai-Burma Railway

Archival Documents from NARA:

THAI-BURMA RAILWAY - Assorted maps of the TBR (poor image quality)

Asst. original documents on Thailand camps (RG 24 Box 6) - Report on camps by John Slaughter (Royal Norfolk Regiment), with maps; Swiss telegrams re USS Houston survivors, list of American POWs in Thailand; lists of British and Dutch POWs; deceased in Saigon camp; grave lists and detailed locations (Apparon 80-kilo camp, Sino Anganan 100-kilo camp, Cemetery #1 Kanchanaburi); Roselle death certificate; British, American and Australian POWs killed by bombings at camps in Thailand, Mukden, Taiwan, Osaka, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Sendai (includes some casualty cards)

JAG Files on Malaya camps (RG 153 Box 105) - Rangoon camp, Maymyo camp Burma, Tamarkan camp Thailand CELLUM testimony, Incidents in Thai camps, Serang and Thai camp reports, Borneo camps, few pages from Treatment of Malayan People and Singapore camp report

Asst. Place Name Cards for Java Camp Group Area (RG 153 Box 7, JAG files) - cards are mixed in with other area camps, contain many names and places relating to deaths, news events, atrocities, etc.

Burma, Thailand, Siam camps (RG 389 Box 2120) - Harrell Report on Tamwan, Siam; Petchaburi, Siam; Moulmein, Burma (camp sketch); List of Java and South East Asia camps p1 - p2 - p3 - p4; Duffy drawings (see below); Ban Pang, Siam Airport Camp, Makasuri, Pakan Bahru (Serang Civil Prison, Batavia and Singapore camp sketches); Norwood at Truk jail (sketch); Kellogg Report on Bangkok; Gorski letter to Norwood; Map of Norwood trip to Singapore; 142nd General Hospital roster; Gorski report on Sumatra; Tamarakan camp, Siam (camp sketch); Camp map Thai-Burma Railway; Report on Malaya camps; Hamlin statement USS Houston; Clark letter to Norwood; Color map of TBR; Burma camp photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4; Schram affidavit; Summers affidavit; Rogers report on 100 Kilo camp (sketch); Heinen report on 100 Kilo camp (sketch); Letter to Barrett; Stensland report on Thanbyuzayat Burma; Norwood map of TBR; Pryor letter on 80 Kilo camp; Summers report on Tamarkan (camp sketch); Keithly affidavit; Thai camp photo; Tamuang camp photos 1 - 2; Slaughter report on Thai camps; Map of prison camps near Kanchanaburi; Chung Kia camp sketch

Burma, Thailand, Siam camps (RG 389 Box 2120A) - 80 Kilo camp (sketch); Bangkok; Mail drop from Rabaul Aussies; Rasbany report on Brenkassey Thailand; Kanbury Thailand huts photo; Leon report on Nakhon Pathon Thailand; Pryor report on Technicians camp Thailand; Rasbany report on Tamajoe Thailand (sketch); Condition of POWs on TBR

Thailand Camps Death Roster and SEA Camps Report (RG 389 Box 2155) - Death roster for 136 US, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand POWs (1942-08-15 to 1945-09-05); Locations of camps on TBR in Japanese p1 - p2 - p3; Report on POW Camps in SE Asia taken from info from POWs and civilian internees (75 pages)

Rosters:
MALAYA_THAILAND_Vol 1_Australian_roster Part 1 - Part 2 (RG 407 Box 120)
MALAYA_THAILAND_Vol 3_Dutch_roster Part 1 - Part 2 (RG 407 Box 121)
MALAYA_THAILAND_Vol 4_Dut_Aus_Other_rosters Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 (RG 407 Box 121) - Dutch, Australian; Canadian, New Zealand, Danish, French, Greek (from p. 259)
MALAYA British deaths (some Dutch) (RG 407 Box 174) - Unreported Deaths of Allied Personnel. March - October 1943.
BURMA-04_roster (WO 361-2204) - British and American POWs at Burma Camp 6, later IV. Some rosters show if living, dead or killed in action (KIA), cause of death and burial site.
THAILAND_POW_Camps_rosters (WO 361-2171) - Numerous rosters of POWs in Thailand. All nationalities listed by camp and/or party. These camps and parties include: Honshu No. 3, No. 1 Branch, No. 2 Branch, Akrodome Camp - Musicians - III, Tamuan - III, Honshu No. 4, Tamarkan 300 Party - III, Burma - Lonshi - 3 Branch, Burma - 75 Meiloe Party, Burma - Apalon - III, Nonpladuk - III, Honbu - III, Nakompatong - III, Hen-Da-Tai - III, and Escapes - III.
THAILAND-01_Roster Part 1 - Part 2 (WO 361-2170) - Two rosters of Dutch, British and Australian POWs. 2nd roster is of deceased POWs.
THAILAND-07_British_roster_A-N Part 1 - Part 2 (WO 361-2172)
THAILAND-10_Saigon_roster (WO 361-2000) - Rosters of British, Australian and Dutch POWs. Part I = Personnel in Camp; Part II = Attached No. 8 Group; Part III = Saigon No. 8 Group; Part IV = Officers No. 7 Group (no pages); Part V = Deceased; Part VI = Escaped.
THAILAND_Deaths (WO 361-1518) - Statistics all in Japanese, by grave site and nationality
THAILAND_Main_Camp_Deaths Part 1 - Part 2 (WO 361-1526) and THAILAND_Main_Camp_Maps_Deaths Part 1 - Part 2 (WO 361-1526) - August 1942 to December 1943. Many entries and pages are in Japanese. Anglo and Dutch names all mixed together, and are NOT in alphabetical order.
THAI-BURMA-RR_deaths_cemeteries (WO 361-2235) - Thai-Burma Railway camps; death rolls; cemetery details, with sketches. Maps and causes of death included for most cemeteries. Also lists of amputations and causes. Mostly British, Dutch & Australians.
Cemeteries: Tamuan, Tasao (1, 2, 3 - Cholera), Tonchan (Main, South, Spring & Cholera), Tampi, Kanyu (1, Lower Main, Upper 2, Lower 2, Upper 3), Kinsayoke, Kinsaiyoku 1 Jungle, Kinsayoke 2 Jungle, Kinsayoke Dutch, Wampo, Hintock, Klian Klai, Chunkai, Chunkai South, Chungkai 4 South, Tamakan, Nakom Patom, Kanburi, St. Luke's, Timonta, 243 Kilo, Namuchonyai, Wampo, Tasao 2, Near Wanyai, Bonde, Nonpladuk, Between Wanyai and Tardan, Konquita, Hindato, Longi 62 K, Non Pladuk, Pungysho, Changi, Takanun, Brenkasi, Near Wampo North, 190 Kilo, 213 Kilo, Bandapong, Thai 1 Shiu Sheky Sho, Pratchapkirikan, Noohin, Minowa, Takyle, Takiri, Ratburi, Pakudo, Niki, 1 1/2 Kilo, Sonkrai SW, Village & Station, 229 Kilo, Krekonta, Tamajo, Takuri, Pratchai & 13 Kilo.
SIAM American deaths (RG 407 Box 190) - April 1943 to November 1944 (camp undetermined)
SIAM British deaths (some Dutch) (RG 407 Box 174) - Unreported Deaths of Allied Personnel (British). August 1942 - May 1945.

Capt. Benjamin Barnett Diary, Australian 8th Division Signals F Force - covers period from Changi to Burma; used as exhibit in Tokyo War Crimes Trials, containing payment info and transfers to other camps (transcription, DOCX file)

M354--18E Japanese Administration of Occupied Areas, Thailand 15 December 1944 Report No 36-a(27) USSBS Index Section 6-s

Books and Videos:
The Burma Railroad - The Drawings of Jack Chalker - The sample pages give you an idea of the depth of anguish suffered by the men who slaved for Japan on the infamous railroad. While not reviewed, we have seen numerous example of Jack Chalker's drawings and believe this should be part of any serious POW book collection. (Cover Image)
Sears Eldredge - Audio and video interviews; book download (Captive Audiences, Captive Performers)

Drawings by Duffy:

Leslie George Hallett (Driver, Royal Army Service Corps) Collection (courtesy of Barbara Hawkins)
"We have in our possession a copy of the Christmas Day menu for 1943. This was given to us by a member of his family. He was a prisoner and worked on the bridge. After his release and return to England he was so traumatised that he spent years on his own building two models of the bridges.These were found by his family after his death and are now exhibited at the National Memorial Arboretum Museum."

Roger Stone (1120606), died Oct. 20, 1943, age 23 - Photo front, back (courtesy of Elizabeth Sargent)

Photos:



Christopher Williams
Born: October 1915, Liverpool
Died: March 1982, Liverpool
"My uncle Christy, i.e. he married my mother's sister Frances, but he was also my dad's 1st cousin. I find a card which says 'I am working for pay'... ironic, because I don’t think they got round to paying him. I have fond memories of him, he was very philosophical about the Japanese. Dad said Christy said they lived by different conventions... if a Japanese soldier surrendered, he was worthless and dishonoured, so they didn’t think much of the allied POWs." (Courtesy of Maria Owen)

Rod Beattie, Kanchanaburi resident, kindly made available all his data for researching of this project. He has spent many years exploring and researching railway sites and has built a Railway Information Centre in Kanchanaburi.

Burma Thailand Railway Camps Note Distances shown to nearest Kilometre Distance from Thanbyuzayat (in kilometers)
 Distance from Nong Pluduc (in kilometers) Notes
THANBYUZAYAT 0 415 Base hospital camp.
Kandaw (4 Kilo) 5 410 Green Force commenced work 1st October 1942, the first to start work on the Burma end
Wagale (8 Kilo) 8 406 Dutch Force first occupied Wagale
Thetkaw (14 kilo) 14 400 Captain Claude Anderson (SMO) wrote a report to the SMO "A" Force Lt Col Hamilton from here 31st January 1943
Hlepauk (18 Kilo) 18 396 Anderson Force 10th October 1942 to 1st January 1943. No 5 Group from 40 kilo on 26th January 1943 to March 1943.
Kunhnitkway (26 Kilol 26 389 Ramsay Force 20th December 1942 to the 18th March 1943
Rephaw (30 Kilo) 30 385 After repeated bombings at Thanbyuzayat, 30 Kilo became Base Hospital for No 3 Group, subject to strafing raids
Tanyin (35 Kilo) 35 380 Williams Force from Java (884 POWs) arrived October 1942. Joined by Anderson Force January 1943 to become No 1 Mobile Force
Betetaung (40 Kilo) 40 374 Black Force ex Java including 184 Americans arrived October 1942
Anankwin (45 Kilol) 45 370 No 1 Mobile Force moved here while laying the rails & sleepers before moving to the 60 kilo camp
Thanbaya 50 365 F' Force Hospital Camp. 1700 desperately sick were brought here from Thailand, of these 700 died in less than 6 months. Major Hunt a West Australian doctor worked tirelessly here with few drugs.
Khonkhan (55 Kilo) 55 360 Base hospital under renowned Australian Surgeon, Colonel Coates, he performed countless leg amputations on ulcer patients.
Taungzun (60 Kilo) 57 358 When No 1 Mobile Force arrived in May 1943 they had to bury dead Asians found in the huts, Cholera victims, this was the start of an cholera epidemic among POWs
Kami Mezali (65 Kilo) 65 350 3 Group head quarters
Mezali (70 Kilo) 69 346 No 1 Mobile Force moved here from the 60 kilo in July 1943 previously occupied by Burmese it was in a filthy condition with deep mud every where, a total clean up was needed before it could be occupied.
Meiloe (75 Kilo) 75 340 Black Green & Ramsay Forces arrived 18th March 1943
Apalaine (80 Kilo) 80 337 No 5 Group late March 1943 No 1 Mobile Force arrived in August No 5 Group were still in occupartion, No 5 Base Hospital
Apalon (82 Kilo) 83 332 Site of one of the seven steel railway bridges in Burma.
Lawa (85 Kilo) 85 330 No 5 Group 15 March 1943
Tadein (90 Kilo) 90 325  
Kyondaw (95 Kilo) 95 320 Transit camp for 'F' Force sick moving to Thanbaya. Many died here.
98 Kilo Camp 98 317  
Regue (100 Kilo) 100 315 No 5 Group 29th May 1943
Aungganaung (105 Kilo) 105 310 A work camp housed Black, Green & Ramsay Forces in April 1943, later used as a grouping camp before the POWs were evacuated to Tamarkan in Thailand
Paya Thanzu Taung (108 Kilo) 108 307 This camp was situated just north of the three small pagodas which now mark the border between Thailand and Burma. No 1 Mobile Force occupied this camp 17/26 September 1943 having night marched from 95 Kilo Camp.
The Three Pagodas 108.5 306.5 Site of an ancient battle between Thailand and Burma.
Changaraya 112 301 F' Force No 5 Camp for 700 British. The 214 men who died here are buried in a single mass grave in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
Kami Sonkurai 115 299 F' Force No 3 Camp, originally 400 Australians. A good camp that later suffered a lot of deaths after survivors from Changaraya moved in.
No 1 Mobile Force Camp 116 299 Staging camp for Anderson and Williams combined Rail laying Force
Songkurai 121 294 'F' Force No 2 Camp for 1,600 British. Site of the "Bridge of 600" a death camp 600 died here and another 600 when evacuated to Thanbaya and Kanburi
122 Kilo Camp 122 293 No 1 Mobile Force occupied this camp.
Shimo Songkurai 127 288 F' Force No 1 Camp of 1800 Australians. Major Bruce Hunt with his medical team worked miracles with little support from the Japanese.
Little Nikki 131 284 No 1 Mobile Force's most southern camp.
Tunnel Party Camp 132 283 Set up in 1945 POWs constructed defence positions for Japanese.
Nikki Camp 133 282 HQ camp for 'F' Force. Lt/Col Dillon Force C.O. About 1000 POWs including 400 Australians. Some Malay Volunteers worked in this area, they were mostly British civilian business men.
Nikki Bridge Buillding Camp 134 281 Prisoners here built bridge over the Ranti River
Lower Nikki 139 276 Original HQ camp for 'F' Force. The first River
Thingomtha 142 273 Pond's Party built a large bridge here.
Upper Konkoita 145 270  
Konkoita 152.13 263 H Force No 4 Camp of Australians.
Kurikonta 157 258 H Force No 1 Camp
Kroeng Krai 165 250 Six Australians were killed in a rock fall.
Swinton's Camp 166 249  
Dobb's Camp 169 246  
Johnson's Camp 171 244  
Tha Mayo Wood 176 239 Indian workers occupied this camp during construction, later POWs worked on wood parties, fuel for the Engines
Tha Mayo 178 237  
Nam Chon Yai 186 229  
Tha Khanun North 190 225  
Tha Khnnun Base 192 223  
Tha Khanun (Australian) 193 222  
Tha Khanun South 197 218 Lt/Col Pond's Australian group worked in this area
Bangan 201 214  
Yongthi 202 213 Small group of 'D' Force Australians and a small group of Dutch POWs.
Prang Kasi 211 kilo 204 211 Dutch Camp
Prang Kasi 207 208 East of Railway Station
Prang Kasi South 208 207 British and Australian of 'D' Force in a riverside camp south of railway station.
Linson (3 Camps) 212 203 Woodcutting camp set up here in December 1944.
Kui Mamg 216 199 Upstream from Hot Springs
Hindat 217 198 Close to railway station.
Hindat West 218 197 River Camp 1 kilometre from station
Wang Hin 223 192  
Kuishi 225 190 Dutch prisoners worked in this area
Kui Yae 229 186 Dutch prisoners worked in this area. 26 POW's killed in Allied bombing raid 8 December 1944.
Lin Tin 233 182 Dutch prisoners worked in this area
Kinsaiyok Main Camp 244 171 Mixed nationalities. Site of shooting of British POW.
Kinsaiyok Jungle Camp 2 247 168 Site of rock quarry for rail ballast
Kinsaiyok Jungle Camp 1 254 161 The original grave cross of an Australian who died here was found in 2000.
Kinsaiyok Jungle Camp 3 256 159  
Hintock Cement 258 157 Barges bringing up barrel of cement unloaded here
Hintock River (2 Camps) 260 155  
Hintock Road (3 Camps) 261 154 Dunlop Force worked here on cuttings & Three Tier Bridge. 'Weary' Dunlop's camp had showers built from bamboo. Large number of deaths here from cholera.
Malay Hamlet 262 153 H' Force camp of men to reinforce work on Hellfire Pass. 216 deaths in about 10 weeks.
Kannyu No 3 263 152 POWs from this camp worked on the infamous Hellfire Pass
Upper Kannyu 264 151  
Lower Kannyu (3 Camps) 264 151 Dunlop Force initially constructed one of these camps.
Kannyu South 265 150  
Tampi 267 148  
Tampi South 272 143 D Force Workers
Tonchan Spring 275 140  
Tonchan Central 276 139  
Tonchan South 284 131 H Force commenced work here on arrival from Singapore in May 1943
Tarsao Hospital 290 125 HQ and hospital camp for 'D' Force. Transit camp for workers marching north.
Wang Yai 290 125  
Pukai 296 119  
Wang Pho North 299 116  
Wang Pho Central 302 113  
Wang Pho South 302 113 Camp on west of the river. Site of the still operating Wampo Viaduct where trains cross with tourists
Arrow Hill 305 110  
Non Pradai 313 102  
Tha Kilen 317 98  
Ban Khao 327 88 Dutch POW discovered neolithic artifacts here and post war returned to find a major neolithic site.
Wang Takhain 334 81  
Wang Yen 340 75  
Wang Lan 346 69  
Chungkai 355 60 A work camp then one of the main hospital camps for Thailand POWs, now the site of a War Cemetery.
Tha Makhan 359 56 Commencing 26 October 1942 under Colonel Phillip Toosey British & Dutch POWs built two bridges a wooden one and a steel one across the River Kwai (Kwae Yai)
Kan'buri Base 362 53 Headquarters of 9th Railway Regiment, in charge of the Thailand end of the construction. F & H Force Hospital camps.
No 2 Base Camp 364 51 Aerodrome Camps No's 1 & 2. Officers Camp 1944
Kan'buri Hospital 365 50 Hospital Camp for F & H Forces.
Tha Muang 376 39 Base camp for many railway workers at the end of construction. Dutch lived here until 1947.
Tha Rua 389 26 Transit camp for prisoners from Singapore marching north.
Ban Pong 412 3 First transit camp for prisoners from Singapore
Nong Pladuc 415 0 Start of construction in June 1942 by British POWs from Singapore