A model of lucid writing and fair judgement which tells us things we need to know.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - united states, president j f kennedy, president lyndon johnson, american prisoners

3 letters from Luio Zenere to his father Attillo Zenere after his capture by partisans, handed to American forces and subesquently to British and his incarceration in a P.O.W. camp in Naples 16/3/1944One letter in english partially readable 2 in Italian faded and difficult to read but letter in English gives insight into the life of one P.O.W.3 letter cards from Italian POW Luio ZenterePrisoner of War Post Service des prisoners de Guerre Kriegsfrngennenpostletter postcard pow

United States of AmericaUSA Prisoner of War Medal, minature with ribbon on a pin.numismatics-medals-military, metalcraft, pow, passchendaele barracks trust

In December 1915 James McKnight was chased through the back streets of Fitzroy chased by Constables Preece and Phalp. McKnight, who had two American large calibre revolvers, shot repeatedly at the police, who returned fire. McKnight was finally apprehended after a struggle in which both constables were injuredPrison record forJames Joseph McKnight, prisoner registered number 34233, giving details of the prisoner, his crimes and the dates and places of his trials.english speaking prisoner, james joseph mcknight, shooting with intent

The ship “Ellis” started life as the Clementina, launched in America in 1781. The vessel was first listed in Lloyd's Register in 1784 and under this name began serving as a slave ship sailing out of Liverpool. A Lloyd’s database records of slave-trading voyages by vessels from Liverpool makes it clear that Clementina was a slave trader. The next year Captain J. Elworthy sailed her to West Central Africa and St Helena. He transported his slaves to South Carolina. Then in 1785 Elworthy gathered slaves in the Bight of Biafra and the Gulf of Guinea Islands for delivery to Jamaica. In 1786 Bent & Co. purchased the Clementina and renamed her Ellis, presumably after the then owner Ellis Bent. She remained in the slave trade and In 1788 Captain John Ford sailed the now renamed Ellis to the Bight of Biafra and the Gulf of Guinea to gather slaves. He delivered this batch of slaves to the island of Grenada. The next year, 1789 the Ellis was almost completely rebuilt, and from the change in subsequent reports of her cargo loading or (burthen), she was enlarged. In 1791, Captain Joseph Matthews became master and sailed the Ellis to the Gold Coast then delivering his consignment of slaves to the island of St Vincent. During this voyage, some misfortune may have befallen Matthews because records show the Ellis command was transferred to Thomas Given. In 1792, Given sailed to the Bight of Biafra and the Islands in the Gulf of Guinea, again collecting slaves for delivery to Jamaica. There is a parallel record, also for 1793, that the Ellis under the command of Thomas Heart, undertook the same journey and with the same itinerary and cargo. In 1793, Bent & Co. decided to use the Ellis as a privateer with John Levingston as the master. After receiving a letter of "marque” on the 3rd of June 1793, that allowed any armed vessel to commit acts on the high seas which would otherwise have constituted piracy. Thus the Ellis began to operate as a combat ship under the endorsement of the British navy. The Ellis was three times captured first by the French frigate Gracieuse, under the command of Captain Chevillard on 22 July 1793. The French took her into service and renamed her as ”Elise”. Later that summer the Spanish captured her and in November ownership returned to the French who then renamed her the “Esperance”. On the 8th of June 1794, Esperance arrived in Jacmel, Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), from France with the official proclamation of the abolition of slavery. Leger-Felicite Sonthonax was one of the Civil Commissioners of Saint-Domingue and he had already unilaterally proclaimed the island for the French colony the year before amid a slave rebellion and attacks from British and Spanish forces. Ironically, Esperance also brought the news to the Civil Commissioners that the National Convention of France had impeached them on 16th July 1793 and ordered them to return promptly to France. On 8 January 1795, HMS Argonaut, under the command of Captain Alexander John Ball, captured Esperance while she was on the North America station. At this time the Esperance was armed with 22 guns (4 and 6-pounders) and had a crew of 130 men. She was under the command of Lieutenant de vaisseau De St. Laurent and had been out at sea for 56 days from Rochfort, bound for the American Chesapeake Bay area.  The French ambassador to the United States registered a complaint with the President of the United States that Argonaut, by stating that by entering Lynnhaven bay, either before she captured Esperance or shortly thereafter, had violated a treaty between France and the United States. The French also accused the British of having brought the Esperance into Lynnhaven for refitting for a cruise. The British Consul replied that the capture had taken place some 10 leagues offshore as the bad weather had forced Argonaut and her prize to shelter within the Chesapeake area for some days, but that they had left as soon as practicable. Furthermore, Argonaut had paroled her French prisoners on arrival at Lynnhaven, and if she had entered American territorial waters solely to parole her French prisoners no one would have thought that objectionable. Royal Navy Service: Because the Esperance was captured in good order and sailed well, Rear Admiral George Murray, the British commander in chief of the North American station, put a British crew aboard and sent the Esperance out on patrol with HMS Lynx, under the command of John Poo Beresford, on 31st January. On 1st March the two vessels captured the Cocarde Nationale (or National Cockade), a privateer from Charleston, South Carolina, of 14 guns, six swivel cannons and a crew of 80 men. Esperance and the lynx went on to recaptured the ship Norfolk, of Belfast, and the brig George, of  Workington. On 20 July, Esperance, in company with frigates Thetis and Hussar, intercepted the American vessel Cincinnatus, of Wilmington, sailing from Ireland to Wilmington. They pressed many men on board into service, narrowly missing the Irish revolutionary Wolfe Tone, who was on his way to Philadelphia. Esperance was formally commissioned in 1795 into the Royal Navy in August under the Command of Jonas Rose. On 4 May 1796 Esperance was sailing in company with HMS Spencer and Bonetta when they sighted a suspicious vessel. Spencer set off in chase while shortly thereafter Esperance saw two vessels, a schooner and a sloop, and she and Bonetta set off after them. Spencer sailed south by south-east and the other two British vessels sailed south-west by west, with the result that they lost sight of each other. Spencer captured the French gun-brig Volcan, while Bonetta and Esperance captured the French schooner Poisson Volant.   The Esperance eventually arrived at Portsmouth on the 3rd of November 1797, the crew was paid off and on 31st May 1798 the Admiralty listed the Esperance for sale and she was sold in June 1798 for £600.The subject scrimshaw is a modern reproduction crudely done of a historic vessel and the scene is believed to be engraved onto a synthetic substance. Scrimshaw art crudely carved into non-natural material in the shape of a tooth. The line artwork is an image of a three-masted sailing ship with a poop deck, and anchors, are coloured black. Inscription is engraved into tooth.Engraved "Man o War Ellis" warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, scrimshaw, ellis, esperance, clementina, elise, hms ship, man of war, leter of marque, privateer, slave ship, slavery, ellis bent, american war of inderpendance, marine art, marine artifact, whale tooth, ivory tooth, resin, plastic, craft, engraving, carving

Letter written from (unknown) POW imprisioned by the Japanese on Morotai Island from 1942 - 1945 to (unknown) friend. Descriptive of life and treatment in POW camp. The island was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Morotai's southern plain was taken by American forces in September 1944 during the Battle of Morotai, and used as a staging point for the Allied invasion of the Philippines in early 1945, and of Borneo in May and June of that year. Japanese soldier Teruo Nakamura was discovered in the Morotai jungle in 1974, as one of the WWII Japanese soldiers who held out subsequent to the Japanese military's surrender.Photocopy of letter, 4 pages, originally written in ink on (unofficial) Australian Red Cross form.Added to head of letter at a later date is inscription ' First letter written home for 3 1/2 years'.Top left hand- FOR SAFETY/ IN YOUR LETTERS DO NOT REFER TO:-/ The name of your ship or other ships in the convoy, or its escorts./The date of sailing, ports of call, or probable destination./ The description of troops, their loca-/tion or any other information/ which, if intercepted, would be of/ value to the enemy. In your Top right hand- Australian Red Cross Society/ (UNOFFICIAL)/ 25-8-45/ (added at later date 'Morotri Island')/ Alex, Have witten this especially/ as i don't wish our women folk to know the tougher side of life./Well Alex for the first/ 2 1/2 years as POWs we lived reasonably/ well, but the last 15 months was like /hell. Heres the worst lot of b-s/ you could find on earth, they worked /us from 7AM till 6 PM, & fed/ us on muck you wouldn't feed to/ Pigs. I'm nothing at all they would 2, pow, morotri island, morotai island, world war, prisoner of war, australian red cross society

Index, bibliography, notes, ill, p.179.non-fictionOver 60,000 Australians and Americans captured by the Japanese during World War II toiled and died to build the Bridge over the River Kwai. Respected military historian Linda Goetz Holmes tells the story of one man's survival in Japanese labor camps during WWII. Amazing photographs, taken secretly by other prisoners, chronicle this dark history of Allied troops in the Pacific theatre of war.world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners – australia, burma thailand railway

Index, ill, maps, p.320.non-fiction2000 survivors of the Burma railway were sent to Japan but their ship was sunk by an american submarine.world war 1939 – 1945 - prisons and prisoners - japanese, burma - thailand railway

p.350.non-fictionAn American news photographer is held in brutal captivity for fifteen months by Communist Pathet Lao - and for his courage is awarded the Medal of Freedom by President John F. Kennedyprisoners of war - abuse of - united states, vietnam war - 1961-1975

Black woolen Beret with a collection of badges both metal and material. Vietnam Veteran US Army, Disabled American Veterans. American Flag Badge POW MIA Badgebadge, prisoner of war, mia, us military

As the Vietnam War ground to an end, American forces were being withdrawn from combat duty. But some were still fighting for their lives: the prisioners of war. There were two operations lauched to rescue the POWs. One - the legendary Son Tay Raid - was revealed to the public. The other was classified as Top Secret. This is the incredible true story of that almost-forgotten mission.. 1961-1975 - prisoners and prisons, north vietnamese, prisoners of war - united states, vietnam war - 1961-1975 - search and rescue operations, u.s. navy seals, operation thunderbird, pows, son tay raid

The infamous horror stories of the U.S. military prison at Long Binh made it so feared that American soldiers preferred to face the Viet Cong rather than be sent there.vietnamese conflict , 1961-1975 - prisoners and prisons, prisons - vietnam - long binh (dong nai), 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american

A major contribution to our understanding of how and why U.S. POWs from the Vietnam War have become crucial icons of American culture in the 1980s and 1990s....Grunner effectively diagnoses and interpreters' a national psychopathology.vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975, in mass media - united states., prisoners of war in mass media - united states.

Tom "Bud" Abraham was one of the very few Englishmen to serve in Vietnam. As an officer in the 1st Cavalry Division during 1967/8, he saw combat in some of the fierest encounters of the war. By his gallantry earned him a chestful of medals, including the Silver Star, one of the highest decorations awarded by the American Army.prisoners of war - vietnam - biography, vietnam war, 1961 - 1975 - prisoners and prisons

Admiral Stockdale's account of the Tonkin Bay occurrence is exciting and revelatory history; and he has justly become a national figure for his heroic and canny leadership of the American prisoners of war in Hanoi.air pilots, military - united states - biography, united states. navy - aviation - biography, prisoners of war - vietnam - biography, vietnamese conflict, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american

The story began in 1985, when award-winning journalist Monika Jenson-Stenevson came to investigate the case of Bobby Garwood, an ex-marine who escaped from Vietnam in 1979 and claimed to have seen countless Americans still in captivity there. Garwood claimed he had been a prisoner of war, but the American government disagreed - and promptly convicted him of collaboration with the enemy. Kiss the Boys Goodbye reveals a devasting scandal and provides startling evidence that the American government, right up to its highest echelons, knows - and has always known - that American POWs were left behind at the end of the war.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - prisoners and prisons, prisoners of war - united states, bobby garwood, american government

Illustrated with nore than 300 full-colour and duotone photographs and maps, this history covers th entire Vietnam War from the first entrance of U.S. places to the prisoners of war.united states. air force - history - vietnam war, 1961-1975, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - aerial operations, american

He was a former Marine hero, banished in disgrace from the Corps. Yet he maintained the military code of conduct in the torture cells of the enemy. this is the true, firsthand account of America's longest-held 'civilian' prisoner of war in Vietnam, and his courageous return to honour.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - prisoners and prisons, north vietnamese, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american

This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are the some well known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon. Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display. Further research found that one of the AIF comedians, Harry Smith, had a catch phrase, 'You'll never get off the Island' which became almost the watchword of the prisoners throughout the captivity. That ties with the phrase etched around the outside of the violin, "We'll never get off the island."A very valuable piece of equipment brought back from World War II now on display in Legacy House function room.Violin (00078.1): Violin case (00078.2): Bow (00078.3): Bag of violin parts (00078.4):Around the edge of the instrument's body: "We'll never get off the island" On the front body of the violin: "AIF concert party"; "P.O.W. camp Singapore" Names inscribed on the front body of the violin in columns from left to right: Ray Tullipan, Fred Stringer, Herb Almond, L Jacques, Keith Harris, Jack Garrett, Dave Goodwin, H Sabin, Fred F Brightfield, Jack Boardman, Ern Warne, Ern Banks, T Hoffman, Roy P Arnel, Harold W Reid, W Middleton, Douglas Matthews, Bob Picken, Harry Smith ('appy Harry), Ted Druitt "VIOLIN PLAYED BY" VX30301, (DVR) R S Arnel AIF Concert Party in POW Camp Selerang and Changi Gaol Singapore 1942-1945; T Mack O.C and Producer Harry Tennall; Jack Smith; Walter W Dains; Keith C Stephens; C E Trotter; W Sullivan, Syd Piddington; John Nibbs; Doug Peart; John Wood; Jack Geoghegan; Berry Barton; Barney Bolton; Tom Hussey; Kim De Grey; Clarrie Barker; Ron Caple; Russ Bradon; Bernard McCaffrey; Bart Galbraith; Charles Wiggins; Stan “ Judy” Garland. Rear of Violin has inscriptions top to bottom, left to right. Hans???en; Dutch Concert Party; H.S. Van der Linden; M Bark; B Freunbusch; F Horguine; H. J. Hurgarden; Lt H. J. Scholer (Violin); H.A.F. Pet; M Van Dyk; W J Witte; G H Fransen; E Ewig; M Ruwart (Hypnotist); A V Korem(Dancer) C N Rob (Violin) C H Kuipers (Guitar); W C Emmenes (Cellist) L H R???? (Violin) British Concert Party Alex????; P Holland ( “ Dutchy” Accordian); Wray Gibson :AH!; E J Bawer (Drums); Clem (Lofty) Relf(Clarinet); Bill Williams (Piano); Ken Luke; Ronald Searle; Charles Dobman “Good Luck”; Dan Harts(”Professor”); Gil Mitchell ( Violinist); John Fitzgerald; E Botor (Tenor Horn); Ronald Lewis; Ronnie Horner; Robin Wilbury; Jack M Wood ( Producer); Denis A S Houghton (Bass); C J Buckingham; Stan Mesurier; E B Dobson USA Concert Camberts Party Don Smith; Owen Baggett; Denis Roland; Stan Willner; Albert “ HAP” Kelley (Trombone); Joe Manella; Charles Kelleher. Internal manufactures tag “ “Excelsior” Brand Specally made for the Tropic and reputed for good ton and workmanship Made in Czechoslovakia”changi violin, pow

p.143.An account of the war experience as a prisoner by an American war correspondentworld war 1939-1945 - campaigns - north africa, world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war

When Special Forces Sergeant Geoge E. Smith went to Vietnam in early 1963, he thought it was to save the "democratic" Diem regime from the Chinese Communists. Set down in a sugar plantation owned by Diem's sister-in-law Madame Nhu, he grew frustrated and synical. then guerrilla regulars overran his camp in a perfectly executed night attack. He was a prisoner of the Vietcong. 1961-1975 - personal narratives, american, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - prisoners and prisons, vietcong, american special forces, sgt george e. smith, chinese communist, diem regime, madame nhu

Plaque present to Corporal Sperry BODSWORTH MID who served with the 2/21st Battalion and involved with the Battle of Ambon. On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber in the shape of a shield mounted with a metal a coat of arms depicting white seagull above black and orange diamond within pale blue oval shape.Gull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha Plaque - Cpl Sperry Bodsworth VX23435 MIDgull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of a medic aboard the American 'Dustoff' Huey helicopter guiding the makeshift stretcher, containing wounded VietCong, being lifted by Pte L Grygierczyk, Maj J.J. Lakey and Pte J Korn following the successful ambush by 11 Plt, D coy 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC).photograph, huey helicopter, dustoff, viet cong, pte l grygierczyk, maj j lakey, pte j korn, 11 platoon, operation lavarack, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, wounded viet cong soldier, d coy, 6 rar/nz (anzac)

Bendigo Operatic Society Programme: ''Viktoria and Her Hussar'' Capital Theatre Bendigo. Opening Friday, 14th April 1961, for Five Nights. Price 1/6. Bendigo Operatic Society Presents by permission of J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd. ''Viktoria and Her Hussar'' A Norman Lee Production, Music by Paul Abraham, Book and Lyrics by Harry Graham. Cast in Order of Appearance: Leonard Carr as Stephan Koltay (A Hungarian Cavalry Officer) - Ferd Lorenz as Janzci (His Servant) - Reginald Boromeo as A Russian Sergeant - Peter Houston as A Cossack Sentry - Gerald Hayward as Tokeramo Yagani (A Japanese Secretary) - Carol McKenzie as Viktoria - Brian Thomas as John Carling (American Ambassador at the Court of Japan) - Frederick Trewarne as Miki (A Japanese Servant) - Annette Wilson as Riquette (Viktoria's Maid) - Bryan Brewer as Count Ferry Hegedu - Greta Smyth as Suzuki (A Japanese Maid) - Patricia McCracken as O Lia San - Peter Haines as Webster (Butler to the American Ambassador) - Patricia Lyon as O Muki San - Alfred Annison as Bela Porkelty. Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen. Ballet Mistress: Madge Welch. Society Pianist: Mrs. P. House. Synopsis of Story: Viktoria believing her lover Stephan to have been killed in action against the Russians, has married John Carling. Stephan wasn't dead but taken prisoner of war. With the help of Janzci escapes and take refuge in the american embassy. Here he meets Viktoria who remembering the vows she made before the war is torn between her love for him and her loyalty to her husband.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

non-fictionChauvel Country is the history of a family whose roots can be traced into France, then England, and who came to Australia as pioneers of the Clarence River in New South Wales. It is the story of the individual members of that family, soldiers and sailors who fought their battles in the far places of the Empire. There are memories of the First World War of the author's hero father, and of the idyllic English countryside. In more recent times we share the author's experiences of riding through the Australian bush, of the lure of distant snow-capped mountains to be explored on skis, in the days before easy access roads, of skiing in North and South America, Europe and New Zealand. We also share the lonely years of the Second World War, when she carried on the family property while her husband was a prisoner of war in Changi prison. Elyne Mitchell is a remarkable woman, and in this book the reader is led on a unique journey through her life from childhood to an aware maturity and wisdom.elyne mitchell, clarence river (nsw)

On the night of 30-31 January 1942 this small force of 1131 Australian soldiers were stationed at Ambon, an island which formed part of the Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia). An invasion of approximately 20,000 Japanese overwhelmed Gull Force and the majority of the Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. The execution of 229 at Laha, starvation, over work, disease and the absence of medical supplies led to horrific loss. At the cessation of hostilities only 352 of the original 1131 had made it back to Australia. 779 members of Gull Force made the supreme sacrifice and now lie in foreign fields. The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame with gold coloured inner edge containing badge and tribute on grey backgroundGull Force 2/21 Battalion Ambon Laha In memory of and tribute to the Officers and Men of "Gull Force" comprising of 2/21 Battalion and attached Units.gull force, 2/21 battalion, ambon, ww2

Photograph of Private later Corporal Sperry Bodsworth born 27/8/1909. In 1940 aged 30 years he enlisted in the Army and assigned to the 2/21 Battalion. On 13/12/1941 the Battalion was deployed from Darwin to Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, to form part of "Gull Force". The Battle of Ambon occurred between 30 January to 3 February, 1942. In April 1942 Bodsworth was listed as missing and on 1/6/1942 was reported as a Prisoner of War. Bodsworth was awarded a Mention in Despatches.The Battle of Ambon (30 January – 3 February 1942) occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), during World War II. Japan invaded and conquered the island in a few days, facing Dutch, American and Australian forces. The chaotic and sometimes bloody fighting was followed by a series of major Japanese war crimes. Allied casualties in the battle were relatively light. However, at intervals for a fortnight after the surrender, Japanese personnel chose more than 300 Australian and Dutch prisoners of war at random and summarily executed them, at or near Laha airfield. In part, this was revenge for the sinking of the Japanese minesweeper, as some surviving crew of the minesweeper took part.. Three-quarters of the Australians captured on Ambon died before the war's end. Of the 582 who remained on Ambon, 405 died. They died of overwork, malnutrition, disease and one of the most brutal regimes among camps in which bashings were routine. Blood Oath, a 1990 Australian feature film is based on the real-life trial of Japanese soldiers for war crimes committed against Allied prisoners of war on the island of Ambon, in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), such as the Laha massacre of 1942.Brown timber frame containing black and white photograph of WW2 Soldier wearing slouch hatww2, gull force, ambon, sperry bodsworth, pow