I visited the Al Ain zoo about 150 km from Abu Dhabi. This article is not about the zoo, but about a particular species of crocodile called the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). This is some kind of salt water, something I was not aware of. This species of reptile is native to the East Indies and Central America. In India, the reptile is the alligator and infests freshwater rivers and lakes from the Ganges to the Cauvery. However, there is a hint of saltwater crocodiles along the east coast of India. Al Ain Zoo has a saltwater reptile and it looks like a ferocious beast. Just looking at him sends shivers down your spine.
The saltwater crocodile is the fiercest of the reptiles and also grows to a gigantic size. It is also a carnivore. One episode in particular during World War II brings out the fierce character of the beast. The saltwater crocodile has its habitat in swamps and mangroves near the sea throughout the East Indies, Burma and the Philippines. There is a story about an encounter with the imperial army on the island of Ramree, which is creepy and incredible.
The saltwater crocodile, as I have already mentioned, is a voracious carnivore. Also, it is very strong and large and it is not uncommon to have a reptile that grows to a size of 15 to 30 feet and weighs more than 2000 pounds. It is the largest reptilian predator in the world. Natural history books tell us that the saltwater crocodile infested Ramree Island in greater numbers. The island is off the coast of Burma in the Bay of Bengal. In 1942, the imperial army attacked and captured not only the Andaman Islands, but also the island of Ramree. The battles in Burma are well documented and the British Indian Army withdrew when the Imperial Army attacked all over Burma. Thousands of soldiers of the 8th Army were captured. There was not much resistance on Ramree Island, but its strategic importance was great, as it overlooked the Bay of Bengal.
The island of Ramree was occupied by the Japanese, who established a garrison there. The island remained under Japanese occupation for 3 years. By December 1944, the British Indian Army had broken the siege of Kohima and Imphal and moved to Burma. The staff headed by Field Marshal C in C William Slim was interested in having Ramree Island captured and an airfield built there for the supply lines of troops operating in Burma.
In early January 1945, the 26th Indian Division under Major General HM Chambers captured the city of Akyab. Many members of the imperial army withdrew to Ramree Island and thought it was a place made for defense. They hid inside the island’s caves, which overlooked the landing beaches. The decision was made for a frontal attack and landing with a bombardment of weapons from Royal Navy ships. The Royal Navy recruited the Battleship Queen Elizabeth and many other warships for a relentless bombardment of the island and the caves, where the soldiers of the Imperial Army were hiding.
On January 14, the plan was put into effect and the Royal Navy began an intense bombardment of known Japanese positions. Under cover of this heavy bombardment, the 71st Indian Sikh Infantry Brigade under the command of Brigadier RC Cotterell stormed the island. It was a victory for the Indian arms, as the Japanese abandoned the beach defenses and retreated inland. Despite a determined defense, the imperial army withdrew into the swamps. Perhaps they thought they would be safe from the advance of the Sikh troops of the British Indian Army.
A history of the battle reveals that naturalist Bruce Stanley Wright was with the Indian Army and took meticulous notes. He records that the night of January 19 was particularly heartbreaking when Japanese troops withdrew into the swamps. This was a terrible disaster for the imperial army as the swamps were infested with saltwater crocodiles. Natural history students tell us that the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world is found in the swamps and mangroves of Ramree.
The retreating Japanese, to escape the incessant attacks of the British Indian regiment, entered the swamps. It was a terrible time. Notes from that period show that there were intermittent gunfire throughout the night with screams from Japanese soldiers as they were attacked and eaten by crocodiles. There are no exact figures available, but the Guinness Book records it as the largest crocodile attack on humans. It is estimated that between 500 and 1000 soldiers of the imperial army were eaten by the crocodiles. Bruce Stanley Wright has recorded that only about 20 Japanese army soldiers survived and were rescued and according to him, up to 1000 Japanese soldiers were attacked and eaten by crocodiles.
Many historians discredit the history of the massacre, but some facts point to a certain veracity of the incident. However, the only authentic source for this crocodile attack information is Wright’s notes. Most of the soldiers who participated in the assault were illiterate and died a long time ago. Still, this story makes an interesting read. I feel there is some truth to this incident and while the figure of a thousand soldiers being eaten may be an exaggeration, perhaps the figure could be closer to 80-100.
The crocodile certainly inspires awe and for my part, I can visualize the plight of the Japanese soldiers who were literally between the devil and the depths of the sea as they faced the Indian troops and naval bombardment on the one hand and the crocodiles on the side. other. This is what makes the history of war so interesting.