Cowra breakout
The Cowra Breakout occurred on 5 August 1944, when 1,104 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape from a prisoner of war camp near Cowra, in New South Wales, Australia. It was the largest prison escape of World War II, as well as one of the bloodiest. During the escape and ensuing manhunt, four Australian soldiers were killed and 231 Japanese soldiers were killed or committed suicide. The remaining escapees were re-captured and imprisoned.
Cowra POW Camp, 1 July 1944. Japanese POWs practising baseball near their quarters, several weeks before the Cowra Breakout. The photograph was taken for the Allied Far Eastern Liaison Office, with the intention of using it in propaganda leaflets, to be dropped over Japanese held islands and Japan itself. | |
| Date | 5 August 1944 |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Cowra, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°48′41″S 148°42′14″E |
| Outcome | ~359 Japanese POWs escape |
| Deaths | 235 |
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