In the depths of the jungle that separates Thailand of Myanmar, a structure was erected that was built by more than 60,000 prisoners of the Second World War.
It is about the Burma railwayknown as the «death train», this railway line 415 kilometers long, it was built as a desperate response by the Japanese Empire to supply its troops during one of the darkest chapters in human history, the Second War.
With the Burma railway, Japan It avoided the dangerous sea routes that were controlled by the Allies and could have constant communication and support for its troops stationed in Southwest Asia.
To complete this ambitious task in a record time of just one year, The Japanese army enslaved about 60,000 prisoners of war and more than 200,000 Asian civilian workers. The working conditions were inhumane, marked by physical abuse, a total lack of hygiene and poor nutrition.
The «death train» has become a memory tourism experience. (Photo: TripAdvisor).It is estimated that each sleeper placed on the road represents the loss of a human life due to the brutality of the regime. The figures of the tragedy are chilling and reflect the magnitude of the forced sacrifice in the «green hell.»
Tropical diseases such as angerthe malaria and the dysenteryadded to extreme exhaustion, decimated the population of workers in the midst of mountainous terrain and hostile climates. Construction was carried out almost exclusively manually, using rudimentary tools for drilling solid rock.
How Hollywood literature and cinema made the route of this train famous
One of the most emblematic points of this route is the bridge over the river Kwaiwhose fame transcended history thanks to Hollywood literature and cinema. Although fiction gave the site an aura of a military epic, reality was much harsher.
After the end of the war in 1945a large part of the road was dismantled, but a section of approximately 130 kilometers remains operational today in the province of Kanchanaburi.
At the moment, the train no longer transports war suppliesbut to hundreds of travelers seeking to contemplate the impressive landscapes of the river and cliffs.
Visit The «death train» has become a memory tourism experience. Museums and war cemeteries near major stations pay tribute to those who perished in the jungle.
The Japanese army enslaved some 60,000 Allied prisoners of war to build it. (Photo: TripAdvisor).
Key data and curiosities of the current route
- The original bridge: The structure visited today is a reconstruction, since the original bridge was bombed by Allied aviation in 1945.
- Trip for locals: The route from Thonburi station in Bangkok continues to be used daily by Thai students and workers.
- Museo Hellfire Pass: The site features an interpretive center funded by the Australian government in honor of its deceased prisoners.
- Tourist security: Although the name is scary, the train is safe, although caution is recommended when looking out of the doors in cliff areas.
- Temporary record: What was originally supposed to be built in five years was completed in just 16 months due to military pressure from Japan.
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