|
|
The famous Hellfire Pass, which was cut by Allied soldiers during World War Two. Hundreds will attend the annual memorial service held at the Pass at dawn on Anzac Day, April 25.
|
KANCHANABURI
Trip to Hellfire
Sixty years ago, Allied prisoners dug this passage through the mountainside while building the "Death Railway" - a train line to Burma - for the Japanese.
Published on April 8, 2008
They called it Hellfire Pass, because of the hellish conditions they slaved under, and the glow of the torchlights at night. This famous World War Two site, an hour north of Kanchanaburi, will be crowded with visitors at the end of this month. The plaque on the left is for the remarkable "Weary" Dunlop, a surgeon who won fame for his caring for soldiers from Australia, Great Britain, India, The Netherlands and the United States for all manner of terrible diseases.
Must-see event for Aussies, Kiwis The Australian Chamber of Commerce has a bus going to the site on April 24 and a van leaving later that evening to take members and guests to the annual Anzac Day services the following day, when Australia and New Zealand commemorate their troops who died in the war. The dawn service at Hellfire, when it is lit up by torches and takes on an extraordinary air, is regarded as one of the "must see" events for young Aussie travellers. It is followed by a more formal service at 11am at the war cemetery in the centre of Kan-chanaburi (opposite the Death Railway Museum). The latter service is usually attended by diplomats and Thai military representatives. Both are moving events and well worth attending. Indeed, the cemetery has been maintained in beautiful condition by museum boss Rod Beattie. People interested in going should contact AustCham Thailand, which has booked rooms at the River Kwai Village Resort, just 20 minutes by car from Hellfire Pass. The cost is Bt1,000 a person for the trip there and back. Email chanakarn@austchamthailand.com
By Jim Pollard Daily Xpress
|
)
)
