AWM Collection Record: 101100

AWM image 101100

ID Number: 101100
Place made: Papua New Guinea: New Guinea, Aitape Wewak Area, Aitape
Date made: 24 October 1943
Physical description: Black & white
Summary: A photograph found on the body of a dead Japanese soldier showing Private (Pte) Reharin, member of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) Forces wearing a blindfold about to be beheaded with a sword by Yunome Kunio. A group of local people and Japanese stand watching in the background and the soldier to Yunome's left is 3rd Class Warrant Officer Fukuda. The execution was ordered by Vice Admiral Kamada, the commander of the Japanese Naval Forces at Aitape. Pte Raharin was captured with Sergeant (Sgt) Leonard G Siffleet and Pte Pattiwahl, whilst engaged in reconnaissance behind the Japanese lines. The executioner was sentenced to death for his part in the atrocity but had his sentence commuted to ten years imprisonment as he had acted in a subordinate capacity in the matter.
Credit line: Donor Directorate of Prisoners of War and Internees
Copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
Copyright holder: Copyright Expired
Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945

Last-Modified: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:18:59 GMT

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