Unrest

In August 1944, a dramatic and tragic event unfolded at the Cowra POW camp in NSW. Japanese prisoners, driven by cultural beliefs that saw capture as a deep dishonour, launched a mass breakout that would leave a lasting mark on both survivors and their captors.

Unlike German or Italian POWs, many Japanese soldiers viewed surrender as a fate worse than death. Suicide was often preferred, and those who were captured typically refused to give their real names or contact their families—believing it more honourable for loved ones to think they had died in battle.

By mid-1944, Cowra’s Japanese compounds were overcrowded, housing not only military personnel but also around 500 merchant seamen. As Japan’s position in the war weakened, the prisoners faced the prospect of returning home in disgrace. For some, escape—even at the cost of their lives—offered a chance to reclaim lost honour.

When Australian authorities announced plans to transfer 700 prisoners to another camp in Hay, tensions boiled over. The men had formed a close-knit community, and the threat of separation sparked unrest. In B Compound, talk of rebellion turned into action.

Despite knowing the odds were against them—Cowra was remote, and escape routes were limited—the prisoners voted to act. On the night of 5 August, they launched a coordinated assault: some targeted machine gun posts, others aimed to breach the perimeter, and a third group planned to storm the guards’ quarters.

The breakout was ultimately unsuccessful, but its impact was profound. It revealed the deep cultural divide between captors and captives, and the lengths to which men would go to preserve their sense of honour.

Resistance and sacrifice

Two Australian soldiers, Ralph Jones and Ben Hardy, played a critical role in halting the breakout. Both were posthumously awarded the George Cross.

They realised that whoever reached the unmanned machine gun first would determine the outcome. The two men raced to the gun, ahead of more than 200 Japanese POWs armed with makeshift weapons.

Jones and Hardy opened fire. Some prisoners were killed, others took their own lives, but many breached the final fence and attacked the gun. The two Australians continued firing until they were overpowered and killed. The Japanese were unable to operate the gun and fled.

By 6:20 am, a ceasefire was called. Around 500 prisoners had been rounded up, but 300 had escaped into the surrounding countryside.

Although there were fears that the escapees posed a threat to civilians, Japanese military code did not permit violence against non-combatants. However, Australian soldiers were considered legitimate targets.

Some escapees chose suicide over recapture. One, Shoichi Yamamoto, attempted to shoot himself with an unloaded rifle. He was recaptured but later died in hospital.

Aftermath

The first round-up began before dawn. Many prisoners surrendered to patrols made up of:

• Australian soldiers
• Police officers
• Civilians

One Australian soldier, Harry Doncaster, was killed during the search. A member of the Volunteer Defence Corps also died from accidental gunshot wounds.

In total:

• 234 Japanese prisoners died
• 334 were recaptured, including 25 who had died after escaping
• No one successfully escaped

Learning activities

These activities explore the internment of prisoners of war in Australia during World War II, focusing on the Cowra camp, its local impact, and the legacy of remembrance and reconciliation.