When Japanese Troops were Hunted Down by Crocodiles- Ramree Island WW2

By January of 1945, Japan’s once remarkable territorial gains were now unraveling before their eyes. The Empire of the Rising Sun was being shoved back in every front, and in an ambitious strike, British and Indian forces launched Operation Matador, an amphibious thrust designed to capture the critical port of Kyaukpyu in Ramree Island on the Burma front and begin their seizure of the landmass.

The Indian forces then reached a stronghold defended by 900 Japanese, but just as the battle started, a British regiment outflanked the Japanese, who were forced to either surrender or retreat.

The zealous Japanese servicemen, favoring anything over a dishonorable surrender, opted to retreat through a treacherous Mangrove swamp filled with crocodiles. The unrelenting troopers had to endure disease, hunger, and treacherous waters as they sought to survive and outmaneuver their opponents.

Still, the British were determined to take their Southeast Asian colony back, no matter the cost…

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