The Cowra Breakout - Visit Cowra |
The Cowra Breakout
At 1:50 AM on the 5th of August 1944, over 1000 Japanese prisoners launched a mass escape from the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp. It was the largest prisoner of war outbreak in modern military history. 234 Japanese prisoners and five Australian soldiers lost their lives. From this violent beginning, both a journey of reconciliation and a growing friendship have developed between the people of Cowra and the nation of Japan.Prisoner of War Campsite
The ruins of the Prisoner of War Campsite are still visible to this day, well placed interpretive signage will help you visualise what once stood in this picturesque part of Cowra. Stand under the replica guard tower where a detailed audio presentation will bring the scenery around you to life. Take a stroll down the paths throughout the site to the five-panel commemorative sculpture. Walk or cycle through the Garrison Walk, taking you straight into the beautiful Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre.War Cemeteries
Cowra Japanese War Cemetery - Visit Cowra |
Indonesian Graves
Whilst the story of the Cowra Breakout is relatively well known, it is a little known fact that 1,200 Indonesian internees were held at the Cowra POW camp during World War Two. Two groups were brought to the POW Camp, the first being merchant navy sailors, the second being nationalists who had been exiled to what is now Irian Jaya (Dutch New Guinea) after they had been involved in the 1926 uprising.The Dutch Government thought that the Nationalists would link up with the invading Japanese forces and were able to convince the Australian government to ship the men, women and children to Australia (Cowra) for internment.
The Indonesian Memorial is made up of the graves of 13 Indonesian political detainees who died in the Cowra POW camp while being held on behalf of the Dutch East Indies Government in the early years of World War Two.
In 1997 the Indonesian Government erected a memorial to these people in the General Section of the Cowra Cemetery. It was through Jan Lingard from the School of Asian Studies at the University of Sydney that this hidden story was revealed.
Australia's World Peace Bell
Australia's World Peace Bell - Visit Cowra |
Europa Park
From 1940 to 1945, the Cowra Military Training Camp trained some 80,000 military personnel. In 1949 the site became the Cowra Migrant Camp and was the home to about 17,000 European migrants until 1955. Up to 4,000 immigrants could be housed at the camp at one time with as many as 27 nations represented among those who live there. An estimated total of between 17,000 and 19,000 people passed through the gates of the camp throughout its time of operation.Europa Park - Visit Cowra |
Interpretive signage and a memorial have been erected in honour of the migrant families of Cowra in Europa Park.
*Source: Cowra Visitor Information Centre
Address: Corner of Mid Western Highway, Young Road and Boorowa Road, Cowra
Phone: 02 6342 4333
Fax: 02 6342 4563
Fax: 02 6342 4563
Email: info@cowratourism.com.au
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