prisoners of war

650 (approximately)

25

In the fall of 1943, prisoners of war and romushas from Java were put to work laying two new airfields in remote, partially forested locations in the Palembang area: Betoeng/Ketiau and Pangkalanbalei. These airfields would be replacements for the Palembang I (Talangbetoetoe or Kenten) and II (Peraboemoelih), which were known to the Allies. The prisoners of war in Betoeng/Ketiau were housed in a temporary camp on the eastern side of the airfield, in barracks made of bamboo and atap, encircled by barbed wire. The circumstances - very heavy work, many beatings, little to eat and inadequate medical care - were extreme and led to a great deal of illness. Camp leadership was in the hands of major A.P. de Vries, commandant of the 10th Battalion Infantry (Batavia). The airfield near Betoeng and Ketiau was completed in May 1944. Approximately 300 prisoners of war from this camp were then put to work at Pangkalanbalei. The rest were taken in May 1945 to Singapore via Camp Soengeigeroeng in Palembang.

Japanese military personnel, Koreans

maj. A.P. de Vries

Saueressig, I.E., Voor welk volk en wiens vaderland? (Riethoven 1999)

• Inventory 400, Inv.nr. 3111
• Dairy 107
• Dairy 256
• Dairy 261
• Dairy 73

prisoners of war

650 (approximately)

25

In the fall of 1943, prisoners of war and romushas from Java were put to work laying two new airfields in remote, partially forested locations in the Palembang area: Betoeng/Ketiau and Pangkalanbalei. These airfields would be replacements for the Palembang I (Talangbetoetoe or Kenten) and II (Peraboemoelih), which were known to the Allies. The prisoners of war in Betoeng/Ketiau were housed in a temporary camp on the eastern side of the airfield, in barracks made of bamboo and atap, encircled by barbed wire. The circumstances - very heavy work, many beatings, little to eat and inadequate medical care - were extreme and led to a great deal of illness. Camp leadership was in the hands of major A.P. de Vries, commandant of the 10th Battalion Infantry (Batavia). The airfield near Betoeng and Ketiau was completed in May 1944. Approximately 300 prisoners of war from this camp were then put to work at Pangkalanbalei. The rest were taken in May 1945 to Singapore via Camp Soengeigeroeng in Palembang.

Japanese military personnel, Koreans

maj. A.P. de Vries

Saueressig, I.E., Voor welk volk en wiens vaderland? (Riethoven 1999)

• Inventory 400, Inv.nr. 3111
• Dairy 107
• Dairy 256
• Dairy 261
• Dairy 73