Throughout the Second World War, there were many victims of Japanese war crimes. But some of the most shocking war crimes were executions of prisoners of war which were ordered by high ranking Japanese Generals. Leonard Siffleet was an Australian radio operator who was working in New Guinea undercover, and he was working deep behind enemy lines. He along with a number of other soldiers were captured by natives who handed him over to the Japanese Army, and he was tortured for a number of weeks. He was just a young man of 27 when he was taken to Aitape Beach. Leonard Siffleet’s execution was ordered and he was brought to the beach along with two other men who were condemned also. But the beach was littered with onlookers and civilians who would witness a medieval style execution by sword. The executioner that day, Chikao ordered a photographer to capture the moment before Siffleet was executed. He was stood over the Australian with his sword for some time. But it was an execution that came to the world’s attention and showed the horror of the Japanese army. Join us today as we look at, ‘The Execution Of Leonard Siffleet – The Sword On The Sand.’ To support our channel, please make sure to subscribe.
Bernd Pulch 