| Accession Number | 101100 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Place made | New Guinea1: Aitape |
| Date made | 24 October 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A photograph found on the body of a dead Japanese soldier showing Private (Pte) Reharin, member ...
Description
A photograph found on the body of a dead Japanese soldier showing Private (Pte) Reharin, member of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) Forces wearing a blindfold about to be beheaded with a sword by Yunome Kunio. A group of local people and Japanese stand watching in the background and the soldier to Yunome's left is 3rd Class Warrant Officer Fukuda. The execution was ordered by Vice Admiral Kamada, the commander of the Japanese Naval Forces at Aitape. Pte Raharin was captured with Sergeant (Sgt) Leonard G Siffleet and Pte Pattiwahl, whilst engaged in reconnaissance behind the Japanese lines. The executioner was sentenced to death for his part in the atrocity but had his sentence commuted to ten years imprisonment as he had acted in a subordinate capacity in the matter.