Special Events

A Very Special Year!

This year – 2005 – is the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II. The Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society has several events planned for this year to help commemorate the Taiwan POWs and their suffering and sacrifice for our freedom.

Here are some of the events we are planning - more detailed information about these events will be forthcoming closer to the dates , but we would urge those interested in participating to please contact us as soon as possible – either by mail (see our “contact” page) or e-mail to: society@powtaiwan.org

January 9th – Commemoration of the Bombing of the Hellship “Enoura Maru”– at Kaohsiung Harbour

On January 9th 2005 – the 60th Anniversary of this tragic event, the Society will hold a special memorial service to remember the Enoura Maru and the men who suffered and died when the hellship was mistakenly bombed by allied planes. It will be held at the harbour in downtown Kaohsiung.

June 19th – Memorial Service for the 14 POWs executed by the Japanese at the Taipei Prison 60 years ago - at the remains of the old north wall of the former Taipei prison.

On June 19, 1945, less than 2 months before the end of the war, the Japanese executed 14 American POWs in the courtyard of the Taipei Prison after a brief mock trial. For the complete story please see Further Japanese Atrocities on Taiwan During WW II Recently Come to Light in the “Feature Articles” section. We plan to hold a memorial service on June 19^th to honour and remember these brave young men who were so needlessly sacrificed by a cruel and ruthless Japanese regime.

August 14^th – Commemoration Service for the 60^th Anniversary of VJ Day – location - tba.

We are anticipating a colorful event and great anniversary service with members of all the participating countries in attendance.

September 4^th – 60^th Anniversary of the Evacuation of the Taiwan POWs - Keelung Harbour

We are hoping that some of the former crew-members of the US and British Navy ships that helped to evacuate the POWs will join us for this event. For further details please contact us.

November 16^th – 23^rd - “Remembrance Week 2005”

Our “60^th Anniversary Remembrance Week” event will take place from November 16 – 23, with the POW Banquet in Taipei on Saturday November 19^th and the Memorial Service on Sunday November 20^th on the site of the former Kinkaseki POW Camp at Chinguashi, Taiwan.

This event is held annually in honour of the former Taiwan prisoners of war and veterans who suffered so much for our freedom. It is sponsored by the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society, and former Taiwan POWs and their families are invited and encouraged to attend.

Everyone is welcome to join us for these very special anniversary occasions, and we hope that many will come out to remember and honour the men to whom we owe a debt that can never be repaid.
Lest we forget

60th Anniversary Event Reports

Commemoration of the Bombing of the Hellship “Enoura Maru”– at Kaohsiung Harbour

January 9, 1945 – was the date of the bombing of the hellship Enoura Maru at Takao Harbour, Formosa, with the loss of more than 300 American POW lives. On January 9th 2005 – the 60th Anniversary of that tragic event, the Society held a special memorial service to remember the Enoura Maru and the men who suffered and died that day. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the City of Kaohsiung Cultural Affairs Bureau at a pier at Kaohsiung Harbour. Following the service on the pier, wreaths were laid on the water over the place where the ship was anchored at the time it was bombed. Many friends and supporters joined with us to remember the men and the events of that day.

For a look at what took place on the day please click on the following links.

• Enoura Maru Memorial Service - January 9, 2005
• The Story of the Enoura Maru and the Men Who Died
• Remarks by AIT Kaohsiung Branch Chief Robert Forden
• Newspaper Articles
  • WWII POW pays tribute to downed comrades
  • Enoura Maru victims at Kaohsiung remembered

June 19th – Memorial Service for the 14 POWs executed by the Japanese at the Taipei Prison 60 years ago - at the remains of the old north wall of the former Taipei prison.

June 19, 1945 – was the date of the senseless execution of 14 American airmen at the Taipei Prison Formosa. On June 19th 2005 – the 60th Anniversary of that tragic event, the Society held a special memorial service to remember the men who suffered and died that day. The ceremony was held just outside the remnant of the old north wall of the former prison with the brother of one of the executed airmen present with us for the occasion. Several friends and supporters joined with us as well to remember the men and the events of that day.

For a look at what took place on the day, please click on the following links –

• Story of the Executed Airmen
• A World War II Remembrance in Taipei - by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.
• Speech by Laurence Mitchell III, Chief, Liaison Affairs Section, A.I.T.
• Taiwan News Article