Operation Kingfisher: The cancelled rescue mission that sacrificed Sandakan POWs to the Death Marches

The chain of events that led to the death of over 2,500 Prisoners of War – one of Australia’s worst wartime tragedies – the cancellation of the rescue mission Operation Kingfisher.

Finally, the true story of why the Sandakan POWs of World War II were not rescued despite a fully planned and resourced operation – including men, aircraft and naval vessels – all equipped to carry out the rescue mission.
There have been several published theories on Operation Kingfisher which explore if the plan ...