By DAN RYAN
Cowra paused on Tuesday August 5th to mark the 81st anniversary of the Cowra Breakout, honouring those who lost their lives in one of the most extraordinary events in Australian wartime history, as well as reflecting on the legacy of reconciliation it continues to inspire.
Taking place in the early hours of the morning 81 years ago - the particular acts of sudden, unexpected violence, humanity and heroism in the breakout punctuated the otherwise tranquil farmland that residents would recognise today.
At the time, the camp housed thousands of POWs, including Italian, Korean, and Japanese prisoners. For many Japanese soldiers, capture was considered deeply dishonourable, and the determination to escape - or die trying was strong.
By the end, 231 Japanese prisoners were dead, many by gunfire or suicide, along with four Australian soldiers. Another Australian later died as a result of wounds. Around 359 prisoners broke free, though all were recaptured within nine days. It remains the largest escape attempt from a POW camp in modern military history.
In the decades since, the tragedy has transformed into a story of friendship between former adversaries, symbolised by the Japanese War Cemetery - the only one of its kind in Australia - and the Cowra Japanese Garden.
Speaking at Tuesday’s commemoration, Japan’s Ambassador to Australia, Suzuki Kazuhiro, reflected on Cowra’s unique role in reconciliation.
“It is an honour to join you all once more here on a crisp Cowra day as we commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Cowra Breakout. That tragedy was followed by an act of kindness, which in time led to further acts of kindness and generosity, leading to eventual reconciliation,” he said.
“Across the world, the norms and institutions that underpinned peace and prosperity in the aftermath of WWII have been shaken, with new challenges emerging that demand our attention,” he said.
He also praised the enduring strength of the Japan–Australia relationship, highlighting a recent Lowy Institute poll that again placed Japan among the nations most trusted by Australians.
“For the fifth year in a row, Australians have placed Japan at the top of those nations most trusted to act responsibly in the world. We recognise that in each other we have a true friend, a real mate,” he said.
Closing his address, Ambassador Suzuki said that Cowra stood in as a place of 'grace and goodness' in an unstable world.
"81 years ago Cowra was the scene of tragedy. That tragedy was followed by an act of kindness, which in time led to further acts of kindness and generosity, leading to eventual reconciliation," he said.
"Coming to Cowra, meeting with locals and enjoying country hospitality in the tranquil setting of this refined tea room within the elegant Japanese Garden, reminds me that there are still places of grace and goodness left in this world, and I am fortunate enough to find myself in one of them."
“At a time when peace has been too often overlooked and sorrow deepens amid the growing reliance on force around the world, the story of Cowra stands as a silver lining. Together with the people of Japan, I am forever grateful for this legacy and feel committed to ensuring that its message is passed on to future generations.”