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Court of Inquiry report relating to events at Prisoner of War Camp, Featherston, New Zealand, on 25 February 1943

documentary heritage
  • Description

    Contains photocopied material. Report and findings of the Court of Enquiry assembled by Brigadier A.E. Conway, OBE, NZSC, Adjutant-General, New Zealand Military Forces, on 2 March 1943, to inquire into the events which took place in No. 2 Compound of the Prisoner of War Camp, Featherston, New Zealand, on 25 February 1943. (pp. 101-16)

  • Other Id

    3539 (Presto content ID)

    MS-2004-83 (Reference Number)

    62595 (DBTextworks system ID)

    2004/83 (Registration number)

  • Department

    Manuscripts

Images and documents

Catalogue

  • Object Type

    manuscript

  • Name/Title
    Court of Inquiry report relating to events at Prisoner of War Camp, Featherston, New Zealand, on 25 February 1943
  • Physical Description

    1 folder (1 item)

  • Level of Current Record
    Single Item
  • Related Object Notes
    MS-154; MS-2002-54; MS-2004-34
    Bevan, Denys. 'United States Forces in New Zealand, 1942-1945', Macpherson Publishing, Alexandra, 1992. [Call No. DU412Bev]
    Mason, Walter Wynne. 'Official history of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939-45: Prisoners of war', Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch, Wellington, 1954. [Call No. D805MAS]
    Carr-Gregg, Charlotte. 'Japanese prisoners of war in revolt: the outbreaks at Featherston and Cowra during World War II', University of Queensland, St Lucia, 1978. [Call No. D805]
    Shinya, Michiharu. 'Beyond death and dishonour: one Japanese at war in New Zealand', Michiharu Shinya; translated by Eric H. Thompson, Castle, Auckland, 2001. [Call No. D805.N5Shi]
  • Public Access Text

    The Prisoner of War camp located at Featherston, New Zealand, was established in September, 1942. It was situated about 66 km north of Wellington and covered approximately 60 acres of what was formerly a military training camp occupied during the years 1916 - 1918. On 25 February 1943, 240 Japanese prisoners rioted and rushed their guards, who then opened fire on them. The Court of Inquiry report stated that 31 prisoners were killed outright and 91 were wounded (17 fatally).

    One New Zealand officer and 5 other ranks (ORs) received gunshot wounds. One New Zealand officer and 9 ORs were wounded by stones. [Note: the report itself contains conflicting figures on dead and wounded]

  • Last Update
    04 Nov 2022
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