Marching to death under command is a horrifying story: Major Om
Published on: Sunday, May 29, 2022
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Gurkhas walking past a huge tree in the jungle of Tawai Forest Reserve.
Major Om Pun: It’s challenging, the heat the humidity and marching a long day was certainly challenging which pushed us to our limits but when we remembered what the Prisoners of War went through 77 years ago, they were in a weakened condition, we were well fed, well equipped, very, very well supported by TYK Adventure Tours so we had every possible support. Yet we were still challenged but thinking about those who went through it 77 years ago, they were malnourished, weakened, diseased , no equipment like foot wears even, no clothing, no umbrella or no sun hats, none of those and marching under command. Thinking about those it’s horrifying you know if you were, I comprehend what they went through- and what a torture. I honestly felt emotional just thinking about it.
DE: Of the 260km track, which part hit you the most?
Major Om: Certainly first three days because we were not acclimatised as well as we wanted to be. It was Day Three of landing in Sabah coming from cool UK, cold climate and thrust suddenly into the heat of Sabah marching obviously in the heat from the top and heat from the metallic road for 30km the first day (Sepilok to Kg Dusun), 35km the second day (Kg Dusun to Kg Munaad) and 37km the third day (Kg Munaad to Ulu Sapi). So the first three days was tough.
DE: Should more people know about it? You for example got to know the story only recently?
Major Om: Absolutely, it should be because it’s a horrifying story. I was told the death rate is 99.7pc but I am glad that the government had endorsed people like Tham and company to promote this and to bring this into the light and I am sure it will more and more people will be aware. I know it’s 77 years ago and people from that generation are not there anymore. That’s why we came to go into the full route. I think we have done a tiny part to promote this so in that sense I feel proud of it.
DE: Gurkhas are known for valiant and fearless fighters. Is it a natural trait or training?
Major Om: Training sure, but loyalty, discipline, courage, I think most important it’s the team that we value, valuing each other as brothers of your own. So if I am in any difficult situation, I will care not only myself, but I will care about my brothers whom I am with that’s important. So when it comes to fighting, we want to fight for each other and that’s where I think it makes the difference. If someone wants to fight on his own, it’s difficult but when you fight as a team, fight for each other, it is easier to fight. Certainly where we come from, family matters. The Gurkhas are selected from a number of clans (eg Rai; Limbu; Gurung; Magar) connected to each other. That gives us the strength.
DE: You have been to the Falkland war, we heard?
Major Om: No, I missed that, I have to go to Iraq and Afghanistan – hot spots but not necessarily fighting frontline, our role was supporting, providing communication support, that’s what we have done
DE: How do you rate your ground handlers TYK Adventure Tours?
Major Om: If I may include mention of Tham and his team – definitely 5-star performance. As you could imagine, coming from temperate UK to walk 260km in the tropics, we certainly were challenged by the weather, heat, high humidity, distance but TYK made it so easy for us and they treated us like family members and the certain bonding that we had with Tham and his crew, everyone of them, I can’t thank them enough and all of us certainly but Tham has done it not only for us but promoting Sandakan that the Death March is one of the best he could do.
As you said, it is not well known but what he has done is towards that and hopefully it will get bigger and better in days to come.
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