The real story behind one of the most shocking images of World War II
It’s probably one of the best-known images of World War II. This enduring photograph captures the last seconds of Leonard Siffleet’s life. (Credits: Australian War Memorial)
The photograph came to light after US troops discovered it on the body of a dead Japanese officer near Hollandia in 1944.
Featured in various newspapers and in Life magazine, it was thought to depict Flight Lieutenant Bill Newton, who had previously been captured in Salamaua, Papua new Guinea and was beheaded on 29 March 1943. Even today, the soldier is still occasionally misidentified as Bill Newton.
The soldier, who would became known because for the manner of his death, was actually Leonard George “Len” Siffleet.
He was born on 14 January 1916 at Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia. Siffleet, who loved sports and adventure, moved in the late 1930’s to Sydney in order to search for work. He tried to join the police forces but was rejected for having a poor eyesight.
Nevertheless in August 1940, Siffleet was still called up for military service, and would serve in a searchlight unit at Richmond Air Force Base for a period of three months before returning to civilian life. Not long after in September 1941, he enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force and joined the 1st Division Signals Company at Ingleburn.
Leonard Siffleet went on a signals course at Melbourne Technical College before he volunteered for special operations in September 1942. He was posted to the Z Special unit. In October 1943 he went to the Z Experimental Station in Cairs, where he would receive further training.
Siffleet was promoted to Sergeant on 5 May 1943 and was assigned as a Radio Operator in his unit. Not long after his promotion he was transferred to M Special Unit and was sent to Hollandia, Papa New Guinea with his fellow soldiers.
In mid-September 1943, while part of a team led by a Sergeant Staverman and which included two Ambonese members of the Netherlands East Indies Forces, a Private Pattiwahl and a Private Reharin, Siffleet was underway to Aitape while traveling behind Japanese lines. At some point in October 1943, they were discovered by New Guinean natives and surrounded. Siffleet fired on some of the attackers before fleeing but he was quickly caught along with his companions.
The New Guinean natives turned them over to the Japanese soldiers. The men were taken to Malol where and brutally interrogated. After being interned there for two weeks, they were moved to Aitape.
On 24 October 1943 Sgt. Siffleet, Pte. Pattiwahl and Pte. Reharin were marched to Aitape Beach. Bound and blindfolded, kneeling before a crowd of Japanese and native onlookers, they were forced to the ground and executed by beheading.
Vice Admiral Kamada, the commander of the Japanese Naval Forces at Aitape, ordered the execution. Yasuno Chikao, who carried out the beheadings, was sentenced to death after the war. The sentence was subsequently commuted to 10 years imprisonment as it was determined he had acted in a subordinate capacity.
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