The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
The San Cha Mountain 三叉山 Incident of 1945 – Taiwan Marks 80 Years Since Double Tragedy [S5 Reedited Encore]
Sep 18, 2025
Explore the haunting tale of the B-24 crash on Sancha Mountain, where former POWs met tragedy shortly after WWII. Discover the harrowing rescue efforts involving a dedicated team of Japanese, Taiwanese, and Indigenous people, who risked their lives to retrieve the fallen. The discussion also delves into Taiwan's perilous mountain dangers, highlighting historical incidents and modern challenges. As the 80th anniversary approaches, reflections on bravery and remembrance add depth to this poignant story.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Repatriation Flight Disappearances
- A group of mixed-nationality POWs were flown from Okinawa toward Manila aboard converted B-24s after Japan's surrender.
- One B-24, the GINI, vanished in a typhoon and was presumed lost at sea with all 25 aboard.
Liquidator Crash On Sancha Mountain
- The B-24 Liquidator crashed into Mount Sancha during the storm, killing all 25 aboard from several nationalities.
- Indigenous Bunun hunters witnessed the crash and reported it to authorities a few days later.
Rescue Team Suffers Fatalities
- An 89-man burial team of Japanese, Taiwanese police, and 70 Aboriginal men reached the wreck to bury the dead.
- A typhoon struck as they worked and 26 members of the team froze to death descending the mountain.
