“Lari, lari, cepat lari (Run, run, run quickly)!” Sipin’s grandfather shouted to his family as the American planes were seen flying low towards his village. Located in a steep valley, Kampung Kaung is located about 80km from Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).
The planes were following the course of Sungai Kedamaian which led to their village. The river, whose water is cold and crystal clear, flows from nearby Mt Kinabalu. However, the name of the river, translated as “Peace River”, belied the tragedy which would soon unfold. It would turn red from the blood spillage in the village.
According to a witness – Pakcik Bondion, 95 – the approaching American planes sparked major panic. Many villagers started running towards the surrounding hills while screaming. Before long, bombs were seen dropping from the planes.
Pakcik Bondion recalled the scene: “There were loud explosions! The ground trembled. Many houses were destroyed and there were fires and smoke everywhere.” In their panic, some unfortunate villagers were killed in their attempt to cross the river.
Sipin’s grandfather was the among the last to evacuate as he wanted to ensure everybody was safe. Although the rest of the family were safe, he was killed by one of the bombs.
After their major victories in the Pacific battles of Saipan, Leyte and Iwo Jima towards the end of the war, American planes conducted more raids to harass Japanese positions in North Borneo (Sabah), including the Japanese camp based in Kampung Kaung.
Unfortunately, many innocent civilians were caught up in the bombings. The Japanese built their camps nearby or within the villages or towns. In a way, the Japanese were using the “human shield” tactic. The Japanese were notorious for committing atrocities during the war.
A fragment of one of the bombs dropped by the Americans is kept in the compound of the village school, SK Kaung of Kota Belud district.
Sipin works as a clerk there. Whenever he passes by the bomb fragment, it brings back tragic memories of his grandfather’s death on that fateful day.
The fragment was originally used by the village folks as a trough to feed their pigs.
It was only much later that the village folks realised its historical value and put it up for display in the school.
Located at the entrance of the school are five legendary stones. They mark the sacred burial ground of their ancestors. It is believed that whoever disturbs the stones would face severe punishment.
However, a few people did not believe this legend, with grave consequences. During the construction of the school, a worker pulled out one of the stones to use as a boundary marker. The next day, while working on the roof, he fell to his death. The next day, another worker pulled out another stone. He then suffered serious injury which rendered him paralysed.
After these two incidents, no one dared to disturb the stones anymore. Hence, only five stones still remain, out of the original seven. The staff and locals believe that the five stones will protect them from harm and evil. The school is doing rather well and now has plans for expansion.
During the 2015 earthquake in Kota Kinabalu, 18 people died while hundreds of climbers from around the world were affected. Most of the dead were primary schoolchildren from Singapore. It was their first, and last, outing to Sabah.
The earthquake also altered the course of Sungai Kedamaian. It inundated the paddy fields along its banks and covered up the spot where Sipin’s grandfather and others had been killed during the war.
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