Lobang Jepun, BukitTinggi, Indonesia (part 1 of 5)

Lobang Jepun meant 'Japan Hole'. It is actually a network of tunnels constructed during WW II in 1942 within 2 years and 8 months. The labourers that constructed the tunnels were from Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. They were not locals. They were dupped by the Japanese Army that they were recruited to joining in search of gold mines. They were later forced to work digging out the tunnels with their bare hands. They were given one watery porridge meal per day. Some of them were imprisoned when they resisted and met their deaths in the tunnels. Even those that survived were killed at the end to keep the existence of the tunnels secret. Their remains were thrown into ravines and could not be traced.
The story of their fateful ends were remoursefully narrated by 2 returning Japanese soldiers to Indonesia. The secrets of the tunnels were finally unravelled.
Ironically, the sites have since become tourist destinations. But attempts by authority to turn some parts of the tunnels into cafe, food kiosks or commercial attractions etc were not economically sustainable due to the notorious history of the place; it is just not appropriate to turn the tunnels into entertaining joints. Hence, only about 1.47km of 6km tunnels are opened to public. These parts of the tunnels have been re-coated with cement and the foors were furnished with tiles to facilitate visitations.
Ps. The guide for the tourists is licensed by the authority with minimal pay. He is depended on generosity of visitors to pay him some fees to supplement his income.
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