"The first task of the Allied occupation forces in Singapore and Siam (Thailand) has been the liberation of thousands of prisoners of war and civilian internees who have suffered almost unbelievable hardships during the years they have been held in captivity," The Army News of that date reported.

"Correspondents say the world will be shocked when it hears the full story of the suffering of these unfortunate people who have been starved, beaten and tortured by their Japanese guards.

"Those who have been released from the notorious Changi prison camp have accused the Japanese of great cruelty.

"All males over the age of 10 years did forced labor on a daily ration that was much less than the punishment diet imposed on civil prisoners before the war.

"One day in 1943 [at Changi] 57 men and women were tortured because the Japs suspected the presence of a spy organisation in the camp.

"Great progress is being made with the liberation of prisoners in Siam. At Bangkok they are being flown out at the rate of 1000 a day."

With many of the estimated 12,000 to 15,000 prisoners of war having previously been listed as missing, the news from the camps gave rise to fresh hopes in households across the nation.

Getting accurate information back on who had lived and who had died was given a high priority.

"Next of kin will be notified as soon as soon as the names of the men [both dead and alive] have been received," Army Minister Arthur Forde reported.

It was anticipated that at least 100,000 telegrams would be sent from 15 different camps across South East Asia.

Army News was able to reveal the identities of some prominent Changi inmates.

"Sergeant A.M. Blain, MHR for the Northern Territory, is among the Eighth Division survivors," it reported.

"With him are Captain Ben Barnett, the test cricketer; and Flying Officer A.N. Finlay, the well known Sydney Rugby Union footballer."

Blain had served with the 22nd Battalion in WWI. He was 51 years old and had been tortured by the Japanese gestapo, the kempeitai, for allegedly having been involved in planning an escape attempt.

More than 33,000 prisoners were being held on Singapore when the Allies arrived. Of these 6,300 were Australian.

Closer to home, Lieutenant General Sturdee, the Australian who took the surrender of the Japanese on Rabaul, was in a "take no prisoners" mood.

He "warned the Japanese commander, Lieutenant General Immamura, that any Japs, other than authorised police or guards, found in possession of arms or explosives, would be shot on sight".