By early 1942, the islands had a population of about 40,000, some of which (3,000-5,000) were indigenous people, and the rest being several hundred Europeans, and Indians. Previously, the Japanese had overwhelming success in Malaya and Singapore. This led to a reappraisal of the defense of the Andaman Islands and the people. It was decided that the islands were indefensible. On 10 March 1942, Indian Hindu priests, British women, and British children were evacuated. Led by Captain Kawasaki Harumi, the Japanese dispatched a vigorous invasion force coming from Penang. They arrived at Port Blair on 23 March 1942. The invaders landed at both Ross Island and Port Blair, and detachments were also sent to other populated areas of the islands, like Port Cornwallis. Even though there was zero armed resistance to the invaders, the Japanese were savage. They arrested eight senior officials in Port Blair and forced them to dig pits up until only their heads would show. Once they were done, they were stabbed and shot. In another atrocity, an Englishman was publicly beheaded because he communicated with one of his clerks upon being arrested. Other British officials and officers were detained and shipped to Singapore, where they spent the rest of the war in Changi or Sime Road jails. The Japanese also used many local women as ‘comfort girls’. Until August 1945, as many as 30,000 out of 40,000 of the population were killed.
