However, the veracity of this story has been disputed and the facts suggest that, while a small number of Japanese soldiers were likely killed by crocodiles (the only verifiable mention is of 10-15 men killed by crocodiles while crossing Min Chaung creek near Ramree town), the vast majority likely died due to a variety of other reasons including dehydration, drowning, British gun-fire, dysentery, and perhaps even a small number to sharks as well (Platt et al. 1998).
Con todo, a veracidade desta historia foi discutida e os feitos suxiren que, mentres que un pequeno número de soldados xaponeses probablemente foron asasinados por crocodilos (a única mención verificable é de 10-15 homes mortos por crocodilos mentres cruzaban o arroio Min Chaung preto da cidade de Ramree), a gran maioría morreu probablemente debido a unha variedade doutras razóns incluíndo a deshidratación, o afogamento, disparos de arma británico, disentería, e quizais ata un número pequeno tamén aos tiburóns (Platt et al. 1998).