I also remember a time when I was told by experts and pundits alike that "crocodiles" didn't eat my family friend, the police didn't believe it either until someone found the animal with human remains inside.
I have had enough experience in the real life to know that the wikpedias truth is held by the most persistent editors, not what actually happened.
Ye I guess it is plausible but dunno if there would be enough crocodiles.
War stories like these are often just made up for propaganda or jingoist gossip purposes.
Like, Wikipedia references a source saying the "crocodile massacre" didn't happen.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ramree_Island