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Archiver > AUS-MILITARY > 2006-05 > 1147477412


From: "Anthony Staunton" <>
Subject: RE: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships
Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 09:43:32 +1000
In-Reply-To: <000a01c67614$154191c0$0100000a@DD4KCF1S>


Mike

You are probably correct. Jan may have been referring to Australian POWs in
unmarked Japanese ships sunk by US submarines.

On 1 July 1942 the Montevideo Maru was sunk with no survivors among the 1200
Australian soldiers and civilians captured at Rabaul. There were more
sinkings in 1944 but there were survivors picked up by US submarines. One of
Don Wall's books was on the sinkings. The official history which is online
mentions the ships.
See: http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/20/chapters/25.pdf

Anthony Staunton

PS You often see reference to the loss of HMAS Sydney as Australia's
greatest naval tragedy but that sad honour belongs to the Montevideo Maru.



-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Boyd [mailto:]
Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2006 8:33 AM
To:
Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships

Jan
When was working in Rabul in the 1960's, it was said that a number of POW's
were put on ships to Japan and were never seen again.

I can't recall what period this was in the War - 1943 or so I think after
being told 40 years ago. So ships like this could have been sunk by the
Allies without even knowing that there were POW's on board..

It was also said that a number of POW's were still buried in the Tunnels in
Rabul. On my first day in Rabul, I was told do not go into the tunnels as
we do not have any maps of where they go.

Mike Boyd
Brisbane
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anthony Staunton" <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 9:27 PM
Subject: RE: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships


> Jan
>
> What are the allegations that the allies attacked Japanese hospital ships.
>
> It seems unlikely since Japan did not have ships that were internationally
> recognised as hospital ships along the lines of the Centaur. The Centaur
> was
> painted white, had large red crosses on its sides, was illuminated at
> night,
> carried casualties and medical supplies but no war material.
>
> I do not think that evacuation of casualties had a high priority in
> Japanese
> war plans.
>
> Anthony Staunton
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jan Thomas [mailto:]
> Sent: Friday, 12 May 2006 8:40 PM
> To:
> Subject: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships
>
> Can anyone refer me to any factual information on the allegation that
> the Allies attacked Japanese hospital ships during WW2? Any help
> much appreciated.
>
> Jan Thomas
> on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River


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