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" <anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au> To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> 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:jthomas4@bigpond.net.au] > Sent: Friday, 12 May 2006 8:40 PM > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > 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 > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > AUS-MILITARY is set so that, by default, replies go to the list. Please > check your replies before sending, to make sure that is what you know is > happening. > > > > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > Anzac Research > http://anzacresearch.tripod.com/index.htm >

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:mikejboyd@bigpond.com] Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2006 8:33 AM To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com 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" <anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au> To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> 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:jthomas4@bigpond.net.au] > Sent: Friday, 12 May 2006 8:40 PM > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > 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

Being picky here. "Montevideo Maru" was a Japanese vessel. ( uncertain as to whether or it was even IJN). The bulk of those Australian Service personnel killed were Army. Therefore "Sydney" was the worst NAVAL disaster. "Montevideo Maru" may have been the worst MARITIME disaster involving the loss of life for Australian Servic personnel. This does not make it the worst NAVAL disaster. Maurie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony Staunton" <anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au> To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 9:43 AM Subject: RE: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships > 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:mikejboyd@bigpond.com] > Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2006 8:33 AM > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > 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" <anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au> > To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> > 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:jthomas4@bigpond.net.au] > > Sent: Friday, 12 May 2006 8:40 PM > > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > > 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 > > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > RAAF Museum > http://www.raafmuseum.com.au/ > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/334 - Release Date: 8/05/06 > >

Maurie Do not worry - being picky is quite OK. Thank you, Maritime is more accurate. However, I was thinking in terms of reports that gave the impression that the loss of HMAS Sydney was the greatest loss of Australian life at sea. Anthony -----Original Message----- From: Maurie [mailto:henery1@tpg.com.au] Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2006 11:15 AM To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships Being picky here. "Montevideo Maru" was a Japanese vessel. ( uncertain as to whether or it was even IJN). The bulk of those Australian Service personnel killed were Army. Therefore "Sydney" was the worst NAVAL disaster. "Montevideo Maru" may have been the worst MARITIME disaster involving the loss of life for Australian Servic personnel. This does not make it the worst NAVAL disaster. Maurie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Anthony Staunton" <anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au> To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2006 9:43 AM Subject: RE: [AUS-MIL] Hospital Ships > 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:mikejboyd@bigpond.com] > Sent: Saturday, 13 May 2006 8:33 AM > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > 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" <anthony.staunton@pcug.org.au> > To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> > 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:jthomas4@bigpond.net.au] > > Sent: Friday, 12 May 2006 8:40 PM > > To: AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com > > 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 > > > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== > RAAF Museum > http://www.raafmuseum.com.au/ > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/334 - Release Date: 8/05/06 > > ==== AUS-MILITARY Mailing List ==== AUS-MILITARY is set so that, by default, replies go to the list. Please check your replies before sending, to make sure that is what you know is happening.

A new book on NZ Army Personal Equipment, well illustrated - John Wilson See website: http://www.willsonscott.biz/Home.html Author: O'Sullivan, Barry. Title: New Zealand Army personal equipment 1910-1945 / Barry O'Sullivan, Matthew O'Sullivan. Publisher: [Christchurch, N.Z.] : Willson Scott Pub., c2005. ISBN: 0958253595 : Description: 352 p. : ill. ; 27 cm. Subject: New Zealand. Army--Equipment--History--20th century. Military paraphernalia--New Zealand. World War, 1914-1918--Equipment and supplies. World War, 1939-1945--Equipment and supplies. New Zealand--History, Military--20th century.