Sunken wreck of WWII ‘hell ship’ used to transport POWs discovered after more than 80 years
The wreck is split in two and slowly being covered by volcanic ash, researchers said, after a search led by the Hellships Memorial Foundation.
- Researchers identified the wreck of the HMfuku Maru, a Japanese ship that sank in 1944 off the coast of Luzon, Philippines, carrying around 1,200 Allied POWs.
- The Japanese military used the vessel as one of 56 unmarked "hell ships" during World War II, subjecting prisoners to conditions Tim Beckensall, a World War II historian, called "about the worst set of conditions you could design."
- After John Duresky discovered a digitized Japanese document in June 2025, researchers from the Hellships Memorial Foundation and maritime archaeologist Calvin Mires pinpointed the wreck near Zambales.
- The Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands issued a statement June 8 confirming the wreck was "almost certainly" the HMfuku Maru and designating it a war grave that will remain undisturbed.
- While volcanic ash from the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption slowly engulfs the site, an Expedition Unknown documentary chronicling the search will air on the Discovery Channel June 24.
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der Standard DEResearchers have located the wreck of the Hōfuku Maru near Luzon. In 1944 US aircraft sank the freighter, on board were over 1000 Allied prisoners of war
The wreckage of a Japanese ship carrying more than 1,000 prisoners of war, which was torpedoed in 1944 and sank, has been found off the coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines. The post The wreck of a Japanese World War II "hell ship" was discovered in the Philippines appeared first on in.gr.
On 21 September 1944, a Japanese ship was in a convoy crossing the South China Sea, engulfing approximately 1,200 British and Dutch prisoners of war on the way.
WWII Hell Ship Found With Remains of 1,000 Prisoners
Archyde Archaeologists confirmed earlier this week the discovery of the SS Marnix, a Dutch merchant ship repurposed by the Japanese as a “hellship” during World War II, found off the coast ... Read More The post WWII Hell Ship Found With Remains of 1,000 Prisoners appeared first on Archyde.
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