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Saturday 6 October 1945
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5 corrections, most recently by anonymous - Show corrections
PRISONERS LOST WHEN JAP SHIP
SUNK OFF LUZON
The Japanese prison ship, Monte- video Maru, carrying 845 prisoners
of war and 205 civilian internees from Rabaul to Japan in June, 1942, was torpedoed near Luzon with a total loss of life among the prisoners and internees.
This was stated by the Minister for External Territories (Mr. Ward) in the House of Representatives yester- day.
Mr. Ward said that although a few missionaries and, civilians had been
rescued when the Australian forces entered Rabaul, after the surrender of the Japanese, 316 civilians were still not accounted for.
A roll, which it is understood con- tains the names of personnel on board the Montevideo Maru, is being translated in Japan so that informa- tion can be sent to the next-of-kin.
Australian inquiry officers, work- ing with General MacArthur's forces in Japan, confirm the Government's fears that the majority of Aus- tralians captured at Rabaul and still missing, had lost their lives at sea.
Mr. Ward said that some time would elapse before all the names were available, but the next-of-kin were assured that the names would be progressively released as they be- came available. Australian prisoners, who were in Rabaul when the Monte- video Maru sailed for Japan, had been recently recovered and were able to confirm some names of per- sonnel embarked on that ship. With out waiting for rolls from Japan, next-of-kin of these prisoners had been informed but there was no au- thentic information available on civilian internees.
In extending the Government's sympathy to relatives, Mr. Ward said these servicemen and civilians, who lost their lives in such a tragic man- ner, gave everything for Australia, just as surely as those who died face to face with the enemy.