| Accession Number | P03651.010 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | |
| Maker |
US Navy |
| Place made | South China Sea |
| Date made | c September 1944 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
US Navy submarine USS Queenfish (SS-393), which was involved in the rescue of Australian and ...
Description
US Navy submarine USS Queenfish (SS-393), which was involved in the rescue of Australian and British prisoners of war being transferred from Singapore to Japan on Japanese troopships. USS Sealion II (SS-315) sank the Rakuyo Maru and USS Pampanito (SS-383) sank the Kachidoki Maru on 12 September 1944. Both ships returned to the area to search and recover survivors as did USS Queenfish and USS Barb (SS-220). Those rescued by the USN were disembarked at Saipan and later repatriated to Australia in October 1944. Others recovered by Japanese ships would be transferred to Japan and re-enter captivity in work camps allocated to them. Many more either died in the sinkings or drowned in rough seas.