A Japanese ship used to transport prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II has been discovered after more than 80 years. The Hōfuku Maru was carrying around 1,200 British and Dutch POWs when it was sunk by US warplanes in the South China Sea on September 21, 1944.

Conditions on Board

The conditions on the ship were harsh, with prisoners crammed into two holds with limited access to food, water, and sanitation. The prisoners were forced to take turns lying down, and many were too weak to climb out to use the crude toilets on deck.

According to historical accounts, the prisoners were given life jackets, but they were later confiscated after guards found them being used as pillows. The ship’s journey began in Singapore, and the prisoners were destined for Japan, where they would be forced to work in factories and mines.

Discovery of the Wreck

The wreck was discovered through a combination of archival research, sonar surveys, and technical dives. The team used specialized computer software to create a 3D model of the wreck, which was found to match the blueprints of the Hōfuku Maru.

The discovery is a significant one, as it provides a glimpse into a dark chapter of World War II history. The Hōfuku Maru was one of 56 unmarked vessels used by the Japanese military to transport POWs, and its sinking resulted in the loss of over 1,000 lives.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.