the Montevideo Maru

The Montevideo Maru was a Japanese transport ship sunk during World War II in 1942. It was carrying over 1,000 Australian prisoners of war and civilian internees from Java. Tragically, it was torpedoed by a US submarine, and most aboard drowned in what remains one of the worst maritime disasters in Australian history. The sinking highlights the harsh realities of wartime, where many lives were lost due to military operations at sea. Today, the wreck lies off the coast of the Philippines, serving as a solemn underwater memorial to those who perished.