Home / War and Conflict / WWII Wreck of 'Hell Ship' Found After 80 Years
WWII Wreck of 'Hell Ship' Found After 80 Years
18 Jun
Summary
- WWII POW ship Hōfuku Maru wreck discovered near Philippines coast.
- Ship sank in 1944, killing most of its 1,200 Allied prisoners.
- Wreck identified using archival documents and sonar surveys.
The wreck of the Japanese "hell ship" Hōfuku Maru, lost for 80 years, has been discovered near the Philippines. This vessel was carrying around 1,200 British and Dutch prisoners of war when it sank in September 1944 after being mistakenly attacked by US warplanes.
Researchers meticulously scoured Japanese and US military archives, followed by sonar surveys and technical dives, to pinpoint the wreck's location off Zambales province. The Hōfuku Maru was one of 56 unmarked ships used by the Japanese military to transport POWs during World War II.
Historical records were inconsistent, but a digitized Japanese document from June 2025 provided crucial timeline and map details. This evidence, cross-referenced with Allied strike reports and local fisherman accounts, led the team to the wreck site.
Conditions on board the "hell ships" were described as horrific, with inadequate food, water, and sanitation. Many prisoners died before reaching their intended destinations in Japan. The wreck is now considered a war grave, and the Netherlands has stated it will not be excavated out of respect for the victims.
