Hellships Memorial Subic
The memorial honors the thousands of World War II Allied prisoners of war transported under horrific conditions by their Japanese captors or “hellships.”
When World War broke out nearly one million Australians, from a population of only seven million, proudly stepped forward to serve. In bitter fighting in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Australia suffered some 17,500 fatalities including over 700 civilian casualties, more than 22,000 Australians were taken as prisoners-of-war and of those some 8,000 perished under the brutal conditions imposed by the Japanese, The sinking of the Helship Montevideo Maru alone accounted for over 1,000 military and civilian deaths. This monument recognizes Australia’s contribution and sacrifice in defense of the ideals of freedom. May future generations never forget these brave men and women who gave their lives in the service of Australia.
You may want to read: