World War IIDT Madrono
The DT Madrono was captured by the German raider HSK Thor on 4 July 1942. The vessel was en route in ballast from Melbourne to Abadan. After the crew was taken aboard by the prize crew, Madrono was taken to Batavia (now Jakarta) and then to Yokohama on 5 August. The Norwegian crew ended up in Japanese captivity. Under the name Rossbach and with a German crew, the ship attempted to break the Allied blockade, heading for France, but had to turn back well into the Atlantic. Several Norwegians were aboard as prisoners of war during this voyage. Some of the Norwegian prisoners attempted to escape from the ship by lowering a lifeboat while under way. The escape attempt was discovered, and as punishment, the Norwegians were placed atop the summer tank under unbearable conditions in intense heat. In this manner, they were tortured by the Germans. Under these horrific conditions, gunner Trygve Berge from Tysnes died in April 1943. The others were sent back to captivity in Japan, where some of them died. The Rossbach (formerly Madrono) was torpedoed on 7 May 1944 by an American submarine off Japan.
About DT Madrono
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1917
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Wrecked
07.05.1944
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Carrier
Langfeldt, A.I, Kristiansand
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Tonnage
8607 dvt
