World War IIMS Herstein
On the 20th of January 1942, MS Herstein was docked in Rabaul on New Britain, New Guinea to load copra after the ship had brought troops and supplies to Port Moresby. Rabaul was the target of a massive Japanese bombing attack. Six bombs struck the vessel that completely burned down. One man passed was killed and six were wounded. Captain Godtfred Gundersen joined a group of Australians and wandered for 78 days and 350 miles along the coast and over land. Half of the group succumbed to disease and hunger while others were killed in skirmishes with Japanese soldiers. A rescue expedition from New Guinea managed to bring the survivors to Port Moresby. The remaining crew from Herstein was taken as prisoner by the Japanese. On the 1st of July 1942, they were transported on a prison ship, Montevideo Maru, when it was torpedoed outside Luzon by an American submarine. Everyone of the allied 1054 POWs perished in the sinking.
About MS Herstein
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1939
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Wrecked
20.01.1942
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Carrier
Sigurd Herlofson & Co, Oslo
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Tonnage
9030 dvt
