Attack of the ORYOKU MARU at Olongapo Point, December 1944 discussion

[stenotholus]

This is a discussion thread for the following file:

Attack of the ORYOKU MARU at Olongapo Point, December 1944

On December 14, 1944, the Oryoku Maru put to sea.

Transporting Japanese soldiers, civilians, and 1,619

prisoners of war out of Manila, the ship suffered

repeated attacks from American fighters that day. That night, the soldiers and civilians were put ashore leaving

behind the prisoners and their guards. Returning to

finish the Oryoku on the 15th, fighters from USS

Hornet loosened bombs that killed approximately 300

prisoners of war. The survivors were rounded up and

held in an open enclosure for five days with almost

no food until they were transported in two groups to

San Fernando by truck. Several of the weaker

prisoners were “selected” for execution.