In late September of 1944, the Japanese assembled a group of prisoners from the Philippines to be moved to Japan for more forced labor. Lindsey was part of this group most likely because there was hope that it would be better there. They were first transferred to Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Philippines. |
The entrance to Bilibid Prison, in Muntinlupa, Philippines.
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The Arisan Maru is one of many Japanese ships that were nicknamed as Hellships.
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On October 10, 1944, they boarded the Arisan Maru and left Manila traveling south, toward Palawan Island, and away from Japan. The men on the ship stayed at Palawan Island until departing to Manila on October 20th to join Convoy MATA-30. They left at 2340 PM with the convoy consisting of Kokuryu Maru, Kikusui, Fuyukawa, Tenshin Maru, Shikisan Maru, Eiko, Arisan Maru, Ryofu Maru, Daiten Maru, and Shinsei Maru No. 1 as well as three destroyers, Haukaze, Take, and Kuretake, and a subchaser, CH-20. They departed to Takao in Formosa. |
The Kokuryu Maru sailing before October 24, 1944.
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On October 24, 1944, the convoy is attacked by five American submarines.
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The Arisan Maru was holding 1,782 US prisoners of war, and 50 civilians. They were hit and sunk in the Bashi Channel located between Taiwan and the Philippines. Only nine survived the sinking, five were saved by the Chinese and the other four were captured once again by the Japanese and forced into a Prisoner of War camp. |
Shikisan Maru before sinking.
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Eiko Maru before sailing for the last time.
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There are reports of one prisoner dying from being shot because he was trying to escape and four others dying of illness, however, there are no reports of who these people were. It is assumed Lindsey died from the sinking of the ship because the prisoners were located in an area where they could not have known they were being hit, there were only two lifeboats on the entire ship, and the ship sank quick. |