1. Rescue Location Map

Rescue location: 12 nautical miles southwest of Nomozaki (Latitude 32°24¢N, Longitude 129°38¢E),

near Nagasaki, Japan.

Combat Report - Daiichi Konan Maru (1042)

Captain: Gunzo Seguchi

Date: June 28, 1944

Our vessel departed Takao (Kaohsiung) on June 20, 1944 at 0900 as part of Convoy HO-02,

returning to the Japanese mainland. The convoy, under Navy Captain Nishio aboard the lead ship

Hiyori Maru, included merchant and army transport ships, among them Tamahoko Maru carrying

770 Allied prisoners of war (American, British, Dutch, and Australian) from Jakarta.

On June 24 at 23:55, approximately 12 nautical miles southwest of Nomozaki, a loud explosion was

heard astern. Weather: overcast, calm seas, visibility ~500m. Later orders reported Tainan Maru

had been torpedoed and sunk, and instructed our vessel to proceed to the rescue area by dawn.

We arrived at 05:20 on June 25 and began rescue operations amid oil-covered waters, using

lifeboats where possible. Survivors were picked up from Tainan Maru, Tamahoko Maru, and Ken'ei

Maru. Rescue work completed by 10:15, then we proceeded to Nagasaki to disembark survivors.

Rescue totals by Daiichi Konan Maru:

- Tainan Maru: 197 survivors

- Tamahoko Maru: 474 survivors (including 211 Allied POWs)

- Ken'ei Maru: 28 survivors

Total rescued: 699 persons

It is believed that Escort Ship No.20 also rescued ~100 more. The attached list records notable

rescuers.

Reported respectfully,

Captain Gunzo Seguchi

The Tamahoko Maru Incident

The Japanese cargo-passenger ship Tamahoko Maru was used during WWII as a so-called "hell

ship" to transport large numbers of Allied prisoners of war under harsh conditions. On June 3, 1944,

she departed Singapore as part of Convoy HO-02, carrying over 900 people, including

approximately 772 Allied POWs:

- United Kingdom: 197

- United States: 42

- Australia: 258

- Netherlands: 281

On June 24, 1944, at approximately 32°24¢N, 129°38¢E (12 nautical miles SW of Nomozaki), the

ship was torpedoed by USS Tang and sank within two minutes. Around 560 POWs perished. The

next morning, 212 surviving POWs were rescued--474 total survivors were picked up by the Daiichi

Konan Maru, along with Japanese crew and military personnel. These POWs were later transferred

to Fukuoka No.14 POW Camp in Japan.　　Captain Gunzo Seguchi　　　　Daiichi Konan Maru (1042)

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