tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717793725263190225.post4112966006320929109..comments2024-03-27T22:43:37.276-05:00Comments on Military Analysis: Hospital Ship V. [End]Albert E.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07277015142536922401noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717793725263190225.post-73478794222646413832019-10-01T10:38:56.410-05:002019-10-01T10:38:56.410-05:00You appear to have jumped to the conclusion that t...You appear to have jumped to the conclusion that the sinking of HMAHS Centaur was a war crime. It is well known in Australia (but conveniently 'forgotten') that there were rumours (more than rumours really) that arms and ammunition were indeed loaded on board this ship at the dockside. Apparently it was at a time of a dockers strike and although the ship's Captain protested he was 'persuaded' to sail with the arms on board. It is thought that during the dockers strike there was a Japanese spy in the dock who witnessed the arms being loaded and signalled to the Japanese submarine the information just as or after the ship sailed.<br /><br />Certainly the 'rumours' were surpressed following the sinking and the Australian Govt. made the usual protests etc.<br /><br />Members of the nursing staff of the hospital ship Oranje (a Dutch vessel with Australian and New Zealand personnel aboard) were aware of the arms story and subsequently voiced their fears on the subject in the press. <br /><br />All this does in no way reduce the pain and suffering felt by the relatives and friends of those lost on the Centaur and annual commemorations are staged each year to this date. <br /><br />It is widely thought that this was not, therefore, a war crime although we will not know for certain until and unless the wreck is searched and arms found. That circumstance is very unlikely to happen. <br /><br />peter.high94@hotmail.co.ukAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com