A global Memorial and Research initiative dedicated to Allied prisoners of war who perished aboard Japanese transport ships during World War II.

Memorial with black stone sculptures, palm trees, and water in the background.

“Lest We Forget”

What Were the Hellships

During World War II, thousands of Allied prisoners of war were transported across Asia aboard Japanese cargo ships known today as the Hellships.

The prisoners were confined in dark cargo holds without markings identifying them as POW transports. Many of these ships were sunk by Allied submarines or aircraft unaware of the prisoners aboard.

More than 20,000 POWs are believed to have died in these maritime tragedies.

Waterfront Rd, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines.

The Hellships Memorial is located on the Subic Bay Freeport (SBF), which forms part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. The memorial is located on the shoreline near the headquarters of the SBF, Bldg 229.

The sunken remains of the Oryoku Maru lie about 500 yards from the site

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
info@hellshipsmemorial.org
Phone
(63) 928 281 7629