The Enoura Maru Project

Dr. Gregory Kupsky

Historian, DPAA
• Historical Background

• Timeline

• Breakdown of the Missing

• Challenges

• The Project

Overview
Historical Background

The “Hellships”

• Throughout the war, POWs were shipped from other areas back to Japan for use as laborers

• The term is based on the horrible conditions on board, poor treatment, poor health of the POWs

• Ships used were not always marked as POW transports; attacked by US aircraft and submarines

“Hellships” from the Philippines

• In the Philippines, over 20,000 Allied POWs were held

– Primarily at Cabanatuan, Davao, and Bilibid Prison POW camps

• Prior to December 1944, two major sinkings in Philippines resulted in over 2,400 deaths at sea

• December 1944: in Manila, 1,621* POWs board Oryoku Maru
Aboard Oryoku Maru

December 13, 1944: 1,619 prisoners packed into three holds

• Crowding, poor ventilation, no sanitation, illness

December 14: US Navy aircraft attack Oryoku Maru at sea

• Beaches in Subic bay; POWs fend for themselves on board

December 15: US aircraft attack again, causing explosion

• Japanese order POWs to swim ashore; firing on some POWs

• Survivors herded onto tennis court in Olongapo
Transfer on Land

December 20, 1944: survivors taken to San Fernando, Pampanga

• Held in provincial jail; 15 wounded prisoners are executed

December 27: Transfer to San Fernando, La Union

• Board Enoura Maru and Brazil Maru, resume voyage
Route to Takao, Formosa (Taiwan)

December 27, 1944 – January 1, 1945: Journey to Takao

• Deaths during journey; burials at sea

• Deaths that occurred prior to arrival are turned over

• On arrival, all placed aboard Enoura Maru

January 9: US aircraft attack Enoura Maru

• Explosion kills ~300 POWs

January 12: Japanese allow transfer of dead ashore

• Reports of cremations, then mass burials on shore
Aboard Brazil Maru to Japan

January 14, 1945: Survivors continue on Brazil Maru

• Deaths from illness, wounds from January 9 attack

• Burials at sea until 3 days from Japan

January 29: Arrival at Moji, Japan

• About 500 of original 1,619 came ashore

• Some deaths just after arrival

• Approximately 300+ survive the war
Breakdown of the Missing

Unresolved casualties by nationality

Nationality Number Involved

American 944

British 20

Dutch 5

Czech 5

Norwegian 4

Australian 1

Canadian 1

German 1

Unresolved US casualties

Branch of 

Service

Number 

Involved

Army 757

Navy 117

Marines 44

Civilians 25

Merchant 

Marines

1

Unresolved US casualties

Ship Estimated 

Number 

Involved

Oryoku Maru ~280

Enoura Maru ~400

Brazil Maru ~270
• The Japanese Government reported losses via the Red Cross

– Placed most in the attack on Oryoku Maru on December 15, 1944

– War Department issued Reports of Death based on this information

Challenges: Wartime Records

• The POWs attempted to record casualties

– Conflicting reports, incomplete information
Oryoku Maru

• August 1946: Navy salvage team conducts 

exploratory dive in Subic Bay

• Remains disintegrated on contact

• Wreck deemed too unstable and dangerous for 

further exploration

• Ship partially demolished for safety reasons

Challenges: Postwar Recoveries

Enoura Maru

• Recoveries in Takao, May-June 1946

• Those who died more than 3 days from 

Takao were buried ashore at 

Fukuteikin Cemetery

Brazil Maru

• Those who died more than 3 days from Moji 

were buried at sea

• Remains brought ashore were reported 

cremated
• 344 believed recovered from the beach area in 1946

• 33 additional recoveries from Fukuteikin Cemetery

– Includes POWs who died en route on Enoura and Brazil Maru, other 

unrelated prison ships

• In total, an estimated 406 unknowns from this incident are 

in the Punchbowl in Honolulu

– Mostly group burials; est. 406 remains in 40 caskets

The Takao Unknowns
Receive Approval to Disinter the Enoura Maru unknowns

• 2018: DPAA disinterred X-546A, purportedly one individual

– At least 4 DNA sequences were found, Capt Schade identified (skull)

– 407 – 1 = 406

• Test against the selected missing from the three ships, due to discrepancies

• Test against resolved individuals because of commingling

• DPAA is collecting DNA reference samples for ~1,000 associated casualties

• 60% reference samples required before DPAA can propose disinterment

The Project
Additional Ways Ahead

San Fernando Cemetery

• Waypoint for POWs after Oryoku Maru; 15 believed executed

• DPAA is routing a disinterment memo for 12 related unknowns

Japan Unknowns

• Determine whether unknowns recovered from Japan may be associated

Present-Day Remains

• Investigate any remains reported in Subic Bay, Takao, Japan

• So far, DPAA has investigated reports from Subic Bay, with negative results
Questions?

Memorial Marker to Enoura Maru Unknowns, Takao