SS Induna Star
From Our Contribution
 Photo John Oxley Library, Queensland accessed 1 Dec 2022 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Induna Star |
| Owner | Rondahl, Kolopo |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | steel ketch |
| Tonnage | 81 tons |
Remarks
Little is available about the boat itself other than its role in an escape attempt by Australian soldiers from the 1st Independent Company on the island of New Ireland.
On 2 Feb 1942 they were attempting to escape aboard the SS Indura Star from a larger Japanese force but were sighted by a Japanese plane which subsequently attacked, causing considerable damage to the vessel as well as destroying one of its lifeboats and causing a number of casualties. Stanley Curtis was one who subsequently died from the injuries he received. For those that survived the strafing, The Induna Star had begun taking on water and as a result the men were forced to surrender. Under escort by a Japanese aircraft and then later a destroyer, they were instructed to sail to Rabaul where they became prisoners of war. Those who survived were later to drown when the Montevideo Maru was sunk while carrying a thousand POWs to Japan. None survived the sinking.
Soldiers carried
Kaut, New Ireland to Rabaul, New Britain 30 January - 3 February 1942
- † Stanley Gordon Curtis DOW 2 Feb 1942 while aboard the ketch