The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru Britain’s Secret Wartime Tragedy
Speaker : Dr. Tony Banham, historian and author.
Date : Thursday 26 June 2025
Time : Meet at 19:00 for drinks: talk will start at 19:30 hrs.
Venue : United Services Recreation Club, Gascoigne Road, Jordan, Kowloon.
Admission : Cost is $100 per person.
Details
In October 1942 the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese transport ship secretly carrying over 1800 British PoWs taken captive in Hong Kong, was torpedoed off the coast of China by a U.S. Navy submarine unaware of it’s human cargo.
Although never studied in any depth, the sinking of the Lisbon Maru was the most costly “American on British” friendly fire incident of WW2. Of the 4500 of HK’s garrison who were killed during the war, 1000 did so either directly or indirectly as a result of this sinking.
Tony’s book, titled “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” reconstructs the fateful voyage of the vessel and the experiences of the captives, the captors, and those on board the USS Grouper, the submarine which sank her.
Tony has drawn upon United States, British, Hong Kong and Japanese sources in researching this subject. He will also talk on the recent documentary film made by the China-based producer Fang Li on the sinking, which was premiered in the U.K. in March 2025.
The Speaker
Dr. Tony Banham, a long-term resident of Hong Kong, has studied the 1941 battle for well over three decades. He has written extensively on the subject and has assisted in the production of many documentaries and films.
This promises to be a most enjoyable event and it would be really appreciated if we could get a good turnout on the evening. Please do all you can join us!
A cash bar and snacks will be provided.
Speaker : Dr. Tony Banham, historian and author.
Date : Thursday 26 June 2025
Time : Meet at 19:00 for drinks: talk will start at 19:30 hrs.
Venue : United Services Recreation Club, Gascoigne Road, Jordan, Kowloon.
Admission : Cost is $100 per person.
Details
In October 1942 the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese transport ship secretly carrying over 1800 British PoWs taken captive in Hong Kong, was torpedoed off the coast of China by a U.S. Navy submarine unaware of it’s human cargo.
Although never studied in any depth, the sinking of the Lisbon Maru was the most costly “American on British” friendly fire incident of WW2. Of the 4500 of HK’s garrison who were killed during the war, 1000 did so either directly or indirectly as a result of this sinking.
Tony’s book, titled “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” reconstructs the fateful voyage of the vessel and the experiences of the captives, the captors, and those on board the USS Grouper, the submarine which sank her.
Tony has drawn upon United States, British, Hong Kong and Japanese sources in researching this subject. He will also talk on the recent documentary film made by the China-based producer Fang Li on the sinking, which was premiered in the U.K. in March 2025.
The Speaker
Dr. Tony Banham, a long-term resident of Hong Kong, has studied the 1941 battle for well over three decades. He has written extensively on the subject and has assisted in the production of many documentaries and films.
This promises to be a most enjoyable event and it would be really appreciated if we could get a good turnout on the evening. Please do all you can join us!
A cash bar and snacks will be provided.