SS Behar Massacre

Passenger cargo ship Behar, 7,840grt, (Hain SS Co.) had been sailing from Newcastle, New South Wales & Melbourne with a cargo of zinc and 9 passengers. On the 9th March 1944 the ship was intercepted by the Japanese Cruiser Tone South-West of the CocosIsland and sunk.

Of the 104 crew, DEMS gunners and passengers picked up out of the water 72 were randomly picked out an subsequently beheaded on the Tone’s quarterdeck on the evening of the 18/19th March. The execution order came from Vice Admiral Sakonji, who was later hung for war crimes 21st January 1948.

The Captain of the Tone Mayazumi Haruo received 7 years imprisonment. His lenient sentence was due to the fact he had protested on several occasions about carrying out the execution orders.

No one else was ever charged with war crimes from this atrocity mainly due to American intervention at having all war crime charges dropped if Japan agreed to become a Western style democracy in helping stop the spread of Communism across the Far East.

By 1950 General MacArthur’s HQ began to hamper the investigation into all Japanese war crimes and began destroying evidence. The Allied Governments who signed the 1951 Peace Treaty with Japan, signed away all chances of obtaining compensation from the Japanese Government by former PoW’s.

One of the Behar surviving passengers, John Gowing Godwin RNZN, who also survived his captivity and later became part of the Supreme Command Allied Powers to investigate Japanese war crimes defied these orders and secretly kept evidence on the Behar massacre. These papers were not released until his death in 1995.

Officers, Crew & Passenger Executed Onboard Japanese Cruiser Tone 18/19th March 1944 (Including those killed in the shelling, died in captivity or disappeared).

British Excuted

  • ANDERSON, Third Officer, JAMES SMITH, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.
  • BROWN, 6th Engineer, JOHN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 21. Son of John and Anne Brown, of Glasgow.
  • CAMPBELL, Third Engineer Officer, EAN NIGEL MACCAILEN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 44.
  • CRAIG, Fourth Engineer Officer, JOSEPH ROBERTSON, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.
  • CUMMING, Third Radio Officer, HENRY GORDON, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.
  • LOVE, Fifth Engineer Officer, PETER BROWN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 27. Son of Peter Brown Love and Jeannie Love; husband of Marion Ritchie Love, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
  • MARTIN, Engineer Officer (Seventh), THOMAS, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23. Son of Daniel and Janet Martin, of Glasgow.
  • MATTHEWS, Apprentice, DENYS JAMES, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 17. Son of Jasper Heros Matthews and Mary Christine Matthews, of Rumney, Cardiff.
  • MOORE, Apprentice, ALAN CHARLES, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 18.
  • McGINNES, Second Engineer Officer, EDWARD, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 28.
  • ROBERTSON, Fourth Officer, JOHN, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 35. Son of John and Eliza B. Robertson, of Bo’ness, West Lothian.
  • ROWLANDSON, Second Officer, GORDON RUTHERFORD, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 30. Husband of Olive Kendall Rowlandson, of Chingford, Essex.
  • SMITH, Engineer Officer (Eighth), ROBERT, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23. Son of Robert and Margaret Smith; husband of Winifred Smith.
  • SMYTH, Second Radio Officer, JAMES HAMILTON, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smyth, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. DEMS Gunners/Naval Staff Executed
  • CUTHBERT, Leading Seaman, LEONARD ALEXANDER, C/JX 249947, M.V. Behar, Royal Navy. 19 March 1944. Age 27. Son of Frederick and Marian. Cuthbert; husband of Lily Gertrude Cuthbert, of Deptford, London.
  • BOWERS, Bombardier, ARTHUR, 6290844. 4 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.
  • BRINE, Able Seaman, DONALD GILBERT MACKENZIE, P/JX 312434. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. 19th March 1944. Age 22. Son of Robert Burd Brine and Kate Brine, of Southwick, Wiltshire.
  • BRODIE, Bombardier, NEIL, 3326794. 1 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th March 1944. Age 33. Son of Neil and Jessie Brown Brodie; husband of Margaret R. Brodie, of Campbeltown, Argyllshire.
  • COOKE, Able Seaman, KENNETH, D/JX 444481. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 19th March 1944. Age 19. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Cooke, of Higher Openshaw, Manchester.
  • ENOCH, Able Seaman, STANLEY, D/JX 393587. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. 19th March 1944. Age 20. Son of Stanley and Dorothy M. Enoch, of Caerau, Maesteg, Glamorgan.
  • HOPE, Able Seaman, JACK STEELE, D/JX 550913. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 9th March 1944. Age 20. (Statement made by Behar Chief Officer states Hope was not killed on the 9th March in the attack as he was seen onboard the Cruiser Tone on the 16th at Tandjong Priok along with other prisoners later executed.
  • PYECROFT, Gunner, STANLEY, 11416381. 4 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 9th March 1944. Age 21. Son of Frank and Letitia Pycroft, of Nottingham. (Died during shelling of the Behar)
  • RATCLIFFE, Serjeant, CHARLIE, 3441983. 1 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 37. Son of Ernest and Elizabeth Ratdiffe; husband of Nancy Ratcliffe, of Hollinwood, Lancashire.
  • ROBINSON, Able Seaman, THOMAS, C/JX 248976. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 9th March 1944. (Died during shelling of the Behar)
  • RODNEY, Gunner, ALEXANDER, 1656736. 1 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 37. Son of Joseph and Bethia Rodney, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.
  • SAUL, Able Seaman, THOMAS GEORGE, C/JX 235844. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. lost in M.V. Behar. 19th March 1944. Age 23. Son of Thomas and Beatrice M. Saul; husband of Maude Saul, of Shotton, Co. Durham.
  • STREET, Gunner, ALFRED, 11259712. 4 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 34.
  • WILLIAMS, Able Seaman, ROBERT IDRIS, D/SSX 35901. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. 19th March 1944. Age 22. Son of Morris and Jane Williams, of Dyffryn, Merionethshire.

Passenger Executed

  • MacGregor, Retired Bank Manager, DUNCAN. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 54. Son of John and Mary Macgregor, of Lochgilphead, Argyllshire; husband of Ruby Macgregor, of 14 Netherway Street, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.

Indian Crew Executed

  • MAHOMED, Tindel (Bosun’s Mate), ABBA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 50.
  • NALLA Seacunny, (Quartermaster) ESMAIL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 34.
  • HOOSEIN, Seacunny (Quartermaster), ESMAIL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 31.
  • BEELAL, Lascar, DAWOODJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 31.
  • MOOSSA, Lascar, YACOOB. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.
  • GOOLAB, Lascar, CASSAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 30.
  • HOOSEIN, Lascar, PEERAN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 37.
  • EUSOOF, Lascar, MANJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 43.
  • ADAM, Lascar, ABAJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 55.
  • DAWOOD, Lascar, AHMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 49.
  • JEEWA, Lascar, AHMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 29.
  • DAWOOD, Lascar, TAJA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 40.
  • ADAM, Lascar, DAWOOD. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 57.
  • SULLYMAN, Lascar, AMONJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 26.
  • CASSAM, Lascar, MAHOMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 27.
  • HAJI, Lascar, ADAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 36.
  • DAWOOD, Lascar, CASSAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 36.
  • BELAL, Lascar, MAHOMED. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 21.
  • MAHOMED, Lascar Boy, AMONJEE. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 20.
  • BABOO, Bhandary (Cook), RAMJAM. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 43.
  • MOHAMED, 1st Paniwalla, KHAN GOOLAB. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 53.
  • ZARIF, 1st Paniwalla, KHAN KHOOSHAL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 58.
  • BARAM, 1st Paniwalla, GOOL AKMAD. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 49.
  • MAHOMED, 2nd Paniwalla, AMZULLA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.
  • HOOSEIN, 3rd Paniwalla, KHAN KHAIRULLA KHAN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 43.
  • MIRZADA, Tindel (Bosun’s Mate), KOSHAL. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.
  • NABIULLA, Fireman, AMIRULLA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 31.
  • HAZARATDEEN, Engine Bhandry (Cook), OOMERDEEN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 51.
  • EMAD, 2nd Paniwalla, NOOR KHAN. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 9th March 1944. Age 55. (Died during shelling of the Behar).


Chinese Crew Executed

  • AH TANG, Carpenter, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 30.
  • WONG CHAK, Fitter, M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 28. Husband of Wong.

Goanese Crew Executed

  • SANTAN, Chief Cook, VIEGAS. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.
  • JOHN, Baker, DE SOUZA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 28.
  • JOAQUIM, Pantryman, S. CONTINHO. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 57.
  • JOAQUIM, G.S. X. DE SOUVA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 53.
  • LONSADO, G.S. DIAS. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 26.
  • NICOLAO, G.S. VALLES. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.
  • GLORIA, G.S. DIAS. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 24.
  • BENJAMIN, G.S. ALMEIDA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 51.
  • FULARIAN, G.S. SILVA. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 23.
  • SEBASTIAO, G.S. VAZ. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age. 46.
  • VINCENT, Topass (Apprentice), DENIZ. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.
  • JOAO, Topass (Apprentice), BARRETTO. M.V. Behar (London). Merchant Navy. 18th - 19th March 1944. Age 45.

Died/Disappeared in Captivity

  • HOOEIN, Deck Serang (Bosun), BEELAL. Died of dysentery Del Rosea Hospital 27th May 1944. Age 35.
  • JOOMA, Fireman, KHAN KAMROODEEN. Died of dysentery 21st May 1944. Age 31.
  • JOAO, Butler (2nd Steward), SANTAN CONTINHO. Taken from Naval Barracks in BataviaMay 1944 in dying condition. Never seen again. Age 63.
  • LAI, Doctor of Agriculture, YUNG LI. Removed by Japanese from PoW camp in June 1944 and was never seen again.

Written by Billy McGee

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