COCKING – Released Prisoner of War – Survived sinking of Rakuyo Maru – rescued by USS Pampanito, returned November 1944 Western Australia
Jack Cocking WX16369 was a lucky man. One of the lucky few to survive the sinking of the ‘Rakuyo Maru’
He was one of 1300 POWs onboard when hit by American torpedoes in the South China Sea. He survived several days in the water and was fortunate to be rescued by USS Navy submarine ‘Pampanito‘. He eventually arrived back in Perth 1st November 1944. ‘Pampanito’ and the other American submarines had sailed from Fremantle for this tour. Fremantle hosted the largest American Submarine base in the southern seas.
The following is a copy of the official overview of his interviews with Australian Military personnel.
