Three World War Two warships VANISH from the sea bed off of Indonesia

The wrecks of three British warships that sank in the course of the Second World have been destroyed by unlawful steel scavengers.

An investigation was launched after divers found three Dutch ships that have been torpedoed in the identical place off the coast of Indonesia in 1942 in the course of the Battle of the Java Sea had vanished.

HMS Exeter, a 175m heavy cruiser, and destroyers HMS Encounter and HMS Electra, have been destroyed by Japanese forces in March 1942. 

The wrecks have been virtually fully faraway from the seabed by unlawful scavengers, an act condemned by The Ministry of Defence.

HMS Exeter, a 175m heavy cruiser, and destroyers HMS Encounter (pictured) and HMS Electra, have been destroyed by Japanese forces in March 1942

The wreck of the HMS Exeter (pictured sinking in 1942 in the course of the Battle of the Java Sea) has been destroyed by unlawful steel scavengers 

HMS Exeter, a 175m heavy cruiser, and destroyers HMS Encounter and HMS Electra, have been destroyed by Japanese forces in March 1942 in the course of the Battle of the Java Sea

An American submarine wreck has additionally been destroyed by scavengers, in keeping with a report seen by the Guardian. 

A authorities spokesman mentioned: 'The UK authorities condemns the unauthorised disturbance of any wreck containing human stays. 

'We've contacted the Indonesian authorities to specific our severe concern at this information and to request that they examine the studies and take acceptable motion to guard the websites from any additional disturbance.'

He added, the desecration of wrecks of conflict causes misery to family members of these misplaced on board and is towards worldwide legislation. 

Dutch Amdiralen class Destroyer Kortenaer pictured right here within the 1930s earlier than being torpedoed

In 2002 beginner divers found the Dutch wrecks of the ships, 60 years after they sank 

A 3D map (pictured) exhibits the empty seabed the place the HMS Exeter as soon as lay 

A whole lot of British troopers died when the three ships have been torpedoed. Of the 173 males on board HMS Electra simply 54 survived and eight males perished when HMS Encounter sank. 

A lot of the males on HMS Exeter survived the sinking when 652 have been rescued by the Japanese.

The surprising discovery was made by a global expedition which sailed to the wreck website in preparation for subsequent yr's 75th anniversary of the battle, the Dutch defence ministry mentioned. 

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The surprising discovery was made by a global expedition which sailed to the wreck website in preparation for subsequent yr's 75th anniversary of the battle, the Dutch defence ministry mentioned. 

A lot of the males on HMS Exeter survived the sinking and 652 have been rescued by the Japanese.

Three Dutch vessels - HMNLS De Ruyter, Java and Kortenaer - all sank on February 27, 1942, within the Battle of the Java Sea off the coast of Indonesia. 

The long-lost wrecks of the three ships have been found in 2002, 60 years after they have been sank by Japanese forces.

The HMS Electra has been considerably scavenged however a 3D map exhibits among the wreck nonetheless stays on the seabed

An investigation has been launched after three warships, together with this one - the HMNLS Java - vanished off the ocean mattress having sunk throughout World Battle Two

In a press release, officers mentioned: 'The wrecks of HMNLS De Ruyter and HMNLS Java have seemingly gone fully lacking. 

'A big piece can also be lacking of HMNLS Kortenaer.' 

'Divers discovered solely traces of the ships whereas sonar confirmed the imprints of the wrecks on the ocean flooring.

'An investigation has been launched to see what has occurred to the wrecks, whereas the cupboard has been knowledgeable.'

In a press release, officers mentioned: 'The wrecks of HMNLS De Ruyter (pictured) and HMNLS Java have seemingly gone fully lacking'

Greater than 900 Dutch and 250 Indo-Dutch sailors died in the course of the battle by which the Allied navies suffered a disastrous defeat by the hand of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The Allied fleet commander, Dutch rear-admiral Karel Doorman additionally died within the assault and the wrecks had been seen as sacred conflict graves.

'The desecration of a conflict grave is a severe offence,' the ministry mentioned, whereas high Dutch navy and conflict memorial officers reacted with anger when knowledgeable in regards to the disappearance.

'The individuals who died there ought to be left in peace,' Dutch Battle Graves Basis director Theo Vleugels mentioned.  

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