(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — An underwater surveillance team from Malaysia and the Netherlands has conducted a joint diving expedition to the sites of two Royal Netherlands Navy submarine wrecks that sank during World War II in Malaysian waters.
According to a joint statement cited by the national news agency BERNAMA, a team of underwater survey experts and researchers from the Netherlands and Malaysia conducted this expedition from June 17 to 30.
“The research team sought the locations of the K-XVI and O-20 wrecks, two Royal Netherlands Navy submarines that sank in Malaysian waters during World War II. Initial findings indicate that the K-XVI wreck has not been found and is believed to have been salvaged. In contrast, the O-20 wreck has been confirmed to be at its recorded location,” the statement said.
The statement added that the expedition’s findings and subsequent actions will be discussed between the Netherlands and Malaysia.
A ceremony to honor and remember the 36 crew members of K-XVI and the seven crew members of O-20 who perished while on duty in the submarines was held by the Dutch delegation during the expedition, the statement noted.
“This joint underwater expedition provides an excellent opportunity for the Netherlands and Malaysia to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of training and capacity building related to maritime archaeology and underwater cultural heritage management,” the statement said.
The K-XVI submarine (Lt. Cdr. Louis Jan Jarman, Royal Netherlands Navy) sank approximately 60 nautical miles west of Kuching, Sarawak, after being hit by a torpedo launched by the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-66. The attack killed all 36 crew members.
The K-XVI submarine was part of the 3rd Dutch Submarine Division based in Surabaya, Indonesia, and regularly conducted patrols and operations in the South China Sea.
On December 24, 1941, during World War II, the K-XVI (Lt. Cdr. Louis Jan Jarman) launched a torpedo attack on the Japanese destroyer Sagiri off the coast of Kuching before returning to Surabaya.
Meanwhile, the O-20 submarine was based at the Singapore Submarine Base under British command, primarily patrolling shipping routes in the South China Sea.
While operating off the coast of Kota Bharu, the Dutch submarine detected three Japanese destroyers—Ayanami, Uranami, and Yugiri—escorting two Japanese transport ships.
The O-20 was initially attacked by Japanese bombers, which dropped mines and damaged its listening system. In a prolonged battle, it was also fired upon by the Japanese destroyer Uranami, causing severe damage.
This led the Dutch submarine’s captain to order the crew to abandon ship. The Uranami ultimately destroyed the O-20.
The wreck of the O-20 was discovered by divers in 2002. A total of 32 crew members, including the captain, were rescued by the Japanese destroyer and became prisoners of war under the Imperial Japanese Navy. — DSA