On Christmas Day 1941 the RNN submarine Hr. MS K XVI was sunk in the South Chinese Sea with the loss of all 36 crewmembers.
Mrs Katja Boonstra, daughter of of one of the crew has led several expeditions in 2003 and 2004 in order to locate the wreck, but they were unsuccesfull.
In the process she got in touch a couple of years ago with the son of the commanding officer of the Japanes sub that torpedoed the K XVI. They became good friends and they developed a lot of activities since then. They went to Ireland and got in contact with the commander of the British sumarine that torpedoed the Japanese sub later in the war and he joined them. Together they gave lectures and presentations all over the world on the subject of war and peace and former enemies.
Today, after almost 70 years, the wreck of K XVI was found....... The circle is closed now, the members of 36 families now know where their loved ones are and the world has another seamans grave .....
Rest in peace