Public Records Office, Foreign Office:

Reference:- FO. 371 36575 X/K 6940

GENERAL - W10189 14 July. 1943

Hospital ship "Centaur". Refers to Foreign Office telegram No. 1781 7th May (W6759/379/49). Transmits a copy of note from Federal Political Department of 22nd June stating that the particulars of the hospital ship "Centaur" have been communicated to the German Government

Reference:- FO. 371 36576 X/K 6940

GENERAL - W11812 14 Aug. 1943

Hospital ship "Centaur". Refers to Foreign Office telegram No. 1781 of 7th May (W 6759/379/49). Transmits a copy of a note from the Federal Political Department of 21st July enclosing a note from the Italian Government of 1st July stating that they have taken note of the notification of the Australian hospital ship "Centaur".

i)Translation: (No. 30/14832/415) Memorandum 1 July '43 from Swiss re Italians stating they have taken note of the notification of the Australian hospital ship "Centaur".

GENERAL - W11949 18 Aug. 1943

Hospital ship "Centaur". Refers to Foreign Office telegram No. 1781 of 7th May (W6759/379/49). Transmits a copy of a note from the Federal Political Department of 21st July enclosing a note from German Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledging the swiss memorandum about the Australian hospital ship "Centaur".

i)Translation: (No. R. 11714.Ang.III) Memorandum 9 July '43 from Swiss re German acknowledging the swiss memorandum about the Australian hospital ship "Centaur".

GENERAL - W17455 18 Dec. 1943

Attacks on Japanese hospital ships. Refers to Berne telegram No. 2804 , 5th June (W7731/379/49). The Japanese Government deny that the hospital ship "Centaur" was sunk by Japanese forces and protest against attacks on the Japanese hospital ships Takasago Maru; Arabia Maru; American Maru; Manilla Maru; Ural; Huso Maru; Buenos Aires Maru; Muro Maru; and Mizoho Maru. Requests that this protest may be passed to the Australian Government.

i)Telegram: (No. 6035) 15 Dec. '43 11.00p.m. recvd 16 Dec. '43 8.50 a.m. from Berne to F.O. - Refers to your No. 2015 and my No. 2804...The Japanese Government deny that the hospital ship "Centaur" was sunk by Japanese forces and protest against attacks on the Japanese hospital ships Takasago Maru; Arabia Maru; American Maru; Manilla Maru; Ural; Huso Maru; Buenos Aires Maru; Muro Maru; and Mizoho Maru. Requests that this protest may be passed to the Australian Government