SS Sebastiano Venier (Jason) 09 Dec 1941

A Family (Eason) relation (Fathers Grandfathers brother?) died on this boat.
I only found this info out a few months ago, on the web & that there was a book about it.
The book is in our Libary, but you have to ask for it.
If you want I can get another copy somewhere, or photocopy it for you.
I have found a member of Ponto Williamsons family, he died a few years ago but they are very interested in the family history.
A friend has a British flag that Ponto brought back from the war, its from a boat involved with the Hood/Bismark fight/sinking.
Ifs theres any other info you may want from NZ, I'd be honoured to look for it./Marty

 

Hi Marte,
I met Ponto Williamson during a Visit to New Zealand. In fact he took both myself and my Wife out for Christmas Dinner at Papakura R.S.L.

Is the Library you refer to the Defence Librarary in Wellington.If so you will find a copy of "No Honour No Glory"by Spence Edge and Jim Henderson and one of "In the Bag" which I donated many years ago. Both give a very good account of the incident.

The Army Museum has a list of New Zealanders lost on the Jason,Nino Bixio, Chakdina,and the Scillin that I compiled in the 1990s.
There is also a wealth of information in the A.T. Library.


Brian

 

Hi Gentlemen,

My name is Emanuel and I work as a producer for a documentary film production company, based in Munich, Germany.

Our work primarily concentrates on creating documentary series with a contemporary and modern historical background.

Our productions include a variety of documentaries and series on the Third Reich and the Holocaust. These films have been broadcast in Germany as well as internationally by channels such
as the History Channel (USA), Channel 4 (UK), SBS (Australia), Discovery Channel (USA/GB) and other stations around the world with great success.

At the moment we are researching for a new documentary on the fate of the Italian vessel SS Jason alias Sebastiano Venier carrying 2000 British and Commonwealth prisoners of war. The vessel was torpedoed off the coast of Greece by the British submarine Porpoise on December 9th 1941.

I would highly appreciate if anyone of you experienced forum members could help me in finding more background information, especially documents, photographs and possible eye-witnesses or their descendants.

All the best and thanks in advance,

Emanuel
Emanuel

There is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone in Romanos Church cemetery, on the coast a few miles north of Pylos, close to where the Jason was torpedoed. The headstone marks the grave of a Commonwealth solider whose body was washed up close to Romanos in December 1941. My sister moved from the UK to live in Romanos in 1987. The local people told her about the body washed up on the local beach during the war. We obtained a statement from three local men who who assisted in moving and burying the body and in 1997 the CWGC errected the headstone, assuming that the body in question was from the Jason. Good luck with the documentry.

Andy

 

Hi, my father was on that ship, see below.

Welcms to the Forum Patrick.

From what you say he may have been aboard the Jason (Sebastiano Venier)which was torpedoed off point Methoni 9/12/41.
The Jason has been discussed by the Forum in the past.

Pte R Bulger 88051 PG65 Gravina -Altamura in Italy in August 1943

St. 4G in 1945 POW No. 263119

After the sinking he would have spent some time in "Dysentery Acre" Greece before being transfered to Italy.

Earlier this year we were contacted by a German Company who were making a Documentay about the incident. Not heard anything recently.

A fellow Countryman of yours, Bernie Fiedlander I believe received the George Medal for getting ashore with a Rope.

Brian

 

Hi, ref Berrnie Fiedlander. He is not listed in Dragons Can Be Defeated-A Complete Record of the George Medal. Just incase anyone decides to look him up.

Regards
Andy

 

I was informed that it was awarded and presented in either 1946 or 47.

 

Union Defence Force 3rd Transvaal Scottish on M.V. Sebastiano Veniero. Ship attack by submarine - saving prisoners of war off Cape Methoui, south west coast of Greece, 9th December 1941. Gazetted 20th July 1945.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

 

Thanks to Brian (ADM 199) for the email.

Lance Corporal Bernard Friedlander awarded the George Medal.

On the 9th September 1941, an Italian ship on which were embarked approximately 1,200 South African and about 800 British Prisoners of War, was torpedoed off the coast of Greece. The ship's officers abandoned ship without making any provision for the safety of these prisoners. There were no officers amongst these prisoners.

In due course the ship grounded during a gale in very rough sea which threatened to overturn her. Several British Merchant Seamen attempted to swim ashore with a life line but, owing to the heavy sea, were unable to do so and were pulled back in a state of exhaustion.

Lance Corporal Friedlander volunteered to attempt to reach the shore with a life line and after ninety minutes in the sea was successful. A cable was then attached and pulled to the shore, by means of which some hundreds of prisoners and all the wounded were taken to safety.

Lance Corporal Friedlander's courage and endurance was responsible for the saving of hundreds of lives.


LG 20.7.45

 

Hi Gentlemen,

My name is Emanuel and I work as a producer for a documentary film production company, based in Munich, Germany.

Our work primarily concentrates on creating documentary series with a contemporary and modern historical background.

Our productions include a variety of documentaries and series on the Third Reich and the Holocaust. These films have been broadcast in Germany as well as internationally by channels such
as the History Channel (USA), Channel 4 (UK), SBS (Australia), Discovery Channel (USA/GB) and other stations around the world with great success.

At the moment we are researching for a new documentary on the fate of the Italian vessel SS Jason alias Sebastiano Venier carrying 2000 British and Commonwealth prisoners of war. The vessel was torpedoed off the coast of Greece by the British submarine Porpoise on December 9th 1941.

I would highly appreciate if anyone of you experienced forum members could help me in finding more background information, especially documents, photographs and possible eye-witnesses or their descendants.

All the best and thanks in advance,

Emanuel
Hello Sir. My name is David. I am new to this. My Grandfather was aboard the SS Sebastiano Venier (Jason). It was a South African Captain that saved his life of the shores of Crete. A captain Taylor. Grandad has since passed but did leave memoirs. If it would help with the doco would be really keen to help. we were close.

 

welcome ChefDave

please post any photos/documents or info you have unless deemed to personal.
It will of great interest

 

Welcome to the Forum David,

The Jason(Sebastiano Venier)was torpedoed off Point Methoni,Greece. Not Crete.
The only Officers on the ship were those of the Axis as Captured Officer POW were usually seperated from the O.Rs and flown to Italy.

Brian

Hello Sir. My name is David. I am new to this. My Grandfather was aboard the SS Sebastiano Venier (Jason). It was a South African Captain that saved his life of the shores of Crete. A captain Taylor. Grandad has since passed but did leave memoirs. If it would help with the doco would be really keen to help. we were close.

 

Timeframes (the ATL website) has a few photos of the ship aground - PAColl-2242-1-2, PAColl-2242-1-3, PAColl-2242-1-4.

 

my uncle was on board this vessel when torpedoed and was reported missing.The vessel never sunk but was "reversed" after being hit by a german officer onto a rock ledge thereby saving many lives.The vessel captain took a lifeboat and fled after the torpedo.
subsequently he was court marshalled and executed by the germans.There is a book written by new zealanders about the incident but I dont have the name .

regards

Joe

 

Welcome to the Forum Joe;
I believe you are referring to "No Honour No Glory" by Spence Edge and Jim Henderson.

There was another Book written and illustrated by Peter Ogilvie and Newman Robinson called "In the Bag". They were South African P.O.W.

Brian

my uncle was on board this vessel when torpedoed and was reported missing.The vessel never sunk but was "reversed" after being hit by a german officer onto a rock ledge thereby saving many lives.The vessel captain took a lifeboat and fled after the torpedo.
subsequently he was court marshalled and executed by the germans.There is a book written by new zealanders about the incident but I dont have the name .

regards

Joe

 

Hello, I am so excited to hear about this documentary. Can you provide any details of how it is going and when it is expected to be complete? My father was on the Jason and we have written a book on his war history and I'll check to see if there is any information that may help you. Good on you for documenting this most amazing story. Tanya

 

Welcome to the Forum Tanya;

Not heard a word from the Producer for some months now.

Brian

Hello, I am so excited to hear about this documentary. Can you provide any details of how it is going and when it is expected to be complete? My father was on the Jason and we have written a book on his war history and I'll check to see if there is any information that may help you. Good on you for documenting this most amazing story. Tanya

 

There is a newish movie out, made in NZ called Home By Christmas.

It is a story about Ed Preston, from Greymouth NZ, who was taken prisoner in Africa and torpedoed on the Jason. It mentions a Billy Hopkins (My Grandfather) or William Hopkins several times, and I believe he may have been with Ed Preston, through at least some of the time.

I have very little info about my grandfathers wherebouts during the war and am currently doing some research into this. Would anyone have any inforemation, such as was he listed as being onboard the Jason?

Any info would be appreciated as I would like to compile and pass some History about my grandfather to my children.

 

Welcome to the Forum.

A copy of his History Sheet from Base Personnel Records might hold this information.

There is only one man I know still with us in New Zealand who survived the Jason. His name is Painter and he comes from Foxton.

 

I have a W.J Hopkins 19256 in PG 106 Vercelli in 1943. Probably transfered from Gruppignano earlier to work on the Farms.

 

That will be him, William James Hopkins.
He passed away in the early 80's