1944 when a force of three heavy cruisers raided Allied shipping in the Indian Ocean. It remains uncertain as to which vessel fired the fatal shot that resulted in the destruction of the Hōkoku Maru. Both the Ondina and Bengal claimed to have scored the vital hit, although the Japanese themselves thought it was the Ondina. According to them, her shell hit the starboard torpedo launcher, causing the torpedo to explode. At the time, the Bengal was given the credit, which was used by the British as propaganda in India, where they were struggling to keep control of the local population. Nevertheless, for its actions during the battle, the Ondina was given a rare Dutch distinction, the Koninklijke Vermelding by Dagorder, issued on 9 July 1948. Captain W. Horsman became Ridder in de Militaire Willemsorde der 4de Klasse posthumously and was Mentioned in Dispatches, while the gunner, Hammond, received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronzen Kruis. The captain of the Bengal, Lieutenant-Commander Wilson, received the Distinguished Service Order, while others of his crew were also decorated. Aikoku Maru was converted into a high-speed transport and was sunk in February 1944 during Operation Hailstone, the bombardment by American aircraft of the Japanese base at Truk in the South Seas Mandate. See also List of Japanese auxiliary cruiser commerce raiders Notes References External links Royal Netherlands Navy Warships of World War II Naval battles of World War II involving Japan Battles and operations of World War II World War II naval operations and battles of the Southeast Asia Theatre World War II commerce raiders