“Survivor, is the story of my life at sea and how I survived World War II.”

A historical biography – is this something for me?
This historical biography is written for readers who are drawn to a compelling personal story and are interested in the Second World War, prisoner of war (POW) experiences, and wartime history—without needing prior historical or military knowledge.
Rather than presenting history as a list of dates and facts, this book tells a human life story. Events are explained in clear, accessible language, allowing readers to follow not only what happened to Wim, but also why it happened and how it fits into the wider historical context.

No prior knowledge required
Many historical books assume familiarity with wartime geography, military structures, or naval history. This book deliberately does not. Key events, locations, and circumstances are explained as the story unfolds, making the history understandable without oversimplifying it.

A lesser-known POW story
While many people are familiar with the Burma Railway—often referenced in films and school curricula—the Sumatran railway, also known as the Pakan Baroe (Pakanbaru) Railway, remains far less known. Yet its history is equally severe and significant, and has received relatively little attention in historical literature.

Personal memory, historically verified
Wim was able to recall many details of both the sinking of the hellship Junyo Maru and his time as a prisoner of war forced to work on the Sumatran railway. These memories were carefully examined and verified through five years of archival research and source checking. The result is a narrative that combines first-hand experience with historical accuracy.
This makes the book both an authentic personal testimony and a historically substantiated account of a largely overlooked chapter of the Second World War.