When the Japanese nation began their war in Asia and the Pacific in 1937, they also began the systematic looting of every country they conquered- a looting which lasted through 1944, and which collected what some researchers believe was the largest sum of stolen property ever amassed in the history of man. Everything from money to gold and silver to precious jewels to religious artifacts was taken from national treasuries, museums, banks, personal collections, and more, and shipped to a collection point in Singapore- then secreted to hiding places for later recovery. When Japanese merchant ships loaded with stolen treasure began to be sunk by allied planes and submarines- Japan needed a safer destination- and General Yamashita in the Phillipines offered a solution. Billions of dollars worth of gold bars and priceless artifacts were sent to him to hide in caverns and tunnels, and usually the prisoners who helped to dig the tunnels and pits and transport the bullion were killed. But legend persisted in the Philippines about buried loot and one man found it. His name was Rogerio Roxas. But when the corrupt president Marcos caught wind of that find, the end was in sight for Roxas, and Marcos was on his way to becoming the wealthiest man on Earth. How much is legend- and how much is fact- you can decide. This is the story of Yamashita's Gold. Credit BBC Marcos Gold. Credit article by David Guillot.

TEST YOUR HISTORY SMARTS! CATCH OUR NEWEST SHOW 1001 HISTORY CHALLENGE

HERE: (main website all 1001 shows) https://www.1001storiespodcast.com

or HERE: at Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Iwdojx2zx4jj2xj25fwupwrdcxq

or HERE at Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-history-challenge/id1482436263

SUPPORT OUR SHOW BY BECOMING A PATRON! www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork. Its time I started asking for support! Thank you. Its a few dollars a month OR a one time. (Any amount is appreciated).

YOUR REVIEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS AT APPLE/ITUNES AND ALL ANDROID HOSTS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED! LINKS BELOW...

Copy and Paste the highlighted links to your Apple or Android Devices for free listening:

APPLE USERS

Catch 1001 RADIO DAYS now at Apple iTunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-radio-days/id1405045413?mt=2

Catch 1001 Heroes on any Apple Device here (Free):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-heroes-legends-histories-mysteries-podcast/id956154836?mt=2

Catch 1001 CLASSIC SHORT STORIES at iTunes/apple Podcast App Now:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-classic-short-stories-tales/id1078098622

Catch 1001 Stories for the Road at iTunes/Apple Podcast now:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1001-stories-for-the-road/id1227478901

ANDROID USERS-

1001 Radio Days right here at Player.fm FREE: https://player.fm/series/1001-radio-days

1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales:https://castbox.fm/channel/1001-Classic-Short-Stories-%26-Tales-id1323543?country=us

1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries: https://castbox.fm/channel/1001-Heroes%2C-Legends%2C-Histories-%26-Mysteries-Podcast-id1323418?country=us

1001 Stories for the Road:https://castbox.fm/channel/1001-Stories-For-The-Road-id1324757?country=us

Catch ALL of our shows at one place by going to www.1001storiesnetwork.com- our home website with Megaphone.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices