Japanese Transports

ZATSUYOSEN!

(ANSHU MARU prewar)

IJN ANSHU MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2011-2020 Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

Revision 3

18 Jan 1937:
Uraga. Laid down by Uraga Senkyo K.K. Kojo shipyard as a 2,601-ton cargo ship for Chosen Yusen K.K., Jinsen.
8 May 1937:
Launched and named ANSHU MARU.
31 August 1937:
Completed. Her registered port is Jinsen, Chosen (now Incheon, South Korea). Her gross registered (GRT) tonnage and net registered tonnage (NRT) respectively are 2,601-tons and 1,469-tons. Her call sign is JEYG. [1]
25 January 1939:
Arrives at Nanjing, Yangtze river, China.
27 January 1939:
Arrives at Wuhu, Yangtze river, China.
E 1940:
Her net registered tonnage is changed to 1,465-tons. [1]
23 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.

10 December 1941:
Registered in the IJN under internal order No. 1624 and attached to the Sasebo Naval District as an auxiliary gunboat. Her home port is Sasebo. Navy (Resv) Lt. Nagabuchi Toroa is appointed Commanding Officer.
27 December 1941:
Leaves the dock.
31 December 1941:
Attached to the Chinkai Guard District under IJN secret instruction No. 28 as auxiliary gunboat in Chinkai Guard Force.
7 January 1942:
Arrives at Chinkai (now Jinhae, South Korea).
15 January 1942:
Attached to Chinkai Guard District in Chinkai Guard Force and assigned under Navy’s secret instruction No. 32 to screen maritime traffic in the Tsushima Straits.
20 January 1942:
Captain Kiyomiya Yoshitaka is appointed Commanding Officer.
30 January 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka for maintenance and auxiliary patrol boat instructions.
1 February 1942:
Attached to the 2nd Watch Boat Division under Navy’s No. 195 order. That same day, ANSHU MARU is attached to the Yokosuka Naval District with Yokosuka as home port, under Navy’s No. 198 order and assigned to Fifth Fleet, 2nd Watch Boat Division. Captain Kiyomiya Yoshitaka appointment of Commanding Officer is confirmed. Rated as Northern Forces Patrol Unit Second Patrol Unit under Northern Forces Command instruction No. 14.
E February 1942:
Operates as a picket boat mother ship between Chinkai ~ Yokosuka barrier line. That same month, her net registered tonnage is changed to 1,456-tons.
3 February 1942:
Loads boiler water and canteen goods.
6 February 1942:
Loads coal.
7 February 1942:
Loads chemicals.
7 ~ 15 February 1942:
Coal storage room is expanded, troop room is relocated, mounts for internal fireboats are installed, installation work for various warehouses is executed and repair and remodelling takes place.
9 February 1942:
Loads ammunition.
12 February 1942:
Loads boiler water and food.
15 February 1942:
Loads boiler water and coal.
17 February 1942:
At 1300 departs Yokosuka for Ru-O Patrol Area.
18 February 1942:
Scheduled to be equiped with an azimuth measuring machine and to receive operating instructions at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal under instruction No. 2023.
26 February 1942:
At 1200 reaches patrol zone.
27 February 1942:
Replenishes chemicals to the auxiliary patrol boat SEIJU MARU No. 5.
2 March 1942:
At 1200 departs the area.
3 March 1942:
At 0930, the engine fails. At 1005, the engine failure is repaired.
5 March 1942:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Kihara Toshijiro is appointed Commanding Officer.
6 March 1942:
At 1100 arrives at Kushiro, Hokkaido.
8 ~ 9 March 1942:
Loads coal.
10 March 1942:
Loads fresh food.
14 March 1942:
At 1300 departs Kushiro for patrol area.
16 March 1942:
Navy (Resv) Captain Kihara Toshijiro is appointed Commanding Officer.
18 March 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Wo patrol line patrol area.
23 March 1942:
Departs the Wo patrol line patrol area for Kushiro.
28 March 1942:
At 0830 arrives at Kushiro.
29 March 1942:
Loads boiler water.
30 March 1942:
Loads coal.
4 April 1942:
At 1100 departs Kushiro for patrol area with picket boat fleet.
8 April 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Le patrol line patrol area.
17 April 1942:
At 1200 departs Le patrol line patrol area for Kushiro.
19 April 1942:
Heads to an alternative patrol area.
21 April 1942:
Departs the alternative patrol area.
22 April 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Kushiro.
27 April 1942:
At 1100 departs Kushiro.
1 May 1942:
At 1200 begins patrol.
2 May 1942:
Tows auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 18. At 1305, hands auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 18 over to auxiliary gunboat HINO MARU No. 2.
4 May 1942:
Test fires her machine guns.
12 May 1942:
At 1225, at 35-20N, 145-31E about 200 nms E Chiba Prefecture, Honshu undergoes a torpedo attack by an enemy submarine but isn’t damaged. At 1325 ANSHU MARU conducts an antisubmarine action and drops four depth charges at 35-28N, 145-45E. Later that same day at 1706, drops five depth charges at 35-45N, 145-21E with inconclusive results.
14 May 1942:
At 1000 arrives at Yokosuka.
18 May 1942:
Loads coal and canteen goods.
19 May 1942:
Loads food.
20 May 1942:
Loads canteen goods.
21 ~ 23 May 1942:
Loads boiler water and restores the starboard camouflage paint.
24 May 1942:
At 1400 departs Yokosuka.
28 May 1942:
At 1200 begins patrol.
5 June 1942:
At 1549 meets up with the auxiliary gunboat SHOKO MARU. Detaches from the Fifth group of the meteorological observation group.
6 June 1942:
At 1200 concludes patrol.
11 June 1942:
Arrives at Tateyama.
12 June 1942:
Departs Tateyama and at 0800 arrives at Yokosuka.
13 June 1942:
Loads boiler water.
15 ~ 16 June 1942:
Loads coal.
16 June 1942:
Loads food. Changes mooring to A anchorage No. 3 buoy.
18 June 1942:
At 1200 departs Yokosuka.
22 June 1942:
At 1200 begins the patrol.
24 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AKAGI MARU and auxiliary patrol boat KOEI MARU No. 11.
25 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOEI MARU No. 11 and KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO.
26 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAISEI MARU and CHIYO MARU No. 2.
27 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AWATA MARU and auxiliary patrol boats SEIUN MARU No. 8, EBISU MARU No. 3 and YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO.
28 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU No. ? .
29 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KOEI MARU No. 11, CHIYO MARU No. 2 and KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO.
30 June 1942:
Meets up with auxilary patrol boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO and auxiliary merchant cruiser AWATA MARU.
3 July 1942:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
5 July 1942:
The main engine high pressure cylinder suction flange fails. Only half speed is possible.
8 July 1942:
At 1800 arrives outside Yokosuka port.
9 July 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
10 July 1942:
Transfers from Yokosuka to Uraga. Enters Uraga No. 2 Dock.
14 July 1942:
Leaves the Uraga No. 2 Dock. Then departs Uraga and arrives at Yokosuka later this day.
15 July 1942:
Loads food, coal and fresh water.
16 July 1942:
Loads coal, boiler water and canteen goods. Transshipment with 12 type 95 model 2 depth charges .
17 July 1942:
Loads coal.
18 July 1942:
At 1500 departs Yokosuka.
21 July 1942:
At 1200 begins the patrol.
22 July 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAINAN MARU NO. 7, SEIYU MARU, KOJO MARU and EIKICHI MARU.
23 July 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AWATA MARU and auxiliary patrol boats NANSHIN MARU No. 33, ISUZU MARU No. 3, OEBISU MARU No. 3 and KOEI MARU No. 11.
24 July 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAINAN MARU NO. 7 and SEIYU MARU.
25 July 1942:
At 0800, arrives at the Re patrol line. Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KOEI MARU No. 11 and ISUZU MARU No. 3.
27 July 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AWATA MARU and auxiliary patrol boats SEIYU MARU and KOJO MARU.
28 July 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats OEBISU MARU No. 3, KOSHIN MARU, KOEI MARU No. 11 and ISUZU MARU No. 3.
29 July 1942:
At 1718, meets up with auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU No. 1 and auxiliary patrol boat ISUZU MARU No. 3.
30 July 1942:
At 1200 concludes patrol.
1 August 1942:
At 1435 arrives at Yokosuka.
2 August 1942:
Loads boiler water.
6 ~ 7 August 1942:
Loads boiler water and coal.
13 August 1942:
At 0700 departs Yokosuka.
15 August 1942:
At 1000 begins the patrol at the Ta ichi re ichi patrol line.
16 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3 and NANSHIN MARU No. 38.
17 August 1942:
Transfers to the Tare patrol line. Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats SEIYU MARU and KAINAN MARU NO. 7.
18 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KOSHIN MARU and KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO.
19 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats EIKICHI MARU, NANSHIN MARU No. 38, KAISEI MARU, MATSUMORI MARU No. 3 and KAIRYU MARU.
20 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIYU MARU.
21 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAISEI MARU and MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
22 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats EBISU MARU No. 5, SEIYU MARU and TENJIN MARU No. 2 GO.
23 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAIJIN MARU and ASAHI MARU No. 2.
24 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat TENJIN MARU No. 2 GO, KOSHIN MARU, KAINAN MARU NO. 7 and SEIYU MARU.
25 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats EIKICHI MARU, EBISU MARU No. 5, NANSHIN MARU No. 38, SEIYU MARU and KAINAN MARU NO. 7.
Moves the patrol line to 148 degrees east longitude due to a typhoon warning.
26 August 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats EIKICHI MARU and NANSHIN MARU No. 38.
28 August 1942:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
30 August 1942:
At 0900 arrives at Yokosuka.
2 September 1942:
Loads coal.
4 September 1942:
Loads boiler water.
5 September 1942:
Receives instructions for new construction of the type 93 13 mm machine gun stand under instruction No. 11250.
6 September 1942:
Loads boiler water.
7 September 1942:
Loads canteen goods.
8 September 1942:
Loads boiler water.
10 ~ 11 September 1942:
Construction of new bulletproof plates in accordance with manual/plans.
11 September 1942:
At 1000 departs Yokosuka on a practice gun shoot using machine guns.
13 September 1942:
Arrives at the patrol area.
14 September 1942:
At 1200 begins the patrol.
17 September 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ASAHI MARU No. 2.
21 September 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AWATA MARU.
22 September 1942:
At 0034 concludes the patrol. Encounters the auxiliary gun boat UNYO MARU No. 1. Engages in practice live shooting.
25 September 1942:
At 1400 arrives at Yokosuka.
27 September 1942:
Paymaster, lesson and supplies warehouse construction begins.
3 October 1942:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Yokosuka later this day. Enters Yokosuka Naval Arsenal No. 2 dock for rudder repair.
5 October 1942:
New construction of the 93 type 13 mm machine gun stand begins.

6 October 1942:
Leaves the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal No. 2 dock.
8 October 1942:
Painting of outer starboard hull.
9 October 1942:
Loads coal, boiler water and canteen goods.
10 October 1942:
Loads canteen goods. Paymaster, lesson and supplies warehouse construction is completed.
15 October 1942:
New construction of the type 93 13 mm machine gun stand is completed. Departs Yokosuka on a speed test and returns later that day.
25 October 1942:
Mounting of the type 93 type 13 mm machine gun is completed.
28 October 1942:
Loads coal.
30 October 1942:
Loads boiler water.
31 October 1942:
At 1603 departs Yokosuka on a A patrol line patrol.
1 November 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
3 November 1942:
At 2100 commences the patrol.
4 November 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAIHO MARU No. 2 and ASAHI MARU No. 2.
5 November 1942:
Meets up with patrol boats KAIRYU MARU, EIKICHI MARU and KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO.
6 November 1942:
Test fires the machine guns. Transfers to the patrol line. Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIKICHI MARU.
8 November 1942:
Transfers to the patrol line. Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats YAKUSHI MARU No. 3 and FUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO.
9 November 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats FUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO and KAISEI MARU.
12 November 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAISEI MARU, FUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO and FUKUYU MARU No. 1.
13 November 1942:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
16 November 1942:
At 1145 arrives at Yokosuka.
18 November 1942:
Loads coal.
20 November 1942:
Loads food and fresh water.
21 November 1942:
Loads boiler water.
24 November 1942:
Loads canteen goods.
25 November 1942:
Assigned to the Fifth Fleet, 22th Squadron, 2nd Watch Boat Division.

27 November 1942:
At 1435 departs Yokosuka with auxiliary gunboat KOWA MARU and picket boats.
30 November 1942:
At 1200 commences the patrol.
1 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AKAGI MARU and auxiliary patrol boats MATSUMORI MARU No. 3, KAISEI MARU and EBISU MARU No. 5.
2 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats YAKUSHI MARU No. 3, EIKICHI MARU and KOSHIN MARU.
3 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats TENJIN MARU No. 2 GO, KAIRYU MARU and KOEI MARU No. 11.
4 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KOSHIN MARU, EIKICHI MARU and YAKUSHI MARU No. 3.
5 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU No. 6.
6 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
10 December 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary fishing boat HANGO MARU. At 1200 concludes the patrol.
13 December 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
15 December 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Yokosuka.
18 December 1942:
Changes mooring to inner port buoy 8. Loads coal and canteen goods.
19 December 1942:
Loads boiler water.
21 ~ 22 December 1942:
Paints outer hull.
23 December 1942:
Paints inner hull.
8 January 1943:
Loads coal, canteen and various goods.
9 January 1943:
Loads coal.
14 January 1943:
At 1330 departs Yokosuka with auxiliary gunboat KOWA MARU and 11 picket boats.
17 January 1942:
At 1200 on Le line patrol zone commences the patrol.
19 January 1943:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAIRYU MARU.
20 January 1943:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KOSHIN MARU and EBISU MARU No. 5.
21 January 1943:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KOEI MARU No. 11 and KAIRYU MARU.
22 January 1943:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3.
25 January 1943:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOSHIN MARU.
26 January 1943:
Meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOEI MARU No. 11.
27 January 1942:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
30 January 1943:
At 0830 arrives at Yokosuka with KOWA MARU. Moors at buoy No. 4.
1 February 1943:
Moors at A anchorage buoy No. 1.
5 February 1943:
Transfers to inner port buoy No. 9.
6 February 1943:
Loads coal.
12 February 1943:
Loads boiler water and canteen goods.
17 February 1943:
At 1338 departs Yokosuka with auxiliary gunboat HINO MARU No. 1.
19 February 1943:
At 1405, meets up with auxiliary gun boat SHOEI MARU (1,986 GRT).
20 February 1943:
At 1200 commences the Wa line patrol.
21 February 1943:
At 1305 meets up with auxilairy patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 18.
22 February 1943:
At 0925 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU NO. 7. Accomodates wounded. At 2055 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIUN MARU No. 8.
23 February 1943:
At 1215 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat LUZON MARU and at 1410 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 26.
24 February 1943:
At 0745 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat CHIYO MARU No. 3.
25 February 1943:
At 1400 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat CHIYO MARU No. 3, at 1540 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 26, at 1645 and 1825 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat LUZON MARU.
28 February 1943:
At 1000 launches an attack on a suspected enemy submarine. At 1340 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3 and at 1545 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIYU MARU.
1 March 1943:
At 0800 test fires type 3 machine gun. At 1500 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU NO. 7.
2 March 1943:
At 0830 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat TSUKINAURA MARU, at 1200 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOTOSHIRO MARU No. 8 and at 1230 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIUN MARU No. 8.
3 March 1943:
At 1200 concludes patrol.
5 March 1943:
At 1800 arrives at Tateyama.
6 March 1943:
At 0600 departs Tateyama and at 0930 arrives at Yokosuka. Moors at buoy No. 9.
10 ~ 11 March 1943:
Loads coal and fresh water.
15 March 1943:
Loads food.
16 March 1943:
Loads canteen goods.
17 March 1943:
Loads fresh water.
18 March 1943:
Loads fresh food.
19 March 1943:
At 1430 departs Yokosuka.
22 March 1943:
At 1012 meets up with auxiliary patro boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO, at 1200 commences patrol, at 1445 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat FUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO and at 1640 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIJU MARU No. 5.
23 March 1943:
At 0545 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1 and at 1410 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU NO. 7.
24 March 1943:
At 0930 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3 and at 2043 meet sup with auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1.
25 March 1943:
At 0750 meets up auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1 then first main gun training shooting. At 1715 meet up with auxiliary patrol boat FUYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO.
26 March 1943:
At 1345 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU No. 6.
28 March 1943:
At 1440 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ASAHI MARU No. 2 and at 1725 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO.
29 March 1943:
At 0600 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat RYUJU MARU No. 1.
30 March 1943:
At 0400 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIYU MARU and at 0750 meet sup with auxiliary patrol boat ASAHI MARU No. 2.
31 March 1943:
At 0645 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOSHIN MARU, at 1540 meets up with auxilary patrol boat HACHIRYU MARU 12 GO and at 1745 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ASAHI MARU No. 2.
2 April 1942:
At 1200 completes the patrol.
5 April 1943:
At 2106 arrives at Tateyama.
6 April 1943:
At 0545 departs Tateyama and at 1100 arrives at Yokosuka.
9 April 1943:
At 0910 departs Yokosuka and transfers to Yokohama.
11 April 1943:
Arrives at Asano dock.
16 April 1943:
Transfers the command flag to auxiliary gun boat HINO MARU No. 2.
17 April 1943:
Enters the dock.
23 April 1943:
Leaves the dock. Loads canteen goods.
26 April 1943:
At 1055 departs Yokosuka.
28 April 1943:
At 0715 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MYOJIN MARU No. 7. At 1200 commences the patrol.
29 April 1943:
At 1800 meets up with auxiliary gun boat HINO MARU No. 2.
30 April 1943:
At 1020 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO and at 1427 meets up with auxiliary merchant cruiser AWATA MARU.
2 May 1943:
At 0500 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIKICHI MARU and at 1050 meets up with auxiliary patrol boats KAIJIN MARU and KOSHIN MARU.
4 May 1943:
At 0720 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHOWA MARU No. 3 GO and at 0820 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MYOJIN MARU No. 7.
5 May 1943:
At 1100 arrives at Yokosuka.
6 May 1943:
Moors at buoy A.
7 May 1943:
Transfers to inner port No. 4.
10 May 1943:
Loads coal.
11 May 1943:
Loads fresh water.
13 May 1943:
Transfers the command flag to auxiliary gun boat SHINKYO MARU. Loads canteen goods.
14 May 1943:
Transfers to buoy No. 3. Departs Yokosuka later this day and arrives at the Asano dock quay at Yokohama later that day.
15 May 1943:
Outer hull repairs.
19 May 1943:
Loads canteen goods.
20 May 1943:
Loads food.
21 ~ 22 May 1943:
Loads food and canteen goods.
24 May 1943:
Transfers to the inner port buoy No. 1.
25 May 1943:
At 1400 departs Yokosuka for Paramushiro, Kuriles.
30 May 1943:
Call at Musashi Bay, Paramushiro (now Zaliv Vasiljeva, Paramushir, Russia) port is cancelled and goes straight to Paramushiro Strait (now little Kuril Strait, Russia) under Patrol Unit wireless order No. 17. Moors at the 11th anchorage buoy No. A3.
31 May 1943:
At 1530 arrives at Paramushiro and remains at anchor there until 20 July.
3 June 1943:
Departs Paramushiro and arrives at Naga Saki , Shimushu (Ostrov Shumushu, Kurilskiye Ostrova, Russia)later this day.
3 ~ 4 June 1943:
Loads coal.
4 June 1943:
Departs Naga Saki and arrives at Paramushiro later that day.
10 June 1943:
Transfers coal.
17 June 1943:
Departs Paramushiro and arrives at Naga Saki later this day.
18 ~ 19 June 1943:
Loads coal.
19 June 1943:
Departs Naga Saki and arrives at Kataoka (now Baikovo), Shimushu later that day.
20 ~ 23 June 1943:
Loads fresh water.
24 June 1943:
Departs Kataoka and arrives at Naga Saki later this day.
26 June 1943:
Departs Naga Saki and arrives at Paramushiro later that day.
8 July 1943:
At 0615 anchors at the north exit of Paramushiro Strait.
10 July 1943:
At 1442 anchors at Kataoka Bay (now Zaliv Kozyrevskogo).
15 July 1943:
At 1642 anchors at Kashiwabara Bay (now Zaliv Severo Kurilsk), Paramushiro.
16 July 1943:
At 1500 anchors at the 11th anchorage.
20 July 1943:
At 1300 departs Paramushiro for Yokosuka with 12 picket boats.
27 July 1943:
At 1200 arrives at Yokosuka.
30 July 1943:
At 0940 departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama inner port later this day at 1127.
2 August 1942:
Loads coal.
3 August 1943:
Receives wireless instruction No. 031744:
Scheduled for equipping with a set of type 3 hydrophones model 1 with attached weapons from the Yokosuka Navy Arsenal and Yokosuka Navy Munitions Department inventory.
6 August 1943:
Loads fresh water.
7 ~ 15 August 1943:
Installation of a set of type 3 hydrophones model 1 and a type 93 13 mm model 6 single machine gun.
16 August 1943:
Loads food and coal.
17 August 1943:
At 0856 departs Yokohama on a hydrophone and type 3 AA gun trial. Returns later this day at 1500.
19 August 1943:
At 1455 departs Yokohama.
23 August 1943:
At 1200 commences the patrol.
26 August 1943:
At 0515 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIKICHI MARU, at 1605 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1 and at 1633 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 38.
27 August 1943:
At 0420 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO, at 0635 meets up with auxilary patrol boat KOEI MARU No. 11 and at 1335 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1.
29 August 1943:
At 0515 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOEI MARU No. 11, at 0815 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO and at 1635 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ISUZU MARU No. 3.
30 August 1943:
At 0420 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAINAN MARU No. 6, at 0535 meets up with auxiliary patrol boats TSUKINOURA MARU No. 2 and SENSHU MARU No. 5, at 0715 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat YAKUSHI MARU No. 3, at 0930 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ISUZU MARU No. 3, at 1150 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOMPIRA MARU No. 2 GO, at 1325 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOEI MARU No. 11 and at 1725 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO.
31 August 1943:
At 1030 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIKICHI MARU, at 1315 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1 and at 1445 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO.
Test fires the 7 mm and 13 mm machine guns and makes a depth charge test drop.
1 September 1943:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
5 September 1943:
Arrives at the Yokohama outer port.
6 September 1943:
At 1015 arrives at Yokohama.
9 September 1943:
Loads coal.
11 September 1943:
Moors at the Mitsubishi dock quay.
17 ~ 29 September 1943:
Closure work between engine room, shaft room and bulkhead.
30 September 1943:
At 0900 departs Yokohama.
2 October 1943:
At 2010 carries out ASW: droppes 2 type 93 depth charges.
3 October 1943:
At 1200 commences a patrol.
5 October 1943:
At 0822 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ISUZU MARU No. 3 and at 1007 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO.
6 October 1943:
At 0500 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat TSUKINOURA MARU No. 2.
7 October 1943:
At 1220 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIYU MARU and at 1555 meets up with auxiliary patrol boat FUKUYU MARU No. 1.
8 October 1943:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
12 October 1943:
At 1700 arrives at arrives at the custom pier, Yokohama.
20 October 1943:
Navy (Resrv) Lt. Saito Yoshiyuki is appointed Commanding Officer.
25 October 1943:
Appointment as Commanding Officer of Navy (Resv) Lt. Saito Yoshiyuki is confirmed.
27 October 1943:
Moors within Yokohama port.
29 October 1943:
At 1000 departs Yokohama on a 34 degrees 24 minutes north latitude 140 degees 01 minutes east longitude and 38 degrees 34 minutes north latitude 158 degrees 10 minutes east longitude patrol.
2 November 1943:
At 1200 commences the patrol.
14 November 1943:
At 1200 concludes the patrol.
17 November 1943:
At 1500 arrives at Tateyama.
18 November 1943:
Depart Tateyama and at 1000 arrives at Yokohama. Remains there throughout early-mid December.
20 December 1943:
Removed from the 2nd Watch Boat Division under internal order No. 2750. Released that same day under internal order No. 2751 but re-requisitioned and re-registered under internal order No. 2752. Attached to the Yokosuka Naval District as an auxiliary transport, (Otsu) category. Her home port is Yokosuka. [2]

20 January 1944:
Navy (Resv) Honma Naokichi is appointed Commanding Officer.
25 January 1944:
Yokohama. Completes repairs at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipyard.
26 January 1944:
Departs Yokohama and arrives that same day at Tokyo.
27 January 1944:
Departs Tokyo arriving later that day at Yokohama.
5 February 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
10 February 1944:
Arrives at Moji.
13 February 1944:
Departs Moji for Miike.
15 February 1944:
Arrives at Miike.
16 February 1944:
Departs Miike for Naha, Okinawa.
21 February 1944:
Arrives at Naha.
26 February 1944:
Departs Naha for Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
29 February 1944:
Arrives at Kirun.
2 March 1944:
Departs Kirun for Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan).
5 March 1944:
Arrives at Takao.
11 March 1944:
Departs Takao for Manila, Luzon, Philippines in convoy TAMA-10 also consisting of tanker SAN PEDRO MARU and passenger/cargo MITO, KURAMASAN, ATLAS, BANSHU and SHINKYO MARUs escorted by auxiliary subchasers CHa-45, CHa-55, CHa-70, HINODE MARU No. 15 and MISAGO MARU No. 2.
14 March 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
20 March 1944:
At 0630, departs Manila for Kau Bay, Halmahera Island, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) in convoy H-22 also consisting of KUNIKAWA, SHINKYO, ATLAS, TOYOOKA, BENGAL, KURAMASAN and MITO MARUs escorted by torpedo boat HAYABUSA and minesweeper W-30.
23 March 1944:
Zamboanga Sea, Philippines. At about 1530, auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 12 joins the escort and W-30 is detached.
24 March 1944:
At 1430, as planned KUNIKAWA MARU is detached from the convoy and proceeds independently to Balikpapan Bay, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) arriving later that day.
About 28 nms E of Cape Chinaka, SE Mindanao, Philippines. LtCdr (later Cdr) Walter T. Griffith’s (USNA’34) USS BOWFIN (SS-287) makes radar contact with the convoy. At 2348, Griffith’s first salvo scores two hits on BENGAL MARU at 05-38N, 125-58E. In addition to her 54 crewmen, the transport is carrying 262 soldiers, 150 Formosans attached to a military labor unit and 54 other passengers. BENGAL MARU sinks rapidly taking down with her 41 crewmen, four gunners and 161 passengers.
At 2353, Griffith torpedoes the third ship and hits SHINKYO MARU at 05-37N, 125-58E. Awash from stern to bridge, SHINKYO MARU sinks in three minutes taking down with her 12 crewmen and 49 passengers.
25 March 1944:
Arrives at Davao, Philippines.
1 April 1944:
Departs Davao for Kau, Halmahera Island. Auxiliary gunboat HINO MARU No. 1 joins the convoy.
3 April 1944:
Arrives at Kau.
11 April 1944:
Departs Kau for Biak, Schouten Islands, N.E.I (now Indonesia).
14 April 1944:
Arrives at Biak.
15 April 1944:
Departs Biak for Manokwari, Netherlands East Indies (now West Papua, New Guinea, Indonesia).
16 April 1944:
Arrives at Manokwari.
19 April 1944:
At 0555, departs Manokwari for Kau in convoy also consisting of TENSHO MARU, escorted by minelayer WAKATAKA and minesweeper W-4.
20 April 1944:
Arrives at Kabui Bay, West Papua (now Teluk Kabui, Indonesia) enclosed by Gam and Waigeo Islands.
21 April 1944:
Departs Kabui Bay for Kau.
23 April 1944:
Arrives at Kau.
27 April 1944:
Departs Kau for Biak in a convoy bound for Manokwari.
30 April 1944:
At 1155 detaches the convoy bound for Manokwari and heads towards Biak escorted by minesweeper W-4.
1 May 1944:
Arrives at Biak.
3 May 1944:
Departs Biak arriving that same day at Manokwari.
4 May 1944:
Departs Manokwari for Kau.
7 May 1944:
Arrives at Kau.
20 May 1944:
Departs Kau.
24 May 1944:
Arrives at Kau.
28 May 1944:
Departs Kau for Borneo.
29 May 1944:
About 19 nms SSW of Kaburuang Island, N Celebes (now Pulau Kaburuang, Sulawesi, Indonesia). LtCdr Willard R. Laughon’s (USNA’33) USS RASHER (SS-269) makes radar contact with the transport. At 2130, Laughon torpedoes and hits ANSHU MARU at 03-40N, 126-58E. ANSHU MARU floods gradually and sinks the following day at 0210 with no casualties.
10 July 1944:
Removed from the Navy List under internal order No. 855.

Authors Notes:
[1] NRT is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m3). It is calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's gross register tonnage (GRT). Net register tonnage (NRT) is not a measure of the weight of the ship or its cargo, and should not be confused with terms such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.
[2] There were two categories of Zatsuyosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.

Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan and Berend van der Wal of Netherlands.

Photo credit goes to Erich Muelthaler of Germany

-Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

Back to IJN Transports Page