© 2006-2016 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 7
15 September 1943:
Kobe. Laid down at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
29 December 1943:
Launched and numbered CD-1.
30 January 1944:
Reserve LtCdr Ebihara Yoshiichiro (former navigating officer of HIE MARU) is appointed Chief Equipping Officer.
19 February 1944:
CD-1 is commissioned and registered in the IJN. Attached to Yokosuka Naval District. Reserve LtCdr Ebihara Yoshiichiro is the Commanding Officer.
1 April 1944:
At 2200 departs Saiki.
2 April 1944:
Assigned to the General Escort Command’s First Surface Escort Division. At 0900 arrives at Moji.
5 April 1944:
At 0530, CD-1 departs Moji with torpedo boat HATSUKARI, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU and minesweeper W-18 escorting ore convoy TE-03 consisting of KINREI, SHORYU, DAIBU, YULIN, DAIYOKU and TOYOHI MARUs and non ore ships under the same convoy number ASO, JINJU, NARUO (ex Panamanian ESTERO), SORACHI, BRAZIL MARUs and YOSHIDA MARU No. 3 together with five unidentified merchant ships. CD-1 and her crew undergo workup and training while escorting TE-03.
14 April 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Takao. Most of the non ore carrying vessels are detached.
19 April 1944:
At 0800, CD-1 departs Takao with HATSUKARI, KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU and W-18 escorting an amalgamation of three convoys TASA-17, TE-03 and No. 82 consisting of tanker TENSHIN MARU and cargo ships FRANCE, KINREI, SHORYU, DAIBU, YULIN, TOYOHI, HOKKA, NARUO, DAIYOKU, WAKO GO, JINJU, RAKUZAN, SEISHO, IKOMASAN, KAIKO, OAKITA, YOSHUN, HIROTA and NINGPO MARUs.
21 April 1944:
At 1000, the convoys split. Ore convoy TE-03 with CD-1 and KAZAN MARU head for Yulin, Hainan Island. Convoys TASA-17 and No. 82 with HATSUKARI and W-18 head for St Jacques.
23 April 1944:
At 1655, CD-1 and convoy TE-03 arrive at Yulin.
30 April 1944:
At 1700, CD-1 and auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU departs Yulin for Yawata, Kyushu escorting renumbered convoy TE-04 consisting of iron ore carriers KINREI, YULIN, SHORYU, DAIYOKU, TOYOHI and DAIBU MARUs.
3 May 1944:
Minelayer MAESHIMA joins the escort.
4 May 1944:
At 0008, LtCdr Donald F. Weiss' (USNA ’29) USS TINOSA (SS-283) torpedoes and sinks TOYOHI MARU at 20-50N, 118-00E. At 0106, LtCdr Anton R.Gallaher's (USNA ’33) USS BANG (SS-385) torpedoes and sinks KINREI MARU at 20-50N, 117-55E. At 0113, Weiss' USS TINOSA torpedoes and sinks DAIBU MARU at 20-50N, 117-55E. At about 0300, LtCdr (later Vice Admiral/MOH) Lawson P. Ramage's USS PARCHE (SS-384) torpedoes and sinks SHORYU and DAIYOKU MARUs at 20-50N, 117-55E. There are fairly heavy casualties: TOYOHI MARU sinks with 16 gunners, 15 watchmen and 56 crewmen, KINREI MARU with six crewmen KIA; DAIBU MARU with one gunner only missing, presumed drowned after KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU took the crew off and unsuccessfully attempted to tow the wreck; SHORYU MARU with two gunners, 20 passengers and 42 crewmen KIA and DAIYOKU MARU with 15 gunners, two passengers and 20 of the crew KIA.
6 May 1944:
At 1230 CD-1 arrives at Takao, ahead of the decimated convoy.
7 May 1944:
At 0130 the remnants of convoy TE-04 arrive at Takao, Formosa. At 1900 CD-1 departs Takao and meets up with with convoy MI-03 which is en route from Moji to Manila. The convoy consists of DAITEN, DAIRIN, ATAGO, ZUIYO, KOTOKU, SHUNTEN, CHIYODA, SHOHEI, NIKKO, ETAJIMA, DAIJUN, TOUN, SHINNO, TAISEI, RYUKA and KENWA MARUs, OGURA MARU No. 2, UNKAI MARU No. 5, EIYO MARU No. 2, SHINSEI MARU No. 1 with destroyers KARUKAYA and SHIOKAZE, torpedo boat HATO, kaibokan KURAHASHI (part way only)/ CD-13, subchaser CH-37 (part way only), and auxiliary gunboat PEKING MARU as escorts.
9 May 1944:
CD-1 is detached from MI-03 convoy.
10 May 1944:
At 0630 arrives back at Takao. At 1800 CD-1 joins convoy TE-05 consisting of YAMADORI, HIYORI, HIOKI, KOKUSEI, HIKACHI, NICHIWA, SHONAN MARUs and KYOEI MARU No. 2 also escorted by the destroyer ASAGAO, kaibokan CD-8, CD-20 and auxiliary netlayer KAINAN MARU and departs Takao.
13 May 1944:
YAMADORI MARU is detached from convoy for Hong Kong.
14 May 1944:
At 1800 arrives at Yulin.
19 May 1944:
At 1700 CD-1 departs Yulin in convoy HO-01 consisting of SHONAN and HIYORI MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships also escorted by kaibokan CD-8, CD-20 and auxiliary netlayer KAINAN MARU.
26 May 1944:
Arrives at Singapore. Departs almost immediately with CD-8 and CD-20 and some time after joins up with convoy MISHI-02 consisting of MEXICO, IMAHARU and IIDA MARUs and NANSHIN MARU No. 2 and NANSHIN MARU No. 6 also escorted by minesweeper W-18 and auxiliary minesweeper CHOUN MARU No. 7.
29 May 1944:
At 1200 arrives at Singapore.
3 June 1944:
At 1000, CD-1 departs Singapore for Moji with kaibokan CD-8, CD-15 and CD-20 escorting bauxite convoy HO-02 consisting of TAMAHOKO, TAINAN (likely from Kirun only), KENNICHI, SHONAN, TEIHOKU (ex French PERSEE), HONAN (ex British WAR SIRDAR), CELEBES, KOKUSEI, HOZAN, SEISHIN, BIYO, HIYORI (NICHIWA) and HIOKI MARUs and KONAN MARU No. 1 and four unidentified ships.
6 June 1944:
160 miles off Cape St. Jacques, Indochina. LtCdr (later Cdr) James W. Davis' (USNA ’30) USS RATON (SS-270) attacks the convoy. At 2225, Davis torpedoes CD-15. She breaks in two and sinks S of Nishinotorishima Island at 08-57N, 109-17E. 104 crewmen are KIA. CD-8 and CD-20 rescue 34 survivors. The escorts counter-attack. USS RATON is damaged by depth charges, but remains on patrol.
11 June 1944:
At 1600 arrives Manila. NASUSAN MARU joins the convoy. SEISHIN and probably HOZAN MARUs are detached. CD-8 is detached and minelayer AOTAKA joins escort of convoy.
13 June 1944:
At 2350 departs Manila to support the arrival of MI-03.
14 June 1944:
HO-02 departs Manila. At 1330 CD-1 meets the convoy at sea.
18 June 1944:
At 0915 the convoy arrives at Takao.
20 June 1944:
At 1000 CD-1 departs Takao for Moji with an unidentified kaibokan, minelayer AOTAKA and whaling ship KONAN MARU No. 1 escorting convoy HO-02 now consisting of NASUSAN, TAMAHOKO, KENNICHI, HONAN (ex British WAR SIRDAR), CELEBES, KOKUSEI, BIYO, HIYORI (NICHIWA) and HIOKI MARUs and newly joined TAINAN MARUs, and four other unidentified ships. TAMAHOKO MARU is carrying 772 Allied POWs from camps at Batavia, Java, including 42 American POWs. HIOKI, KOKUSEI and BIYO MARUs are also carrying POWs.
21 June 1944:
Arrives and departs Kirun. Eight of the convoy's ships are detached and a further 11 join including probably TAINAN MARU, all unidentified. It is probable CD-20 is detached.
24 June 1944:
Koshiki Straits, 40 miles SW of Nagasaki, Kyushu. At 2350, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Richard H. O’Kane’s (USNA ’34) USS TANG (SS-306) attacks the convoy. At 2354, Kane torpedoes and sinks NASUSAN, TAMAHOKO, KENNICHI and TAINAN MARUs at 32-24N, 129-38E. NASUSAN MARU sinks with 11 crewmen KIA; KENNICHI MARU with two gunners and 34 crewmen KIA; and on TAINAN MARU 39 crewmen were killed together with an unknown number of the 454 repatriates from Formosa that were onboard. The whaling ship picks up some survivors from TAMAHOKO MARU, but 560 POWs are lost including 15 American soldiers and sailors and 33 of the Japanese crew as well as two ship's gunners. CD-1 attempts to counterattack, but is not fast enough to pursue USS TANG.
26 June 1944:
At 1400, the remainder of convoy HO-02 arrives at Moji. CD-1 continues on alone.
27 June 1944:
At 0500 arrives at Kure.
6 July 1944:
At 1245, CD-1 departs Miike, Kyushu for Takao, Formosa with destroyer HATSUSHIMO, kaibokan CD-22 and minesweeper W-34 escorting convoy MOMA-02 consisting of SEATTLE, SHOZAN, JINZAN, TOKUSHIMA, HIYAMA, KOKKA, YASUKUNI, TENSHIN, MITSUKI, MANTAI and RYOFU MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
12 July 1944:
Arrives at Takao.
14 July 1944:
At 1900, CD-1 departs Takao for Manila with kaibokan KUSAGAKI, CD-22 and minelayers MAESHIMA, ENTO and minesweeper W-34 escorting convoy TAMA-21C consisting of MANTAI, MITSUKI, JINSAN, SEATTLE, YASUKUNI, TENSHIN, YAMATAMA, SAINEI, HIYAMA, KOKKA, TOKUSHIMA, SHOZAN and SHOEI MARUs and tankers SHONAN, AYAGIRI and AYAZONO MARUs and four unidentified merchant ships.
16 July 1944:
At 0946, LtCdr Harold E. Ruble's (USNA ’33) USS PIRANHA (SS-389) torpedoes and sinks SEATTLE MARU at 19-17N, 120-15E. The transport is carrying 4,285 IJNAF personnel. 45 crewmen, 25 gunners and 296 passengers and troops are KIA. HIYAMA and SHOZAN MARUs rescue the survivors.
Over the next six hours, Captain (later Rear Admiral-Ret) William V. O'Regan’s (USNA ’23) wolf pack, nicknamed the "Mickey Finns", consisting of LtCdr Duncan C. MacMillian's (USNA ’26) USS THRESHER (SS-200), LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Novell G. Ward's (USNA ’35) USS GUARDFISH (SS-217) and Ruble's USS PIRANHA closes in and decimates the convoy.
At 2300, MacMillian's USS THRESHER torpedoes and sinks SAINEI MARU at 18-53N, 119-32E. 21 troops and passengers on board, and three crewmen are KIA. At 2350, Ward's USS GUARDFISH torpedoes and sinks JINZAN MARU. 38 troops, one passenger, seven gunners, two watchmen and three crewmen are killed – a total of 51 dead. Two minutes later, Ward torpedoes and sinks MANTAI MARU. 72 military passengers and 43 crewmen are KIA.
17 July 1944:
The attacks continue. At 0034,Ward's USS GUARDFISH torpedoes and sinks HIYAMA MARU. The ship was loaded with 2 companies of an Army group totaling 101 troops, of whom four along with four of the crew were KIA. W-34 and CD-1 rescue survivors. At 0345, MacMillian's USS THRESHER torpedoes and sinks SHOZAN MARU at 18-50N, 119-43E. 24 Gunners, 125 troops, 500 SEATTLE MARU survivors and 64 crewmen are killed.
19 July 1944:
At 1920, convoy TAMA-21C arrives at Manila.
23 July 1944:
Manila. At 1545, CD-1 with kaibokan CD-18, CD-28, torpedo-boat SAGI, minelayer ENOSHIMA, minesweeper W-17 and subchaser CH-61 depart Manila for Moji escorting convoy MI-08 consisting of MIZUHO, MANILA, ARABIA, TATSUBATO, RYUSHO, HAKUROKU and MIRI MARUs and tankers SAN DIEGO, SAN LUIS, NITTETSU, TAKETSU (BUTSU), CHIHAYA, RYUSHO and SANKO (YAMAKO) MARUs. The convoy speed is 8 knots.
24 July 1944:
The convoy stops because of mine danger. CH-61 and W-17 sweep the route.
26 July 1944:
At 0625 aircraft from aircover bomb a submarine 10 km away. At 0900 W-17 executes an anti submarine sweep at the bombing site. At 0945 W -17 ends the anti submarine sweep and returns to the convoy. At 1700 second class destroyer KURETAKE joins the convoy and starts escorting.
27 July 1944:
At 0920, auxiliary subchaser CHa-74 and auxiliary transport OYO MARU join the escort. At 1605, the convoy arrives at Takao and is again reorganized.
28 July 1944:
At 2000, CD-1 departs Takao with CD-11, MIKURA, KURAHASHI, HIRADO escorting convoy HI-68 consisting of oilers ITSUKUSHIMA, TOA, TOHO and SHINPO MARUs and NICHINAN MARU No. 2 and IJA landing craft depot ships TAMATSU and MAYASAN MARUs and transports NOSHIRO, KASHII and NISSHO MARUs.
29 July 1944:
CD-1 is detached to Kirun and later returns to Takao.
30 July 1944:
At 1800, CD-18, torpedo-boat SAGI, minesweeper W-17 and auxiliary netlayer KISHIN MARU departs Takao escorting convoy MI-08 consisting of ZUIHO, CHIHAYA, SAN DIEGO, SAN LUIS, BOKO, MANILA, SANKO, TSUYAMA, ARABIA, RYUSHO, MIRI, TATSUBATO, NITTETSU, YAGI, TOUN and EIHO MARUs. The convoy's speed is 7 knots.
31 July 1944:
At 2210 kaibokan CD-1 joins and begins escorting.
1 August 1944:
At 1400, the convoy arrives at Keelung after it is suspected that enemy submarines had gained contact.
4 August 1944:
At 1600, the convoy departs Keelung and heads up the Ryukyu Islands bound for Kyushu.
9 August 1944:
N of Okinoshima. LtCdr (later Cdr) Robert A. Keating's (USNA ’33) USS BARBEL (SS-316) torpedoes and sinks YAGI MARU with casualties of 3 gunners and 31 crewmen KIA, and BOKO MARU (ex-British SAGRES) with unknown casualties, at 27-56N, 128-47E. CD-1 and W-17 carry out an antisubmarine sweep and drop 21 depth-charges that cause some damage to USS BARBEL. Afterwards, the convoy heads out of the area at full speed making evasive movements. At 1200, the convoy arrives at Koniya, Amami-O-Shima.
11 August 1944:
At 0400, the convoy departs Amami-O-Shima.
13 August 1944:
At 0904 Sasebo Naval air Group planes dive and bomb 3,000m behind the convoy. CD-1 carries out an anti submarine sweep. Arrives at Moji later this day.
14 August 1944:
At 0930 arrives at Sasebo.
24 August 1944:
At 0400 departs Sasebo and at 1100 arrives at Arikawa Wan.
25 August 1944:
At 0800 convoy HI-73 departs Moji for Singapore with escort carrier UNYO, light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan CHIBURI, CD-3, CD-13, CD-19, CD-21 and CD-27 in a convoy consisting of IJA landing craft depot ship KIBITSU MARU, ex-armed merchant cruiser GOKOKU MARU, ex-seaplane tenders KAGU and SANUKI MARUs, tankers TOHO, OMUROSAN, OTOWASAN, TAIHO, FUJISAN, HAKKO, AMATO, TOA and KUROSHIO MARUs and fleet storeship IRAKO. Later that day, the convoy is joined briefly by transports MIZUHO, ARABIA and KOKURYU MARUs and tanker MANEI MARU that all depart the following day.
26 August 1944:
CD-1 joins the convoy. MANEI MARU remains at Kyushu because of engine problems. CD-1 and CD-3 are detached and heads for Sasebo.
27 August 1944:
At 0800 arrives at Sasebo.
30 August 1944:
CD-1, CD-3 and CD-5 depart Sasebo and arrives in the Terajima Straits.
31 August 1944:
At 0400, CD-1 departs the Terajima Strait, NW Kyushu with CD-3 and CD-5 escorting convoy MOTA-25 consisting of MIZUHO, KOKURYU and ARABIA MARUs.
3 September 1944:
At 1630, the convoy arrives at Kirun (Keelung), Formosa. At 1822 CD-1 departs Kirun. CD-3 at 1847 and CD-5 departs an hour later and catches up with CD-1 and CD-3.
4 September 1944:
At 1326 CD-1, CD-3 and CD-5 arrive at Takao.
5 September 1944:
At 1900, CD-1 with destroyers HATSUHARU and HIBIKI, kaibokan CD-3, CD-5, CD-7, torpedo-boat HIYODORI, subchaser CH-63 and auxiliary subchaser CHa-67 depart Takao for Manila escorting convoy TAMA-25 consisting of KOGYO, EIJI, MANSHU, EIMAN, ATSUTA, EKKAI, NANREI, ROZAN, EIMAN, TOYOOKA and HOKUSEN MARUs. Previously known as MOTA-23, this convoy was enroute to Takao before being diverted to Keelung. The convoy is carrying reinforcements, equipment and ammunition for the defense of the Philippine Islands.
6 September 1944:
At 0230, KOGYO MARU develops engine troubles and turns back. At about 0423, EIJI MARU carrying units of the Kwantung Army's 8th. Infantry Division and 2nd Tank Division, strikes a mine at 22-19N, 120-30E. HIBIKI comes alongside to assist, but also strikes a mine that severely damages her bow. She returns to Takao. At about 0500, EIJI MARU is ordered abandoned. At 0800, there is another explosion and EIJI MARU sinks. 617 men are KIA. The convoy withdraws to nearby Tungchiang, arriving at 1738. EIMAN MARU suffers engine troubles and also returns to Takao.
7 September 1944:
At 2150 departs Tungchiang. The convoy reforms and adopts a zig zag formation.
8 September 1944:
At 0200 submarine chaser CH-41 meets up with convoy TAMA-25. At 0300 CD-28 joins. At 1100 W-20 meets up with TAMA-25.
9 September 1944:
43 miles NW of Calayan Island. At about 0315, TOYOOKA MARU is torpedoed by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Charles E. Loughlin's (USNA ’33) USS QUEENFISH (SS-393). She sinks five minutes later at 19-45N, 120-55E. 1,036 soldiers and nine crewmen are killed. At 0319, MANSHU MARU is hit by a torpedo from USS QUEENFISH and sinks by the stern. She was carrying 1,492 men of the 42nd Infantry Regiment, plus her crew. 900 are killed. At 2120, the convoy seeks temporary shelter at Aparri. At 2250, the convoy departs hugging the coast.
10 September 1944:
CD-1 is reassigned to the General Escort Command’s 11th Coast Defense Group. That same day at 1714 the convoy arrives at San Fernando. Meanwhile CD-28 proceeds to Lapoc Bay and is detached.
11 September 1944:
At 0553 departs San Fernando. Meanwhile at 0400 CH-41 has been detached and at 0654 W-20 is detached.
12 September 1944:
At 1930, convoy TAMA-25 anchors at Santa Cruz.
13 September 1944:
At 0640 the convoy departs Santa Cruz and at 1940, arrives in Subic Bay. It is learned the Americans have been attacking the Visayas in the Central Philippine Islands since 12 September.
14 September 1944:
At 0325, because of the danger of attacks in Manila, the convoy raises anchors and heads back north. At 1500, it arrives back at Santa Cruz. For the next two days the convoy remains on standby.
17 September 1944:
At 0655, the convoy departs. At 1850, it arrives again at Subic Bay.
18 September 1944:
At 0610, the convoy departs and arrives at Manila at 1610.
19 September 1944:
At 0800, CD-1 departs Manila for Cebu, Philippines with kaibokan SADO, CD-3, CD-5 and CD-7 and minelayer ENOSHIMA escorting convoy MATA-27A consisting of SURAKARUTA, YUKI, HOFUKU (TOYOFUKU), SHICHIYO and NANSEI MARUs and OGURA MARU No. 1. That evening, the convoy arrives and anchors at Subic Bay.
21 September 1944:
At 0625 departs Subic Bay. At 1028, N of the Masinloc Sea, about 40 carrier-based aircraft of Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher’s (USNA ’10) Task Force 38 attack the convoy and sink HOFUKU MARU. The ship is carrying POW's and of 1287 on board, 907 are KIA along with 11 crewmen and possibly up to 144 Japanese passengers. At 1056, a second raid begins. OGURA MARU No. 1 is bombed about 1130 and later abandoned.5 crewmen are KIA. At 1515, a third raid by 40 aircraft begins. YUKI, SHICHIYO and NANSEI MARUs are bombed and set afire and later sink. Casualties are mixed, on YUKI MARU 54 crewmen are KIA, SHICHIYO MARU loses 20 crewmen KIA and NANSEI MARU has 12 gunners and 17 crewmen KIA. At 1634, a fourth raid begins. SURAKARUTA MARU is bombed and sunk. One crewman is KIA. At 1650, CD-5 is bombed and set afire and later explodes and sinks at 15-30N, 119-50E.
At 1900 the surviving escort ships arrive at Santa Cruz.
22 September 1944:
At 0700 departs Santa Cruz. At 1900 arrives at San Fernando.
23 September 1944:
At 0700 departs San Fernando. At 1900 arrives at Lapoc Bay.
24 September 1944:
At 0700 departs Lapoc Bay and at 1900 arrives at Bangui.
25 September 1944:
At 1604 arrives at Takao.
26 September 1944:
At 0640 CD-1 transfers from Takao to nearby Saei, arriving at 0740.
27 September 1944:
At 1700, convoy TAMO-26 departs Takao for Moji with kaibokan CD-3, CD-7, auxiliary patrol boat OSEI MARU, target ship HAKACHI and auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU consisting of NIKKO, SEISHIN, CLYDE, HAKUSAN, MATSUURA, TAIJO, GASSAN, YOKO and BIYO MARUs and SS 6 (Kidotei). CD-1 departs Saei at 1749 and joins the convoy.
28 September 1944:
At 1200, arrives at Keelung. Auxiliary patrol boat OSEI MARU is detached.
1 October 1944:
At 0730, the convoy departs Keelung. At 0900 kaibokan CD-1 joins the convoy escort. Auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKASAN MARU detaches and heads towards Kirun to repair damage to her main cooling water pipe.
3 October 1944:
Kaibokan CD-1 detaches and heads towards Nagasaki.
5 October 1944:
Reserve LtCdr Arima Kunio (former CEO / CO of T-2)(Cdr, posthumously) is appointed Commanding Officer.
6 October 1944:
At 1703, arrives at Moji.
7 October 1944:
At 0800 CD-1 departs Moji and at 1807 arrives at Sasebo. Undergoes repairs.
17 October 1944:
At 0805 departs Sasebo on trials and returns at 1839.
18 October 1944:
At 1507 departs Sasebo with CD-3 and CD-7.
19 October 1944:
At 0658 arrives at Moji.
22 October 1944:
At 1400, CD-1 departs Moji for Manila with kaibokan CD-3 and CD-7 escorting convoy MOMA-06 that consists of GASSAN, ATLAS, DAITOKU, SHINSHO, KAKOGAWA, SEKIHO, TAIKEN, SEIWA, SHINFUKU and MIKAGE MARUs and an unidentified ship.
23 October 1944:
At about 0400, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) John E. Lee’s (USNA ’30) USS CROAKER (SS-246) torpedoes and damages GASSAN MARU. Later, she is towed to Saishu Island by SHINFUKU MARU where 3500 troops are put ashore.
24 October 1944:
At about 0400, USS CROAKER torpedoes and sinks MIKAGE MARU. 27 crewmen are KIA.
27 October 1944:
At 1600, arrives at Keelung. TAIKEN MARU is detached.
30 October 1944:
At 0700, departs Keelung.
31 October 1944:
At 1600, arrives at Takao. The convoy is reorganized. Some ships from convoy MOTA-27 join MOMA-06. The reconstitued convoy consists of HAMBURG, SHIMOTSU, ASOKAWA, TOTTORI, EIWA, ATLAS, DAITOKU, SHINSHO, KAKOGAWA, SEKIHO and SEIWA MARUs escorted by old destroyer KURETAKE, kaibokan CD-1, CD-3 and CD-7, mineweeper W-27, subchaser CH-41 and fleet supply ship KURASAKI.
1 November 1944:
At 1800, the convoy departs Takao for Manila.
2 November 1944:
At 2305, LtCdr John B. Hess’s (USNA ’37) USS POMFRET (SS-391) torpedoes and damages ATLAS MARU.
3 November 1944:
At 0435, Hess attacks ATLAS MARU again, but misses. At 0500, USS POMFRET also torpedoes and damages HAMBURG MARU. At 1850, one of the escorts scuttles her. Three of the 415 troops carried onboard, a gunner and 18 crewmen are KIA. At 2000 the convoy anchors at Sabtang Is.
4 November 1944:
About 1330, ATLAS MARU finally goes aground. Torpedo boat SAGI arrives from Takao and joins the escort.
6 November 1944:
At 0253 departs Sabtang Island with minesweepers W-17 and W-18 having joined as additional escorts.
8 November 1944:
Off Cape Bolinao, Luzon. LtCdr Guy E. O'Neil, Jr’s (USNA ’37) USS GUNNEL (SS-253) torpedoes and sinks SAGI. The convoy later arrives at Santa Cruz, Philippines at 1730.
9 November 1944:
Warned of a typhoon in the area, the convoy departs the same day at 0630 and arrives at Manila Bay at 2238.
10 November 1944:
At 0925, convoy MOMA-06 arrives at Manila harbor.
12 November 1944:
At 1800, CD-1 departs Manila for Takao with destroyer KURETAKE and kaibokan CD-3, and CD-7 escorting convoy MATA-32 that consists of NANKING MARU, UNKAI MARU No. 5 and fleet supply ship KURASAKI.
14 November 1944:
Off Cape Bolinao, Philippines. At 2218, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) William T. Kinsella’s (USNA ’34) USS RAY (SS-271) torpedoes and sinks CD-7 at 17-46N, 117-57E. At 2225, LtCdr Maurice W. Shea’s (USNA ’37) USS RATON (SS-270) torpedoes and sinks UNKAI MARU No. 5. 43 crewmen are KIA.
15 November 1944:
At 0025, Shea’s USS RATON torpedoes and sinks KURASAKI at 17-27N, 117-43E.
17 November 1944:
At 1200, the remainder of the convoy arrives at Takao.
19 November 1944:
At 2030 KURETAKE, CD-1, CD-3 departs Takao escorting TAMA-32 the details of which are unknown but probably the same as TAMA-32A. Soon after departure the convoy is recalled.
20 November 1944:
At 1530 arrives back at Takao.
23 November 1944:
At 1530, CD-1 departs Takao with kaibokan CD-3, CD-8, CD-28, CD-54, old destroyer KURETAKE, andsubchasers CH-17, CH-18, CH-37 and CH-38 depart Takao escorting convoy TAMA-32A consisting of AKAGISAN, HAGIKAWA, SORACHI, JINYO, NICHIYO, SHOEI, WAYO, MINO, SHIROUMA and SHONAN MARUs and BANSHU MARU No. 6 and Kidotei SS No. 6. Anchors along the coast off Fangliao soon after leaving.
24 November 1944:
At 0400, departs Fangliao, southern Formosan coast.
25 November 1944:
At 2200, arrives at Musa Bay, Fuga Island.
27 November 1944:
At 0400, departs Musa Bay. At 1645, arrives at Lapoc Bay.
28 November 1944:
At 0600, departs Lapoc Bay. At 1800, arrives at N San Fernando.
29 November 1944:
At 0600, departs N San Fernando.
30 November 1944:
At 0500, arrives at Manila.
5 December 1944:
At 1157, CD-1 departs Takao with kaibokan DAITO, CD-34 and CD-134 and minesweepers W-39 and W-41 escorting convoy TAMA-35 consisting of NISSHO, ORYOKU, ARIMASAN and KAZUURA MARUs. Later that day anchors at Chechung.
6 December 1944:
At 0058 departs and at 1815 anchors at Port San Pio Quinto, Camiguin Island.
8 December 1944:
At 0502, departs Port San Pio Quinto. At 1411, anchors at Calayan Island.
9 December 1944:
At 0817, departs Calayan Island.
11 December 1944:
At 2000, arrives at Manila.
19 December 1944:
At 0802 departs St Jacques in convoy SAMA-14 consisting of SHINNO, RYUSHO, BINGO MARUs and at least 3 other unidentified merchant ships escorted by Minesweeper W 21 and kaibokan CD-1, CD-3, CD-130 and CD-134.
20 December 1944:
At 1644, arrives at Cap Padaran, Indochina. Departs from there at 2003.
21 December 1944:
At 1905, arrives at Nha Trang, Indochina.
23 December 1944:
At 0807, departs Nha Trang but SHINNO MARU broke down and at 0915 convoy returned to port. At 1814 departs Nha Trang again.
24 December 1944:
At 0516, arrives at Qui Sande Bay, Indochina. At 0910 departs. At 2050, the No.6 ship in the convoy runs aground.
25 December 1944:
At 0900, the No. 6 ship is towed off and the convoy resumes its voyage. At 2126 arrives at Qui Nhon, Indochina.
26 December 1944:
At 1006, departs Qui Nhon.
27 December 1944:
At 1558, arrives at Yulin and departs at 1901.
30 December 1944:
Between 1104 and 1124, the convoy is attacked by a B-24, but without sustaining any damage.
1 January 1945:
At 1437 arrives at Saei (Tsoying), Formosa. Because of pending air raids, the convoy is ordered out of port.
3 January 1945:
At 1135, anchors outside Takao but leaves at 1255. CD-41, CD-60 and CD-205 have joined at this point or earlier.
4 January 1945:
At 1700 anchors at Nanao Tao.
5 January 1945:
At 1600 departs Nanao Tao still escorting the convoy.
7 January 1945:
At 1100 arrives at Hong Kong.
8 January 1945:
At 1710 CD-1 departs Hong Kong with kaibokan CD-130 and CD-134 escorting convoy HOTA-02 consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
11 January 1945:
At 1130 arrives at Mako.
13 January 1944:
CD-1 and CD-134 depart Mako and later arrive at Takao.
14 January 1945:
At 1100 CD-1 together with kaibokan YASHIRO, CD 134 and CD-36, minesweeper W-21 and destroyer ASAGAO depart Takao in convoy TAMO-37 consisting of DAIKO, DAIHO, DAII, BRAZIL, DAIIKU and MELBOURNE MARUs and HOSHI MARU No. 11 (JUICHISEI MARU).
16 January 1945:
At 1800 DAIKO MARU suffers an engine breakdown and the ships temporarily anchor. CD-130 joins the convoy.
17 January 1945:
At 0530 departs anchorage and at 1626 anchored temporarily. BRAZIL MARU sets up a towline with DAII MARU and when the convoy resumes its journey tows DAII MARU.
19 January 1945:
At 1900 arrives at Ssu Chiao Shan.
20 January 1945:
At 0708 departs Ssu Chiao Shan.
23 January 1945:
At 1610 CD-130 drops depth charges on a suspected submarine contact without results. At 1750 CD-134 also attacks a suspected submarine contact. At 2015 the convoy arrives at Mutsure. CD-1 departs almost immediately. CD-130 and CD-134 remain behind on submarine hunts.
24 January 1945:
At 0900 arrives at Kure. Undergoes repairs.
5 February 1945:
CD-1, CD-130 and CD-134 depart Kure.
6 February 1945:
The escorts arrive at Moji.
7 February 1945:
At 0600, CD-1 departs Moji for Singaore with kaibokan CD-130 and CD-134 escorting convoy HI-97 consisting of empty tankers RYOEI and PALEMBANG MARUs.
15 February 1945:
At 2200, arrives at Qui Sande Bay, Indochina.
16 February 1945:
At 0700, departs at Qui Sande Bay.
20 February 1945:
At 1230 arrives at Singapore.
24 February 1945:
At 1600 CD-1 and CD-130 departs Singapore.
26 February 1945:
At 0800 arrives at Obi Island and meets up with convoy HI-94 consisting of TOA MARU and HARIO escorted by kaibokan CD-67 and CD-207.
3 March 1945:
Cap St. Jacques, Indochina. At 0730, convoy HI-98 arrives from Singapore enroute to Moji. The convoy consists of oilers PALEMBANG MARU and RYOEI MARUs and kaibokan CD-69, CD-130 and CD-134.
CD-1 and CD-130 join convoy HI-98's escort. At 0930, the convoy departs.
4 March 1945:
At 0930, LtCdr Benjamin C. Jarvis' (USNA ’39) USS BAYA (SS-318) fires six torpedoes at PALEMBANG and RYOEI MARUs. Those aimed at RYOEI MARU miss, but two torpedoes hit PALEMBANG MARU amidships. She explodes and sinks immediately at 12-52N, 103-30E. All nine passengers, 59 gunners and 67 crewmen are KIA. CD-69 and CD-134 remain behind and drop 47 depth-charges, but do not damage USS BAYA. At 2300, the convoy anchors at Tourane.
5 March 1945:
At 0600, CD-69 and CD-134 arrive at Tourane and rejoin the convoy that departs at 0700 for Samah, Hainan Island. At 1110, RYOEI MARU is torpedoed by LtCdr H. S. Simpson's (USNR) USS BASHAW (SS-241) at 16-46N, 108-41E and sinks within the hour. 19 crewmen, 19 gunners and 9 passengers are KIA. At 2000 CD-1 arrives at Yulin.
6 March 1945:
At 1200 departs Yulin.
9 March 1945:
At 0900 arrives at Hong Kong.
11 March 1945:
At 1600 departs Hong Kong.
13 March 1945:
At 1102 arrives at Yulin.
19 March 1945:
CD-1 departs Singapore with destroyer AMATSUKAZE, kaibokan CD-18, CD-26, CD-33, CD-84, CD-130, CD-134, MANJU, subchasers CH-8, CH-9, CH-20, CH-33, cable-layer TATEISHI and auxiliary subchaser KAINAN MARU escorting convoy HI-88-I consisting of YAMAKUNI and HOSEN MARUs and MOTOYAMA MARU No. 1, TAKASAGO MARU No. 6, NANSHIN MARU No. 21, FUSHIMI MARU No. 2.
20 March 1945:
50 miles S of Camranh Bay, Indochina. At about 0100, convoy HI-88-J is attacked by LtCdr Benjamin C Jarvis' (USNA ’39) USS BAYA (SS-318). Jarvis torpedoes and sinks merchant KAINAN MARU with unknown casualties. CH-9 counterattacks USS BAYA and drops 21 DCs.
That same afternoon, at about 1720, the convoy is attacked by LtCdr (later Cdr) William H. Hazzard's (USNA ’35) USS BLENNY (SS-324). Hazzard torpedoes and sinks small oilers NANSHIN MARU No.21 with 14 crewmen KIA and HOSEN MARU with 170 passengers, eight gunners and 18 of the crewmen KIA.
21 March 1945:
Off Nha Trang, Indochina. Convoy HI-88-J is attacked by Fifth Air Force B-25 "Mitchell" medium-bombers of the 345 Bomb Group that bomb, strafe and sink CH-33, cargo vessels MOTOYAMA MARU No. 1 and FUSHIMI MARU No.2. The B-25's also damage CH-9, small oiler TAKASAGO MARU NO. 6 and cable-layer TATEISHI. MOTOYAMA MARU No.1 has 4 crewmen KIA, FUSHIMI MARU No.2 loses three crewmen and 11 others and TAKASAGO MARU No.6 has two passengers and five crewmen KIA.
One B-25 is lost. Four crewmembers are captured. One dies of injuries. Later, the Japanese decapitate the other three crewmen.
27 March 1945:
Nha Trang Bay. At 2000 convoy HI- 88I is absorbed into new convoy HI-88J. Additional escorts are added. HI-88J now consists of tankers HONAN, SARAWAK, ASOKAWA, KAIKO MARUs and probably NANSHIN MARU No. 30 escorted by CD-1, destroyer AMATSUKAZE, kaibokan MANJU, CD-18, CD-26, CD-84, CD-130, CD-134 and probably subchasers CH-9 and CH-20.
28 March 1945:
At 0800, departs Nha Trang Bay. At 1040, an air attack begins and ASOKAWA MARU is hit in the engine room and sinks. 92 passengers, eight gunners and 34 crewmen are KIA. MANJU and CD-84 rescue survivors. At 1220, LtCdr (later Captain) Eric L. Barr's (USNA ’34) USS BLUEGILL (SS-242) torpedoes HONAN MARU. 59 onboard are KIA. Her captain runs her aground. NANSHIN MARU No. 30 probably is detached.
29 March 1945:
At 0710, LtCdr Frank M. Smith's USS HAMMERHEAD (SS-364) torpedoes and sinks CD-84 at 14-40N, 109-16E. MANJU rescues some survivors. At 1130, another submarine attack coincides with an air attack and KAIKO MARU is bombed and sunk. 22 passengers, four gunners and 19 of the crew are KIA. At 2230, a further air attack damages CD-134.
30 March 1945:
At 1000, the escorts, now without a convoy, arrive at Samah. Air attacks persist and at 1045 CD-26 is damaged by a bomb hit.The destruction of this convoy marks the end of the Singapore-Empire convoys.
31 March 1945:
At 1530 CD-1 departs Samah for Hong Kong.
2 April 1945:
Arrives at Hong Kong.
3 April 1945:
Hong Kong. USAAF Far East Air Force B-24 “Liberators” bomb the harbor and sink cargo ships HEIKAI MARU with the loss of two crewmen and SHOZAN MARU with the loss of eight crewmen and heavily damage kaibokan MANJU. She partially sinks at 22-17N, 114-10E.
4 April 1945:
At 1700, CD-1 departs Hong Kong for Shanghai en route to Moji with kaibokan CD-134, subchasers CH-20, CH-9 and destroyer AMATSUKAZE escorting convoy HOMO-03 consisting of TOKAI MARU No. 2 and KINE MARU.
5 April 1945:
Pinghai Bay, China. USN Martin PBM-5 "Mariner" maritime patrol flying boats attack convoy HOMO-03 and sink TOKAI MARU No. 2 at 22-24N, 116-10E. 16 gunners and 13 crewmen are KIA. Later, 5th Air Force B-24 "Liberators", B-26 "Marauders" and P-38 "Lightnings" attack the convoy and sink KINE MARU at 22-24N, 115-28E. 56 passengers, five gunners and 19 crewmen are killed. The convoy is dissolved. CH-9, CH-20 and CD-1 return to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong. That same day, Far East Air Force B-24s bomb and damage CD-1, fleet oiler KAMOI, CD-52 and subchasers CH-9 and CH-20 at 22-45N, 116-10E.
6 April 1945:
SSW of Amoy, China. Twenty-four USAAF B-25 “Mitchell” medium bombers of the 345th Bombardment Group attack convoy HOMO-03 and sink CD-1 and CD-134 at 23-55N, 117-40E. A total of 159 officers and sailors are lost in the sinking. A further 19 sailors died of their wounds in the Hong Kong Naval Hospital. LtCdr Arima is KIA. They also damage destroyer AMATSUKAZE at 24-30N, 118-10E. AMATSUKAZE's crew beaches the ship at the entrance to Amoy harbor, but later she sinks.
25 May 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
Authors' Note:
Thanks for assistance go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan, Mr Matthew Jones of Mississippi, USA and Mr Gilbert Casse of France.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
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