Japanese Subchasers

KUSENTEI!

IJN Subchaser CH-21: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2005-2018 Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
Revision 11

1941:
Osaka. Laid down at the Sakurajima Iron Works shipyard.
15 May 1941:
Numbered CH-21. Tentatively attached to Kure Naval District.

21 May 1941:
Launched.
20 August 1941:
Completed and registered in the Kure Naval District.

8 December 1941:
Assigned to the Kure Guard Unit. Conducts patrols in the Bungo Straits.

7 February 1942:
At 1100 CH-19, CH-20 and CH-21 depart Kure.
8 February 1942:
At 1725 arrives at Amami Oshima.
9 February 1942:
At 1642 all three escorts depart Amami Oshima.
13 February 1942:
At 1500 all three ships arrive at Davao.
15 February 1942:
At 1700 CH-19, CH-20 and CH-21 depart Davao.
19 February 1942:
Arrives at Staring Bay.
February 1942:
Reassigned to Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kubo Kuji's (38) (former CO of KAGA) 1st Base Force of Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo's (36) Third Fleet. Escorts the Bali, Java Invasion Force.
21 February 1942:
At 1100 departs Staring Bay.
22 February 1942:
At 1500 arrives at Makassar.
23 February 1942:
At 1700 departs Makassar.
26 February 1942:
At 0800 arrives at Bali Island.
10 March 1942:
Makassar, Celebes (now Sulawasei). Reassigned to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet in Captain (later Vice Admiral)(40) (former XO of ATAGO) Mori Kunizo's 23rd Special Base Force with CH-19 and CH-20. Escorts convoys.
3 May 1942:
At 0308 arrives at Ponape.
7 May 1942:
At 0400 departs Ponape.
8 May 1942:
At 1200 arrives at Truk.
16 May 1942:
At 1600 departs Truk on an escort mission.
22 May 1942:
At 0300 arrives at Nauru.
23 May 1942:
At 0200 departs Nauru.
24 May 1942:
At 1100 arrives at Ocean Island.
28 May 1942:
At 1500 departs Ocean Island on an escort mission.
24 June 1942:
Off the Celebes. CH-21 joins auxiliary gunboat OKUYO MARU that departed Menado the previous day.
25 June 1942:
Arrives at Kendari.
29 July 1942: Operation "T" - The Banda Sea Operations:
At 1500, the 3rd Attack Force departs Ambon, Moluccas. The force includes the 23rd Special Base Force's CH-21, carrying one company of Special Base Force 24 and CH-5 of Special Base Force 22 carrying a platoon of the 3rd Yokosuka Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF). Cover is provided by DesDiv 5's ASAKAZE, HARUKAZE and MATSUKAZE of the 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet.
3 August 1942:
Departs Ambon with submarine chaser CH-5 escorting auxiliary seaplane tender SANYO MARU. Tanker TOEN MARU escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 1 also departs port.
August 1942:
Reassigned to the 11th Base Force at Saigon, Indochina in Vice Admiral (37)(former CO of HIEI) Okawachi Denshichi 's 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet.
16 August 1942:
Departs Macassar.
21 August 1942:
Arrives at Miri.
22 August 1942:
Departs Miri.
3 October 1942:
At 1230 departs Truk on an escort mission.
6 October 1942:
At 1555 arrives back at Truk.
7 October 1942:
At 1500 departs Truk on an escort mission.
18 October 1942:
At 0600 arrives at Truk. Later that day at 1700 departs Truk on a further escort mission.
25 October 1942:
At 1700 arrives back at Truk.
28 October 1942:
At 0900 departs Truk on an escort mission.
30 October 1942:
At 1540 arrives at Truk.
25 November 1942:
At 0600 departs Rabaul for Palau in a convoy consiting of TEIYO, OIGAWA, TAIHEI, SOURABAYA, MACASSAR and TAIKO MARUs escorted by submarine chasers CH-17 and CH-21.
18 January 1943:
CH-21 joins fleet supply ship NOJIMA at 01-50S, 148-10E and escorts her to Rabaul.
2 February 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Truk from an escort mission.
3 February 1943:
At 0400 departs Truk on an escort mission.
5 February 1943:
At 0830 arrives back at Truk.
10 February 1943:
At 0700 departs Truk on an escort mission.
14 February 1943:
At 0630 arrives back at Truk via the South Pass.
15 February 1943:
At 1600, departs Truk escorting an unknown ship.
19 February 1943:
At 1500 arrives at Nauru.
23 February 1943:
Departs Nauru.
24 February 1943:
At 0900 arrives at Ocean Island.
25 February 1943:
Departs Ocean Island and later that day arrives at Tarawa. Patrols around island.
26 February 1943:
Enters port briefly and then departs Tarawa.
2 April 1943:
At 0700 departs Truk on an escort mission escorting IKUSHIMA MARU and possibly others.
6 April 1943:
At 1800 arrives at Palau.
11 April 1943:
At 0900 departs Palau on an escort mission.
14 April 1943:
At 1100 arrives back at Palau.
17 April 1943:
Departs Palau.
19 April 1943:
Arrives at Davao.
20 April 1943:
Transferred to SW region.
21 April 1943:
Departs Davao.
23 April 1943:
Arrives at Macassar.
26 April 1943:
Departs Macassar.
2 May 1943:
Arrives at Singapore and drydocked.
9 May 1943:
Undocked.
20 May 1943:
Departs Singapore with light cruiser KASHII carrying Vice Admiral Endo on an inspection tour.
23 May 1943:
Both ships arrive at Padang.
26 May 1943:
Both ships depart Padang.
27 May 1943:
Both ships arrive at Sibolga.
28 May 1943:
Both ships depart Sibolga.
29 May 1943:
Both ships arrive at Sabang.
30 May 1943:
Both ships depart Sabang.
31 May 1943:
Both ships arrive at Nancowry, Nicobar Islands.
1 June 1943:
Both ships arrive at Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
2 June 1943:
Both ships depart Port Blair.
4 June 1943:
Both ships arrive at Penang.
5 June 1943:
Both ships depart Penang.
7 June 1943:
Both ships arrive back at Singapore.
11 June 1943:
Departs Singapore on an escort mission.
14 June 1943:
Commences an anti submarine sweep.
21 June 1943:
Arrives at Saigon.
24 June 1943:
Departs Saigon and later that day departs St Jacques escorting Rinji Convoy consisting of TEIBI (ex French BERNARDIN de ST PIERRE), HOTEN and AKASHI MARUs and tanker SUMATRA MARU (ex British SUMATRA).
27 June 1943:
At 1900 arrives at Singapore.
11 July 1943:
South China Sea. At 1800, CH-21 departs Billiton Island for Rangoon, Burma escorting a convoy consisting of TAMISHIMA MARU and later ANNAN, HAKUSAN and MILAN MARUs.
23 July 1943:
The convoy departs Penang.
26 July 1943:
ANNAN, HAKUSAN and MILAN MARUs are detached and head separately for Rangoon.
28 July 1943:
Tavoy Sea. At 1425, the convoy is attacked by B-24 "Liberator" bombers at 13-53N, 97-40E. The bombers score several hits on TAMISHIMA MARU and at 1448 she sinks. 17 crewmen and one gunner are killed and the cargo of war supplies is lost. It is unclear where CH-21 makes port.
13 January 1944:
Departs Singapore on a convoy escort mission.
16 January 1944:
Arrives at St Jacques and departs there and arrives Saigon later that day.
18 January 1944:
CH-21 departs St Jacques escorting convoy No. 458 consisting of CHINA, HAKUROKU (HAKUSHIKA) MARUs, HINO MARU No. 1 and five unidentified merchant ships.
19 January 1944:
Arrives at Camranh Bay and waits because of a submarine threat.
25 January 1944:
Departs Camranh Bay.
27 January 1944:
CH-21 is detached and arrives back at Camranh Bay.
28 January 1944:
CH-21 departs St Jacques escorting convoy No. 460 consisting of six unidentified merchant ships.
30 January 1944:
Convoy No. 460 merges with convoy TE-02 from Yulin consisting of four unidentified merchant ships escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE. Later that day CH-21 returns to Camranh Bay.
31 January 1944:
Convoy No. 458 arrives at Takao.
2 February 1944:
CH-21 departs Camranh Bay escorting a convoy.
4 February 1944:
Arrives at Qui Nhon and departs later that day.
8 February 1944:
Arrives at Camranh Bay.
9 February 1944:
Southern Indochina. At about noon, while TONAN MARU No. 2 is enroute to Nagasaki, LtCdr (later Cdr) Thomas W. Hogan’s (USNA ’31) USS BONEFISH (SS-223) torpedoes and damages her at 11-30N, 109-08E. Hogan claims four hits out of five torpedoes he fires.
Later that day, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message that reads: "Order to Subchasers No. 21, 41, and 43 to attack the submarine that attacked TONAN MARU No. 2.
10 February 1944:
CH-21 departs Camranh Bay on an anti submarine sweep and then escorts a convoy.
15 February 1944:
Arrives at Qui Nhon and departs later that day still undertaking anti submarine sweeps and convoy escort duties.
20 February 1944:
Arrives at Saigon.
24 February 1944:
CH-21 departs Camranh Bay on an anti submarine sweep and then escorts a convoy.
29 February 1944:
Arrives at Camranh Bay.
1 March 1944:
CH-21, CH-41 and CH-43 depart Camranh Bay (CH-21 and CH-41) and Saigon (CH-43) escorting combined convoy SATA-06 and SATA-07 from Camranh Bay consisting of MANKO, KENZUI, SAINEI, KOAN MARUs, UNKAI MARU No. 12, and seven unidentified merchant ships.
3 March 1944:
The convoy with all three escorts arrive at Van Phong Bay.
4 March 1944:
The convoy with all three escorts depart Van Phong Bay.
6 March 1944:
Convoy TASA-08 departs Takao for Cap St Jacques, Indochina via Yulin, China auxiliary gunboat PEKING MARU escorting convoy TASA-08 consisting of NICHIREI, LONDON, ISHIKARI, CHEFOO, SAINAN, SHINGU and TOYOKUNI MARUs and one unidentified merchant ship. That same day SATA-06/SATA-07 arrives at Yulin.
7 March 1944:
SATA-06/07 depart Yulin. At an unspecified time and place the convoy meets up with southbound convoy TASA-08 and the three submarine chasers take over escort of this convoy.
8 March 1944:
SE of Hong Kong. At 1455, LtCdr (later Cdr) Lowell T. Stone’s (USNA ’29) USS LAPON (SS-260) torpedoes and damages TOYOKUNI MARU in TASA-08. The ship is carrying 2473 tons of general cargo and Army materials. She loses power and goes dead in the water. NICHIREI MARU takes her in tow.
9 March 1944:
At 0150, while NICHIREI MARU is still towing TOYOKUNI MARU, USS LAPON torpedoes NICHIREI MARU. LtCdr Stone also torpedoes and hits TOYOKUNI MARU again. She floods and sinks. 15 crewmen are KIA. At about 0500, NICHIREI MARU sinks. Six escort troopers and 46 crewmen are killed. CH-21 and the other escorts, including an aircraft, counterattack, but fail to damage USS LAPON.
10 March 1944:
Arrives at Quinhon, Indochina.
14 March 1944:
Arrives at St Jacques (Vung Tau).
17 March 1944:
Arrives at Saigon.
22 March 1944:
Departs Saigon and arrives at St Jacques.
23 March 1944:
CH-21 and CH-41 depart St Jacques escorting convoy SATA-12 consisting of KOTO MARU No.2 GO, HAWAII, YOSHU, NORFOLK, ARABIA, RYOFU MARUs. The convoy sailed with convoy SAMA-03 consisting of DAKAR, UGO and MIYAURA MARUs for Manila. These ships together with CH-21 and CH-41 detach at some point en route.
27 March 1944:
Arrives at Manila. Both escorts are detached.
1 April 1944:
CH-21 and CH-41 depart Manila escorting convoy MASA-02 consisting of unidentified merchant ships.
6 April 1944:
Arrives at Saigon.
11 April 1944:
Departs Saigon and later that day arrives at St Jacques.
12 April 1944:
At 0800 CH-21 departs St Jacques escorting convoy SAMA-04 consisting of transports RAKUYO and TASMANIA MARUs and tanker SEISHIN MARU.
16 April 1944:
At 1700 arrives at Manila.
19 April 1944:
Convoy MASA-04 departs Manila. The convoy consists of NORWAY and HOZAN MARUs escorted by submarine chaser CH-21. At an unknown date CH-19 also joins the convoy.
23 April 1944:
CH-23 detaches and arrives at Camranh Bay.
24 April 1944:
At 1700 the convoy arrives at Saigon.
1 May 1944:
CH-21 departs Camranh Bay on an anti submarine sweep.
3 May 1944:
Arrives at Camranh Bay and departs later that day on a further anti submarine sweep.
4 May 1944:
Arrives at Camranh Bay.
5 May 1944:
Departs Camranh Bay on an escort mission.
6 May 1944:
Arrives back at Camranh Bay.
8 May 1944:
Departs Camranh Bay on a convoy escort mission.
10 May 1944:
Arrives at Sana.
11 May 1944:
Departs Sana on a convoy escort mission.
13 May 1944:
At Vung Ro Bay the ship bottom is inspected by divers from auxiliary salvage ship HOSHIN MARU.
16 May 1944:
Arrives at Saigon.
17 May 1944:
Departs Saigon on a convoy escort mission.
19 May 1944:
Arrives at Singapore.
21 May 1944:
Departs Singapore escorting EIKO MARU.
27 May 1944:
Arrives at Saigon.
28 May 1944:
Departs Saigon and later arrives at St Jacques.
29 May 1944:
CH-21 departs St Jacques escorting convoy SASHI-23 consisting of NANSHIN MARU No. 1, SHINAI, TOYO (2704 gt) MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
2 June 1944:
Arrives at Singapore. Enters drydock.
23 June 1944:
Departs Singapore.
25 June 1944:
At 1915, CH-21 departs Miri for Singapore with kaibokan CD-18, torpedo boat SAGI, minesweeper W-17 and auxiliary minesweepers CHOUN MARU No. 6 and TOSHI MARU No. 2 escorting convoy MISHI-03 consisting of fleet oiler NOTORO and tankers SAN DIEGO, NICHIYO, HIDA, FUYUKAWA, AYANAMI, KYOEI No. 8, BAIEI, NIPPO (ex-Swedish NINGPO), DAIZEN, TEIFU (ex-French BOUGAINVILLE), SEIWA, SURAKARUTA, HINAGA, MANILA, ARIMASAN, ROKKO, TATSUTAMA (ex-American SS ADMIRAL Y. S. WILLIAMS), TOA, KENZUI and JINEI MARUs.
28 June 1944:
South China Sea. Off Singapore. At 2100, Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Reuben T. Whitaker’s (USNA ’34) USS FLASHER's (SS-249) radar picks up the convoy. Whitaker, operating in relatively shallow water (150 feet) decides to wait until after the moon sets to make a surface attack.
29 June 1944:
At 0117, two or three torpedoes hit NIPPO MARU and two or three torpedoes hit NOTORO. NIPPO MARU carrying 628 troops and other passengers breaks in two and sinks by the bow. 77 passengers and ten crewmen are killed. NOTORO remains afloat, but goes dead in the water. The escorts begin blindly dropping depth charges. Whitaker, still on the surface, leaves the area on four engines.
30 June 1944:
At 1437, convoy MISHI-03 arrives at Singapore.
2 July 1944:
CH-21 departs Singapore escorting convoy SHISA-23 consisting of ROKKO, KIYO, MIKASA and YUKI MARUs.
6 July 1944:
Arrives at St Jacques. Later that same day CH-21 arrives at Saigon.
11 July 1944:
CH-21 departs Saigon with auxiliary gunboat CHOJUSAN MARU escorting convoy SAMA-09 consisting of ROKKO, MIKASA and YUKI MARUs.
17 July 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
23 July 1944:
At 0700, CH-21 departs Manila with minesweeper W-34 escorting convoy MASA-09 consisting of RAKUYO, NICHINAN (5175 grt) and CHINZEI MARUs.
28 July 1944:
At 1800, arrives at St Jacques.
12 August 1944:
At 1700 departs Manila to rescue survivors of SHIMPO and TEIKON MARUs.
17 August 1944:
At 0100 arrives back at Manila.
21 August 1944:
At 0700 CH-21 departs Manila with patrol boat PB-104 escorting convoy MAYU-07 consisting of ATLAS MARU and two unidentified merchant ships.
25 August 1944:
At 1700 arrives at Yulin.
28 August 1944:
At 0400, CH-21 departs Yulin, Hainan Island with patrol boat PB-104 escorting convoy YUTA-11 consisting of MITSUKI, SAIHO, ATLAS, KOKKA and HOKOKU MARUs.
2 September 1944:
At 1852 arrives at Keelung (Kirun), Formosa.
5 September 1944:
At 1000 CH-21 departs Keelung for Moji with patrol boats PB-102 and PB-104 escorting convoy TAMO-25 consisting of SAIHO, MITSUKI, ATLAS, KOKKA, HENGSHAN, MEIRYU, TATSUSHO and TATSUTAMA MARUs. KOKKA MARU runs aground shortly after leaving Keelung. Later, she is refloated and returns to Keelung.
10 September 1944:
CH-21 is reassigned to the Southwest Area Fleet’s Third Southern Expeditionary Fleet's 21st Subchaser Division with CH-19 and CH-20. At 1400 arrives at Moji.
11 September 1944:
Departs Moji and later that day arrives at Sasebo.
23 September 1944:
At 1600, CH-21 departs Moji for Takao with kaibokan DAITO, patrol boat PB-104, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU and auxiliary subchasers CHa-87 and CHa-92 escorting convoy MI-21 consisting of TEIKA (ex French CAP VARELLA), TSUYAMA, EJIRI, FUSHIMI, KEISHIN, KEIZAN, CHOSAN, TATSUBATO, KENEI, TOYOKAWA and YOSHU MARUs and tankers SAN LUIS, SHUNTEN and EIKYO MARUs. Later that day tanker RYUEI MARU and cargo ship EIKO MARU (1843 grt) join from Sasebo.
28 September 1944:
TEIKA MARU (ex French CAP VARELLA) is detached and arrives later that day at Kirun.
29 September 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Takao where the convoy is dissolved.
1 October 1944:
At 1700, CH-21 departs Takao with patrol boat PB-104, kaibokan DAITO and YASHIRO, auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU and auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-87, CHa-92 escorting convoy TAMA-28 consisting of TSUYAMA, CHOSAN, MURORAN, MACASSAR, FUYUKAWA, SHINSEI, MITSU, KIZAN, FUSHIMI, NANKING, EIKO and TAISEI MARUs.
2 October 1944:
Luzon Strait. At about 2200, during a storm, Cdr Frank C. Acker's (USNA ’32) USS POMFRET (SS-391) torpedoes and sinks TSUYAMA MARU at 20-51N, 121-31. TSUYAMA MARU was carrying 1600 men of the Mobile 18th Infantry Regiment and a total of 1273 men on board are killed as well as two of her crew. USS POMFRET then torpedoes and damages MACASSAR MARU at 21-02N, 121-36.
3 October 1944:
At 2000 arrives at Musa.
4 October 1944:
At 0600 departs Musa and at 1930 arrives at Lapoc Bay.
5 October 1944:
At 0700 departs Lapoc Bay and at 1230 arrives at San Fernando.
6 October 1944:
At 0630 departs San Fernando. At 1915 arrives and shelters in Lapoc Bay. Meanwhile YASHIRO suffers generator problems and is detached to Aparri.
7 October 1944:
At about 0500, LtCdr Henry C. Stevenson's (USNA ’30) USS ASPRO (SS-309) torpedoes and sinks MACASSAR MARU at 17-30N, 119-53E. The ship is carrying approx 400 Naval Shock Troops of 100th Regiment and four of these, one gunner and three crewmen are killed.
8 October 1944:
At 1745, arrives at North San Fernando. FUSHIMI, FUYUKAWA and SHINSEI MARUs are detached.
11 October 1944:
At 0600, departs North San Fernando. At 1748, arrives at Masinloc anchorage.
12 October 1944:
At 1320, departs Masinloc.
13 October 1944:
At 0400, the convoy arrives at Manila. CH-21 arrives later at 1351.
17 October 1944:
Manila. Japanese naval authorities, fearing another air attack by Vice Admiral (Admiral posthumously) John S. McCain's (USNA ’06) Task Force 38, order a number of ships out of Manila to relieve congestion in the harbor.
At 1820, CH-21 departs Manila with destroyer SHIOKAZE, patrol boat PB-104, auxiliary gunboats CHOUN and KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARUs and torpedo boat HIYODORI escorting the "Taihi" (Refugee) convoy consisting of MANILA, EIMAN, TEIFU (ex French BOUGAINVILLE), DAIIKU, KENEI, DAIMEI, SHIRANESAN, ARABIA, HAKUROKU (HAKUSHIKA), SHINSEI and TAIKAI MARUs and NICHIYU MARU No. 2 and tankers KYOEI MARU No. 6 and MITSU MARU.
18 October 1944:
At 0716, LtCdr (later Captain) Eric L. Barr's (USNA ’34) USS BLUEGILL (SS-242) torpedoes and damages ARABIA MARU at 14-4N, 119-52E. CH-21 attends the casualty and is joined by patrol boat PB-104 and HAKKO MARU from a separate small convoy. At 1208, USS BLUEGILL torpedoes ARABIA MARU again. She is carrying 2,635 men of whom 1870 are from the the IJA's 49th Infantry Division with others from the 20th Infantry Division and 5th Division. She sinks taking down 1,658 troops and 89 crewmen and gunners. After rescuing survivors, patrol boat PB-104 and HAKKO MARU return to Manila with survivors. CH-21 remains with the convoy.
At 2015 in position 14.03N 119.39E about 105 metres W of Nasugbu HAKUROKU MARU is hit by two torpedoes also from USS BLUEGILL on the port side in hold No.3 and the fuel bunker. Pumping operations begin but are then suspended and the ship sank later that day. The ship was loaded with war supplies, empty drums and about 2000 troops for Java and Burma. 1156 of these troops and 30 of the crew were killed.
At 2210, LtCdr Maurice W. Shea's (USNA ’37) USS RATON (SS-270) attacks the convoy at 12-30N, 119-10E. USS RATON torpedoes and sinks SHIRANESAN and TAIKAI MARUs. SHIRANESAN MARU is carrying men of the Independent 107th Flying Corps Instructors and the 31st Aviation Repair Workshop; a total of 1318 troops, 47 gunners and 63 crewmen are killed. TAIKAI MARU is carrying aviation supplies and 495 passengers. 445 passengers, 37 gunners and 101 crewmen are killed.
19 October 1944:
At 0600, CH-21 is detached and makes for Manila. Soon after arrival, TF 38 attacks Manila harbor. CH-21 and patrol boat PB-104 are ordered to rejoin the convoy and depart at 0905.
20 October 1944:
At 1220, arrives at Bacuit Bay, Palawan Island.
21 October 1944:
At 0855, departs Bacuit Bay.
22 October 1944:
Attacked by B-24 "Liberator" heavy bombers.
23 October 1944:
Attacked by B-24 bombers.
24 October 1944:
At 1958, arrives at Gaya Bay, north Borneo. Some ships separate at this point.
26 October 1944:
At 0635, departs Gaya Bay. At 1835, arrives at Labuan.
27 October 1944:
At 1045, departs Labuan. At 1700 arrives at Victoria.
28 October 1944:
At 1000 departs Victoria. At 1650, arrives at Miri. At some point before arrival, EIMAN, DAIIKU, DAIMEI and NICHIYU MARU No. 2 are detached from the convoy.
1 November 1944:
At 1200, CH-21 departs Miri with destroyer SHIOKAZE and torpedo boat HIYODORI escorting convoy MI-20 consisting of tankers DAIMEI, SHUNTEN, DAISHU and SAN DIEGO MARUs.
3 November 1944:
At 0100, LtCdr Norman D. Gage's (USNA ’35) USS GURNARD (SS-254) torpedoes and sinks DAIMEI MARU carrying 8000 tons fuel oil at 05-53N, 111-12E. 31 passengers and three crewmen are killed.
5 November 1944:
At 1430, arrives at Cap St Jacques.
10 November 1944:
At 1200 departs St Jacques.
11 November 1944:
At 1730 arrives at Nha Trang.
12 November 1944:
At 0730 departs Nha Trang and at 1930 arrives at Camranh Bay.
13 November 1944:
At 0700 departs Camranh Bay escorting MANSHU MARU. At 2100 arrives at Qui Sande Bay. CH-21 soon after joins the escort of convoy MI-20 at Cape St. Jacques. At 1200, MI-20 departs Cape St. Jacques for Moji consisting of DAISHU, SHUNTEN, TEIRITSU and SAN DIEGO MARUs escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE, kaibokan CD-34 and torpedo boat HIYODORI.
15 November 1944:
At 0730 departs Qui Sande Bay.
17 November 1944:
S of Hainan Island. At 0300, LtCdr Guy E. O'Neil's (USNA ’37) USS GUNNEL (SS-253) torpedoes and sinks HIYODORI. At about 0400, O'Neil torpedoes and sinks SHUNTEN MARU carrying 190 passengers and loaded with 8,010-tons of crude oil, at 16-45N, 110-15E. Casualties are unknown.
20 November 1944:
At 0220 anchors near Shanchua Shan Island. Departs at 0800. Late that evening anchors near Portugese Macau.
21 November 1944:
Early in the morning departs from near Portugese Macau. At 1700 arrives at Hong Kong.
23 November 1944:
At 1600 departs Hong Kong.
25 November 1944:
At 1830 arrives at Takao.
30 November 1944:
At 0730 departs Takao.
30 December 1944:
At 0800, CH-21 and CH-18 depart North San Fernando for Takao, Formosa with old destroyer KURETAKE and three other unidentified escorts escorting convoy MATA-38 consisting of MURORAN, TEIKAI (ex German FULDA), KAZUURA and NISSHO MARUs.
Off Santiago Island, Luzon. At 1310, the convoy undergoes a series of air attacks by 26 of Fifth Air Force's B-25 “Mitchell” medium bombers, A-20 “Havoc” light bombers and P-40 “Warhawk” fighters that skip bomb at low level. CH-18 is hit and sunk as are MURORAN and TEIKAI MARUs. MURORAN MARU was largely empty but a bomb strikes some of the ammunition cargo remaining on board and the ship explodes and sinks with the loss of all 71 crewmen and 94 passengers. TEIKAI MARU sustains one bomb hit at No. 1 hold while two more bombs hit the engine room. One near miss explodes just off starboard No. 6 hold. Heavily afire. At 1430, all hands are ordered to abandon ship. The burning wreck drifts with the tide and finally runs aground on the nearby coast. The transport is also empty except for two motor vehicles and 122 military passengers, 15 gunners and 23 crewmen on board are killed. The planes also damage KAZUURA and NISSHO MARUs near Lingayen Gulf at 17-11N 120-45E.
Bashi Channel, 60 miles SE of Formosa. During the bombing, LtCdr Charles D. Brown's (USNA ’38) USS RAZORBACK (SS-394) sneaks in on the surface. In two attacks, Brown fires six torpedoes at destroyer KURETAKE, of which two hit and blow her bow off. She sinks at 21N, 121-24E. The number of survivors, if any, is unknown, but her CO, reserve Lt Yoshida Ieo (former CO of TOMOZURU) is KIA.
2 January 1945:
Arrives at Takao. Later in the month returns to Japan and docked at Sasebo for repairs.
3 February 1945:
Departs Sasebo.
4 February 1945:
Arrives at Moji.
5 February 1945:
At 0800, CH-21 departs Moji with kaibokan CD-40 and CD-69 escorting convoy MOHO-02 consisting of MIHO, KINSEN, PEKING and BANSAI MARUs.
9 February 1945:
At 1915, anchors at Ssu Chiao Shan in Chusan (Shoushan) Islands.
10 February 1945:
Departs the anchorage.
14 February 1945:
At 1100, arrives at Hong Kong.
18 February 1945:
Departs Keelung escorting convoy TAHO-01 consisting of WAYO and KINE MARUs escorted by minelayer NIIZAKI, destroyer KAEDE and submarine chaser CH-21. That evening anchors at Niu Shan Dao.
19 February 1945:
At 0700 departs Niu Shan Dao.
21 February 1945:
Arrives at Hong Kong.
28 February 1945:
At 0300 departs Kirun with UKU and CD-72 escorting TAMO-46 consisting of DAIKO, BRAZIL, TAIFU (?), TENRYU and JUZAN MARUs and at 1930 arrives at Tungta Dao.
1 March 1945:
At 0745 departs Tungta Tao. At 1400 arrives at Mazu Shan.
3 March 1945:
At 0000 departs Mazu Shan.
4 March 1945:
At 1800 arrives at Ssu Chiao Shan.
5 March 1945:
At 0500 departs Ssu Chiao Shan.
That same day CH-21 is reassigned to the General Escort Command’s First Escort Fleet’s 31st Subchaser Division with CH-19, CH-20, CH-26 and CH-60.
8 March 1945:
At 0900 CH-21 departs Yulin for Moji with kaibokan MIKURA, CD-33, CD-36 and CD-69 escorting convoy YUMO-01 consisting of TATSUMIYA MARU as the only merchant ship. At 1959, the convoy is attacked at sea by USAAF 14th Air Force B-24 “Liberator” heavy bombers that severely damage CD-69 at 19-02, 111-50E. CD-69 is taken in tow and drops behind the convoy. The convoy seeks shelter at an anchorage on the eastern side of Hainan Island.
9 March 1945:
At 0806, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message from CD-36 that reads: “At 1959 [on the 8th], Coast Defense Vessel No. 69 was bombed by enemy aircraft in position 19-02N, 110-56E. -----. Killed on Coast Defense Vessel No. 69: 3 (warrant officers and above?) and 23 ratings. Severely wounded ------. No damage to this vessel.”
Formosa Straits. A USN PB4Y “Liberator” carries out an unsuccessful attack on CH-21 at 22-23N, 115-03E.
11 March 1945:
At 2200 the convoy departs Ta Sha Tao.
12 March 1945:
At 1820, codebreakers decrypt a message from MIKURA that reads: “Under bombing attack in position 20-40 N., 111-57E.”
13 March 1945:
At 1035 the convoy arrives at Mirs Bay (Tai Pang Wan) and departs there at 1120 arriving at Hong Kong at 1300. CD-33 is detached.
14 March 1945:
At 1900 the convoy departs Hong Kong. Escort by now consists of MIKURA, CD-36 and CH-21.
15 March 1945:
At 1030, USAAF B-24s attack convoy YUMO-01 consisting of unidentified ships that departed Hong Kong the day before escorted by CD-36 and CH-21. They are both damaged at 23-03N 115-52E. CH-21 runs aground near Namoa Island, but is later refloated. [1]
16 March 1945:
Eight miles off Hong Kong. CD-69 sinks while in tow at 22-00N, 113-40E. MIKURA, undamaged, arrives at Hong Kong with CD-33.
At 1136, codebreakers decrypt a message from the CO of CD-69 that reads: Because of heavy seas the engine room was cut off and at 0714 we sank quickly in position bearing 1300 (sic), 8 miles distant from Mawei------.”
18 March 1945:
At 1815 the convoy arrives at Ssu Chiao Shan.
21 March 1945:
At 1600 departs Ssu Chiao Shan and at 2030 arrives at Peipan Shu Channel (North Bunji Channel) (NB unconfirmed)
22 March 1945:
At 0600 departs Peipan Shu Channel.
23 March 1945:
Arrives at Maro Sea, Chosen.
24 March 1945:
Departs Maro Sea, Chosen. Later arrives at Chinkai.
25 March 1945:
Departs Chinkai and at 2130 arrives at Mutsure.
26 March 1945:
At 0730 departs Mutsure and at 0750 arrives at Moji. At 1750 departs Moji.
27 March 1945:
Arrives at Sasebo. Undergoes repairs.
April 1945:
Reassigned to the General Escort Command’s First Escort Fleet’s 103rd Escort Squadron.
10 April 1945:
At 0700 departs Sasebo for Chinkai (Chinhae now Jinhae), Korea.
11 April 1945:
At 1400 arrives at Chinkai (Chinhae). Later, engages in convoy escort and patrol duties.
12 April 1945:
At 1400 departs Chinkai.
13 April 1945:
At 0700 arrives at Hikin Do.
14 April 1945:
At 1630 departs Hikin Do.
15 April 1945:
At 1900 arrives at Seito (Tsingtao).
19 April 1945:
At 0710 departs Seito with destroyer KURI, gunboat OKITSU and kaibokan OKI, and auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-220 and CHa-240 escorting MO-705 convoy consisting of YAMAZONO, AWA, TOYOKAWA, SHINYO and KEIZO (KEIJO?) MARUs. The convoy meets up with minesweeper W-20 on or soon after departure.
20 April 1945:
At 1330 the convoy arrives at Daito Wan (Taedong Hae) and departs at 1500.
21 April 1945:
At 1155 CH-21 and W-20 are detached.
22 April 1945:
At 1640 CH-21 and W-20 arrives at Daito Wan.
24 April 1945:
At 1025 CH-21 and W-20 depart Daito Wan. At 2000 arrives at Chinto (Chin Hao).
25 April 1945:
At 0235 the ships depart Chinto. At 1110 the ships arrive at Hikin Do. At 2330 departs Hikin Do escorting MO-705 convoy Part 2 consisting of KOCHO, GYOSHI (ex Dutch REAEL), HENGSHAN, GAKUJO, KAIJUN and TOYU MARUs, YORO MARU No. 2 and tanker RYUEI MARU No. 3.
27 April 1945:
At 1440 the convoy arrives at Chinkai.
30 April 1945:
At 1000 OKI, CD-39 and submarine chaser CH-21 depart Chinkai.
September 1945:
Maizuru. Surrendered to Allied Forces.
5 October 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
22 November 1945:
Departs Hakata.
23 November 1945:
Arrives at Moppo (Mokpo) and departs later that day.
24 November 1945:
Arrives at Hakata.
4 December 1945:
Departs Hakata and later that day arrives and departs Pusan.
5 December 1945:
Arrives at Hakata.
1 December 1945:
Forally assigned to the Allied Repatriation Service.
8 December 1945:
Departs Hakata and later that day arrives and departs Pusan.
9 December 1945:
Arrives at Hakata.
21 December 1945:
Departs Hakata.
23 December 1945:
Arrives at Moppo (Mokpo) and departs later that day.
26 December 1945:
Arrives at Hakata.
6 January 1946:
Departs Hakata.
7 January 1946:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later that day.
9 January 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai.
12 January 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
15 January 1946:
Arrives at Hakata.
26 January 1946:
Departs Hakata.
27 January 1946:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later that day.
29 January 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai and departs later that day.
1 February 1946:
Arrives at Hakata. Under repair there until 1 April 1946.
1 April 1946:
Repairs are completed. Departs Hakata.
4 April 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai and departs later that day.
6 April 1946:
Arrives at Hakata
9 April 1946:
Undergoes repairs at Kagoshima.
17 April 1946:
Repairs are completed.
23 April 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
25 April 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai.
30 April 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
2 May 1946:
Arrives at Maizuru.
12 May 1946:
Undergoes repairs at Nagasaki.
22 May 1946:
Repairs are completed.
23 May 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
25 May 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai.
27 May 1946:
Departs Shanghai
30 May 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
5 June 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
7 June 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai.
8 June 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
12 June 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
17 July 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
19 July 1946:
Arrives at Korojima near Tsientsin
21 July 1946:
Departs Korojima.
27 July 1946:
Arrives at Hakata.
5 August 1946 :
Undergoes repairs at Kagoshima.
20 August 1946 :
Repairs are completed.
23 August 1946:
Departs Hakata.
27 August 1946:
Arrives at Korojima.
29 August 1946:
Departs Korojima.
1 September 1946:
Arrives at Hakata.
8 September 1946:
Departs Hakata.
12 September 1946:
Arrives at Korojima.
15 September 1946:
Departs Korojima.
19 September 1946:
Arrives at Hakata.
28 September 1946:
Departs Hakata.
2 October 1946:
Arrives at Korojima.
5 October 1946:
Departs Korojima.
8 October 1946:
Arrives at Hakata.
19 October 1946:
Departs Hakata.
23 October 1946:
Arrives at Korojima.
3 November 1946:
Departs Korojima.
5 November 1946:
Arrives at Hakata.
19 November 1946:
Departs Hakata.
22 November 1946:
Arrives at Okinawa.
23 November 1946:
Departs Okinawa.
25 November 1946:
Arrives at Kure.
7 October 1947:
Singapore. Ceded to the United Kingdom as a war reparation.
1947:
Singapore. Scrapped.

Authors' Note:
[1] Some sources list CH-21 as damaged by marine casualty on this date; other sources attribute the damage to USN carrier-based aircraft.
Thanks go to John Whitman of the USA for info on CNO intercepts of Japanese messages and to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France.
-Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall.

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